Primarily for measuring the flow rate from nozzles on center pivot irrigation systems, the SpotOn Flow Meter comes with a plastic boot that is placed around the operating nozzle to capture and direct the flow downward. It is easy to use and digitally displays the flow rate in GPM, L/min or L/hr in less than a minute.

Click here for additional information

Specification

• Range: 0.08 to 15.0 US Gal/min 0.30 to 58.0 L/min 20 L/hr to 3480 L/hr

• Accuracy: Greater of +/- 4% or 1 least significant digit

• Resolution: 0.01 GPM up to 9.99 then 0.1 GPM over 10.0 0.01 L/min up to 9.99 then 0.1 L/Min over 10.0 10 L/hr

• Size: 8in.(20.3 cm) Diameter X 8in.(20.3 cm) Tall Weight: 1.2 lbs (545 grams)

• Fluid Compatibility: Water and water based solutions only

• Wetted Parts: Stainless Steel & Plastic

Ideal for Growers with Center Pivot Irrigation Systems

“The SpotOn Flow Meter is ideal for use by growers who use center pivot irrigation systems,” Bill Hughes, President of Innoquest, said, “but it can also be used in industrial settings and for home inspections. Although determining the flow rate of irrigation nozzles is important for a variety of reasons, it is especially critical during initial setup when the flow rate should correspond to the system’s design specifications. By measuring flow rate regularly, it’s also easy to check for nozzle wear, obstruction or regulator problems.”

Primary Uses & Features

The SpotOn Flow Meter can be used to measure the flow of irrigation nozzles, pumps and piping with flow rates up to 15 GPM. It’s also great for home inspections, e.g., checking silcocks, shower heads and sink faucets. Self- contained and battery powered, the meter features a simple, rugged design that requires no plumbing or fittings and includes no moving parts. The SpotOn Flow Meter is only compatible with water and water-based solutions and currently lists for $249.

For more information on the SpotOn Flow Meter, call 1(800) 637-1623 or visit www.SpotOnProducts.com. Innoquest, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing sensors and instruments since 1993.

To download photos, pricing and specs, visit www.spotonproducts.com. For more information or an interview, please contact: Bill Hughes, President of Innoquest, Inc. (815) 337-8555.

SpotOn® Catch Can Reader for Irrigation Auditing

Innoquest, Inc., is pleased to announce the release of the first electronic, hand-held catch can reader for irrigation audits. The SpotOn Catch Can Reader can accurately measure the volume of water in each irrigation catch can in as quickly as fifteen seconds. The hand-held device is water-proof and battery powered. Once all the irrigation catch cans in a zone are measured and recorded in the device, the SpotOn Catch can reader displays the average precipitation rate and coefficient of uniformity. The information collected from the irrigation audit can then be downloaded to a PC.

Innoquest, Inc. is an innovative and award winning product design and engineering company located in Woodstock, Illinois. Innoquest has over fifteen years of experience in developing, prototyping, and manufacturing products for aerospace, agriculture, industrial and manufacturing industries.

Click here for additional information

Product Specifications

• Resolution: 0.001 Gallons (0.0038 Liters)

• Accuracy: 0.01 Gallons (0.038 Liters)

• Single can capacity up to 2.5 gallons (9.5 Liters) [25 lbs max]

• Memory Capacity: Up to 99 Tests with up to 99 cans each

• Overall Size: 2” x 3” x 13” (5cm x 7.6cm x 33cm) 

• Meter Weight: 0.82 lbs (370 g) 

• Battery: Requires 9 volt battery (40 hr battery life)

 • PC Connection: Includes USB cable and interface software 

• Data file Type: Creates Comma Separated Variable (.CSV) file for use in spread sheet programs.

• Includes hard carry case, USB cable, & PC software

• Catch cans are sold seperately

Fast, Accurate Measurements

“The SpotOn Catch Can Reader is intended for consultants, manufacturers, researchers and system designers in the irrigation industry,” Bill Hughes, President of Innoquest, said. “It can be used with all types of residential, commercial and agricultural broadcast type irrigation systems and greatly speeds the process of an irrigation audit by allowing catch cans to be read in seconds with a high degree of accuracy. For this reason, it’s especially beneficial for areas where water use is highly regulated.”

