My Retic Doesn’t make Sense

Posted on 21st October 2011 in solenoids

Occasionally retic does weird stuff.

The good news is that being a ‘closed system’ there are only so many variables that can go wrong. If you have an analytical mind then you can solve most problems by a process of deduction.

Yesterday I went to see a client whose retic had come on and wouldn’t go off. They had been on holidays when this happened so they came home to huge water bill.

The logical answer is that both the master valve and the station valve had failed and stuck open simultaneously allowing water thru. But what are the chances of that? I’d be guessing one in a million so I started by testing the control box to see if there were any issues there.

Nope.

By turning the valves on and off manually I was able to detect that all 3 of the clients solenoids were faulty. The fault was intermitent, but it was there. The end result was 3 new solenoids and no more problems.

 

 

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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How Much For Reticulation?

Posted on 14th September 2011 in Installations, Installing

This is an interesting question.

We have always pitched ourselves at the mid-price range so that we can use quality parts, do an excellent job and give a proper warranty. You can always get cheaper – and sometimes you will get the same for cheaper – but generally speaking the old rule applies that ‘you get what you pay for’.

Installations are always on a case by case inspection, but the following ‘set up costs’ can be expected:

  • Retic cut in by licensed plumber $180.00 + GST
  • Hardwiring of controller $160.00 + GST
  • Electronic Controller $200.00-$400.00 + GST (depending on what is chosen)

To give you an idea of what to expect a VERY rough ball park figure for a 4 x 2 home on a 600m block with 5 or 6 stations is usually around $2600.00 + GST

A front install on this kind of home would be around $1500.00 + GST (because of all the set up costs) and a rear install usually around $1100.00 + GST

We always compete on price so feel free to let us know your best quote and we will try to beat it.

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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Locating Solenoids

Posted on 31st August 2011 in Repairs

This can be very easy or long and complicated.

If you don’t know where your solenoids are then you will either need to dig around in the more obvious places (garden beds, start of lawn etc) or you will need to use a solenoid detector.

Sometimes this is the only way to find that missing item. When a house has been remodelled and the yard redone it can become even harder and the solenoid detector is not foolproof.

Today I found myself hunting for a hidden solenoid and without the detector it would have been a complete waste of time. However with it I was able to trace the wires, dig a hole 600 ml deep and find the offending valve.

If you need to locate a solenoid then I don’t promise we will get it, but in 4 years only one has beaten me, so its a fair chance we will be able to locate it!

 

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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Low Voltage Reticulation Wiring

Posted on 27th May 2011 in Repairs, What's Going on There?, wiring

 

Reticulation wiring that leaves the control box is not dangerous.

As a general rule if you feel anything when you touch the wires it will be a light buzzing in your finger tips. That’s because its low voltage – around 24v and it isn’t enough to hurt you.

The Control box has an inbuilt transformer that reduces the current from 240v so that any wires beyond the controller are safe.

NOTE: DO NOT TOUCH THE 240V WIRES INSIDE THE CONTROL BOX!

That’s also why wires usually aren’t laid in conduit.  Most installers will tape the wire to the underside of the main reticulation pipe to protect it, but apart from that it sits free in the ground.

If you happen to chop thru some wires then you can simply rejoin them with insulation tape and all should work again. For some people wiring just isn’t their thing at all and its easier to call someone. If that’s the case then we’d be happy to hear from you.

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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Cleaning a Microspray Jet

Posted on 24th May 2011 in Garden beds, Ideas, What's Going on There?

If you use microsprays in your garden beds then they will get blocked.

Its inevitable as they have very small openings and it only takes a little grit or dirt to clog them up.

 

 

The fix is easy. Just unscrew the nozzle, get a needleor piece of wire and use the needle to clean the jet out. If you push it through the hole then you will remove the blockage and can then keep using the nozzle.

Alternatively you can just buy a new nozzle for around $1.00!

 

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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Love Your Lawn

Posted on 20th May 2011 in Ideas, Sir Walter Turf, Turf

Here’s a  very useful site on lawn care with some short snappy videos around a variety of topics. I have included a couple of the videos below:

 

 

 

 

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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How Much Does a Retic Service Cost?

Posted on 9th May 2011 in Repairs

 

That’s a tricky question as it depends on the condition of your system.

 

At the start of spring we do a ‘special’ of $75.00 inc GST that includes 30 mins of labour, 3 pop-up nozzles and 3 microsprays. Extra labour beyond 30 mins and extra parts would incur an extra charge.

 

If its in reasonable condition,but has a few blocked nozzles and one or two dodgy sprinklers then you can expect a fee of around $120.00-$200.00 inc GST.

 

Usually we can give you some idea of cost before we start so you don’t need to worry about an unexpected bill.

 

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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Quinns Rocks Reticulation Repairs and Service

Posted on 7th May 2011 in Ideas, Installations, Local Knowledge, Repairs

If you’re lucky enough to live in Quinns Rocks then you’d know how good life is in this northern part of the world. As a local business Quinns is one of the primary areas we seek to service.

We can always be there promptly and often on the same day you call. Whether you live in ‘Old Quinns’ and your yard is a virtual jungle, or Quinns Beachside Estate in a new property we can get your reticulation sorted and running optimally.

Or if your yard needs a complete makeover give us a call and we can arrange everything from bobcat to soil to retic and eventually new turf.

Don’t spend your weekends doing something you don’t enjoy and don’t have time for when you can call a local business and have it done for you

 

 

This is the Brighton Reticulation Blog and our main site can be found here For service or advice with the issues in this post call Andrew on 0400044236, or email us here
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Target 60 Water Plan

Posted on 2nd May 2011 in Local Knowledge

 

Its common knowledge that this was our hottest driest summer ever and there is a lot of water to be saved if we are to make up ground.

Aside from just hoping for a wet winter we can take some positive action by modifying the way in which we use water. To check out the Water Authorities Target 60 plan click on the link below.

 

 

For help or advice with these issues or to adjust your reticulation call Andrew on 0400044236 or email brightonreticulation@gmail.com

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