How do I use Irricalc to create a schedule for drip irrigation?
Irricalc was intended to create watering schedules for overhead irrigation systems. You
can use the program to calculate drip irrigation schedules.
- Click on the Scheduling pull-down menu.
- Choose Specific Station Information.
- Change to the desired station using the arrows in the bottom left corner of the dialog
box. The current station number is display at the top of the dialog box.
- Some manufacturers provide specific formulas for calculating the precipitation rate of
their drip products. If a formula is provided, use your calculator to determine the
precipitation rate. Choose N/A from the Formula pull-down menu and enter the value in the
Precipitation Rate text box.
- If a formula is not provided for the emission device, choose Total Area from the Formula
pull-down menu. Estimate the area of coverage in square feet for a single emitter and
enter the value in the Total Irrigated Area text box. Next, convert the flow of a single
emitter from gallons per hour (GPH) to gallons per minute (GPM). Example, 2.0 GPH divided
by 60 minutes in an hour equals .033 GPM. Enter the value in the Total Flow of Valve text
box. A precipitation rate will be displayed in the Precipitation Rate text box.
Once a precipitation rate is calculated, continue filling out the information as usual.
Remember that the Station Efficiency will be higher for drip irrigation than it will be
for most overhead irrigation systems.
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