Automates Catch Can Work with Readings Every 15 Seconds

The SpotOn Catch Can Reader quickly determines irrigation and spray nozzle performance, including the coefficient of variation. Plus, it’s simple to use! The user places an array of catch cans around irrigation nozzle(s) or head(s), and the SpotOn Catch Can Reader functions as a stopwatch to time the irrigation system for a designated period of time. It then quickly weighs each catch can to determine the quantity of water received and records the data in memory for analysis. The Reader is battery powered and reads a can every 15 seconds to within .01 gallon (0.038L).

Once all cans are measured, the SpotOn Catch Can Reader displays average irrigation in inches, average rate in inches per hour, and coefficient of variation. It also saves all the data which can be downloaded to a computer and used to generate distribution maps with third-party software. The SpotOn Catch Can Reader currently lists for $995.

For more information on the SpotOn Catch Can Reader, call 1 (800) 637-1623 or visit http://www.SpotOnProducts.com.

Innoquest, Inc. has been designing and manufacturing sensors and instruments since 1993.

For more information or an interview, please contact:
Bill Hughes, President of Innoquest, Inc.
(815) 337-8555

Wondering how to get homeowners to stop overwatering this summer? As part of our marketing webinar series, WaterSense will tackle outdoor water attitudes, education, and outreach ideas in April. Registration is open for this month’s WaterSense/We’re for Water marketing webinar,Tuesday, April 24 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time.

Join us for an overview of upcoming WaterSense plans, as well as a look at secondary research WaterSense conducted on outdoor water use behaviors in various communities across the country. We’ll review some of the tools WaterSense and its partners have used to reduce outdoor water use in their communities; participants will also hear first-hand from a WaterSense partner with a thriving outdoor water education campaign. Learn how you, too, can apply these methods to your own program—no matter the size—and discuss your own promotional ideas for outdoor water efficiency.

If you have a communications/outreach colleague who would benefit from any of these webinars, feel free to pass this email on. If you have not yet registered for this webinar, click here to sign up and receive dial-in information for the April 24 webinar. If you have any questions regarding We’re for Water webinars, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at watersense@epa.gov or 866-WTR-SENS (987-7367).

Thank you, and we hope you’ll be joining us!

Sincerely,

EPA’s WaterSense Team

By Tom Barrett

As summer comes to an end and fall approaches, it is time to start thinking about preparing your irrigation systems for winter. Water expands when it freezes. Since automatic irrigation systems are usually buried only about twelve inches below the surface of the soil, water left in an irrigation system in freezing climates over the winter, even a mild winter, will certainly freeze — causing damage to pipes, fittings, valves, and sprinklers. Damage caused by a frozen irrigation system can be expensive and time consuming to repair next spring. Preventing winter damage by properly winterizing the irrigation system is important.

Using compressed air to force water out of the irrigation system is the most common method of winterization. However, irrigation systems equipped with automatic or manual drain valves do not require compressed air to winterize. Only the installing contractor will know if an irrigation system is equipped with automatic or manual drain valves. If you are not sure what type of irrigation system you are winterizing, then use compressed air. Using compressed air on an irrigation system equipped with automatic or manual drain valves will not harm the components of the irrigation system, and will ensure the irrigation system is properly winterized.

Selecting an Air Compressor

Sulliar 185 Portable Air Compressor

A properly sized air compressor is critical in effectively and efficiently blowing air into the irrigation system, forcing any water out. Air compressors are available in various sizes. The most common portable air compressor, which represents roughly 80% of the portable air compressors going into rental fleets today, is the 185 portable air compressor. This machine is rated at 185 cfm at 100 psi at full load. You can find one through a contractors’ equipment rental shop that is more than adequate to get the job done for most residential and commercial irrigation systems. Smaller 5 h.p. electric air compressors, although capable of delivering 100 psi, are not capable of delivering enough volume of air to adequately winterize an irrigation system.

Compressed Air Winterization

The first step in winterizing an irrigation system is to shut off the water to the irrigation system at the point of connection. The system shut-off valve may be a ball valve or gate valve located in the basement or directly after the water meter. Then open a zone valve to relieve the system pressure. Attach the air hose from the air compressor to the blow-out point. The blow-out point is usually located directly after the backflow device. The blow-out point may be a quick coupling valve, a hose bib, or a boiler drain. In this technical drawing the blow-out connection is the quick-coupling valve located in the valve box.

