Rain Bird Spray to Drip Retrofit Kit
What is the Rain Bird Spray-to-Drip Retrofit? One of two kits on the market designed to help you easily convert an existing sprinkler line to drip irrigation.
And we do mean easily. Watch the video on the left to see what we mean.
The hardest steps to converting to drip are ordering the equipment and deciding which sprinkler head to convert!
You can replace any number of valves with drip and immediately enjoy the benefit of using less water, but you should not replace your turf sprays with drip line (can you say trip hazard?).
Why the Rain Bird Spray-to-Drip Retrofit? There is only one other product like this on the market and it's designed to be a universal kit (meaning it works for any sprinkler head brand). This product is for Rain Bird sprinklers only.
Compare the Agrifim kit and the Rain Bird system:
Agrifim Kit | Rain Bird System |
---|---|
Sold as a kit | Sold a la carte |
Works with ANY spray body | Works ONLY with SOME Rain Bird spray bodies |
Sits "at grade" after installation is complete | Sits 3" above grade after installation is complete |
Pressure regulator built into body | Pressure regulator built into body |
150-mesh filters built into the body and the tee fittings | 200-mesh filter built into the body |
Uses Smart-Loc locking fittings (easiest on your hands) | Uses compression fittings (harder to install) |
Rain Bird doesn't sell their product as a kit, but we do! We've assembled two options for you for easier ordering. You can choose a kit or components a la carte.
One-Way Kit (with Elbow) is our own group of items needed to make the conversion. We've included an elbow compression fitting in this kit, which means you can direct your drip tubing in one direction from the converted sprinkler head, and you'll need a flush cap where the drip line ends. We also include a bag of 10 spray caps (count your spray heads for each valve before ordering to make sure you have enough caps!).
Two-Way Kit (with Tee) is our own group of items needed to make the conversion. We've included an tee compression fitting in this kit, which means you can either take your drip tubing in two directions from the converted sprinkler head (in this case you'll need two flush caps, one for the end of each drip line), or you can loop it back around on itself. We also include a bag of 10 spray caps (count your spray heads for each valve before ordering to make sure you have enough caps!).
Spray Body Insert is the component where the magic happens. This sprinkler insert contains an inline pressure regulator (30 psi) and a 200-mesh (75 micron) filter.
(Rain Bird Model # RETRO-1800)
Spray Caps are sold individually or in bags of 10. These replace the spray heads for each of the other sprays on your converted sprinkler line and close them off from distributing water.
(Rain Bird Model # XC-1800)
Flush (End) Caps are sold individually or in bags of 20. These go at the end of your drip line and serve three purposes. 1) They keep the line under pressure, 2) prevent water from spilling out the end of the line, and 3) allow you to easily flush your lines as part of routine maintenance.
(Rain Bird Model # MDCF-CAP)
Adapter - 1/2" Female Pipe Thread this is what connects your elbow or tee to the spray head. It's a requirement for the system to work so if you're ordering components individually, make sure you have one of these for every spray body insert you're buying!
(Rain Bird Model # MDCF50FPT)
Note: You'll need to purchase the dripper line separately, as well as any additional fittings you might need (like tees and elbows) to lay out your tubing. See the Installation Tips tab for more information.
Why convert at all?
Great question! Spray sprinkler heads are less efficient at getting the water where you want it. They lose water to evaporation and wind, and because of their high water-application rate, they're more likely to create run-off from overwatering. Drip irrigation puts water directly in the root zone of your plants, and with its very low water-application rate, you have to really try to overwater.
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