thank you all for the info so far; I already have the pump in place so I will use what I have currently (DS STA-RITE 1.5HP) ; plan is to use 1" poly for laterals; trying to see if i turn the GPM down on the 5000s...could i get away running 8/9 rotors with a 1.5 or 2.0 nozzle size?

Why ask the question, when it is within your power to make up a test zone and see for yourself?

 

Rain Bird has a professional layout service, you can acquire a grid lined paper, and draw your property to scale. You also need to specify the pump's flow rate at its pressure at head of 45-50 PSI and it might not even be capable of generating 45-50 PSI with more than 2 heads.

Rain Bird service might recommend using the stream rotors, similar to Hunter's MP rotators due to flow restriction imposed.

https://www.rainbird.com/homeowners/free-sprinkler-design-services

However, tbh, I would recommend a local irrigation contractor. Ask your neighbors, the ones with lawns that look great.

 

As mentioned before, RB5000 (and Hunter PGPs for that matter) need higher pressures to operate efficiently... around 45-50 PSI. You have quoted 35 PSI and more heads equals less pressure due to running the pump at a higher flow.

Since you're insisting on sticking with an arbitrarily sized pump, you have to design your system around that pump that you've become dead set on. This means most likely 4-5 rotors per zone, while trying to reach the ideal 45-50 PSI at each head.

My point is, you are trying to normalize two variables: pump flow and designed flow and you're going to get a suboptimal, if not quite inferior, irrigation system that will "get the yard wet" but will clearly show it's inefficiencies when you really need it to run well.

 

depends on your friction losses and elevation changes.

Ill bet for you, a professional plan would be worth its price.

Considering the price of time and labor to do whatever it is you decide to do, from the first painted line on the ground -to - the final rotor backfilled and set, mainifolds backfilled and everything: such a "map" will save you alot of potential heachache.

otherwise, trenchless poly already laid will be a pain to "re-configure" if it doesnt agree with the hydraulics of the source and plumbing.

A to-scale plan based on mathematical hydraulic principles takes the guess work out.

I would imagine if a request for design services were posted on this forum, given a plot plan and a correct measurement for scale, you might be able to reach an agreement with one of our members to help you with this.

(I wouldn't be scared of my suggestion/referral, as they probably make much more doing things for their regular clients)

But your going to have one question after another, and what it equates to are: consultation services. Probably the only way to catch the attention span that is required to yield the type of site specific answers that you seek.

Thanks for keeping us updated!

I appreciate the help; this may help out some..I calculated my friction loss based on

QTY 9 - RB 5000s with 2.0 nozzle @ 35 PSI (1.81GPM x 9 = 16.29 GPM zone)

Based on velocity FPS , first section of 1 " poly that goes into a T to split this zone calls for 6.5 FPS

This is right off the manifold, longest run to farthest sprinkler (5 heads this direction)

Am I close to being on track? How do I go about getting a professional layout?

 

depends on your friction losses and elevation changes.

Ill bet for you, a professional plan would be worth its price.

Considering the price of time and labor to do whatever it is you decide to do, from the first painted line on the ground -to - the final rotor backfilled and set, mainifolds backfilled and everything: such a "map" will save you alot of potential heachache.

otherwise, trenchless poly already laid will be a pain to "re-configure" if it doesnt agree with the hydraulics of the source and plumbing.

A to-scale plan based on mathematical hydraulic principles takes the guess work out.

I would imagine if a request for design services were posted on this forum, given a plot plan and a correct measurement for scale, you might be able to reach an agreement with one of our members to help you with this.

(I wouldn't be scared of my suggestion/referral, as they probably make much more doing things for their regular clients)

But your going to have one question after another, and what it equates to are: consultation services. Probably the only way to catch the attention span that is required to yield the type of site specific answers that you seek.

Thanks for keeping us updated!

 

thank you all for the info so far; I already have the pump in place so I will use what I have currently (DS STA-RITE 1.5HP) ; plan is to use 1" poly for laterals; trying to see if i turn the GPM down on the 5000s...could i get away running 8/9 rotors with a 1.5 or 2.0 nozzle size?

