irrigation system from water butts

[mike2016]

Hi,

I'm thinking of installing an irrigation system for my raised beds. This would take water from a pair of 210 litre water butts ideally rather than mains. I'm not sure the water pressure would be enough though. Is there a way to boost pressure, preferably using solar rather than mains? 

 

[PeterW]

There are systems that already do this but tend to use drippers rather than sprays. 

 

They were at a couple of the recent RHS shows, let me see if I can find details. 

[mike2016]

Thanks - was interested in drippers over sprayers. Found a few solar power units, not sure if I need a pump though....

 

[PeterW]

The solar units I’ve seen are dead simple. They have a timer circuit that counts down 3 or 4 hours and then operates a 6v washer type pump that runs for as long as it has power in the capacitors. The solar panels just charge a set of capacitors that are split into the pump supply and circuit supply. The sunnier it is, the higher the charge and the more the pump runs. 

 

Downside is warm but windy days may need more water but charge levels won’t be as high. 

 

This is  an example of one I’ve seen 

 

https://www.waterbuttsdirect.co.uk/c24-automatic-solar-powered-watering-system.html

[Russell griffiths]

Can you enlarge the tanks or move them to higher ground. 

I had a 5000Ltre tank that gravity fed our drip system. 

High ground and a good head of water gave it more than enough pressure. 

[mike2016]

Thanks - looks like a good solar power one would suit me fine. That pump would be what I need also. 

I've in an urban environment, fairly flat so can't get more head pressure easily - would love a larger system but would most likely have to go underground....more pumps!! 

 

Just need to join the two butts together - are there any easy "saddle" connections to join the base of the butts as they are curved? That way they balance their capacity. Just want to know what to ask for in the plumbers shop! Thanks! 

[PeterW]

You can buy linking kits but a couple of overflow straight connectors and a bit of pipe ash some solvent and job done.