ᐅ Conduits on the Property – Any Ideas? – It’s Not Too Late Yet :)
Created on: 24 Apr 2019 13:15
E
EdStark
Hello house building enthusiasts,
My civil engineer is starting the groundwork now (gravel slab for the house and garage). Since he is making the gravel slab up to the property boundary, I’m concerned it might be tight for running electrical cable to the front and back gardens. Additionally, I’m planning an irrigation system, and the water hoses will need to be routed accordingly.
Would it make sense to have the civil engineer install conduits directly, so I can later lay underground electrical cables and PE water pipes without having to dig again? I’m thinking especially about areas without topsoil cover, like the garage and driveway.
Do you have any other tips on what I could implement at this stage?
The house is built without a basement, and the garage has strip foundations without a slab.
Thank you all.
My civil engineer is starting the groundwork now (gravel slab for the house and garage). Since he is making the gravel slab up to the property boundary, I’m concerned it might be tight for running electrical cable to the front and back gardens. Additionally, I’m planning an irrigation system, and the water hoses will need to be routed accordingly.
Would it make sense to have the civil engineer install conduits directly, so I can later lay underground electrical cables and PE water pipes without having to dig again? I’m thinking especially about areas without topsoil cover, like the garage and driveway.
Do you have any other tips on what I could implement at this stage?
The house is built without a basement, and the garage has strip foundations without a slab.
Thank you all.
There are several online stores that sell Hunter products, such as DVS-Irrigation or Irrigation Paradise.
The number of zones you need and their locations depend on your property, the plantings, and your maximum flow rate. Check Hunter’s website under performance data. Subtract a little from the throw radius. For example, with the MP2000, you can assume a 5-meter (16 feet) throw radius, meaning you place a sprinkler every 5 meters so they overlap. Depending on the nozzle and angle used, you will have a specific flow rate per hour. It’s best to start with your property plan and place the sprinklers beginning in one corner, then continue from there. For drip irrigation (shrubs, hedges, etc.) or root irrigation (bubblers) for trees, you will need separate zones. Once you have marked all the sprinklers, create a table listing all types along with their hourly flow rates. Now organize the zones logically, grouping areas and staying within your maximum flow of 2 m³/h (70.6 cubic feet per hour). You might also want to add two watering cans (2 extra zones).
When it comes to valve boxes, it depends on whether you want to DIY or buy ready-made. Use Hunter PVG valves (25 mm / 3/4 inch). Your estimate of the number of zones is probably too low due to the limited flow rate. This also determines the number of boxes and how many valves are needed per box. At DVS, there are ready-made boxes available, including an air pressure connection. With watering cans, drip irrigation, and lawn, I estimate you will need around 12 zones.
Hunter or Rainbird hedge irrigation systems are at least as good as Gardena, and especially robust.
However, you will have additional work despite having KNX. The valves operate on 24V AC, while KNX actuators are powered by 24V DC. Therefore, you “only” need a switching actuator with, for example, 12 channels plus an additional transformer with 24V AC. This is generally more expensive than a Hydrawise irrigation controller with 12 channels. Please keep in mind that you will also need control cables (number of wires = number of valves + 1) from the valve boxes to the controller or actuators. These must be installed in protective conduits.
Yes, use a 25 mm (1 inch) water meter, as this will allow for higher flow.
If you post your entire property plan including the hedges and shrubs, I can help you further with the planning.
The number of zones you need and their locations depend on your property, the plantings, and your maximum flow rate. Check Hunter’s website under performance data. Subtract a little from the throw radius. For example, with the MP2000, you can assume a 5-meter (16 feet) throw radius, meaning you place a sprinkler every 5 meters so they overlap. Depending on the nozzle and angle used, you will have a specific flow rate per hour. It’s best to start with your property plan and place the sprinklers beginning in one corner, then continue from there. For drip irrigation (shrubs, hedges, etc.) or root irrigation (bubblers) for trees, you will need separate zones. Once you have marked all the sprinklers, create a table listing all types along with their hourly flow rates. Now organize the zones logically, grouping areas and staying within your maximum flow of 2 m³/h (70.6 cubic feet per hour). You might also want to add two watering cans (2 extra zones).
When it comes to valve boxes, it depends on whether you want to DIY or buy ready-made. Use Hunter PVG valves (25 mm / 3/4 inch). Your estimate of the number of zones is probably too low due to the limited flow rate. This also determines the number of boxes and how many valves are needed per box. At DVS, there are ready-made boxes available, including an air pressure connection. With watering cans, drip irrigation, and lawn, I estimate you will need around 12 zones.
Hunter or Rainbird hedge irrigation systems are at least as good as Gardena, and especially robust.
However, you will have additional work despite having KNX. The valves operate on 24V AC, while KNX actuators are powered by 24V DC. Therefore, you “only” need a switching actuator with, for example, 12 channels plus an additional transformer with 24V AC. This is generally more expensive than a Hydrawise irrigation controller with 12 channels. Please keep in mind that you will also need control cables (number of wires = number of valves + 1) from the valve boxes to the controller or actuators. These must be installed in protective conduits.
Yes, use a 25 mm (1 inch) water meter, as this will allow for higher flow.
If you post your entire property plan including the hedges and shrubs, I can help you further with the planning.
I wrote at least just as good when it comes to drip irrigation.
With sprinklers, Gardena is more like a toy, both in terms of options and durability.
Have you ever seen a Gardena gear-driven sprinkler with a 15-meter (50-foot) throw radius and a flow rate of 5 m³/h (about 22 US gallons per minute)?
Comparable sprinklers from Hunter or Rain Bird are even more affordable than Gardena.
