EarthBox Forum
EarthBox Chat => Questions and Answers => Topic started by: EarthBoxAdmin on July 07, 2017, 09:48:57 am
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, chrissykr. This user is located in Chicago Burbs Zone 5a. This was originally posted on July 6, 2013.
I have a box and it leaks with the AWS. There is not a problem with the box itself as I have switched out the boxes. They all leak in this spot. I have checked with a level, tried shims, moved the box around in the same spot. I just don't know what to do. I tried a level on all four edges of the box and it says level.
I am leaving for two weeks and don't have much more time to mess with this. Any suggestions? I have tried boxes with castors, boxes with no castors. I am beyond frustrated. I have to have a box in this spot as I have no way of stopping the water flow and this box is in the middle of a row. We are talking about a lot of water dripping out of the box and it is not a problem with the head
Thnx, Chris
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone , South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 6, 2013.
To be sure it's not a sensor problem, have you tried the glass of water test? Halfway fill a glass of water and (remove the sensor from the box; it will be dripping...) slowly lower the cup into the glass. The water should stop. If it does, check that your tube is all the way down in the box and the sensor is fully seated on the tube. If it's raised even a little, that could make the sensor keep running. The tube shouldn't be sitting straight up... it needs to be angled into the box corner.
If the water does not stop when lowered into the glass, the diaphragm likely is not functioning as it should. It may be crusted with minerals, etc. You can try soaking the entire sensor in white vinegar for several hours or overnight. Swish it around really hard to loosen any debris.
If you're at all handy, you could loosen the 3 screws a little to give better access for the vinegar.
If you're really handy, you could carefully dismantle the sensor head, MAKING NOTE OF PLACEMENT AND ORIENTATION OF THE PARTS, and soak them. Using a soft toothbrush, clean the diaphragm and the orifices. Rinse the parts in clean water.
When reassembling, screw the 3 screws in a sequence until all are snug but not over-tightened... remember the sensor is plastic; you don't want to crack it from over-tightening.
I don't know how old your system is, or the water quality passing through the sensors. It is essential that you have a flushable 150-200 mesh filter in the system, and occasionally (annually??) clean the sensors as described above.
Mickie
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, chrissykr. This user is located in Chicago Burbs Zone 5a. This was originally posted on July 6, 2013.
I checked the sensor. I put it in the next box and no leaking:( I am at my wits end. My hubby is not keen on leaving the system on as last year I had a hose come off when we were gone and it ran for several days and our water bill was over $400.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, Bobby. This user is located in Atlanta, GA Zone 7B. This was originally posted on July 6, 2013.
Many of us EB users have installed a Orbits battery operated timer,available at Home depot or Lowes for about $25.00, so that water is only available to my EB's automatic watering system for about 30 minutes each day(Tomatoes may require more time) ..Myself,I have mine installed right at the outside spigot,before the pressure regulator..This makes my "away times" feel more relaxed
Also, I have heard that small roots can clog up around the over flow port and cause a leak( I have never had this problem) ..Understand, these can be removed by running a wire into the over flow port and dragging them out
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, chrissykr. This user is located in Chicago Burbs Zone 5a. This was originally posted on July 6, 2013.
The timer may be the way to go.
I just planted this box with beans two weeks ago so no roots yet. I tear my boxes down completely when resetting them so I know that is not the issue. I now have it sitting in the middle of my patio and no leaking so I guess it is where it wants to be.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, Bobby. This user is located in Atlanta, GA Zone 7B. This was originally posted on July 6, 2013.
If you do go with one of these Orbit Timers ,I have found that they are not waterproof(although they claim it is) and could have a short life,so someone on this forum suggested that you put it into a zip lock plastic bag.I didn't, so I had to replace mine..The one I am now using is a very simple one from ACE hardware#7198468..You may want to check that one out..
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, pcwhitehorn. This user is located in Zone 7A - Baltimore. This was originally posted on July 8, 2013.
You might check around inside the overflow hole - many people have found that a leaking box will be due to tiny roots wicking the water out of the reservoir
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, chrissykr. This user is located in Chicago Burbs Zone 5a. This was originally posted on July 8, 2013.
I got it fixed after sitting there an observing different adjustments with my trusty level and some shims. It only took three hours but so far so good.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, Donald1800. This user is located in Fontana, CA Zone 8. This was originally posted on July 8, 2013.
If the reservoir water level is so close to the overflow hole that a slight non-level condition causes water loss, then I would suggest that the sensor tube is not fully seated at the proper angle. Confirm proper installation of the tube by moving the tube all the way to the corner while rotating, then while still rotating push the tube down as far as it will go. You may also want to flush water down the tube from a hose while doing this to help flush out any potting mix holding the tube away from its seat.
Donald1800
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, chrissykr. This user is located in Chicago Burbs Zone 5a. This was originally posted on July 8, 2013.
