Types of equipment
Pumps are available as submersible shown below (installed below the
water).
and centrifugal as shown below (installed typically on the ground or a
concrete pad above the water level)
Centrifugal pumps have a footvalve installed at the end of the suction
pipe which can sometimes malfunction causing the suction pipe and the pump to
"loose it's prime". Then if the pump is run without water flowing through it
properly the seals can be damaged. Also, the impeller, bearings, and plumbing
can be damaged. This is one reason we favor submersible pumps and always suggest electronic pump protection.
Most centrifugal pumps cannot provide the higher
pressure we prefer for the rotary sprinkler head zones in irrigation
system installations. There is only one centrifugal pump available in
the industry that can
match the outstanding performance of the submersible pumps, and that
centrifugal pump only comes with plastic impellers so if it looses it's
suction prime once - - - it can be expensive to repair.
Pumps are commonly controlled electrically by using the irrigation
controller, or by using a pressure switch in combination with a water tank
that incorporates an air bladder . We generally recommend using the
irrigation controller as the priority method of control. If the buyer needs
requires a 24 hour on demand pressure system for lake / river water hoses or
domestic home water, or, if the source of water is a water well with tank and
pressure switch which also feeds the domestic water to the house - - - we
have developed a proprietary win-win method of having the best features of
both control methods. We know of no other irrigator or pump contractor who
offers this "dual control" with the ability to have the irrigation controller
have a priority over the pressure switch.
Why is this an advantage ? Because under most common water tank and
pressure switch installations the water pressure constantly cycles between
the low side of the pressure switch and the high side of the pressure switch
- - the "cut in" and the "cut out". This often results in the pressure
distribution being rather lower ~ 50% of the time for rotary heads watering
turfgrass areas which give their best performance under constant higher
pressure. By having the irrigation controller take charge of the pump when an
irrigation cycle is running the pump pressure stays more constant at high
levels and the constant cycling of the pump on and off is eliminated when the
sprinkler irrigation system is running. As always, the irrigation cycle is
usually programmed to run at late night or in the wee hours of the morning so
as to conserve water from evaporation and not interfere with pressure for
domestic uses of water when needed inside the home during the day. This
win-win method can also result in longer life for the pump and the pump
controller relays as well. We can discuss the numerous advantages of this
method with the potential customer on site, in person.
Not all installations need be as sophisticated or formidable as this
flagship installation below on the San Marcos river. Circuit breaker subpanel
is to the left outside the image mounted on a utility pole.
Below:link to an avi video download demonstrating performance of the system
above as demonstrated by one brass rainbird agricultural sprinkler operating
at better than 95 psi with a 65 foot throw:
AVI video file giant.avi (1.7 MB)
Below an example of a 24 hour "on demand" type of pump & filter
system. The concrete vault was already installed by the owner and our
installation was very constrained by the limited space available. We tried to
convince him to allow us to install on the boat house but it was to no avail.
Surprisingly, this particular installation has required the least amount of
filter cleaning of all our installations.
Link to an avi video download demonstrating performance of the system
above as shown by a wide open water hose without any nozzle on the end:
Try doing that with your typical garden hose !
-
AVI video file powerful.avi (1.4 MB)
We only use the highest quality ADJUSTABLE
brass pressure relief valves to protect our systems against potential
overpressure situations. We require adjustable pressure relief valves since
we need to custom tailor the actual relief pressure to each individual
system. This example was installed on a system for a master plumber who
requested it to be installed at this height. Eventually it was plumbed to
take any vented water back down to the river. Inexperienced contractors don't
often install the highest quality part available for these critical safety
devices and often don't know the proper place where these should be installed
within the system.
A word to the wise:
There are so many details in the overall installation of these systems
that at least three types suffer the most:
1. Do-it-yourselfers
2. Unlicensed handymen and contractors from unrelated fields
3. Licensed irrigators without the experience and without references to
show of successful lake pump and advanced filter installations
Individuals such as those above attempting these types of installations
will soon be lost in a sea of confusion and frustration. We have been called
in more than once to correct defective work and have always concluded it
would have been less expensive and less frustrating had the owner called us
out first.