DIG Raised Bed Drip Watering System ML50 Instructions
- June 6, 2024
- DIG
Table of Contents
Raised Bed Drip Watering System ML50
Instructions
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the DIG Model ML50 Raised Bed Drip Watering System. Please take the time to read through the enclosed instructions and follow them step by step. If you have any questions, please call our customer service line at 1.800.344.2281.
ABOUT YOUR ML50 KIT
DIG’s ML50 Raised Bed Drip Kit is specially designed for planter boxes and vegetable garden layouts, offering a quick and simple solution for watering planter boxes or vegetables planted in rows. It contains 50 of 1/4” drip lines with pre-inserted in-line drip emitters every 9 (total of 66 drip emitters) for installing a drip irrigation system with up to 10, 5′ long rows. The pre- inserted emitter flow rates are .52 GPH @ 15 PSI, and .65 GPH @ 25 PSI.
INSTALLATION METHODS
When installing this kit, select one of the following two options:
Option 1: If installing the system before planting, then after completing
the installation, turn the water on and water the soil for 45 minutes to a few
hours depending on your soil type. Water movement through the soil is forced
downwards by gravity and outwards by capillary action, producing a wetting
pattern, characteristic of the soil type and the application rate of your drip
line. In clay soil, you should water for a shorter time than in sandy soil.
After watering, the soil around each dripper will be wet; plant the seed or
plant in the center of the wetted area about two inches from the dripper.
Option 2: If
installing the system after the plants are planted, install the dripline along
each row close to the plants, making sure that the dripline and the drippers
do not touch the plants (to avoid rotting of the plant stems).
INSTALLATION
Begin your installation at the water source by attaching the backflow
preventer to your faucet 1, then attach the 25-PSI preset pressure regulator 2
to the backflow preventer. Connect the poly tubing to the hose adapter and
attach it 3 to the pressure regulator.
If you wish to automate the system, you can use a DIG battery or solar-
operated controller (model B09D/B092A or EVO 100), available online or in a
store near you.
Next, lay down your 1/2” poly tubing. If you plan to leave it above the
ground, allow the poly tubing to sit in the sun before installation; this will
make it easier to work with. Use the 1/2” stakes to secure the poly tubing
into the ground. If preferred, cover the poly tubing with mulch to hide it.
This is purely aesthetic and is not necessary. Do not cover the end of the
poly tubing; allow it to remain on the surface for periodic flushing.
Option one, for planter boxes: Near the planter, connect a 1/2” tee and
add an additional section of poly tubing to the top of the planter. To the end
of the poly tubing, add a 1/2” elbow as well as another piece of 1/2” tubing
perpendicular to the vegetable row.
Option two, for vegetable rows: Layout the poly tubing perpendicular to
the vegetable rows. The 1/2” poly tubing is used as the mainline to deliver
the water to the 1/4” drip line. Make sure to extend the 1/2” poly tubing an
extra foot past the last row.
Dripline layout: Layout the 1/4” dripline near each row of vegetables or
between two narrow rows (610 apart) and secure the dripline into the ground
using a 1/4” tubing stake (included). Leave the end of the 1/4” dripline open
to flush the line as shown in step 4.
Connecting and installing 1/2″ fittings:
To install
your 1/2″ fittings, cut the poly tubing with a hand pruner or scissors, being
careful to keep dirt from entering the line. Push the poly tubing into the
fitting, wiggling it as you apply force.
Connecting 1/4″ fittings:
-
Force a barb into the end of the 1/4″ micro tubing by pushing it in while moving it from side to side.
To connect the end of 1/4″ micro tubing to 1/2″ poly tubing: -
Punch a hole in the 1/2″ poly tubing with the punch tool.
-
Insert the open side of the barb into the hole in the 1/2” poly tubing.
TIP: To ease installation, warm the ends of the micro tubing in a cup of hot tap water for 20 seconds prior to barb installation.
Secure the tubing:
Use the stakes to secure the poly tubing and dripline to the ground.