My box started leaking again. I did the water glass trick and it appeared to be working. So I pulled the tube and flushed it and it still was leaking. I pulled the sensor and put it in a different box and that box started leaking so I now know it is a bad sensor. I had an extra one and changed it out and now the box is fine. All these stupid hours spent on a four minute fix.
I called customer service but they were closed. So I will call again in the morning. This is a brand new sensor so I hope they don't give me a hassle.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on July 9, 2013.
I saw another post saying they were short of AWS's and parts right now, but I am sure they will be cooperative--just may not be able to right away.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, gkcin. This was originally posted on July 9, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on July 9, 2013.
I saw another post saying they were short of AWS's and parts right now, but I am sure they will be cooperative--just may not be able to right away.
I was the one who found out that they don't have have the AWS kits but they do have have the AWS parts or spare parts.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, chrissykr. This user is located in Chicago Burbs Zone 5a. This was originally posted on July 9, 2013.
I have to say....I am so over the AWS. Last year I hooked up my eight boxes and it worked flawlessly other than the tubing coming undone which may have been user error when setting it up.
This year is a whole 'nother story. I added 12 more and it has been nothing but a headache. First I hooked up the new boxes and one of the sensors has a bad nipple and water spraying everywhere. EB sent a new one out right away got that problem fixed. Then I have a leaking box which took several days to resolve. Then I just got that fixed on Monday or Tuesday? Last night I came home at 11:30 pm and my patio was soaking wet. Another box was leaking. Here I am in my Jammie's, it is almost midnight tipping a box over and running my fingers in the overflow hole. Okay, it must have been a root, no more leaking. I came home from work today and yet another box is leaking. Tip it over run my fingers around no roots to be found. I have no idea what the problem is. I re-adjusted everything so we will see. I leave for two weeks on Saturday and I don't need these headaches.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, Bobby. This user is located in Atlanta, GA Zone 7B. This was originally posted on July 11, 2013.
Now you people that have leaking EB can see why a lot of us have the water controlled by a timer,which will only supply water to your AWS for a short period of time each day..Then if you have a problem with leaks(which you probably will) ,at least you won't run up a high water bill..AWS are just not that dependable..Many of us have found that out the hard way..
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, movrshakr. This user is located in Zone 10a - near Cape Canaveral. This was originally posted on July 12, 2013.
As with nearly everything in life, it is a choice.
The AWS provides lots of advantages and convenience. And yes, it brings new potential problems, and it has a cost. Each person must weigh those against each other and decide if the net is positive FOR THEM, or negative.
And that answer can be different for each person. One may value the convenience very highly; another may ENJOY going to their garden area and tending (including watering) their boxes multiple times per day. Or may be highly concerned about a leak appearing and wasting water. Those two people would probably come to different conclusions about whether an AWS was "worth it." Fine.
There is no "right" answer that applies to every person's situation.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, mjb8743. This user is located in Zone , South NJ, Garden State. This was originally posted on July 12, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Jr. Member, Bobby. This user is located in Atlanta, GA Zone 7B. This was originally posted on July 11, 2013.
Now you people that have leaking EB can see why a lot of us have the water controlled by a timer,which will only supply water to your AWS for a short period of time each day..Then if you have a problem with leaks(which you probably will) ,at least you won't run up a high water bill..AWS are just not that dependable..Many of us have found that out the hard way..
I beg to differ with your assessment. The AWS is very dependable... just ask the multitudes who have it successfully installed in their gardens. The comparatively few who do have problems are the ones you mostly hear about. Even then, many of the reported problems can be traced to improper installation, rough handling, and not researching the advice and hard-learned lessons from seasoned users.
There are three main areas that can cause trouble later:
-- The nipple on the sensor is fragile... trying to get the tubing fully seated on it can be a challenge. We've solved that by using boiling water to soften the tubing long enough to push it all the way onto the nipple. Once it cools, nothing is going to get that tubing off the sensor.
-- The filter that comes inserted in the regulator is totally useless. You must invest in a flushable, 150-200 mesh filter to trap all the minerals and gunk that exists in your water supply... believe me, it is there, and clogs will happen eventually without the filter.
-- The sensor reacts to the water level at the tube. A box that is not level can give a false result. If the water level is higher at the tube, that can cause the sensor to turn off... resulting in not enough water elsewhere in the reservoir. If the level is lower in the tube corner, that can cause the sensor to deliver more water, resulting in an overfill/overflowing/leaking condition.
The improper seating of the watering tube is critical here... it must be at an angle, in the corner, touching both sides of the box. There must be no obstruction (mix or roots) under the tube preventing full seating. Equally important, the sensor must be fully pushed onto the watering tube.
Other causes of leaks can be from roots wicking water at the overflow hole. That has nothing to do with the AWS, but the AWS often takes the blame.
If the tubing is properly seated on the fittings, there should be no leaking or disconnection. The pressure is very low, not enough to cause the tubing to blow off. If more security is needed, wire ties can be installed as extra insurance.
