Help in selecting Mechanical Watering Timer

[Gerardo]

Hello Tomatoville:

I'm about to purchase a Mechanical Watering Timer. Need some help in choosing one.

http://amzn.com/B006FLGHGE orbit

http://amzn.com/B0015AP1QM nelson

http://amzn.com/B001P80H22 dramm

http://amzn.com/B00IJG4FEE Gilmour

Pops is technologically challenged, so I'm hoping turning a dial can lead to better results.

One will go on my low flow gravity set up. Another will be directly on the house water circuit.

Any guidance appreciated.

[rags57078]

Been using this one since February in the greenhouse and really like it

http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-62061N-9...JAM9DTGCGCXNNZ

[BigVanVader]

I'd go with a metal one and save yourself the trouble of constant leaks. In my experience the plastic ones will leak no matter what and in general are pretty crappy.
http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-62041-Me...g_bs_553988_18

[heirloomtomaguy]

Originally Posted by rags57078

Been using this one since February in the greenhouse and really like it

http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-62061N-9...JAM9DTGCGCXNNZ

I have had this one for my container maters for 3 years now and i finally had to replace the battery about a month ago. It is plastic but its never failed me yet and is readily available at home depot

[BigVanVader]

Yeah I have one of those at work that we use for a small flower bed that we couldn't run irrigation to. It works well as long as you cover it with something to protect it from the elements. I was under the impression he wanted a no batteries turn dial timer.

[heirloomtomaguy]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Yeah I have one of those at work that we use for a small flower bed that we couldn't run irrigation to. It works well as long as you cover it with something to protect it from the elements. I was under the impression he wanted a no batteries turn dial timer.

Your probably right on the no batteries. If that is the case i like the metal one you posted also

[Gerardo]

Originally Posted by rags57078

Been using this one since February in the greenhouse and really like it

http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-62061N-9...JAM9DTGCGCXNNZ

Looks to be a good one, alas my goal is to have just a dial that winds for a set time period without a digital display. Thanks!

[Gerardo]

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

I'd go with a metal one and save yourself the trouble of constant leaks. In my experience the plastic ones will leak no matter what and in general are pretty crappy.
http://www.amazon.com/Orbit-62041-Me...g_bs_553988_18

Saw that one, and indeed Pops will appreciate metal. I'll probably go with this one. Thanks.

[Gerardo]

Yes looking for no batteries, no displays, just a dial to turn, like a kitchen timer. Old school.

[decherdt]

The wind up one s I had worked for lawn sprinklers or hand wands, but did not work with low flow soaker hoses or drip tape, never ticked down, had to go to battery operated for those.

[Gerardo]

Originally Posted by decherdt

The wind up one s I had worked for lawn sprinklers or hand wands, but did not work with low flow soaker hoses or drip tape, never ticked down, had to go to battery operated for those.

Cool, I was wondering about that. Some state 5 psi as their min.

Looks like the hand crank timer one for the home water circuit, and a manual valve for the gravity circuit. No drip tape, I'm just doing a 1/2 " tube over the top of my rows of containers with a direct tap flag emitter at each one.

[cwavec]

I see some mention of water pressure here. You could take note that
almost all of the products mentioned require a minimum water pressure
to operate and therefore are unlikely to operate on a low flow or gravity
fed system. The reason is that if the device includes a valve, it is the
pressure that moves the valve from open to closed and vice versa. Yes,
it works in both directions. Minimum water pressure stated on a couple
of product packages I have seen is 15 PSI. I doubt though that many
of them will work that low or for very long.

For anyone who wonders how this works, Rainbird (a company that makes
a lot of these) has a video somewhere on Youtube that explains it in detail
and shows how with a cutaway example. Sorry I don't remember the url.

[cwavec]

I have found a Youtube video that shows something about how these devices
operate. It is by Hunter and not the same one I referenced earlier but it gives
the basic idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93cM...HE5MfkGR2_xiAP

Essentially, whether your device has an electrical solenoid or a clockwork
timer, that portion does not open or close the valve. It only moves a tiny
plunger which then allows the water pressure to route to either the top or
bottom of the diaphragm while releasing pressure on the other side. Thus,
substantial pressure is required in the system to get valve operation. There
are some of these things that are rated for "low flow". I don't know how low
but significantly, they don't claim that these are also "low pressure". Before
buying any of these I would want to know very clearly what the exact
specification actually says.

[oakley]

The Toro works for rain barrel type low pressure systems. Wish it was made better.
Not sure if any others work with low pressure.
I took the reviewers advice and made a cover for mine.
My other rain barrel i just use manually and set my phone timer. Overflow goes into the well.

[whoose]

For low flow conditions Orbits will open but not close properly. So if you want to check you auto watering system every day to make sure it works go with Orbits. If you must buy from a big box and take them back as they fail.