How does an oscillating water sprinkler work

The jets are set at different angles to cover the watering area evenly. Most sprinklers have between 16 and 20 jets, with the latter providing the greatest amount of coverage. These jets oscillate back and forth at a consistent speed to allow for even watering across the entire coverage area. The spray also is adjustable. Most oscillating sprinklers have an adjuster that controls how far the sprinkler head oscillates in either direction. Most oscillating sprinklers base their maximum coverage on 30 psi of water pressure, which suits the city water standard of about 30 to 50 psi that most homes use.

If the water pressure is too low, the water may not generate enough force to turn the oscillating sprinkler head. Those with homes with water pressure that falls below this 30 psi threshold may consider a sprinkler designed for low pressure. High water pressure also can have a negative impact on sprinkler performance, causing the water to mist as it exits the nozzles.

A pressure regulator attached between the hose and the sprinkler can reduce this pressure. Oscillating sprinklers cover a fairly precise area, making it easy to position them to water desired areas and only those areas. This helps conserve water and prevents wasteful watering of driveways and sidewalks. Some sprinklers include built-in timers. Some oscillating sprinkler models include features that make them more convenient to use.

This includes adapters that attach to the hose end, which makes attaching and detaching the sprinkler easier. Most oscillating sprinklers also include built-in strainers, which prevent debris from entering the sprinkler and clogging the nozzles. Higher-end oscillating sprinklers also have flow controls that allow the user to adjust water output. Some sprinklers include built-in timers, which will shut off the sprinkler after a preset period of time, preventing overwatering.

The top picks below are selected based upon the above considerations. These are some of the best oscillating sprinklers in their specific categories, and any of these models is a worthy choice for irrigating a lawn or garden. With its durable construction, broad range, and adjustability, this model from Eden is one of the best all-around oscillating sprinklers on the market. With its 20 nozzles, it boasts unparalleled coverage of 4, square feet. Three adjusters allow a user to turn sets of nozzles off and on to control width, suiting yards and flower beds of different sizes.

Two independent slide adjusters located on the side of the sprinkler head allow the user to set the range, while a flow control knob allows for adjustment of the size of the watering area.

A dirt-resistant turbo drive ensures the sprinkler operates smoothly for even coverage, and a sturdy metal base provides durability and prevents the sprinkler from shifting while in use. A built-in cleaning tool makes clearing the nozzles easy, while quick-connect adapters for standard hoses allow for faster set up and take down. This oscillating sprinkler features a steel base, giving it the durability of some higher-end sprinklers.

It covers a respectable 3, square feet with its 16 nozzles, making it suitable for medium-size yards and gardens. While it may not have the control features of more expensive models—it does not have width or area controls—it does include two slide controls on the side that allow for range adjustments from either side.

A turbo drive motor allows for smooth oscillation, while a leak-resistant connection ensures the maximum amount of water pressure goes to the sprinkler. With a timer that automatically turns off the sprinkler after a set amount of time, this sprinkler eliminates accidental overwatering.

If it does work, make sure the head is properly adjusted when you re-install it. For most grasses, you will need to give them between 1 and 2 inches of water each week, according to "Sunset" magazine.

This water should be given all at once to encourage the roots to grow deeply. For instance, if your oscillating sprinkler puts out 1 inch of water in an hour, water your lawn once a week for one hour. Water pressure that is either too low or too high can cause sprinkler head jamming. When water pressure dips below acceptable limits, the sprinkler head may get stuck at one side of its arc or it may not move at all. If water pressure is too high, it may also cause the sprinkler to stop or jam.

The oscillating sprinkler works on the principle that water provides the power to move the elliptical cam or heart-shaped cam in some models which moves the sprinkler arm. Water spins a simple turbine which must be attached to a series of gears stacked up called a gear train to slow down the speed of the water. Is it bad to water grass at night? And watering in the morning keeps the turf cooler during the hot parts of the day, which means less stress on the grass.

Why does my Rainbird sprinkler not rotate? If the bypass is set too high, the drive assembly will flood and stall. If set too low, there will not be sufficient water and this can also cause the sprinkler to stall. How do I remove debris from my sprinkler system?

Sprinkler heads contain a small plastic filter that should also be checked routinely for signs of clogging. Unscrew the nozzle of the sprinkler and pull out the filter to see if it's dirty. Running the filter under cold water will remove any dirt.

Flushing a sprinkler line will remove dirt and other debris. There is also the spray arm itself, which is a hollow aluminum tube with holes in it on some sprinklers there are nozzles on this tube :. The spray arm has a ferrule and an O-ring seal on it, and it screws into the body of the sprinkler. You can see that this is an incredibly simple device at its core. Water flows into the spray arm -- the aluminum tube -- and it sprays out through the holes or nozzles. The cam pushes the spray arm back and forth.

Why does it have a heart-shaped cam instead of a simple little crankshaft? It's because a circular crankshaft would cause both ends of the spray pattern to get a lot more water than the center of the spray pattern. Think about a piston going up and down in an internal-combustion engine -- it is traveling slowest at each end of its travel, and fastest when it is in the center of the cylinder.

The spray arm would have that same problem. The heart-shaped cam evens things out. So the big question comes down to rotating the cam. One way to do it would be to use a small electric motor.

But if you did that, you would need to replace the batteries all the time, and that's no fun. Besides, you have a built-in power source: the running water that flows right through the sprinkler. If you cut open the body of the sprinkler, you can see that this is exactly how the sprinkler works. Inside there is a small turbine , or water wheel:.