Fully automated system

Lush lawns and a thriving garden is one step closer when you take the plunge and install a fully automated irrigation system. It’s a bit of work up front, but the long term benefits are well worth the effort. A well planned irrigation system will enable you to tailor your watering to different parts of your garden depending on your needs.

You can set a regular watering schedule and sit back and relax. Most controllers also include the option of a rain sensor, which switches off the watering if it has rained.

Ready to start planning your irrigation?
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If your garden requires multiple zones to be watered and have access to mains water, a controller is recommended.

  • Suit gardens with multiple areas.
  • Allows you to water separate garden areas independently.
  • Turn the water on and off automatically.
  • Connect to the mains water and power.
  • Have many components including auto controllers, solenoid valves and accessories.

Automated systems are programmed to water one garden area (or zone) at a time. Solenoid valves open and close one solenoid at a time, according to the programs set in your auto controller.

Selecting the correct valve according to your watering needs.

25mm solenoid valves can be used for pop-up sprinklers, drippers and spray systems. 25mm refers to the thread size of the inlet and outlet on the valve. When installing pop-up systems, it’s recommended to use 25mm solenoid valves. Mini barb valves should be avoided with installing pop-ups as these are designed for smaller, lower flow applications.

The manifold is used to connect all solenoid valves to the same water source. The manifold sits inside a valve box that is mounted in the ground on a bed of pebbles. The manifold/valve box should be installed in the most convenient location, centrally located to all your zones.

The solenoid valves screw into your manifold ready. You will need to wire solenoid valves  to your controller with the number of zones you have isolated.

Step by step

Use this tool to create a shopping list for your fully water automation system.

 
Water Source
 
System Protection
 
Control
 
Manifold Fittings
 
Solenoid Valves
 
Manifold Connections
 
Source To System Fittings
 
See shopping list
Step 1: Water Source

At this stage, you need to decide what water source you will be running your irrigation system from. With fully automated systems, we recommend connection to your mains water. Learn more below.

Step 1: Water Source At this stage, you need to decide what water source you will be running your irrigation system from. With fully automated systems, we recommend connection to your mains water. Learn more below.
Water meter
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The water meter or water source is installed by your local council or water authority on your property. You may need to consult a qualified plumber or irrigation installer if you want to connect to this source, as there are certain regulations covering what you can and can't do. test pros cons drcRdqY33hY
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Step 2: System Protection You should then consider how you will protect your system from pressure, ingress or leaks. We recommend installing both of these products when connecting drip or pop-up systems to the main water line to prevent backflow into the mains water supply.
Ball valve
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A ball valve or master valve is used to isolate your system from the water source. This is useful if you want to perform maintenance without turning off the water supply to your house. test pros cons
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Dual check valve
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A dual check valve prevents water from your system flowing back into the mains water supply. The valve features a 25mm BSP inlet and outlet, designed for a one-way flow. This should be installed on all irrigation systems. test pros cons
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Step 3: Control Next, select the controller for your system. You'll need to wire the zones of your controller with irrigation cable wire and cable connector. See our installation videos for a step by step guide.
Controller
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The controller is the brains of your system and tells your solenoids when to turn on or off. Controllers allow multiple programs with start times to set different run times for different parts of the garden.<br><br>Pope fittings compatible with competitor brands. test pros cons OOgt1rVRrOg
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Irrigation cable
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Irrigation cable is used to connect the controller to the solenoid valves. You can purchase this in rolls with different numbers of cores. The number of cores will determine how many solenoids can run from the one run of cable. Remember to allow for the common wire (4 solenoids or zones + common wire = 5 Core cable).<br><br>Available in 5 ,7 and 9 Core 10m – 20m Coils, with colour coding to avoid incorrect wiring polarity. test pros cons
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Cable connector
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A cable connector should be used to connect cable to the solenoid wires. Strip the cable first and then insert. The gel will form a watertight connection around the cables.<br><br>Pope do not stock cable connectors, check for other brands in the Irrigation aisle at your local hardware store. test pros cons
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Step 4: Manifold Fittings The manifold connects between the water source and the solenoid valve and is available in multiple outlets.
Manifold
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The manifold fittings are available in 25mm 3, 4, 5 outlets.<br>The solenoid valves easily screw into the manifold with the O-ring sealed swivel connection which require no thread sealant and allows hand tight assembly for positive seal.<br><br>Pope do not stock Manifolds, check for other brands in the Irrigation aisle at your local hardware store. test pros cons ggFQUSNTGh0
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Step 5: Solenoid Valves You then need to connect all the solenoid valves to the manifold, securing with thread tape. The manifold gets placed inside the valve box. Cut out the sides of the valve box to allow you to feed your system pipes into the manifold.
25mm Solenoid
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Solenoid valves act like gates that control the flow of water into your system. A coil magnetises and pulls open a rubber diaphragm letting water pass through. 25mm solenoid valves should be used when considering pop-ups or other systems that require a large amount of water flow. test pros cons -lZWo6MI1cc
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19mm Mini Barb Solenoid
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For use in residential drip or spray or jet irrigation systems. Rugged plastic construction with one piece moulded `bonnet`. For use with low density polyethylene tubing with barbed outlet providing positive sealing. Simple operation for reliable performance. test pros cons
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Valve box
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A valve box is used to cover the manifold and solenoid valve setup. You will need to cut out the sides of the box with scissors or pruners to let the pipe run through. The manifold and valve box should be mounted on a bed of gravel to allow for movement. test pros cons W6u5RUy2z6k
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Step 6: Manifold Connections Seal all threaded connections with thread tape. This is an important failure point for most systems. Make sure you have adequate thread tape and clamp on your fitting before it goes to the system fittings.
Thread tape
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Thread tape is used around thread connections to add an extra membrane of leak prevention. You will need to do multiple wraps to get a tight fit. Do not over-tighten.<br><br>Pope do not stock Thread tape, check for other brands in the Irrigation aisle at your local hardware store. test pros cons
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Loc-Sure® clamp
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Loc-Sure® clamps ensure a long lasting connection for use when products are buried under ground. As a general rule, stainless steel clamps under ground, plastic clamps above ground. These clamps are easily closed using standard pliers. test pros cons 3GrVVq2eL_c
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Step 7: Source To System Fittings These fittings are used to connect from your source into the start of your irrigation system. For pop-up systems, it is recommended to use Loc-Sure® clamps. You will need to use these for each connection for the rest of your irrigation system.
Director
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Directors have a threaded end to attach to solenoid valves. The barbed end (tail) then connects to your system. These come in multiple configurations to suit your valve size but also the size of your poly tube.<br><br>19mm x 25mm Male Director Tails are used to connect solenoid valves, an essential component that controls watering systems, and female fittings to 19mm poly pipe. They can be secured with locking clamps (Loc-Sure Clamps). test pros cons gL61drTTVls
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Poly pipe
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Poly pipe or also known as poly tube is used throughout your irrigation system as the connector between devices. Poly pipe is available in 4mm, 13mm, 19mm and 25mm sizes.<br><br>Pope do not stock Poly pipe, check for other brands in the Irrigation aisle at your local hardware store. test pros cons c9ipAMX0q5w
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All done Your shopping list is ready to view. Make sure your pop-up windows are enabled. Refer to more about products for specs on the individual products.
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After choosing your type of water automation, find out which irrigation system will suit you.

Select the type of area you want to irrigate:

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