DIGS' Single and Six Outlet PC Drippers are uniquely designed to provide you with flexibility in designing your systems with a variety of dripper configurations and flow rates, resulting in substantial savings in distribution line required, accessories and installation cost.

The ideal installation of the six outlet dripper

Systems should be sized according to the flow rate recommendation of each category (valve, filter, pressure regulator and ball valve) and not selected by pipe size alone.

Main Line:

1. Lay main line from water source to injector and filters and pressure test, flush the main line
2. Lay main line from filter to control zone (s) and pressure test, flush the line
3. Lay main line from control zone to laterals and pressure test, flush the line
4. Pressure test the entire line

Automation:

• Controller should be selected with care, especially if the irrigation system will be watering both with drip and misting systems. Idle controller will need an independent program for each valve. Features such as seconds, minutes, multiply start times per day to be used with misting systems
• Standard electric control valves can be used in the installation, however, care should be taken to review the flow characteristics.
• Electric control valve needs to be selected according to the flow of the zone or the number of zones they will be accommodating
• Flush the valves after installation
• Pressure test the system

Injections:

 

Filtration:

 

Nearly all water sources can be made suitable for micro irrigation by means of appropriate physical and/or chemical treatment. Physical treatment is the removal of organic suspended solids which are large enough to block emitter outlets. Suspended solids may be removed by means of a centrifugal, sand separator, screen filters, disk filters or media filters, or some combination of the above. Where source waters containing substantial solid loads are used without adequate physical treatment, clogging will usually occur, leading to uneven water distribution and poor system performance.

Chemical treatment is the addition of one or more chemicals to the water supply for the purpose of controlling biological growths or chemical reactions. Chemical treatment may be performed alone or in conjunction with physical treatment. Chemical treatments commonly used in micro irrigation systems include addition of chlorine and /or acid in low percentage to the water supply.

 

Clogging factor can be classified by three main categories:

 

• Inorganic suspended solids
• Organic (biological) matter (algae and bacteria)
• Sediments generated by chemical reactions

the various water quality problems encountered in operating micro irrigation systems are outlined below. In some situations, two or more of these problems may be present, giving rise to more complex treatment procedures.

1. Presence of large particles in the water supply.
2. Presence of high silt and clay loads in the water supply.
3. Growth of bacterial slime in the system.
4. Growth of algae within the water supply or the system.
5. Precipitation of iron, sulfur, or calcium carbonates.

Filtration Requirements:

• Well or potable water: 150 mesh filter on main line with backup filter to the laterals on sub line
• Water with sand: sand separator and backup with screen or disk filter 150 or 155 mesh
• River, reservoir, or treated sewage water: sand filter, followed by screen or disk filter with 150 or 155 mesh and backup filter on sub line to the laterals
• Make sure on manual flushfilter: the filter is installed in an accessable location 3' to 5' above the ground level with enough space to clean the filter manually

Pressure Regulator:

For optimal performance and less stress on the drip line and dripper, you must install a pressure regulator.

1) Large size pressure regulator 11/2" to 2 " up to 100 gpm on main line or sub line to the laterals

2) Small size pressure regulator 3/4" -1" up to 20 gpm on sub line to the laterals

3) Small size pressure regulator 3/4"- 1 up to 10 gpm on each lateral with option of ball valve (see lateral options C & D)

Lateral Installation:

• 1/2" drip line .600 OD (16mm) or .700OD (17mm)

Start from sub line with option A:

 

1) One lateral: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread 3/4" insert adaptor or swivel adaptor

2) Two laterals: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread 3/4" insert tee or insert-y

Start from sub line with option B:

1) One lateral: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread, 3/4" ball valve with insert

2) Two laterals: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread, 3/4" ball valve female x male thread and insert tee 3/4" female thread x insert barb

Start from sub line with option C:

 

1) One lateral: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread, 3/4" adjustable pressure regulator, 3/4" ball valve with insert

2) Two laterals: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread, 3/4" adjustable pressure regulator, 3/4" ball valve female x male thread and insert tee 3/4" female thread x insert barb

Start from sub line with option D:

1) One lateral: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread, 3/4" screen filter 155 mesh, 3/4" adjustable pressure regulator, 3/4 ball valve with insert

2) Two laterals: 3/4" elbow male thread x female thread, 3/4" screen filter 155 mesh, 3/4" adjustable pressure regulator, 3/4 ball valve female x male thread and insert tee 3/4" female thread x insert barb

Flushing:

 

• Flush mains and sub mains during installation.
• Connect drip lateral and flush with end open (use figure "8" for easy openeing and closing of the line)
• Lateral drip pipe should be re-flushed during the season and again after final irrigation
• For annual crops flush prior to removing dripper or plug in the dripper head with a plug

Installation Method of End Lateral:

 

1) Use figure "8" hose end or clamp

2) Connect all laterals to sub line. At the and of sub-line, install ball valve for manual flush or flush valve to automate

Water Treatment:

 

• If irrigation water contains carbonates, injection with an acidic solution is recommended;
• Algae and organic materials, injection with chlorine is advised.

Dripper Installation: