Best automatic irrigation sprinkler heads according to redditors

Can I ask why you would do this vs using a solar powered irrigation switch/timer off the shelf? It would be cheaper, use less power (100% solar powered), and also includes things like integration with rain sensors to automatically delay after a customizable amount of rainfall. Plus its natively waterproof which the pi is not. By the time you built in equivalent functionality and features, you'd most likely be more expensive.

DIG 100 timer (example, this is single zone, multizone equivalents exist):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q53N2S8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_73GiDbFCJN6WK

Rain bird rain sensor:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MICVDY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_z5GiDbEEM8ZST

Not trying to tell you not to do it, but there are ready to go solutions available off the shelf which will use zero power and are purpose built and have gone through QA to do this. If this is a learning project/exercise, by all means.

You need water. Don't bother seeding if you aren't going to water it. You can setup hoses with sprinkler spikes and rotors and chain them together. Home Depot / Ace Hardware has the parts but for reference:

Orbit 1/2" Zinc Flow-Thru Spike Base https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004S24W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OTDyDbR33GS4V

Rain Bird Rotor Heads 5000 Rotor Sprinkler Heads. 4-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MBNRXBI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FVDyDbSFVDZMY

10 Pack - Orbit 1/2 Inch x 6 Inch Poly Cut-Off Sprinkler Riser https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LORJR20/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_YWDyDbJ5FFCPX

haha better deal this is what i bought

https://www.amazon.com/Orbit-58086N-Plastic-Shut-Off-Coupling/dp/B00004S25R/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1498054902&sr=1-1&keywords=plastic+hose+valve

Obviously it is a little late now, but with these backflow preventers, you will want to "winterize" them in the fall/winter. Each model is different, but with mine, I remove all the internals and drain what water I can in there. After that, I use heat tape (http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Heat-AHB-019-Weather-Heating/dp/B00002N6MB/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397143706&sr=8-2&keywords=heat+tape) and wrap the pipes with it. The manufacturer suggests blowing all the water out of the lines with an air compressor, but I have never done it. I keep it covered with an trash can (it's in the side yard not visible to anyone who isn't going over to that side for a reason), but you can also use one of those fake rocks (http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-Watermaster-53016-Granite-Sprinkler/dp/B0013I2MSG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397143834&sr=8-1&keywords=fake+rock).

Anyways, for your current issue, I would google the model # and look for repair kits. For my model, you can buy that plastic cap and the internals. Replacing it was a breeze, but it may be different for your model.

I know many lawn / sprinkler service companies would love to have the privilege to come winterize your system and then prepare it in the spring, but it isn't an awful task at all.

Good luck..

Sprinkler head filter screen

Sure, you can use this pump, and I think it's productivity will be enough for your system in your local weather conditions. And you can always lower watering cycle and spend more time for UV-cleaning.

But this unit is not handy to use - you will have to open system for cleaning and maintaining it and opening system is always a bad choice and should be avoided.

I don't know how to translate it to eng right way, but i'll try) Try building "continous-flow" system, where water coming from standalone buckets to expansion bucket passes through a disc filter (it's super handy to clean) and then external UV-device like this one. This may require a small additional water pump but will make your system much more handy in maintaining.

You should look for disc filter like this one, but with lower grid size, around 80 microns. You can clean this filter under water flow and install back in to system in less than 5 minutes.

Sure they are. A garden hose shut off valve costs around two dollars and is a great thing to have.

It really helps when you're filling water balloons, too.

Also, micro bubblers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006VOQTY/ref=asc_df_B0006VOQTY5374692

And drippers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003B6JIQW

Raindrip small irrigation supplies are sold at many hardware stores.

You are looking for Mushroom Bubblers

https://www.amazon.com/20-Pack-Pattern-Mushroom-Sprinkler/dp/B00LOR7EXY/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=bubbler+irrigation&qid=1568300138&s=gateway&sr=8-5

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plastic-Mushroom-Bubbler-54119/100124673

I just got a replacement for a broken head last weekend. The style and range/coverage type was listed on the display boxes at Lowe’s.

I’m not recommending these at all, the link is just to show the rotary style you want and then adjust the head to produce a mist/stream to get the coverage you need.

You can see in the pictures the stream type and even what happens as you adjust it.


https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Bird-Sprinkler-Heads-4-Pack/dp/B00MBNRXBI

Oh i was looking on my phone before. The retro-1800 model is a low flow sprayer head. Typically you see these in beds with drought resistant plants. These work fine but waste a little more water than drip tubing. This may be an easier way for you to lower your water out

Typically when someone says "drip irrigation" they mean tubes like this. Its the most efficient way to water the soil - there is much less wasted water. You just space the tubes as far apart as the emitters are spaced.

This tubing will work with the RCKIT. But it does not look like RCKIT includes a filter. The drip tubing gets clogged pretty easily so typically you put a filter like this inline after the valve and a flush valve that periodically flushes the drip tube of any sediment buildup. Both of thes would be placed in a small box. Sediment buildup and drip tubes clogging can be a big deal if you are using non-potable water like well water. It's not nearly as big of an issue for systems using potable water.