The supply of a summer cottage with an irrigation system is one of the main conditions for the successful development of green spaces. A balanced supply of water is required both for the garden, and for the lawn, as well as for other household needs. It remains only to determine the appropriate configuration of the water supply system and the closest source of a valuable resource. The basis of such systems is a pump for automatic irrigation, which provides a pumping function. Based on the characteristics of the water source, its quality and the required volumes, you should choose the appropriate model of the unit.
General requirements for garden pumps
It is not difficult to find a suitable option for household purposes in a wide variety of pumps. Watering units for plants make up a large part of the general assortment. Actually, any equipment pumping water is suitable for such tasks, but in order not to overpay money for extra functionality and inappropriate configurations, you should focus on surface and submersible models. In the first case, the pump for automatic watering of the garden can be easily connected to a local pond or stream if the water quality meets the requirements. Submersible models are also suitable for use in garden water supply, but in this case there are several options. Models of this type, depending on the operating parameters and design, can be used to supply water from a barrel, and for operation in a reservoir.
Technical and operational parameters
Two main characteristics need to be taken into account - power and depth of fence. The power potential is determined by the capabilities of the used motor. Not only productivity in the form of volumes of pumped water depends on the value of this parameter, but also the working life of the unit. The power of the apparatus, which will have to serve a small garden near the water source, can be 500-1000 watts. As for the depth of the fence, the pump for automatic irrigation should be selected based on individual calculations. In essence, this is the number of meters that separates the unit from the water intake point. But it is important to take into account such a nuance - 1 m horizontally corresponds to 10 m in height. Surface models have a minimum pressure value - an average of 8-9 m.
Barrel pumps
Manufacturers produce special models of pumps for pumping water from barrels, tanks and similar containers. Such devices can be attributed to the initial level of submersible pumps. In a small area with a stable filling tank, this is the best option. In most cases, the pump for automatic irrigation from the barrel is equipped with a sliding fastening rod, which can act as a fixing device to the tank and a transfer handle. Also, some configurations include a float switch and a special holder for winding an electric cable. Such devices make the irrigation process not only productive, but also convenient. True, such a unit is unlikely to cope with the maintenance of large areas.
The pump for automatic watering from the river
In this case, more powerful units are required and, again, an adjustment should be made for specific operating conditions. As for productivity, you should focus on the possibility of pumping at least 3-4 m 3 per hour. At the same time, too high power is also useless, since there will be a risk of a gulf if proper control is not carried out. There is another nuance in the selection of models designed for working with rivers and ponds. The fact is that a pump for automatic irrigation of a garden or a garden with a lawn, although it does not require perfectly clean water, but excessive pollution is unacceptable. There are two ways to insure against problems of this kind. Either initially rely on the purchase of a unit with primary filtration (such models can be operated with contaminated sources), or provide for the presence of a cleaning device at the outlet.
Pumping stations
These are multifunctional units that theoretically can perform any water supply tasks. Such a unit can also be connected to a garden water tank, and lead to the nearest river. Technical parameters open up unlimited possibilities for operation. And another significant plus is the availability of advanced automation, which will allow you to control a wide range of operating parameters. However, a pump for automatic watering the lawn in the form of a universal station is not cheap, it makes no sense to purchase it for the needs of a small area. But if we are talking about large areas and, most importantly, areas with different irrigation requirements, then this option will be the best. The station will be able to provide watering of the lawn and garden, while observing the water supply parameters corresponding to these sections. For comparison: surface and barrel aggregates are limited to watering in one mode.
Automation Implementation
Today, traditional manual hose irrigation is almost never encountered. Watering plants independently perform their function in accordance with the specified parameters. In particular, the user can set the head value, time interval and other characteristics. Devices for this control are purchased separately or may be included with the pump. Modern configurations provide the possibility of supplying the hose with small devices that regulate the characteristics of the water supply. For example, a pump for automatic watering of a garden from a barrel can be provided with a special timer and a sensor. This configuration will allow you to manage the time intervals of irrigation, as well as to track the moisture indicators of air and soil.
Conclusion
The technical organization of an irrigation system is rarely limited to just purchasing a pump with controls. A considerable part of the cost goes to communication infrastructure support. Even in the initial version, a garden pump for automatic irrigation may require the use of valves, regulators, fittings and all kinds of adapters, which will allow not only to adjust the water supply from the source to the place of consumption, but also to optimize this chain. It also makes sense to evaluate the possibilities of expanding the operational spectrum or even retraining the pump. If, for example, in the future it is required to supply clean water to the house with the same pump, then this format of operation of the unit should be foreseen in advance.