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Gardena water timer

mat_boylemat_boyle Posts: 6
in Problem solving
I installed a Gardena micro drip system and the instructions weren't really too helpful so I'm unclear on a number of things. I'm using the timer to shut off the water (leaving the faucet open) and, when I turn on the water (using the Gardena timer) ... quite a bit of pressure has built up and results in more water coming out initially. Do all systems do this? I've been reluctant to leave the faucet on and control everything with the time for fear of the timer breaking and water going every place. Any thoughts?

Posts

  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,754
    If you have super strong pressure perhaps fitting a pressure regulator might solve the issue? I tried a Gardena timer once, couldn’t get it to work properly and went back to Hosellock, which was much easier to use.
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • mat_boylemat_boyle Posts: 6
    I do have a pressure regulator, but it's below the timer, which is how I've seen it placed in pictures. The timer seems to work fine, I'm just curious what experiences people have had with leaving the water "running" all the time and controlling the flow using the timer. Thanks
  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,754
    I’ve never noticed if there is an initial surge, but it makes sense that the irrigation pipes fill up quickly with an initial surge, to begin with. We used to leave the timer on constantly at a previous holiday home, sometimes a month between visits with no problem. Have you tried just half turning the tap on if your pressure regulator is not regulating enough? Is there a maximum bar pressure stated for that model? Sorry I can’t be more helpful, maybe you just have to monitor it and cross your fingers!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,637
    I find the biggest problem is getting a good seal when fitting the timer to the tap. I have used Hozeloc, Gardena and now have a no-brand cheapie from Screwfix and all have been a pain to get watertight at the tap. I usually have to try a variety of washers and PTFE tape to get a good seal. Once sealed it will then run all summer without further attention although a weekly inspection of all the connections is worth doing.

    Usually the pressure reducer sorts out the flow but it may depend on how many outlets you are running. 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,817
    I have used a battery powered timer for years attached to an outside tap fitted with its own screw on connector to fit standard Gardena and Hozelock hosepipe connectors?  No drips.   The pressure regulator was fitted between the mains tap and the outside tap and I had a Y connector below the timer so I could run two pipes.

    The supply was left on for 15 days at a time to power two sprinklers - one small one in the greenhouse and one bigger one for all the pots I gathered together at the back of the house in my work area.  I set the timer for about 30 minutes at 2am.   Never had any problems.




    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • mat_boylemat_boyle Posts: 6
    I took the suggestions in the posts above (reducing water flow from the faucet and using plumbers' tape to seal the connections), but am still running into some problems. The main supply line branches off to water 8 plants. As shown in the picture, the pressure regulator keeps detaching from the supply line. I've made sure that it's firmly affixed. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks for the help.

    Matt

  • mat_boylemat_boyle Posts: 6
    Since the post above, I went out and purchased a metal clamp that seems to be keeping the hose from disconnecting. The reason why I'm concerned about the hose disconnecting is that I live above the ground level and don't want water falling from my patio onto the street. Does anyone else use clamps to secure connections like this? Any other thoughts?
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,637
    The metal clip at the bottom of your pressure reducer is supposed to lock down on the hose to secure it.

    I have a couple of connectors which needed metal hose clips (Jubilee clips in the UK) added to keep them secure. I have also used nylon tie-wraps which seems to hold especially on the thin walled distribution pipe.


  • KT53KT53 Posts: 7,738
    Have you tried turning the tap/faucet down a little?  They don't generally need to be open and at full pressure to supply a drip system.
  • mat_boylemat_boyle Posts: 6
    The faucet is down at a low setting and I continue to have failures that result in water flowing down onto the street. It looks like I'm going to need to put Jubilee clips on every single connecting point in order to feel safe leaving the system on. I just don't feel like the connecting points were designed properly for their intended use and I'm not impressed with pressure reducer either. They simply don't work.
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