Drip Kits

Congratulations on your purchase of a Drip Depot 9 oz. Tube & Gel Pac Refill combo. 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.

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TO PLAN YOUR NEW KIT:

Assembling your new 9 oz. Tube & Gel Pac Refill combo 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. Maximum length to run 1/4" tubing is 30'. This means that the distance between your water source and your farthest drip emitter should not be more than 30'. You can have multiple branches of 1/4" as long as the longest branch is no longer than 30 and the total flow does not exceed 25 GPH. (see below)
3. Maximum water flow through 1/4" line is about 25 GPH. Keep your total water flow to less than this to ensure that each dripper gets the water it needs to operate correctly.
4. The adjustable dripper and vortex sprayer can use up a LOT of water if operated in the full open position. Use sparingly if possible.
6. 1/4" barbed elbows are optional use items for making tight turns.
7. 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 to the faucet or end of a hose.
2. Connect the pressure regulator to the timer.
3. Connect the filter to the end of the pressure regulator.
4. Screw the Female Hose Thread Adapter with 1/4" Barb to the outlet of the filter.
5. Slide the tubing onto the 1/4" barb end of the female hose thread adapter.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Insert a drip emitter into the end of the line you just ran up to the plant.
11. Use a stabilizer stake to hold the tubing in place.
12. Repeat as necessary.

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.