AWS- My hands are killing me!

[potatohead]

I want to add something about tubing size just so it may clear up some of the confusion.

When you use metal tubing the size is measured by O.D. (outside diameter). Pipe on the other hand is measured by I.D. (Inside diameter)

When you start looking at plastic tubing all bets are off. Some is measured O.D. and some is measured I.D..

I think this is what confuses people when they go to Lowe's or Home Depot to get their tubing. You really need to know what you have so you can get what you want or need to match up with your system.

That's why I just use the EB supplies and I don't have to worry about sizes. 

Very true. I have in ground gardens with drip irrigation set up and whenever I tried to mix brands (DIG with Rain Bird, etc.) it never seems to work. I gave up trying that and just stuck with the DIG, since that seems to have the most stuff.

[mjb8743]

I am now trying to find a 1/2 to 3/8 inch connector so I can connect the 1/2 inch hose to the 3/8 inch AWS hose. I may have found a source with the Value Plastics company but I don't know yet for sure.

The thing is to stop thinking of the EB tubing as 3/8" (which is the OD, and insignificant), but to look at the ID which is .250"

This is a reducer that goes from 1/2 to 1/4" ID tubing... that is what you want. They also have tees, couplers and elbows that fit the 1/4" ID tubing.

CORRECTED LINK:   http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32257



Mickie

[potatohead]

[quote author=potatohead link=topic=9197.msg80767#msg80767....I am now trying to find a 1/2 to 3/8 inch connector so I can connect the 1/2 inch hose to the 3/8 inch AWS hose. I may have found a source with the Value Plastics company but I don't know yet for sure.

The thing is to stop thinking of the EB tubing as 3/8" (which is the OD, and insignificant), but to look at the ID which is .250

This is a reducer that goes from 1/2 to 1/4" ID tubing... that is what you want. They also have tees, couplers and elbows that fit the 1/4" ID tubing.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=28711&catid=551



Mickie




[/quote]


Yes, that's what I need! It looks similar to the Value Plastics offerings. They don't mention what would hold up best with UV exposure. It looks like the nylon is better for high temperatures than the polypropylene. But I wonder which is more UV resistant.

[ke4d]

 I assume it uses the same small tubing one can buy at Home Depot or Lowes.  I simply put mine together when it was hot inside my greenhouse.  Warm tubing whether from hot water, a blow drier or the sun should make this an easier task.
BTW, my system uses drip system components I bought at Home Depot.  I simply put a timer on the hose bib and run it for five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the evening.  Yes, it overflows for a bit but it uses very little water by doing that.  I realize the AWS cuts off the water when the EB is full but overflowing it does the same thing with very little waste and at a lot less expense.

[movrshakr]

... I realize the AWS cuts off the water when the EB is full...

Just a bit of technical correction--the AWS does not usually cut off "when...full" but at a slightly lower level.   When AWS has shut off, you will find that you can add SOME water before it overflows.

[mjb8743]

Yes, that's what I need! It looks similar to the Value Plastics offerings. They don't mention what would hold up best with UV exposure. It looks like the nylon is better for high temperatures than the polypropylene. But I wonder which is more UV resistant.

This is the correct item... the Natural PVDF Reduction Coupler "Natural PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) provides the ultimate chemical and abrasive resistance and strength, with maximum pressure of 260 psi and temperature range of -80° to 226°F. PVDF fittings are ozone and UV resistant."

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32257

I corrected the link in my earlier post

[mjb8743]

I assume it uses the same small tubing one can buy at Home Depot or Lowes.  I simply put mine together when it was hot inside my greenhouse.  Warm tubing whether from hot water, a blow drier or the sun should make this an easier task.
BTW, my system uses drip system components I bought at Home Depot.  I simply put a timer on the hose bib and run it for five minutes in the morning and five minutes in the evening.  Yes, it overflows for a bit but it uses very little water by doing that.  I realize the AWS cuts off the water when the EB is full but overflowing it does the same thing with very little waste and at a lot less expense.

When the tomatoes are going like gangbusters in the heat of summer, they can empty the reservoir a couple of times during the day. A timer does not meet their need under those conditions. The beauty of the AWS is it's an ON-DEMAND system: the plants get what they need, when they need it, and not a drop of water wasted.

Mickie

[potatohead]

Yes, that's what I need! It looks similar to the Value Plastics offerings. They don't mention what would hold up best with UV exposure. It looks like the nylon is better for high temperatures than the polypropylene. But I wonder which is more UV resistant.

This is the correct item... the Natural PVDF Reduction Coupler "Natural PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) provides the ultimate chemical and abrasive resistance and strength, with maximum pressure of 260 psi and temperature range of -80° to 226°F. PVDF fittings are ozone and UV resistant."

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=32257

I corrected the link in my earlier post

Thank you Mickie! You are the best!!

[Debz]

Newbie here. I now have 6 ebs and finally inetalled the aws. My hands hurt like crazy. I tried the hot water, did not really work. It has taken all week to install my drip irrigation (containers, traditional, wicking, and ebs). I really hope this will save time. It seems all I do is tend  to the garden:-) . A question about the aws, when does it shut off? Is it supposed to? I see the sensor parts dripping water still. Thanks so much to everyone on this forum. This is the one site that I love! I have already picked a banana pepper and have tomatoes!

[movrshakr]

Newbie here. I now have 6 ebs and finally inetalled the aws. My hands hurt like crazy. I tried the hot water, did not really work. It has taken all week to install my drip irrigation (containers, traditional, wicking, and ebs). I really hope this will save time. It seems all I do is tend  to the garden:-) . A question about the aws, when does it shut off? Is it supposed to? I see the sensor parts dripping water still. Thanks so much to everyone on this forum. This is the one site that I love! I have already picked a banana pepper and have tomatoes!

If you fill the box reservoirs with a hose, the AWS should not drip at all when installed, until the box has wicked up enough water out of the reservoir for it to turn on.

You can test it by having a tea glass of water.  Take the AWS and dip the tube down into the water.  It should turn off at some point as you lower it down, and start dripping again when you pull it up.

[cushman350]

I think the AWS works like the drawing below.

[writeone]

Ah, sort of like when the water rises in the toilet and shut off the refill water.

[mjb8743]

Ah, sort of like when the water rises in the toilet and shut off the refill water

Your example works as a float valve... the AWS works by sensing air pressure which changes with the water level.

[writeone]

Now I see.

[Debz]

Thank you, I will give this a test run, just to verify the boxes are filling correctly. I studied many posts on the forum, and thought I had it set up correctly, until I walked outside and heard serious water dripping. I had to turn off the water supply. I have a lot of water pouring from the filter. I am so disappointed. My setup is on a 4 way, one outlet dedicated to the ebs. I had the filter then the adapter (pressure regulator?) supplied with the eb kit screwed to the filter. I did not have a backflow regulator on the ebs. Would this cause the filter to leak? Thank you.