With proper installation and maintenance, the AWS will give years of convenience and freedom... being 'married to the farm' all summer is no fun.
Mickie
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, baileyj. This user is located in Zone 7A---Annapolis, Maryland. This was originally posted on July 12, 2013.
I had my AWS in a box for a few years, afraid to use it after all the comments.
Finally last year I set it up on 12 of my tomato boxes and was thrilled !!!
I added another 15 boxes this year and have 17 more set ups to put in...
I do find it is not without problems at times but have been able to adjust the system to not leak.
I am not good at leveling my boxes and like to move around my boxes as the season moves forward....not easy.
The amount of time the AWS has given me back is well worth the minor tweaking I have had to do to stop leaking boxes.
My tomatoes have thrived with the system...I thought I had done a great job of watering but the AWS does it much more consistently and has allowed us to go on vacation without concern.
This year with all the rain....I do have leaf issues and have the boxes too close together but the AWS---working well.
I am struggling with adding a drip work system to my non-EB containers.....
As Movrshakr put it:
"there is no "right" answer that applies to every person's situation"
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Full Member, OzzMan. This user is located in SE Penn, Zone 6B. This was originally posted on July 13, 2013.
When I first set up my AWS I had a problem with water leaking out the drain. It took a lot of time to get the EB level with everything from wooden shims from the hardware store to crushed bear cans. The leaking stopped or became very minimal.
Now for some reason I have not had a problem with leaking anymore and I haven't had to use shims. I don't even have to check that the EB are level.
Go figure!
Kevin
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, pcwhitehorn. This user is located in Zone 7A - Baltimore. This was originally posted on July 15, 2013.
This is my first year with the AWS, but I found that a few seconds in front of a heat gun set on a very low temperature softened the AWS tubing up enough to make it *very* easy to push the EB 1/8" tubing over the sensor nipple. It was also not made slippery due to not being dipped in boiling water - just another suggestion!
-- The nipple on the sensor is fragile... trying to get the tubing fully seated on it can be a challenge. We've solved that by using boiling water to soften the tubing long enough to push it all the way onto the nipple. Once it cools, nothing is going to get that tubing off the sensor.
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Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Hero Member, cushman350. This user is located in Tomato Hell, Wichita Falls, TX Zone 7b. This was originally posted on July 23, 2013.
Disclaimer: This post was originally posted by Newbie, pcwhitehorn. This user is located in Zone 7A - Baltimore. This was originally posted on July 15, 2013.
This is my first year with the AWS, but I found that a few seconds in front of a heat gun set on a very low temperature softened the AWS tubing up enough to make it *very* easy to push the EB 1/8" tubing over the sensor nipple. It was also not made slippery due to not being dipped in boiling water - just another suggestion!
-- The nipple on the sensor is fragile... trying to get the tubing fully seated on it can be a challenge. We've solved that by using boiling water to soften the tubing long enough to push it all the way onto the nipple. Once it cools, nothing is going to get that tubing off the sensor.
Heating of the rubber in any safe way is the key.
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Hi everyone, new to the forum here but struggling with my AWS.
I bought my first 4 Root & Veg EB last year and set them up with a standard drip on an orbits timer because we travel a lot. This worked ok but depending on the temperature/water usage, I would overflow and waste a lot of water. This can be an issue in some years depending on water waste monitoring during droughts. I loved the results from my EB's and so this year I bought 4 standard EB's with a 4 port AWS since the Root & Veg system said it doesn't work with the AWS. I've setup the AWS and feel confident everything is connected well. There are no kinked hoses and the pressure regulator is higher than all the sensors. I have my AWS connected to my Orbits timer and allow it to fill for around 30 minutes twice a day. The issue I'm running into is the opposite of what others seem to have run into. 1 of my 4 sensors has significantly less water flow than the other 3. It barely drips the water out whereas the other 3 have better flow. Is there a way to adjust the flow out of the sensors?
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Since it's NEW, I would contact customer support and tell them about the issue. If it was older, I would recommend somethimg else.
Aline
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I just started using the AWS connected to an open hose, and have been pleased. Not sure there are no leaks, but it seems to waste a lot less water than the boxes I have connected to my extensive drip irrigation system. Those boxes are on a timer, but some boxes need more water than others.
Has anybody connected their AWS to 1/2 drip tubing connected after a valve that is part of a larger system? And it is not always on, but just on with timers? How did you come up with the amount of time to set it for?
Also, when it comes to the 1/8 inch tubing that attaches to the nipples, I had a lot more successful with my own supply. It is way more flexible than the stuff that comes with the kit. I suspect they are made of different materials.
I found this.
https://help.dripdepot.com/support/solutions/articles/11000043765-difference-between-vinyl-and-poly-irrigation-tubing-
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I water using drip that's attached to my former lawn irrigation system. 1/2" pipe distributes and 1/8" go into each EB using pressure compensated emitters.