LIVE 'IRRIGATION 101' 3-DAY SCHOOL AUGUST 27-29, JACKSONVILLE FL
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3 days of practical training, classroom instruction mixed with hands-on activities. You'll learn all the basics, then get knowledge and experience on every single component of a sprinkler system. We'll build a complete system in the class room, then go outside to actually perform tasks with water flowing.
At the end of this intensive, real-world training curriculum, you'll be able to confidently replace, rebuild, install, adjust, and troubleshoot pretty much any lawn sprinkler system. You'll glue PVC pipe, solder copper, crimp copper and pex, and assemble Poly connections. We'll rebuild a couple different valves, adjust rotors, replace nozzles, learn to use a multimeter and wire-tracker/valve locator, troubleshoot and program several timers. |
$429 per person until August 20, $499 afterwards. Limited to 50 students.
Daily lunch & coffee service included as well as 100+ page printed manual.
Daily lunch & coffee service included as well as 100+ page printed manual.
DAY 1 MORNINGWater Hydraulics
This is so very important. I'll teach your crew the difference between pressure, flow, friction loss, and velocity. We'll look at several real world situations and how to measure flow and pressure Friction Loss Charts Reading a friction loss chart is crucial to being able to select the proper pipe sizes for installation, head replacement, dripline calculation, and so much more Definitions and Concepts Identify the proper type of sprinkler head, understand evapotranspiration, uniformity, efficiency, soil intake rates, and precipitation rates Irrigation System Configurations We'll look at all the water source types, typical system and valve configurations. |
DAY 1 AFTERNOON
Threads
Threaded fittings give some people real headaches. In this portion, we'll learn about the different thread types, and how to handle each one Pex, Copper & Steel We'll get real hands-on in this portion, learning how to use proper copper soldering techniques, as well as push-to-fit fittings. We'll also work with some old steel and compression fittings. Fun stuff! PVC Pipe & Fittings We'll examine pipe sizes, all the fittings, and go outside for some hands-on gluing work. I'll also cover all the no-glue fittings, plus 15 years worth of tips & techniques Polyethylene There will also be instruction on Poly, the other common pipe type |
DAY 2 MORNINGBackflow Preventers
I'll touch on backflow basics, proper installation, and how to use the backflow device to troubleshoot system issues, etc. This isn't a certification course! Valves We'll learn how an irrigation valve functions, how to troubleshoot and replace the solenoid, and take apart and discuss a few different valves. Electrical Basics Learn all the electrical basics that apply to sprinkler low voltage systems. Volts, Amps, and Ohms will be your new friends after this course How to Use A Multi-Meter Being able to use an analog or digital multi-meter is an important skill and we'll walk through many real world measurements Sprinkler System Electrical Components We'll lay out several real irrigation circuits and timers and troubleshoot through each situation Irrigation Timers Learn how to set any timer correctly with 4 steps. We'll also cover all the features that a timer can have, program basics, and then look at several different timers. |
DAY 2 AFTERNOON
Wire Trackers / Valve Locators
Get hands-on with a wire tracker for some real experience! Sprinkler Basics The fundamentals of sprinkler selection, nozzle selection, precipitation rates, 3 ways to connect a sprinkler head Sprinkler Heads - Rotors I'll cover just about every rotor that you could encounter in the field, and how to adjust them. We'll go outside for some hands-on with the sprinklers. I'll also cover the nozzle trees and how to select the right nozzle Sprinkler Heads - Sprays We'll look at all the different models and features of spray heads and all the different nozzle sets that one can select from Sprinkler Heads - Specialty Nozzles These nozzles break the conventional spray nozzle mold with rotary action and slower precipitation rates. We'll talk about how to use these varieties to correct installer mistakes and balance or unbalance zones where needed |
DAY 3 MORNINGDrip Irrigation Basics
A brief introduction to drip, why and where to use it Dripline You'll learn all about the new type of drip, where the drippers are molded into the tubing. I'll teach you how to figure the flow and application rates, and the max length of tubing allowable per connection. Insert Drip The traditional style of drip is very customizable, with many options for drippers, bubblers, micro-sprays, etc. We'll go through it all. Filtering & Pressure Reduction The ultimate success of a drip system will also rely on the proper inlet pressure and a filter to keep the drip emitters clean. Installation Basics - Planning a system We'll walk through each step of planning an irrigation system. If possible, we'll use a real property to plan a system for. Then, we'll bring everything we've learned so far back together for system layout, matched precipitation rates, proper component selection, etc. I'll take you through a friction loss worksheet and discuss two methods of pipe size selection and the pros and cons of each method. |
DAY 3 AFTERNOONPumps
We'll briefly discuss reading a pump chart, selecting the right pump, and troubleshooting pump issues. Scheduling an Irrigation System It's entirely possible to install a great sprinkler system, but use it in the worst ways. This discussion of soil types, precipitation rates, and run times will be absolutely critical to the success of your landscaping efforts on any property! Troubleshooting We'll finish the day by going through all the repair issues that a technician will face. You'll get a step by step troubleshooting guide to keep on your truck. Business A discussion of marketing, pricing, and inventory management. |
