Sprinkler systems?

Cuerno Largo · 05-01-08, 10:07 AM

Anyone design and install their own sprinkler system? Is it worth doing yourself. Installers want obscene amounts for this. I live in the country, but am on a local water supply with great pressure so I imagine backflow prevention would be good to have. Any thoughts?

76FJ40 · 05-01-08, 10:31 AM

I've done it several times for myself and for friends. I was actually a licensed Irrigator when I lived in TX. The Weathermatic company based in Dallas publishes a great book on irrigation system design, much better than the crappy pamphlets they give away at Home depot and lowes.

splitshot · 05-01-08, 11:06 AM

Pick up a Rainbird catalog, lots of info in there also..

Cuerno Largo · 05-01-08, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 76FJ40

I've done it several times for myself and for friends. I was actually a licensed Irrigator when I lived in TX. The Weathermatic company based in Dallas publishes a great book on irrigation system design, much better than the crappy pamphlets they give away at Home depot and lowes.

Thanks for the info. As a former professional, do you have any thoughts about potential pitfalls a newbie might make doing this on his own?

Cuerno Largo · 05-01-08, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by splitshot

Pick up a Rainbird catalog, lots of info in there also..

I think I looked at that one. They had some good info, but very basic stuff. I think the one I looked at wanted me to buy plans from them based off info I supplied.

splitshot · 05-01-08, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuerno Largo

I think I looked at that one. They had some good info, but very basic stuff. I think the one I looked at wanted me to buy plans from them based off info I supplied.

The wholesale/retail irrigation suppliers here locally will design your system for free if you buy the parts from them. You might check that option.
The main issue is pressure loss at the heads, and is important to size the pipe accordingly.

-Spike- · 05-01-08, 12:44 PM

I've been looking at underground systems. Much less water consumption. Anyone have any input on those?

-Spike

splitshot · 05-01-08, 01:02 PM

Drip?

-Spike- · 05-01-08, 08:14 PM

Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products | Dripperline | Techline CV

-Spike

76FJ40 · 05-02-08, 06:31 AM

If you have any mechanical ability, a sprinkler system is pretty straight forward. I always designed for lower water pressure than what I observed to account for growth in the water distribution system, all of your neighbors watering at once, etc. I also used the gear drive heads wherever I could to reduce the loss to evaporation. Depending on where you live in TX, the pop up spray heads can be pretty inefficient with most of the water lost to evaporation. Good luck.

splitshot · 05-02-08, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Spike-

Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products | Dripperline | Techline CV

-Spike

I can help out with the design, and possibly get you wholesale pricing if you have a Horrizon Irrigation up there, but it's going to have to wait till I get back from fishing

Couple of quick notes: Rainbird "Rainbug" IMO are the best.
Plan on two zones, one for the trees, and one for the shrubs.

-Spike- · 05-02-08, 10:33 AM

Grass is what I'm mostly interested in, and burying the dripline ~4". The trees in the lawn and oleanders around it should get enough water, I would think. They don't get much now, other than when I water the grass with a soaker hose.

-Spike

splitshot · 05-02-08, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Spike-

Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products | Dripperline | Techline CV

-Spike

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Spike-

Grass is what I'm mostly interested in, and burying the dripline ~4". The trees in the lawn and oleanders around it should get enough water, I would think. They don't get much now, other than when I water the grass with a soaker hose.

-Spike

Hmmm, interesting concept for turf. My first thought is you would get a "lumpy" lawn do to uneven water distribution especially in sandy soil, but could see the advantages. I'll check around and see if anyone has used it in Arizona..

Mendocino · 05-03-08, 08:55 AM

I have put in underground systems multiple times. This included up to six zones with both drip and overhead watering. Its pretty straight forward. If you can wire tail lights you can do a sprinkler system

.

Since you are in the country you may have a farm supply that will actually help you come out and design the system for a modest fee ($50) in my case. If you buy the parts from them its free. This saved me a lot of time and I did all the install. It was a good way to go.

MTJohn · 05-04-08, 11:19 AM

I did mine myself a few year ago and has worked great. I got my information from Irrigation tutorials; sprinkler & drip systems, design, install and repair. and it was very helpful.

