Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Oct 30, 2012 4:42 am So after reading about how simple drip irrigation is to set up, I decided to jump in and install a hunter x-core controller managing 7 zones and have run into a small problem I hope someone can help with. My garden taps are attached to a tee on top of a backflow prevention device/ball valve, my problem occurs after the tap: Filter -> Pressure Reducing Valve -> BSP / Nipple adaptor -> LDPE Poly pipe (1 metre vertical) -> Elbow -> LDPE (1 metre horizontal)-> Elbow -> LDPE (1 metre horizontal) -> Manifold -> Valves At the first point where the poly pipe is attached to the BSP / Nipple adaptor, it leaks. Not alot... maybe just 1 drop every minute, but it leaks. All other poly pipe joins are fine. All my joins have plastic ratchet clamps however it is only the first connection to the BSP / Nipple adaptor which has constantly has a very small leak. I tried a different adaptor, and new cuts of poly pipe but there is always a tiny leak. I tested my pressure which came in at 30 PSI which I understand should be fine. One thing I have noticed is when cutting the pipe (using made for purpose pipe cutters) the LDPE contorts at the point of cutting so I never have a perfectly square cut. This doesnt seem to be a problem for my other joins, is this critical at the head of the system? Am I perhaps placing the clamps incorrectly? Should I be placing close to the barb as possible or otherwise? Or perhaps the problem is that I am attaching the pipe to the adaptor first and then connecting it to the elbow for the horizontal poly pipe and at that point maybe stressing the join so that its weakened ? Any thoughts? Any help greatly appreciated. Cheers Steve Re: Small problem with drip irrigation installation 2Oct 30, 2012 5:53 pm refs_unperson At the first point where the poly pipe is attached to the BSP / Nipple adaptor, it leaks. Not alot... maybe just 1 drop every minute, but it leaks. All my joins have plastic ratchet clamps however it is only the first connection to the BSP / Nipple adaptor which has constantly has a very small leak. One thing I have noticed is when cutting the pipe (using made for purpose pipe cutters) the LDPE contorts at the point of cutting so I never have a perfectly square cut. Hi Steve, A drop a second (actual, not apothecaries) is 13 litres per day. One drop every minute is... The plastic ratchet clamps can pinch the pipe where the clip overlaps. If you replace the plastic clamp with a stainless steel one, you should be alright. You can also buy the fittings with multiple barbs now. When you put the poly pipe in the round depression at the bottom of the cutter, simply close the cutter to barely touch the pipe and then rotate the cutter lightly across the pipe a couple of times before trying to cut through. Clamping straight down will have the result you have experienced. 3in1 Supadiverta. Rainwater Harvesting Best Practice using syphonic drainage. Cleaner Neater Smarter Cheaper Supa Gutter Pumper. A low cost syphonic eaves gutter overflow solution. Re: Small problem with drip irrigation installation 3Nov 10, 2012 11:53 am SaveH2O Hi Steve, A drop a second (actual, not apothecaries) is 13 litres per day. One drop every minute is... The plastic ratchet clamps can pinch the pipe where the clip overlaps. If you replace the plastic clamp with a stainless steel one, you should be alright. You can also buy the fittings with multiple barbs now. When you put the poly pipe in the round depression at the bottom of the cutter, simply close the cutter to barely touch the pipe and then rotate the cutter lightly across the pipe a couple of times before trying to cut through. Clamping straight down will have the result you have experienced. Thanks for the response - I'll try getting some stainless steel clamps and see how that goes. And thanks for the advice re cutting poly pipe - Im heading out right now to try that! Hi all I am looking to run a water line under my concrete footpath which is directly next to my home, was seeing if this is possible without cutting the entire section… 0 20179 Hi Brainstrust, I had a go at creating my own irrigation plan, keen to get some feedback. It will be run from one 750-800W pump, off 2* 5000L rain tanks. Each zone… 0 22757 I need to replace the worn mohair seal on my sliding window, but I can't get access to the end to slide the old one out & push the new one in. I could probably rip the old… 0 5188 |