Manifold valves vs. Centralized System
When learning how to design irrigation systems you are taught to centralize the vales in the middle or also close to the middle of the zone as possible. This is so you don't have too much pressure loss down line at the further heads, and this is very important in bigger and commercial systems.
Manifold is where you have all the main valves close together so that you have very little main line and wire depending the location of the timer and power source.
But, I've learned that with smaller to medium size residential yards that a manifold valve system can work great. You save wire and main- line pipe, but may create some more lateral line pipe. I like doing manifold systems on small residential or a couple to several group of valves on a slightly larger system that may require more zones due to complexity of landscape, water source, or other factors. But, a couple separate groups of valves could be beneficial due to design purpose.
On larger commercial systems, it becomes very important to centralize (put in the the middle of the zone) the valves. If not done correctly, there will be a noticeable pressure difference between the closer heads to the valve and the further sprinkler heads, possibly making the system not correctly functional.
But, if you are building 16- 20 gallon per minute zones (or smaller) you can get away with manifolding your valves. Remember, you can still branch off and split the zones to get equal volume flow and pressure, but it is not that crucial to be perfect, thus making it easier for the average person to design and build a decent home sprinkler system.
Scott Young
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
Manifold is where you have all the main valves close together so that you have very little main line and wire depending the location of the timer and power source.
But, I've learned that with smaller to medium size residential yards that a manifold valve system can work great. You save wire and main- line pipe, but may create some more lateral line pipe. I like doing manifold systems on small residential or a couple to several group of valves on a slightly larger system that may require more zones due to complexity of landscape, water source, or other factors. But, a couple separate groups of valves could be beneficial due to design purpose.
On larger commercial systems, it becomes very important to centralize (put in the the middle of the zone) the valves. If not done correctly, there will be a noticeable pressure difference between the closer heads to the valve and the further sprinkler heads, possibly making the system not correctly functional.
But, if you are building 16- 20 gallon per minute zones (or smaller) you can get away with manifolding your valves. Remember, you can still branch off and split the zones to get equal volume flow and pressure, but it is not that crucial to be perfect, thus making it easier for the average person to design and build a decent home sprinkler system.
Scott Young
http://www.autolawnsprinklers.com
posted by Irrigationman at
9:26 PM
