/diy/ - Do It Yourself

>>2733499
Sore dick deal, you can't beat it.
They don't last more than a season or two, but for a fiver, who cares.

>>2733503
picrel lol

>>2733499
Rain

>>2733504
Woah hooooh!
Hey!

>>2733504
Orbits are garbage. They will work for a season or two then shit the bed. I've opened up quite a few to see serious design flaws in various models. Sure get it if that's what will work for now (for $5).

I replaced a greenhouse watering system, which was a selection of failed Orbits, with a DIN rail mount DROK timer, and a 12v solenoid. The solenoid has 1/2" Male NPT fittings, so you'll have to add some bushings or adapters for hoses, or cut a hose and get a pair of 1/2" PEX or barb to female NPT fittings. A little bit of potable silicon grease (also sold as dielectric schmoo) and you're good to go. The solenoid is a nylon material, so don't monkey-arm those pex fittings on, just tighten till it doesn't leak. You won't need a pex tool and bands. While those are nice, you can probably get by with appropriate screw clamps.

The power supply is any 1+ amp 12v DC wall wart. Thrift stores and your junk bin should have one laying around for $1. 20g 2-conductor wire can be salvaged from almost anywhere. Your timer you can mount conveniently next to the entry - not where it gets wet - and the solenoid can be remote, whereever the plumbing supply is. Just to be safe, after the DROK is mounted, cover any top openings with more silicone grease, to prevent the odd possible spray from getting on the board.

Also, with either the orbit or the solenoid, water hammer could be an issue. If it is, I suggest a hammer arrestor ahead of the solenoid if you can swing it. The hose ahead of the solenoid if at least 5', will absorb some of the shock. In my case, it was all done in pex, which is like hard pipe, in that it won't swell, even temporarily, to cut down on hammer.

A major failing of Orbit is they don't seem to conformally coat the board. They also make it so batteries leaking, get their acid on the board and it fails. The solenoid mechanisms aren't great, and overall it seems like a minimal-quality big-box store item.

It's almost January, who the fuck is in the market for a sprinkler?

>>2733603
>What is the southern hemisphere

>>2733499
>Cheapest automatic sprinkler system?
When considering installing a semi-permanent plumbing fixture to bury in the yard, which will be a total pain in the ass to dig up, replace, or fix leaks, seeking the "cheapest" is probably the worst attribute to focus on.

>>2733603
To wash away the snow duhhh