Manifolds are essential for splitting your irrigation system into separate zones
Using an automated irrigation system to water your garden is extremely convenient and ensures that your garden will always receive adequate water, without the worry of forgetting or not having enough time if watering manually. If different areas of your garden have different watering requirements such as lawn, planted borders, hedges, and hanging baskets, or if your garden is relatively large – you’ll need to split your system into separate, smaller zones. The easiest way of doing this is to use manifolds – which have a single inlet, but two or more outlets – enabling you to use the same water source for the whole system – with this then splitting off to allow each zone to be watered separately.
There are two types of manifold that can be used – one type designed to be connected directly beneath a mains water tap outlet, typically used for smaller irrigation systems which use battery operated tap timer controllers, and the other type being used as part of a larger irrigation system which typically uses mains operated controllers and solenoid valves, often including a pump & tank.
Tap manifolds
We supply two versions of tap manifold – one having two separate outlets (2-way manifold) and the other having three (3-way manifold). These are extremely sturdy and well built – made of solid brass, and therefore easily able to withstand full mains water pressure – enabling the water to be continually left on – essential when using a system operated by a tap timer. The manifolds are also equipped with high quality double Teflon seals to prevent leakage. A union ring is fitted at the top of the manifold – enabling it to be screwed on beneath the tap inlet without needing to turn its main body – ideal for the tight spaces mains water taps are often located in. As this manifold inlet is 3/4″ female threaded, it will thread on directly beneath the tap outlet. The 3/4″ male threads on the manifold outlets will then accept the 3/4″ female inlet threads of the tap timer controllers we supply. The 2-way manifold will allow a Hunter 1-zone tap timer on each outlet (providing two automated watering zones), or a Galcon 1-zone tap timer on one outlet (providing one automated watering zone as Galcon timers are more bulky), with the other outlet being free to connect a hose or fill up a watering can if wishing to water some areas of the garden by hand. Alternatively, if requiring more zones, the 2-way manifold can also accept a Hunter 2-zone tap timer on each outlet – providing a substantial four automated watering zones. The advantage of the 3-way manifold is that two single zone Galcon tap timers can be used, also leaving the outlet in the middle free to connect a hose/watering can etc. Another advantage is that if requiring four zones, again two 2-zone Hunter tap timers can be used – but unlike with the 2-way manifold the outlet in the middle can be left free to connect a hose/watering can etc., enabling the operation of a reasonably sized irrigation system whilst providing the flexibility of hand watering without interference.
Solenoid valve manifolds
Like with the tap manifold, we supply two versions of solenoid valve manifold – one a 2-way and the other 3-way. These are similarly shaped to the tap manifolds, with their outlets facing down, however, their inlet is on the side rather than directly above, with the inlet thread being a larger 1″ female due to being connected via supply pipe. Another difference when compared to the tap manifolds is that the solenoid valve manifolds also have an outlet on the opposite of their inlet – which enables additional manifolds to be connected. So, for example, a 2-zone solenoid valve manifold could connect on to a 3-zone to provide a total of five zones. This connecting ability allows a very substantial number of zones to be easily included within the system if required. Their zone outlets are also 1″ female threaded – allowing 1″ female threaded solenoid valves to be easily connected beneath via 1″ nipples (the solenoid valves typically being wired to a controller mounted above the manifold). These manifolds are also equipped with built in washers to prevent water leakage.
So now you can see the advantages that manifolds provide by allowing you to operate an automated irrigation system conveniently split into separate zones to provide managed, efficient watering for your whole garden. So don’t delay – visit our online shop today to select the right manifolds for your system and watch your garden flourish!
Conclusions
Irrigation manifolds for automated watering are a great way of making your water supply go further and enabling you to automatically water much more of the garden.
