Sprinkler Pump

[mcgyver]

This is off of another thread and i thought it would get a more knowledgable response in here.....
I have a shallow well for irrigation (water at 18.5'). Would a 1 hp wayne Sprinkler pump work for me or am i better off with a shallow well jet pump. I've read about issues with the sprinkler pump not being able to draw enough. thanks


Gary,
I'm not a pump expert by any means, but I believe you must determine how many gpm of water you need to operate the sprinklers then get a pump that will supply that much, probably with a little extra just to be sure. Sprinkler head wear and get a larger diameter thereby putting out more gpm than originally rated, you may add to the zones, and it's nice to have a reserve so you're not always maxed out. Something like have a little more HP in you car than you really need. Some of the pump experts might have some additional thoughts.



Thanks Gary, my needs are max 7 GPM. most zones are 5-6 GPM. I'm more concerned about the "sprinkler" pump vs a shallow well jet pump. Ideally i need a 3/4hp pump but 1hp would do and i have access to one for a decent price. If anyone knows of a 3/4hp shallow well jet pump used or whatever for a good price PM me. thanks

[speedbump]

I don't like PM's but I have a 1/2hp jet pump (NEW) for $257.04. It's a quality pump, not a Wayne. You certainly don't need a self priming centrifugal for 5 - 6 gpm. A jet is what you want. This 1/2hp pump will give you 6 gpm at 40 psi with a ten foot lift.

bob...

[Gary Slusser]

mcgyver, you can't be running many sprinkler heads with only 7 gpg but listen to Bob.

[Wet_Boots]

The Wayne "Lawn Sprinkler Pump" belongs in a time warp, when sprinkler heads were all-brass popup sprays, that only needed about 15 to 20 psi to operate.

[mcgyver]

Thanks guys. My well can only produce 8-10 gpm therefore i'm limited in the # of heads per zone. I think 1/2hp might be pushing it for a 18-20ft draw and 6gpm thanks

[speedbump]

Are you saying that your water level is at 18.5 feet? In other words you will have an 18.5' lift to the pump?

bob...

[Gary Slusser]

Thanks guys. My well can only produce 8-10 gpm therefore i'm limited in the # of heads per zone. I think 1/2hp might be pushing it for a 18-20ft draw and 6gpm thanks

Is that a true pump output test or the recovery rate of the well? If it is from the pump, and you can't feed enough heads, you need a larger pump.

If it is the recovery rate gpm, what diameter well do you have? A 6" gives you storage of 1.47 gal/foot of water above the pump's inlet.

[mcgyver]

Yes Bob, water level is 18.5', not sure what drawdown is. Wellpoint is 1.25". I can "pull" 8gpm for at least an hour with an old 3/4hp jedjacket that i had

[speedbump]

The well will probably do better since that's about all the 3/4hp could do from that depth.

bob...