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Winterizing Irrigation System

10 posts
  1. Jennifer Torres
    Jennifer Torres avatar
    2 posts
    12/5/2016 10:12 AM
    I am currently trying to blow out my system and having issues. I have a 375CFM compressor with up to 150psi and I cant build enough pressure to pop heads. We have used Duplex wetting agent in the system and now I'm getting foam at my snap valves. What are your thoughts, we've been trying for 3 days now. Please help if any ideas. Never had issues here like this before in my 5 years here.



  2. Andrew Cross
    Andrew Cross avatar
    5 posts
    12/5/2016 10:12 AM
    Have you always used a compressor that small? If so quick checks are to make sure all drains are closed. We typically use a 1600CFM compressor set at 50psi. The key being volume not pressure. I can't imagine the Duplex becoming sticky enough to hold things closed. If you have isolation valves, you could close sections down to focus the air to small areas instead of the whole system.

    Good luck!



  3. Jennifer Torres
    Jennifer Torres avatar
    2 posts
    12/5/2016 11:12 AM
    Thanks Andrew, yes, we have always used a small compressor. I have also closed off sections to isolate zones, all to no avail. We think the compressor is not putting out volume it should. Have Sunbelt coming out to check it. You should not be able to unhook the hose and cover the end with no problem if it was working correctly. Getting frustrated!!!



  4. Peter McPartland
    Peter McPartland avatar
    0 posts
    12/5/2016 6:12 PM
    Compressor needs adjustment I would say! Best of luck



  5. Kim Brock
    Kim Brock avatar
    3 posts
    12/5/2016 8:12 PM
    Sometimes the ball valves are not opening correctly on the compressor. Sounds like it is only opening slightly.



  6. Douglas Eggert
    Douglas Eggert avatar
    1 posts
    12/5/2016 11:12 PM
    We use a 385 at 80 lbs due to a 1" pipe fill on the manifold. Neighboring courses use 600 - 800 cfm.

    Plenty of air and pressure.

    Something is wrong with the compressor.



  7. Christopher Thuer
    Christopher Thuer avatar
    101 posts
    12/6/2016 12:12 AM
    Depending on how much pipe is in the total system you might need a larger compressor. We use a 1600 cfm set at 90-110 psi. Several thousand feet of 4 and 6 inch mains with mostly double, a few triple and a couple quad row 2" laterals in the fairways. It takes us about 6 hours to do a decent blowout. We can easily get about 12 heads running at a time and move right through stations.

    Years ago at a 9 hole club I did use a 375 and it was an all day job a head or 2 at a time. Single row system.

    Chris Thuer, CGCS, Bear Slide Golf Club, Cicero, IN

  8. David Brandenburg
    David Brandenburg avatar
    3 posts
    12/7/2016 6:12 AM
    Hopefully Sunbelt has found something out by now. We have had compressors with regulation valves on them, perhaps it is set low or faulty.

    Snap valves can leak a little at low pressure and that is probably why you are seeing foam there.

    The size of the compressor wont keep you from building pressure, just reduce how many heads you can blow out at once. I have done 18 hole courses with a 200CFM without issue. Just planned on taking awhile.



  9. Melvin Waldron
    Melvin Waldron avatar
    43 posts
    12/8/2016 9:12 AM
    David Brandenburg, CGCS said: Hopefully Sunbelt has found something out by now. We have had compressors with regulation valves on them, perhaps it is set low or faulty.

    Snap valves can leak a little at low pressure and that is probably why you are seeing foam there.

    The size of the compressor wont keep you from building pressure, just reduce how many heads you can blow out at once. I have done 18 hole courses with a 200CFM without issue. Just planned on taking awhile.


    I had a super I worked for that used maybe a 375CFM that we would actually move around the course, the pump set up was a diesel tugboat engine on a quick coupler system, so I don't think we had the option to blow it out from there. We would be blowing out, setting in the truck and get to the point where we were ready to move and a spurt of water would come out and we would wait some more. I'm guessing it was prudent with the makeup of our irrigation lines, (some of the old stuff I think had asbestos in it), but I also thought is was so he could stay late and drink beer. The good old days.

    Mel

    Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO

  10. Russell Young
    Russell Young avatar
    3 posts
    8/27/2017 8:08 PM
    Be sure your air relief valves are closed. You could also just try to blow first all the water out at the lowest point.



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