05-01-08, 10:07 AM	#1
Cuerno Largo IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: The Republic of Texas TLCA# 16073 Posts: 434	Sprinkler systems? Anyone design and install their own sprinkler system? Is it worth doing yourself. Installers want obscene amounts for this. I live in the country, but am on a local water supply with great pressure so I imagine backflow prevention would be good to have. Any thoughts? __________________ '75 FJ-40-In pieces on my garage floor. -Buildup thread here '07 Titanium FJC- wife's ride My statement to my wife: "All of the accumulated crap in my shop will be really useful if I find a use for it." "You may all go to Hell and I will go to Texas"- Davy Crockett

05-01-08, 10:31 AM	#2
76FJ40 Old Fart Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NOVA TLCA# 8019 Posts: 1,063	I've done it several times for myself and for friends. I was actually a licensed Irrigator when I lived in TX. The Weathermatic company based in Dallas publishes a great book on irrigation system design, much better than the crappy pamphlets they give away at Home depot and lowes. __________________ '76 FJ-40 with a Hula Girl on the dash for me and a '65 FJ-45 LWB for the wife. Life is good.

05-01-08, 11:06 AM	#3
splitshot What's next? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Podunk, Arizona Posts: 1,411	Pick up a Rainbird catalog, lots of info in there also.. __________________ '69 fj40 CSC#103 A dry heat still cooks a turkey

05-01-08, 12:44 PM	#7
-Spike- Sponsored by Bull Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,025	I've been looking at underground systems. Much less water consumption. Anyone have any input on those? -Spike __________________ His 1994 TLC 'White Elephant' +6"/35" Locked and loaded. Hers '95 TLC Bare bones. "I don't understand this business of illegal aliens giving birth to American citizens. If your cat has kittens in the oven, would you call them biscuits?" -Unknown

05-01-08, 01:02 PM	#8
splitshot What's next? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Podunk, Arizona Posts: 1,411	Drip? __________________ '69 fj40 CSC#103 A dry heat still cooks a turkey

05-01-08, 08:14 PM	#9
-Spike- Sponsored by Bull Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,025	Yes, this stuff is what I've been turned on to so far: Drip Irrigation Products \| Dripperline \| Techline CV -Spike __________________ His 1994 TLC 'White Elephant' +6"/35" Locked and loaded. Hers '95 TLC Bare bones. "I don't understand this business of illegal aliens giving birth to American citizens. If your cat has kittens in the oven, would you call them biscuits?" -Unknown

05-02-08, 06:31 AM	#10
76FJ40 Old Fart Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NOVA TLCA# 8019 Posts: 1,063	If you have any mechanical ability, a sprinkler system is pretty straight forward. I always designed for lower water pressure than what I observed to account for growth in the water distribution system, all of your neighbors watering at once, etc. I also used the gear drive heads wherever I could to reduce the loss to evaporation. Depending on where you live in TX, the pop up spray heads can be pretty inefficient with most of the water lost to evaporation. Good luck. __________________ '76 FJ-40 with a Hula Girl on the dash for me and a '65 FJ-45 LWB for the wife. Life is good.

05-02-08, 10:33 AM	#12
-Spike- Sponsored by Bull Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 3,025	Grass is what I'm mostly interested in, and burying the dripline ~4". The trees in the lawn and oleanders around it should get enough water, I would think. They don't get much now, other than when I water the grass with a soaker hose. -Spike __________________ His 1994 TLC 'White Elephant' +6"/35" Locked and loaded. Hers '95 TLC Bare bones. "I don't understand this business of illegal aliens giving birth to American citizens. If your cat has kittens in the oven, would you call them biscuits?" -Unknown

05-03-08, 08:55 AM	#14
Mendocino NihilisticTechnofetishist Join Date: May 2002 Location: Broomfield, CO TLCA# 18342 Posts: 99	I have put in underground systems multiple times. This included up to six zones with both drip and overhead watering. Its pretty straight forward. If you can wire tail lights you can do a sprinkler system. Since you are in the country you may have a farm supply that will actually help you come out and design the system for a modest fee ($50) in my case. If you buy the parts from them its free. This saved me a lot of time and I did all the install. It was a good way to go. __________________ KDØDHH TLCA# 18342 Rising Sun 4X4 Club #1 75 FJ40, ZZ4, TPI, 700R4, SR, ARBs, winch, family cage, aux fuel, etc... #2 73 FJ40, SBC, PS, SUA, cage, aux fuel tank (for sale)...

05-04-08, 11:19 AM	#15
MTJohn Old fart rookie Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Great Falls Montana Posts: 59	I did mine myself a few year ago and has worked great. I got my information from Irrigation tutorials; sprinkler & drip systems, design, install and repair. and it was very helpful. __________________ 94 FJZ80, Bought 5/06, 130K miles all stock. Semi floater rear axle. Added ARB non-winch front bumper, OME 2.5" lift - heavy front & medium back. Aussie Lockers. MaxLumens headlights, Slee headlight harness, George's LED inside lights

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