I am going to change my heads to cut the flow in half on each of my zones. What type of tools and supplies do I need to accoplish this?
I have Hunter PGP and PGM heads mostly.
Also, is there a good supplier for these items?
Thanks,
CL
You could do it with just an allen wrench and the new nozzle, but it won't be easy. To do it the easy way, Hunter makes a key like tool. One end of the key gets inserted into an opening on the head and then you can pull the rotating head up out of the head cylinder, just like it would come up with water pressure. They have a second clip-on device, which then snaps on to lock it and hold it up while you work on it. The other end of the tool has the allen wrench of correct size to take out the set screw that adjusts the water throw distance and also holds the orrifice in. After taking out the screw, you can pull the old nozzle out with a pair of needle nose pliers and press the new one in.
You can find the two tools either online at shops that sell Hunter or at a local plumbing supply.
If you are putting on too much water, save the money, buy a new timer that lets you reduce the amount of time the sprinklers are on.
Why would the OP need to buy a new timer? Couldn't he just set it for a shorter period of time on each zone if that was the problem? The OP might have a flow rate problem and the existing heads aren't providing full coverage.
dnoyeB, please flesh out your question a bit. Why do you want to change the heads? Are there failed seals and water is leaking out along the body? Pressure/flow issues?
Changing the complete head is very simple. You just dig out around the riser, unscrew the old head and screw on the new one. If the new heads are not a direct replacement in height you will have to swap out the existing riser for one of the desired length. As Trader mentioned, swapping out the nozzle is even easier and has a definite impact on water usage.
I am using reclaied water source. I cant push 18GPM. I can handle around
9 though. So I am looking to reduce the GPM by changing heads if I can.Its getting tricky though because the nozzle change sees to bring a radius change. I don't want the radius change. I'm going to have to experient. First I think I need to disassemble my heads and find out what nozzles they are using now and if I can get one with 1/2 the flow rate.
Hunter has so many nozzles. Looks like the blue ones are just new but not any different from the read. im going to order a set of blue nozzles. I went in Federal Supply here in Livonia(probably) MI and the lady gave me
2 adjustent tools. So I think I am on my way. So long as I can get matched radiuses.The nozzles show a radius, but I know you can adjust the throw. They don't show a range though :(
That's why the heads come with a tree of nozzles. You're always futzing around with the suckers. I've had good luck swapping out some of the heads with MP Rotators when there's a water supply issue.
Good Hunter help site
True. I'm reducing because the current flow rate of my well is lower. So I'd rather match it than create a large reservoir or have the pump cycling a lot. If I can find a smaller pump I will go with it.
CL
Just to clarify, there is no reason to change the head or even remove it at all to change the flow rate. You just replace the existing NOZZLE with one of a different size. They come in a plastic push out type tree that has all sizes. And changing the nozzle will change the rate and throw distance, but not the radius. You can re-adjust the throw distance to whatvever you want.
While figuring out the correct nozzle rate, factor in the radius and throw distance. If one head is doing 90 and another 270, the 270 degree head would need 3X the nozzle rate to deliver the same amount of water to it's lawn area and keep it balanced. Similar thing with the throw distance, because again, a head with a longer throw is covering more area.
I found that changing the nozzle would change rate and radius for PGP heads. But the I20 heads have several nozzles with the same radii but different flow rates with different nozzles. Im considering switching to the I20s.
CL
Yes, you are right. I was thinking and visualizing one thing and typing something else. Radius and the term I used "throw distance" are the same and change with the nozzle. What I meant was the coverage angle, ie 30 deg, 270 deg, etc doesn't change when you change the nozzle.
=A0But the I20 heads have several nozzles with the same radii but
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