Watering 4-Way Splitter

[Chris J Dixon]

I had been using a Hozelock 4-way splitter
<https://www.wickes.co.uk/Hozelock-4-Way-Tap-Connector/p/185086>

for some time, bringing it indoors during the frosty season.
When it eventually failed, I replaced it with the same, but in
its second season, the new one is already leaking. It is not a
repairable item.

Looking online there are quite a variety of such products, some
looking cheap and plastic, but those looking like more robust
metal constructions have quite a few reviews suggesting that they
are actually not up to the job. Lots of them seem to be obscure
brands, from the Far East.

I guess that it would be possible to construct something using
separate taps, but the number of fittings required would push the
cost up most significantly.

Any good experiences or suggestions?

Chris

[Harry Bloomfield Esq]

Post by Chris J Dixon
Any good experiences or suggestions?

Are you able to solder copper pipes?

A bit of copper pipe, a few solder T's, and a few of these, to control
the flow -
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-isolating-valve-15mm-2-pack/65251

[Harry Bloomfield Esq]

Post by Harry Bloomfield Esq

Post by Chris J Dixon
Any good experiences or suggestions?

Are you able to solder copper pipes?
A bit of copper pipe, a few solder T's, and a few of these, to control
the flow -
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-isolating-valve-15mm-2-pack/65251

I meant to add....

Ordinary garden hose, will push onto 15mm copper, then clamp with
jubilee clips.

[Theo]

Post by Harry Bloomfield Esq

Post by Chris J Dixon
Any good experiences or suggestions?

Are you able to solder copper pipes?
A bit of copper pipe, a few solder T's, and a few of these, to control
the flow -
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-isolating-valve-15mm-2-pack/65251

You can do it in compression or push-fit if you can't solder, but it'll cost
more.

Also to note that garden taps are often 3/4" BSP thread, so get a washing
machine hose (which also use 3/4" BSP threads) and then a 3/4" BSP
fitting for your pipe:
https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-brass-compression-adapting-male-coupler-15mm-x-3-4-/82086

and then your tee is removable from the tap if you want.


Another option is to look for a cheap under floor heating manifold. You can
get them in plastic pushfit variety without valves, or maybe you can find a
cheap used stainless/brass one which has all the valves integrated.

Theo

[Andy Burns]

Post by Chris J Dixon
I had been using a Hozelock 4-way splitter
Any good experiences or suggestions?

I have a 2x Claber outlet, it's lived outdoors on the ground for at
least three years, all I do is make sure it's drained down and left open
over winter.

<https://www.claber.com/en/prodotti/scheda/8599/Double-tap-connector>

They do a similar 4x outlet, about £22 on amazon

<https://www.claber.com/en/prodot

[David Wade]

Post by Chris J Dixon
I had been using a Hozelock 4-way splitter
<https://www.wickes.co.uk/Hozelock-4-Way-Tap-Connector/p/185086>
for some time, bringing it indoors during the frosty season.
When it eventually failed, I replaced it with the same, but in
its second season, the new one is already leaking. It is not a
repairable item.

I wonder if you got a bad one. I have had a few of these and only had
real problems after leaving out and getting frost damage. The rubber
ring on the connectors perish but are easily replaced.

Post by Chris J Dixon
Looking online there are quite a variety of such products, some
looking cheap and plastic, but those looking like more robust
metal constructions have quite a few reviews suggesting that they
are actually not up to the job. Lots of them seem to be obscure
brands, from the Far East.

I have some metal ones in Spain so don't get frost. Its like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outside-Splitter-Manifold-Connector-Connection/dp/B0C6Q662ZP/ref=sr_1_10?th=1

and it works fine, but its getting stiff...

Post by Chris J Dixon
I guess that it would be possible to construct something using
separate taps, but the number of fittings required would push the
cost up most significantly.
Any good experiences or suggestions?

see above

Post by Chris J Dixon
Chris

Dave

[John Rumm]

Post by Chris J Dixon
I had been using a Hozelock 4-way splitter
<https://www.wickes.co.uk/Hozelock-4-Way-Tap-Connector/p/185086>
for some time, bringing it indoors during the frosty season.
When it eventually failed, I replaced it with the same, but in
its second season, the new one is already leaking. It is not a
repairable item.
Looking online there are quite a variety of such products, some
looking cheap and plastic, but those looking like more robust
metal constructions have quite a few reviews suggesting that they
are actually not up to the job. Lots of them seem to be obscure
brands, from the Far East.
I guess that it would be possible to construct something using
separate taps, but the number of fittings required would push the
cost up most significantly.
Any good experiences or suggestions?

You can get brass hose connectors with both 3/4" and 1/2" BSP femail
threads on them:

https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-3-4-bsp-brass-19802/
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-1-2-bsp-brass-19801/

It ought to be easy enough to make up a manifold with one of the 1/2"
BSP hose connections onto a transition fitting like:

https://www.bes.co.uk/end-feed-male-adaptor-15mm-f-x-1-2-m-6775/

(also available in push fit / compression etc)

then run a 15mm pipe through three tees: Fit four leaver isolation
valves after on one output of the fist three tees, and both outputs of
the last one:

https://www.bes.co.uk/flat-faced-straight-lever-op-isolation-valve-15mm-x-1-2-bsp-pm-25058/

Finally, slap more hose connectors onto the output thread of the
isolation valves (ignoring the backnut and olive - just treating it as a
1/2" BSP male thread).
--
Cheers,

John.