Winterizing an irrigation system with compressed air

A note of caution: The expanding air coming from the air compressor into the irrigation system will get hot and may melt the plastic pipe. Carefully check the temper- ature of the air-hose connection at the blow-out point. Slow down or stop momentarily if it feels too hot! Cycling through each zone two or three times for short intervals will prevent too much heat buildup.

Air Compressor Settings

Set the pressure regulator on the air compressor at 50 to 80 psi. On smaller residential systems, where the zones are typically about 10 gpm or less, open one electric remote control valve manually and cycle through all the other zones two to three minutes by manually opening each valve or by electrically operating each valve at the con- troller. Opening one valve manually will help to keep the air com- pressor from building up too much pressure while assuring an ade- quate volume of air to thoroughly blow out all the water in the sys- tem. On larger systems it may not be necessary to open one valve manually. Allow the air to flow through each zone until water and water vapor no longer appears from any sprinklers in the zone. Start with the zone with the highest elevation in the system or farthest from the point of connection, blowing out each zone successively toward the point of connection. It is a good idea to cycle through each zone two times to ensure there is no water remaining that might settle into a low point in the lateral pipe.

Automatic Drain System Winterization

Although using compressed air is the most common method for winterizing an automatic irrigation system, there are two other types of automatic irrigation systems. The first type is a system equipped with automatic drains. The automatic drains open when the system pressure falls below 10 psi. For these systems it is usually only necessary to turn off the water. Open a drain valve after the point of connection. Prepare the backflow device and controller for winter as noted below. Some irrigation systems incorporate automatic drain valves on the laterals and manual drain valves on the main line. The manual drain valves will be located in small valve boxes at the end and at low points on the main line. Open the drain valves, and allow the water to drain out completely. Then close the drain valve.

Manual Drain System Winterization

An irrigation system equipped with manual drain valves requires you to locate the drain valve for each zone and the main line. The manual drain is usually located in a small valve box at the end of the zone and at every low point. Also, the main line will have a manual drain at the end of the line and at every low point. Open each drain valve, allowing all the water to drain out, and then close the manual drains. Winterize the back- flow device and irrigation controller as noted below.

Backflow Winterization

Watts Frost Proof Pressure Vacuum Breaker

There are two backflow devices utilized in landscape irrigation systems. The most common is a pressure vacuum breaker. Open the top of the pressure vacuum breaker and remove the internal discs and springs. Storing these components near the irri- gation controller makes them easier to find next spring. Turn the handles on the two ball valves and all test ports to a partially open 45 degree position. Ball valves, when fully closed or fully open, will trap water in between the ball and the valve housing. The valve housing will crack during a freeze if not left partially open.

Some newer pressure vacuum breakers are freeze resistant, with a built-in relief valve to protect the internal components and the body from freezing. It is not necessary to remove the internal components in these devices.

The other type of backflow device used in irrigation system is a reduced pressure principle backflow device, or RPZ. It is usually best to remove this device completely during the winter and store indoors. Then cap the pipes to the irrigation system. If removal of the RPZ back- flow device is not possible, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions for winterization. Each manufacturer has specific instructions for winterizing their reduced pressure principle backflow device.

Irrigation Controller and Rain Sensor Winterization

To prepare the irrigation controller for winter, simply turn the contoller to the off or rain shutdown position. You can also disconnect the power and remove the battery but this is not necessary. It is important not to allow the controller to cycle through an irrigation schedule without water in the system because the remote-control valves require water to move through the solenoid assembly to cool the assembly.

If your irrigation system is equipped with a rain sensor or a soil moisture sensor, it is not usually necessary to cover or remove the sensor for the winter. Check with the manufacturer to make sure the sensor does not require any special instructions for win- terization.

Pump Winterization

Submersible pumps, located in a lake or stream, have a check valve at the pump which needs to be removed to make certain the discharge hose does not freeze. It is adviseable to simply remove the pump and discharge hose from water each winter, reinstalling it in the spring.