 

Also, one of the best things to buy for a pump is the cycle stop valve... you can dial in a specific max pressure [below the pump's dead head pressure, usually 65 PSI] and have a balanced pressure rating on all the zones, wether they have 5 GPM or 20 GPM.

 

The question might become why throw away electricity, under-utilizing the flow capacity of a pump? If you are running zones of of rotors on one-inch poly as your largest diameter pipe, you are much better off using a jet pump, which trades off maximum flow capacity in order to achieve higher output pressure. That higher pressure allows good rotor performance even after pressure is subtracted by zone valves and pipe and fittings.

View attachment 439255

Trade for a Starite D-Series 2hp pump or a Goulds GT20. Great pumps with great flow for residential systems. Both of those can do 5 or 6 rotors per zone (i'd stick with max 5)

I think your Starite can do about 4-5 RB5004 rotors per zone, assuming #3 nozzles. You need pressure on those, and [mostly] pressure is resistance to flow.

As I mentioned before, a Starite DSeries 2hp high head would be a much better choice here.

 

So I hit post, and didnt clarify some things

The Starite DSeries high head generates higher pressure at the pump, which will be much higher pressures to the heads. [Impeller is bigger I think]

Also, 1.5HP pumps can run a few heads per zone, but the curves probably show a pump head discharge pressure of 40ish. Compare that to a DSeries 2hp which generates about 50 PSI at the pump head. You typically get a higher head pressure just from going up in motor HP. Some pumps have a larger impeller or maybe tighter clearences around the volute, which translates to higher head pressures, given same flow in GPM

All that said, stream rotors like the Hunter PGP and Rainbird 5004 need higher pressure at the sprinkler, minimum 40PSI, ideal pressure being 50PSI.

Its all about the curves

 

sir, 5000 w/ SAM - PRS, nozzle thinking the 2.0 or 2.5 which would be @ 35 psi - 1.81gpm (2.0) and 2.17gpm (2.5)

am i on the right track jack?

 

Just 1 head?
or 35 heads?

4 quarters and 2 halfs?
or 4 quarters?
or 2 halfs and 2 quarters?

or something else? maybe full circles?

putting it on paper helps

 

multitasker?

what did you decide to use for head and nozzles for "worst zone"

 

i already have the pump plumbed and ready to start building manifold..any advice on how to get 6 valves in a box

 

Then build a test zone with multiple outlets and a zone valve in the plumbing, and see how many heads your pump will run satisfactorily.

 

The question might become why throw away electricity, under-utilizing the flow capacity of a pump? If you are running zones of of rotors on one-inch poly as your largest diameter pipe, you are much better off using a jet pump, which trades off maximum flow capacity in order to achieve higher output pressure. That higher pressure allows good rotor performance even after pressure is subtracted by zone valves and pipe and fittings.

 

I used the calculators; still not sure what the TDH means after I input my calculations

I am pulling from a lake water source

2" suction on pump, 1.5" supply convert to 1" rainbird 100dv valves to 1" line.

Trying to see if i can do one zone that will have 9 heads (rainbird 5000 w/ approx 2gpm nozzle)

Total amount of line on this entire zone would be approx 120'

Looking at the 1" friction loss charts, folks say use 3 to 4 heads max (3gpm ea) on ea zone..

The pump can push a lot more than that, will the 1" poly be at 'risk' by putting 8 or 9 heads on the zone?

 

https://www.tuhorse.us/total-dynamic-head-tdh-calculator/

 

https://www.pentair.com/en-us/produ...osal/water-supply-pumps/sta-rite-ds2-series-self-priming-centrifugal-pumps.html

Pump curve is in link.

 

based on the curve; my pump is rating my plan between 20/30 gpm based on total head.

so should i base off the pump; or look at friction loss of a 1" poly pipe?

 

cant wait for some expert advice; i am getting all types of different suggestions

 

Grab some popcorn, the greats will tune in momentarily.

It all depends on what the pump can continually produce.

Unfortunately for me, regarding this topic, I am saturated in Muni.
Iv learned alot, in spots, and I try to stay in those spots.

But I sure appreciate when a good fella like you ask such a question
Im all ears.

 

I am hearing all diff answers from 3 to 4 5000 series to 8 to 9

 

I want to know too.