Irrigation Line/ pump

Nickeldeposit · 03-17-2010, 11:42 PM

I’m setting up an automatic irrigation system to work with my hops this year. I want to feed water into one main line 1/2” or 3/4” x 80’ long w/ about 15 ¼” drip line off of it. Do you guys think/ know if this pump will work. One thing I thought of was will the pump get to much back pressure on it while it pumps? Also anyone know if it will hold back any pressure while off so I can leave my 100gallon tank valve open?

Wayne 115 Volt Transfer Pump — 310 GPH, Model# PC2
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200352045_200352045

Nickeldeposit · 03-19-2010, 03:18 PM

Anyone have anything?

Catt22 · 03-19-2010, 04:19 PM

That pump looks very similar to this 12v DC model from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=9576

The pump heads look identical. Anyway, the HF one is rated for intermittent use and it's very noisy. I have one. Back pressure shouldn't be a problem. I throttle mine back with a ball valve without issues. I don't think it will hold back any pressure or flow, but neither will any type of impeller driven centrifugal pump AFAIK.

Here's a pump that might be a better choice for your application:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=1479

Cheaper too and you can frequently find them for even less when HF has their weekly sales promotion.

Nickeldeposit · 03-19-2010, 06:20 PM

I'll look into it, thanks

Marsdude · 03-20-2010, 04:43 PM

One question I would have is where is your water tank situated? Since this is going to be a drip system, could you make it work just using gravity?

If you need a pump, the one you show may work but I might opt for something a little bigger and hook up a bladder tank with a pressure switch into the system. That way you could maintain the correct pressure that your drip system requires.

**david_42** · 03-20-2010, 05:49 PM

Are you planning on using emitters or just straight lines? Because even with 3 gph emitters, all of those pumps are way more than you'll need. If you are using emitters, you should regulate the pressure down to 15 psi.

weizen · 03-21-2010, 12:17 PM

There are alot of variables involved in this. What will be the head height of your drip lines, the GPH rating of your emitters, how many emitters, etc. not only do you need to know the GPH /GPM you need to know the pressure of the pump's output. If possible I would use gravity and a timer that can hook to a regular hose outlet available at your local blue/orange hardware store.

Another thing to think about is the pump capable of having its output restricted. If its not a magnetic drive pump damage could result in restricting its output.

Marsdude · 03-21-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weizen

Another thing to think about is the pump capable of having its output restricted. If its not a magnetic drive pump damage could result in restricting its output.

This is one of the reasons I recommended adding a pressure switch and a bladder tank. The bladder tank can be small, I've seen two gallon tanks. The pressure switch will turn the pump off when you have reached the desired pressure, it has been suggested that 15 psi is what you need for your drip system, I don't know about that. The bladder tank acts like a "pressure reserve so you don't have your pump cycling on and off rapidly to maintain pressure.

Nickeldeposit · 03-21-2010, 10:45 PM

Well here are some of the details. I'm going to use 1" poly tubing for my mainline (80' long run). I'll have 16 1/4" drip lines coming of the main with 2-3gph emitters or (none if that would work) connected to each. The 100 gallon water tank will be on a metal stand 2' off the ground with a valve near the bottom. The site I'm using has no water supply nor does it have power. So I'm using a solar charger+marine battery+power invertor+programable timer+pump=automatic watering system. I think I need to lay down about a gallon per watering. I'd like to see what kind of pumps use the bladder tank system. Also I'm not looking at dropping a few hundred on a pump. If you'd like more fact please ask away.

Looking for suggestions

Catt22 · 03-22-2010, 02:59 AM

Is this really just for hop production?