Drip Kits

Congratulations on your purchase of a Drip Depot Deluxe Drip Irrigation Kit for Container Gardening. Your new kit represents the state of the art in drip irrigation technology. Please take a few moments to read through this instruction manual to familiarize yourself with all the parts of this kit. Installation instructions are included at the end of this manual.

DESCRIPTION		QTY	ITEM #
	3/4" FHT x 3/4" MHT preset pressure regulators. Preset to various PSI ratings. Reduces the pressure entering the system. Use with other hose thread fittings. Choose the appropriate preset PSI rating for your application.	1	1016
	3/4" FHT x 3/4" MHT - Backflow Preventer prevents dirt or fertilizer from re-entering the water supply. Install after the faucet.	1	1023
	For extending drippers and micro sprinklers from main line or as the primary line in a small system. Flexible vinyl will not kink or crimp. Resistant to UV rays. May be used above or below ground.	1	1041
	1/4" Barbed Connector extends drippers or micro sprinklers from 1/2" poly tube or connects 2 pieces of 1/4" micro tube.	10	1070
	Use the 1/4" Barbed Tee for a three direction layout of drippers or micro-sprinklers on 1/4" micro-tube, or to extend from 1/2" tube with two directions of 1/4" micro-tube.	30	1072
	6" Microtube Stabilizer Stake holds 1/8" and 1/4" microtubing near plant or in pot to secure the position of microtubing and dripper.	30	1154
	Use a goof plug to plug holes in 1/2" poly tube or closes the end of 1/4" micro tube.	10	1176
	Female Hose Thread Adapter with 1/4" Barb - Screws on directly to a faucet or hose. 1/4" tubing is then attached to the 1/4" barb. Does not come with screen.	1	1227
	The Inline Hose Filter is a very simple but effective filter. Connects to any standard hose bib or end of hose.	1	1255
	Button Dripper can be inserted into 1/2" tubing or extended with 1/4" micro tubing. Turbulent flow drippers regulate water flow by dissipating energy in friction against the walls of the water passage.	30	1276

TO PLAN YOUR NEW KIT:

Assembling your new Deluxe Drip Irrigation Kit for Container Gardening is not difficult. Keep these points in mind when planning your layout.

1. Decide on the best path to lay out your 1/4" tubing. Try to run your tubing as close as possible to each container.
2. 1/4" barbed elbows are optional use items for making tight turns.
3. 1/4" barbed connectors are used to repair damaged tubing but are not needed for normal operation.

TO ASSEMBLE YOUR NEW KIT:

1. Connect the pressure regulator to the faucet or end of a hose.
2. Connect the filter to the end of the pressure regulator.
3. Screw the Female Hose Thread Adapter with 1/4" Barb to the outlet of the filter.
4. Slide the tubing onto the 1/4" barb end of the female hose thread adapter.
5. Lay the 1/4" tubing out on the ground in the desired location trying to stay as close as possible to your plants. Run the tubing all the way from the hose bib to the last plant. Don't use up all your tubing, leave enough tubing for reaching each individual plant with a drip emitter.
6. FLUSH THE LINE: Turn the water on and flush the lines. Let water run through the tubing for 1-2 minutes to remove any debris that may have entered the line. This is important, any contaminants that are in the line will not be filtered out by the filter and they may clog your emitters. So be safe, take a few minutes to flush the line before continuing.
7. Close the 1/4" mainline by inserting the small end of a goof plug into the end of the tubing. Now you have a closed system that can be pressurized.
8. Starting at the first plant, cut the tubing with scissors and insert a 1/4" barbed Tee fitting. Then, cut a length of tubing to reach up into the container, leave a little slack. You can use an elbow at the lip of the container if you want but it is optional.
9. Insert a drip emitter into the end of the line you just ran up to the plant.
10. Use a stabilizer stake to hold the tubing in place.
11. Repeat as necessary.

MULTIPLE ZONES:

If your kit comes with the ability to setup multiple zones (Two or more Female Hose Thread Adapter with 1/4" Barb) you can install two completely seperate zones with independnat watering schedules. You do not have to use this feature if you do not want to but it's available to you should you need it. Operating independant zones is usefull if you have rows that require diffeent watering schedules. You would simply turn one zone on more often than the other. The choice is yours.

CHECKING YOUR SYSTEM:

After you have installed or maintained your system you should "walk the line" and ensure that all emitters are working properly. Newly installed systems will sometimes weep around newly punched holes, this is normal and should decrease over time as the tubing seals itself. Check for proper placement of emitters to ensure that each plant is getting its fair share of water and that sprayers are not being obstructed.

HELPFULL TIPS:

1. Tubing is much easier to work with when it is warm. Lay tubing out in the sun for a few minutes before installation. This will allow the tubing to uncurl and be much more pliable.
2. To use a Perma-Loc fitting: Turn the collar counter clockwise until it tightens up to the body of the fitting. Slide the tubing or tape over the barb as far as it will go toward the body of the fitting. Sometimes a back-and-forth wiggle motion helps. Turn the collar clockwise over the tubing until the collar is tight.
3. If you have difficulty punching holes in the tubing because the tubing is collapsing, either run cold water through the tubing or cap it off and pressurize the system, be ready to get wet. Either way will make punching holes easier. When using a standard punch, use a straight twisting motion to make a clean hole. You will usually hear a pop, but not always.
4. 1/4" tubing and barbed fittings can be hard on fingers. To make things easier, try dipping the ends of 1/4" tubing into hot water for a few seconds before use. Or use a blow dryer to heat up the tubing ends. Both solutions make inserting 1/4" barbs much easier.
5. A hose end timer can be used to automate your drip system. Hose end timers are connected directly to the hose faucet or hose end and the pressure regulator is connected to the end of the timer.
6. If you need to make tight turns, use an elbow or tee fitting. To use an elbow or tee simply cut the 1/2" line at the desired location and insert the elbow or tee.

MAINTENANCE:

• Inspect your system regularly.
• Filters should be cleaned regularly. To determine your cleaning frequency, Unscrew the filter body and inspect the screen after the first couple of waterings to gage how often it must be cleaned.
• Tubbing, tape and fittings can be left outside during winter as long as you drain any remaining water from your lines.
• Timers, filters and regulators should all be removed from the hose or faucet and taken indoors if freezing conditions are expected.

REPAIRING YOUR SYSTEM:

• 1/4" tubing can be repaired by cutting out the damaged section and inserting a 1/4" barbed connector.
• 1/2" tubing can be repaired by cutting out the damaged section and inserting a 1/2" coupler.
• Drip tape can be repaired by cutting out the damaged section and inserting a tape coupler.
• 1/4" holes in poly tubing can be plugged by using a goof plug.