Centrifigal pumps have a drain valve located at the base of the pump housing that needs to be removed and stored for the winter. The power supply for the pump should also be disconnect- ed to prevent the pump from being accidentally turned on with- out any water. A pump running without water will quickly burn up. Additionally, if the pump is drawing water from a lake or stream, the intake hose has a foot valve located at the base of the suction line. So it is necessary to remove the intake or suction line completely from the water and store it for the winter. Sometimes a check valve is also located on the discharge side of the pump. This check valve needs to be removed and stored for the winter.

Preparing an irrigation system for winter can be a complicated process. A knowledgeable professional is essential to minimize freezing water damage. An improperly winterized irrigation system can be an expensive proposition next spring.

You can download the Landscape Irrigation Catalog from the Apple Store or Rain Bird’s Website.

Download the Apple Application Here

Download the Android Application Here

Nov. 6-8, 2011 – San Diego, California

www.irrigationshow.org

The Irrigation Show is your one-stop event to address industry issues head on.

Discover Innovations

• Explore 200,000+ square feet of the latest equipment and services.
• Find smart solutions for water management.
• Discover strategies and skills to improve your bottom line.

Make Connections

• Interact with industry experts all in one place.
• Make lasting professional contacts.
• Learn about new business opportunities firsthand.

Build Expertise

• Increase productivity and profitability with targeted education classes.
• Monitor critical water management issues and best practices.
• Get certified and earn CEUs for a competitive edge.

This show means business. Learn more.

Private Equity firm Permira to buy 61 % of Israel’s drip irrigation company Netafim.

European private equity firm Permira today said that it will buy up to 61 per cent stake in the world’s largest smart irrigation company, Israel’s Netafim Ltd. Although Permira did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, several media reports suggested that the PE firm paid $870 million, including the assumption of $160 million of Netafim’s debts. London-based Permira is buying the stake from the three kibbutzim (local co-operative communities) Hatzerim, Yiftach and Magal and Israeli funds Markstone Capital Partners Group and Tene Investment Funds. Kibbutz Magal holds a 23-per cent stake in Netafim, Kibbutz Yiftach with 8 per cent, Markstone with 20 per cent, Tene holds 10 per cent and Kibbutz Hatzerim owns the remaining 39 per cent.

Who is Permira?

Permira is a European private equity firm with a global reach.

The firm advises funds with a committed capital of approximately €20 billion. Our funds, raised from pension funds and other institutions, make long-term investments in companies with the ambition of transforming their performance and driving sustainable growth.

The Permira Funds have made almost 200 private equity investments since 1985 and have returned close to €14 billion to their investors over the past decade.

Who is Netafim?

Netafim is the global leader in smart drip and micro-irrigation solutions for a sustainable future. Since introducing the world’s first drip irrigation solutions in 1965, Netafim has led the way by developing products that help customers optimize results.

The EPA’s WaterSense program invites you to its next Partner Forum on October 20, 2011, from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. EST to update partners on:

·  WaterSense Certification System revisions and new product notification process
·  Tour of WaterSense Partner Website
·  ‘Partners in Action’ success stories and photos collection.

Click here to register for this webinar. If you have any questions, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at watersense@epa.gov or (866) WTR-SENS (987-7367).

We look forward to speaking with you on the call!

Sincerely,
EPA’s WaterSense Team

WaterSense® | U.S. EPA | 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (4204M) | Washington | DC | 20460

I’d Walk a Mile for a Camel.

Great feedback from the participants about this presentation!  A lot of people are confused, frustrated, and baffeled about websites and social media.

Below is a copy of this presentation. Contact me at (317) 674-3494 or email tom.barrett@thinkGWI.com if you would like any assistance in putting your website on Steriods.

 Key Points

• The look of a website is not any where near as important as the search engine optimization (SEO).

• Your website has to be searchable. The first thing a potential client does is checks your website. They find your website through Google or Bing.

• Social media works but it takes time, effort, and patience.

Comments

Great presentation with a lot of great information. This made a lot of sense to me.”

– Jerry White, The Brickman Group

This cleared up a lot the questions I had. Thanks for a great presentation.”

– John Tuttle, Tuttle’s Nursery