Irrigation valves

[Glacier]

Why are 1 inch valves so much more than 3/4 inch valves? I see no difference other than size, but I'm no irrigation guy so maybe I'm missing something.

I'm wanting to upgrade my irrigation valves from manual to automatic, and I have 8 valves, so why not use 1 inch valves to and save over $40? I mean, even buying the couplers that change from 3/4 to 1 inch, I'm still saving $40.

https://www.homedepot.ca/products-compa ... 2520valves

valves.png

[spooker]

Just bought a new valve to add a drip line to the back deck and it's got a 1-in on the input side while it's 1/2-in on the output after the pressure reducer ...

The recommendation is that for 10GPM or less you can use 3/4" but for 10-20GPM the 1" is the way to go ... so more heads capacity ... but I'm just a wing-it sort of nut when it comes to irrigation so don't quote me (unless you're replying)

[Bsuds]

Yes the makes no sense. You would think smaller would be cheaper.

Have a look at the Orbit B-Hyve smart controller. I love mine.

[LANDM]

Go to Prosource at the corner of 97 and Spall....one door in on spall.
You can use either but dependent on your volumes whether smaller will work. Bigger will be fine.

[Glacier]

Just bought a new valve to add a drip line to the back deck and it's got a 1-in on the input side while it's 1/2-in on the output after the pressure reducer ...

The recommendation is that for 10GPM or less you can use 3/4" but for 10-20GPM the 1" is the way to go ... so more heads capacity ... but I'm just a wing-it sort of nut when it comes to irrigation so don't quote me (unless you're replying)

The 3/4 inch lines are 25 years old and buried under the lawn, sidewalk, etc, so not replacing anything other than around the valves which are current above ground. I already got the controller from Amazon.

The pressure is a lot more than in the house because it does at least branch off before the PRV, but still, only a 3/4 inch line into the house and out to the irrigation. I suppose I should put the valves below the surface, but currently they are on a protected side of the house that doesn't get any sun. Depending on the zone, I can run 1 or 2 valves at once to water. 2 are for outside taps that sometimes have hoses connected.

But 1 is to refill the fish pond when the water level is down a couple of feet it will take 45 minutes to fill, which is just enough time that I completely forget about it until I wake up at 3 am with a jump and remember that I've had my pond filling for like 6 hours, and I run out in my underwear and try to save the fish spilling onto the sidewalk. That's one of the main reasons I want to switch to automatic watering.

[spooker]

The 3/4 inch lines are 25 years old and buried under the lawn, sidewalk, etc, so not replacing anything other than around the valves which are current above ground. I already got the controller from Amazon.

The pressure is a lot more than in the house because it does at least branch off before the PRV, but still, only a 3/4 inch line into the house and out to the irrigation. I suppose I should put the valves below the surface, but currently they are on a protected side of the house that doesn't get any sun. Depending on the zone, I can run 1 or 2 valves at once to water. 2 are for outside taps that sometimes have hoses connected.

But 1 is to refill the fish pond when the water level is down a couple of feet it will take 45 minutes to fill, which is just enough time that I completely forget about it until I wake up at 3 am with a jump and remember that I've had my pond filling for like 6 hours, and I run out in my underwear and try to save the fish spilling onto the sidewalk. That's one of the main reasons I want to switch to automatic watering.

I guess in a way it'll come down to prevalence ... you're not going to change out the pipes in the ground so if replacements are more available in the 1" size and they're cheaper I think your solution makes sense, though I wonder how the pressure will be increasing since you'd feed the valves from the main pressure and then reduce soon after ... might be worthwhile to ask someone since the cavitation at the reducer could cause the solenoid gasket to wear out sooner, maybe?

[Bsuds]

Go to Prosource at the corner of 97 and Spall....one door in on spall.
You can use either but dependent on your volumes whether smaller will work. Bigger will be fine.

I was going to suggest them as well but the prices on their website are much higher.

[TylerM4]

Just because pipes are 3/4" doesn't mean you need to use a 3/4" valve. But might find the hassle and cost of the 3/4" - 1" adapter fittings makes it such that paying for the 3/4" might make sense.

[Bsuds]

Just because pipes are 3/4" doesn't mean you need to use a 3/4" valve. But might find the hassle and cost of the 3/4" - 1" adapter fittings makes it such that paying for the 3/4" might make sense.

That's what the OP said in his post.

[TylerM4]

That's what the OP said in his post.

so why not use 1 inch valves to and save over $40? I mean, even buying the couplers that change from 3/4 to 1 inch, I'm still saving $40.

Just because pipes are 3/4" doesn't mean you need to use a 3/4" valve. But might find the hassle and cost of the 3/4" - 1" adapter fittings makes it such that paying for the 3/4" might make sense.

The OP asked a question. I replied with an answer confirming he could indeed use 1" valves. Tho I expressed doubt about the savings he'd see AKA cost of fittings (likely 4 per valve required). Surely you'll agree that a question is different from an answer or am I missing something here?

[Glacier]

No. The OP asked a question. I replied with an answer confirming he could indeed use 1" valves. Tho I expressed doubt about the savings he'd see AKA cost of fittings (likely 4 per valve required). Surely you'll agree that a question is different from an answer or am I missing something here?

4 per valve? Maybe 3 fittings per valve if I have to cut the pipes back to fit in the new valves.

[TylerM4]

4 per valve? Maybe 3 fittings per valve if I have to cut the pipes back to fit in the new valves.

You won't be able to use the 3/4" threaded fittings. So you'll need to replace with 2x 1" threaded fittings.
Then you'll need to reduce from 1" to 3/4" pipe size. Which will require 2 more fittings.

You may be able to find a fancy 1" male threaded to 3/4" glue fitting instead of using 2 separate fittings for that purpose(and yes, good chance you'll need a 3rd fitting if you need to cut the pipe back due to large valve) BUT that isn't a common fitting and my experience has been that 2 common fittings are cheaper than 1 specialty.

I am assuming you have a standard irrigation setup tho which may not be the case.

[Glacier]

You won't be able to use the 3/4" threaded fittings. So you'll need to replace with 2x 1" threaded fittings.
Then you'll need to reduce from 1" to 3/4" pipe size. Which will require 2 more fittings.

You may be able to find a fancy 1" male threaded to 3/4" glue fitting instead of using 2 separate fittings for that purpose(and yes, good chance you'll need a 3rd fitting if you need to cut the pipe back due to large valve) BUT that isn't a common fitting and my experience has been that 2 common fittings are cheaper than 1 specialty.

I am assuming you have a standard irrigation setup tho which may not be the case.

Can't I use something like this? https://www.amazon.ca/Orbit-Underground ... 19&sr=8-15

EDIT okay, this is 1/2 to 3/4, but surely 3/4 to 1" exists...

[TylerM4]

Can't I use something like this? https://www.amazon.ca/Orbit-Underground ... 19&sr=8-15

EDIT okay, this is 1/2 to 3/4, but surely 3/4 to 1" exists...

No you can't. Remember that your existing pipes have a 3/4" male thread. You cannot connect male thread to male thread.

What you'd need is a 1" male threaded to 3/4" female threaded adapter. Those do exist, but I've only ever seen them as non-cast metal as the material needs to be very thin to make it work. Non-cast Metal makes for expensive fittings!
Here's what you'd need:
https://www.amazon.ca/Lead-Free-Fitting ... 52&sr=8-47

[TylerM4]

Actually, I was able to find a plastic version - they do exist.

Still over $12 each tho
https://www.amazon.ca/Spears-Fitting-Bu ... 21&sr=8-11