Flush the line:
Before turning the system on for the first time, leave all 1/2” poly tubing
ends and 1/4” dripline ends open. Turn on the water and allow it to run freely
for a few minutes. This will flush out any dirt or debris that may be in the
line.
Close the end of the poly tubing and dripline:
Close the end of the 1/2” poly tubing by using a “figure 8″ hose end and use a
goof plug to close off the end of the 1/4” dripline. Check to see that the
dripline is operating correctly and that no leakage is occurring from the
fittings or any of the connections.
For detailed information, see the DIG Drip Guide or go to www.digcorp.com/dripguide to download the PDF.
WATERING SCHEDULE
Open the faucet for 45 minutes to one hour every two to three days, depending on your location, weather, and soil type. Faster draining, lighter soils will need to be irrigated more frequently than heavy, soild soil with high clay content. After a few days, check the soil and the health of the plants, and adjust the watering schedule as needed. If you have an irrigation controller and additional time is required, adjust the irrigation controller program with a longer watering duration and/or additional start times.
CONTENTS
| (1) 3/4″ Backflow Preventer with FHT x MHT| | (8) 1/2″ Compression Elbows
---|---|---|---
| (1) 3/4″ FHT Preset Pressure Regulator at 25 PSI| | (4) 1/2″ Tubing Holder
Stakes
| (1) 3/4″ FHT Swivel Adapter with Screen| | (10) 1/4″ Tubing Holder Stakes
| (1) 50′ of 1/2″ Poly Tubing .600″ ID x .700″ OD| | (15) 1/4″ Barbs
| (1) 50′ of 1/4″ Dripline with 9″ Spacing| | (10) Goof Plugs
| (1) 1/2″ Compression Couplings| | (1) Hole Punch
| (3) 1/2″ Compression Tees| | (4) Figure “8” Hose Ends
DIG CORPORATION THREE-YEAR WARRANTY
DIG CORPORATION warrants these products to be free from defects in material
and workmanship for a period of three years from the date of purchase. This
warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident, misuse, neglect,
modification, improper installation, or subjection to line pressure in excess
of 50 lbs. per square inch. This warranty shall extend only to the original
purchaser of the product for use by the purchaser. This warranty shall not
cover batteries or any malfunction of the product due to battery failure. The
obligation of DIG CORPORATION under this warranty is limited to repairing or
replacing at its factory this product shall be returned to the factory within
three years after the original purchase and which on examination is found to
contain defects in material and workmanship.
DIG CORPORATION SHALL IN NO EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND; THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF DIG IS LIMITED TO
REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE
EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE
LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
Unattended use for prolonged periods without inspection to verify proper
operation is beyond the intended use of this product, and any damage resulting
from such use shall not be the responsibility of DIG CORPORATION. There are no
warranties that extend beyond the description on the face hereof. In the case
of purchase of the product for use other than, for irrigation purposes, DIG
CORPORATION hereby disclaims any implied warranties including any warranties
of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In the case of the
purchase of the product for personal, family or household purposes, DIG
CORPORATION disclaims any such warranties to the extent permitted by law. To
the extent that any such disclaimer or implied warranties shall be
ineffectual, then any implied warranties shall be limited in duration to a
period of one year from the date of the original purchase for use by the
purchaser. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied
warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. In order to
obtain performance under this warranty, the unit must be returned to the
factory, along with proof of purchase indicating original date of purchase,
shipping prepaid, addressed as follows:
DIG CORPORATION, 1210 Activity Drive, Vista, CA 92081. Repaired or replaced
units will be shipped prepaid to the name and address supplied with the unit
returned under warranty. Allow four weeks for repairs and shipping time.
Repair of damaged units not otherwise within warranty may be refused or done
at a reasonable cost or charge at the option of DIG CORPORATION.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other
rights which vary from state to state.
1210 Activity Drive
Vista, CA 92081-8510
www.digcorp.com
dig@digcorp.com
Printed in the USA. We at DIG strongly believe in conservation. Please recycle
whenever possible. 013019 REV D 26-023