|
Contents of your System Pack
2xEnd
Stops (B), 1xT Connectors(C), 2xStop Valves (D), 4xElbow
Connectors (E), 10xMini Drip Assemblies, 10xTube Supports,
5mx4mm Tube and 10x4mm Connectors (to make extensions for
Mini Drips), 50xBlanking Plugs, 50m Supply Tube (A),
Straight Connector to water supply and Installation Tool (ie
the pointed end of a spare Tube Support)
In
addition you will need
1. a Stanley-type knife to cut your supply tube
2. a kettle or pan of hot (not boiling) water to soften the
supply tube when connecting fittings
Suggested layout This controls the water flow
to 3 separate sections and enables the supply to each to be
adjusted or turned off as required. See Components and Prices for further
information or additional items you may need to extend your
system
IMPORTANT AQUAMISER and most other
brands of fittings for 0.5" (13mm i/d) hose are of the
push-fit ("barbed") type. If your main water pressure is
higher than 28lb/in2 (2 bar or 2kg/cm2), barbed joints may
not be strong enough to withstand it. Regulate the pressure
at the tap and/or secure the hose fittings with jubilee-type
hose clips
Planning your System
Important Drips need water pressure
(typically 14lb/sq in). They may work by gravity only in a
very small layout (eg greenhouse) from an overhead tank but
this can't be guaranteed. For general use a pressurised
system is essential but you may need to restrict the supply
to avoid jetting or forcing the Adjusters out of their
housings. Use Stop/Control Valves (code 875) to provide a
means of control (see diagram above)
Water
supply Ideally you will use a water tank to
recycle domestic grey water (from bathing or washing up etc)
or collect rainwater, and use this with a pump to supply
your system. In the UK you must use an anti-siphon valve to
prevent contamination of your domestic water supply when
connecting a hose to a garden tap supplied by mains water.
The valve is often incorporated into the tap connector and
these are widely available at garden shops. If using a water
tank fed from the mains there must be a proper air gap,
again to prevent contamination. We suggest you contact your
main water supplier about regulations applicable to your
area
Installation Step by Step
|
|
What to do
|
AQUAMISER Tips
|
|
1
|
Decide on the layout (see diagram
as a guide). If you are including window boxes and
baskets you will need install supply tube specially
to cater for these
|
For boxes and baskets run the
supply tube as unobtrusively as possible up the
walls of the house and/or under the eaves so that
it's reasonably near the items you want to water.
Secure the tube with hose or plumbers' pipe
clips
|
|
2
|
Assemble the tools you'll need and
the supply tube and any additional fittings
required
|
You can use any flexible 0.5" hose
to conduct the water supply to the start of your
system and you need to connect this to the supply
with the appropriate tap connector (available from
your garden shop). Then use the straight connector
supplied to connect this hose to the AQUAMISER
Supply Tube
|
|
3
|
Lay the Supply Tube around the area
to be watered. Cut the Tube and insert the fittings
(T or Elbow Connectors, Stop/Control Valves etc)
where you want them. Soften the tube end first in
hot (not boiling) water before pushing the fitting
home. Continue until all Supply Tube is installed
as required and seal the open ends with End
Stops
|
AQUAMISER Assemblies can be
positioned within about 15" radius of the point of
connection to the Supply Tube, so this allows
considerable flexibility. Make Supply Tube joints
smartly and allow to cool without moving. The Tube
will shrink around the barb on the fitting. Instead
of End Stops you can just bend the Tube ends over
and tie closed with strong garden wire
|
|
4
|
Install the AQUAMISER Mini-Drips
where you want them. Make a hole for each in the
Supply Tube with the Installation Tool. Soften the
Tube at the point of connection with hot (not
boiling) water and gently push (whilst turning) the
Connector for each Assembly into its hole until
properly located
|
Do not overwork the hole. The
connection needs to be a tight fit to avoid leaks.
Make the joint smartly then hands off, so that it
firms and seals as the Tube cools down
|
|
5
|
Turn on the supply and observe the
delivery of water. If there are leaks at any of the
Supply Tube fittings, remake them (using hot water
again) until you get them right, or secure them
with hose clips
|
If you have made any of the
Connector holes too big, seal them with a Blanking
Plug and try again. There is a knack to making
connections but you'll soon pick this up ... You
are far less likely to experience Connector leaks
with AQUAMISER Supply Tube as the tube wall is both
rigid and thin and you will make cleaner holes, so
the Connectors seat properly on the inside
|
|
6
|
Move each Assembly to its final
position and secure with a Tube Support. Position
near the centre of the plant where it will become
progressively concealed from view as foliage
develops
|
To complete each connection to the
Supply Tube make up 4mm Tube Extensions as
required. You can secure each Assembly with a Tube
Support or a hook made out of garden wire
|
|
7
|
Set the flow to the desired level
by turning the Adjuster whilst gently pulling it
out (to increase) or pushing in (to reduce)
|
You will feel some resistance as
the Adjusters are designed to fit tightly to avoid
their being forced out under water pressure. You
can however remove the Adjuster completely if you
prefer to water your baskets or containers more
quickly ...
|
8 Once you're happy with your installation
you can conceal any exposed ground Supply Tube by mulching.
This also helps protect it in extreme weather
conditions
9 Should you need to remove a Drip, soften
the Supply Tube with hot water, grip the Connector gently
and rotate and pull at the same time. Use a Blanking Plug to
seal the hole in the Tube
10 Provided that the supply is clean, your
AQUAMISER watering system should require no maintenance. If
dirt gets introduced you will need to dismantle the
Assemblies to wash or blow it out
11 In hard water areas a build up of deposits
is unavoidable. Immersing Drips in descaler solution will
clear this
| 