There are good reasons why many start with Gardena but switch after no more than two years.
Hunter and Rain Bird are designed for professional use and, due to their available options, can be better adapted to the specific conditions.
Better is the enemy of good. There are certainly many who are satisfied with their Gardena system.
However, for a new build and if you really dive into the topic, Gardena is immediately ruled out for irrigation.
With sprinklers, Gardena is more like a toy, both in terms of options and durability.
Have you ever seen a Gardena gear-driven sprinkler with a 15-meter (50-foot) throw radius and a flow rate of 5 m³/h (about 22 US gallons per minute)?
Comparable sprinklers from Hunter or Rain Bird are even more affordable than Gardena.
There are good reasons why many start with Gardena but switch after no more than two years.
Hunter and Rain Bird are designed for professional use and, due to their available options, can be better adapted to the specific conditions.
Better is the enemy of good. There are certainly many who are satisfied with their Gardena system.
However, for a new build and if you really dive into the topic, Gardena is immediately ruled out for irrigation.
@ivenh0 There isn’t anything exactly comparable, and there are several reasons for that.
Have you looked into the sprinkler more closely? The reviews are quite mixed.
My sister had three units (OS140) and other Gardena sprinklers on her property. Two have already been replaced due to defects. Now two more are broken... One of the reasons we’re doing it “properly” for her now.
Additionally, it is very sensitive to wind.
Hunter and Rainbird also have rectangular sprinklers, but mostly for smaller areas.
A common problem with most sprinklers is that the water distribution is not uniform. The sprinkler itself and at the edge of the throw radius receive less water. That’s also why there can be overwatering in some spots.
The Hunter Rotator provides very even distribution. Rainbird has a similar product.
With a pressure-compensating body and no matter which nozzle you use, you always get consistent water output (whether 360°, 90°, 3 meters (10 feet) throw radius, or 9 meters (30 feet) throw radius...).
Gardena pipes are more expensive and of lower quality (softer) compared to potable water PE piping. The fittings are also overpriced for the quality. Gardena is just well known because it’s widely available.
In the end, you have to decide what’s best for you. I’m not saying you can’t be happy with it, but I would clearly recommend Rainbird or Hunter. Using multiple sprinklers also gives you more adjustment options (for example, shaded areas, etc.). The extra effort when setting up a new garden is manageable.
Have you looked into the sprinkler more closely? The reviews are quite mixed.
My sister had three units (OS140) and other Gardena sprinklers on her property. Two have already been replaced due to defects. Now two more are broken... One of the reasons we’re doing it “properly” for her now.
Additionally, it is very sensitive to wind.
Hunter and Rainbird also have rectangular sprinklers, but mostly for smaller areas.
A common problem with most sprinklers is that the water distribution is not uniform. The sprinkler itself and at the edge of the throw radius receive less water. That’s also why there can be overwatering in some spots.
The Hunter Rotator provides very even distribution. Rainbird has a similar product.
With a pressure-compensating body and no matter which nozzle you use, you always get consistent water output (whether 360°, 90°, 3 meters (10 feet) throw radius, or 9 meters (30 feet) throw radius...).
Gardena pipes are more expensive and of lower quality (softer) compared to potable water PE piping. The fittings are also overpriced for the quality. Gardena is just well known because it’s widely available.
In the end, you have to decide what’s best for you. I’m not saying you can’t be happy with it, but I would clearly recommend Rainbird or Hunter. Using multiple sprinklers also gives you more adjustment options (for example, shaded areas, etc.). The extra effort when setting up a new garden is manageable.
rick2018 schrieb:
There are several online stores that sell Hunter products, for example DVS-Beregnung or Beregnungsparadies.
How many zones you need and where they should be located depends on your property, the planting, and your maximum flow rate.
Check Hunter’s website under their technical specifications. From the throw radius, subtract a little.
For example, with the MP2000, you calculate with a 5m (16 ft) throw radius, meaning you place a sprinkler every 5m (16 ft) so they overlap.
Depending on the spray head and angle you use, you get a specific flow rate per hour.
It’s best to take your property plan and start placing the sprinklers in one corner, then continue from there. For drip irrigation (shrubs, hedges...) or root irrigation (bubblers) for trees, you also need separate zones. Once you’ve marked all the sprinklers, etc., create a table listing all types and their hourly flow rates.
Then group the zones logically—meaning by area—and keep your maximum flow to about 2m³/h (530 gallons per hour).
You might also want to connect two water taps (2 additional zones).
For valve boxes, it depends whether you want to custom-build or buy ready-made.
Use Hunter PVG valves (25mm (3/4 inch)).
Your estimate of the number of zones is probably too low. This is due to the low flow rate.
This also determines how many boxes you need or how many valves go into each box.
DVS sells ready-made boxes including air pressure connections.
With water taps, drip irrigation, and lawn, I’d estimate you need about 12 zones.
Hunter or Rain Bird hedge irrigation is at least as good as Gardena—and above all, very robust.
However, you will have extra work despite having KNX installed.
The valves run on 24V AC. KNX actuators are powered with 24V DC.
So you only need a switching actuator with, for example, 12 channels plus an additional transformer for 24V AC.
This is often more expensive than a Hydrawise irrigation controller with 12 channels.
Please keep in mind that you will also need control cables (number of wires = number of valves + 1) from the valve boxes to the controller or actuators. These must be installed inside protective conduits.
Yes, use a 25mm (1 inch) water meter to get a higher flow rate.
If you ever post your entire property plan and also mark the hedges and bushes, I can help you a bit with the planning.Thanks for the offer! I have attached my property plan.
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