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| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
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[SH]

Post by John Rumm

Post by Chris J Dixon
I had been using a Hozelock 4-way splitter
<https://www.wickes.co.uk/Hozelock-4-Way-Tap-Connector/p/185086>
for some time, bringing it indoors during the frosty season.
When it eventually failed, I replaced it with the same, but in
its second season, the new one is already leaking. It is not a
repairable item.
Looking online there are quite a variety of such products, some
looking cheap and plastic, but those looking like more robust
metal constructions have quite a few reviews suggesting that they
are actually not up to the job. Lots of them seem to be obscure
brands, from the Far East.
I guess that it would be possible to construct something using
separate taps, but the number of fittings required would push the
cost up most significantly.
Any good experiences or suggestions?

You can get brass hose connectors with both 3/4" and 1/2" BSP femail
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-3-4-bsp-brass-19802/
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-1-2-bsp-brass-19801/
It ought to be easy enough to make up a manifold with one of the 1/2"
https://www.bes.co.uk/end-feed-male-adaptor-15mm-f-x-1-2-m-6775/
(also available in push fit / compression etc)
then run a 15mm pipe through three tees: Fit four leaver isolation
valves after on one output of the fist three tees, and both outputs of
https://www.bes.co.uk/flat-faced-straight-lever-op-isolation-valve-15mm-x-1-2-bsp-pm-25058/
Finally, slap more hose connectors onto the output thread of the
isolation valves (ignoring the backnut and olive - just treating it as a
1/2" BSP male thread).

easily done to make manifolds out of 22mm & 15 mm tube, Tees, elbows and
washing machine valves.

The plastic quickfity hosepipe connector for outside taps will fit
washing machine valves. I can get theve valves for 99p each on eBay: I
have spare copper tube and plenty of sparesolder ring copper fittings

https://ibb.co/9cGRYhR
https://ibb.co/zVQzcWw
https://ibb.co/y5FktQC
https://ibb.co/XyKRspP

I would like to think this is more robust than Hozelocks own yellow
plastic manifolds.

I've also done a 3 m long 22 mm tube with 15 x washing machine valves on
Tees.

Each washing machine valve then feeds a bradas dripper hose 3 m long so
I can water all the rows of root veg on the 3m by 3m veg patch. If
someone wants a pic, let me know.

[Chris J Dixon]

Post by SH

Post by John Rumm
You can get brass hose connectors with both 3/4" and 1/2" BSP femail
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-3-4-bsp-brass-19802/
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-1-2-bsp-brass-19801/
It ought to be easy enough to make up a manifold with one of the 1/2"
https://www.bes.co.uk/end-feed-male-adaptor-15mm-f-x-1-2-m-6775/
(also available in push fit / compression etc)
then run a 15mm pipe through three tees: Fit four leaver isolation
valves after on one output of the fist three tees, and both outputs of
https://www.bes.co.uk/flat-faced-straight-lever-op-isolation-valve-15mm-x-1-2-bsp-pm-25058/
Finally, slap more hose connectors onto the output thread of the
isolation valves (ignoring the backnut and olive - just treating it as a
1/2" BSP male thread).

easily done to make manifolds out of 22mm & 15 mm tube, Tees, elbows and
washing machine valves.
The plastic quickfity hosepipe connector for outside taps will fit
washing machine valves. I can get theve valves for 99p each on eBay: I
have spare copper tube and plenty of sparesolder ring copper fittings
https://ibb.co/9cGRYhR
https://ibb.co/zVQzcWw
https://ibb.co/y5FktQC
https://ibb.co/XyKRspP
I would like to think this is more robust than Hozelocks own yellow
plastic manifolds.

I quite agree.

Those suggestions have certainly got me thinking. I haven't done
much plumbing, and solder fitting would be a new experience, but
that type of isolator certainly makes a home build more
attractive. Time for some homework.

Where do you get the valves so cheaply? Perhaps I am using the
wrong searches.

Chris

[SH]

Post by Chris J Dixon

Post by SH

Post by John Rumm
You can get brass hose connectors with both 3/4" and 1/2" BSP femail
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-3-4-bsp-brass-19802/
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-1-2-bsp-brass-19801/
It ought to be easy enough to make up a manifold with one of the 1/2"
https://www.bes.co.uk/end-feed-male-adaptor-15mm-f-x-1-2-m-6775/
(also available in push fit / compression etc)
then run a 15mm pipe through three tees: Fit four leaver isolation
valves after on one output of the fist three tees, and both outputs of
https://www.bes.co.uk/flat-faced-straight-lever-op-isolation-valve-15mm-x-1-2-bsp-pm-25058/
Finally, slap more hose connectors onto the output thread of the
isolation valves (ignoring the backnut and olive - just treating it as a
1/2" BSP male thread).

easily done to make manifolds out of 22mm & 15 mm tube, Tees, elbows and
washing machine valves.
The plastic quickfity hosepipe connector for outside taps will fit
washing machine valves. I can get theve valves for 99p each on eBay: I
have spare copper tube and plenty of sparesolder ring copper fittings
https://ibb.co/9cGRYhR
https://ibb.co/zVQzcWw
https://ibb.co/y5FktQC
https://ibb.co/XyKRspP
I would like to think this is more robust than Hozelocks own yellow
plastic manifolds.

I quite agree.
Those suggestions have certainly got me thinking. I haven't done
much plumbing, and solder fitting would be a new experience, but
that type of isolator certainly makes a home build more
attractive. Time for some homework.
Where do you get the valves so cheaply? Perhaps I am using the
wrong searches.
Chris

well to be honest with you, I got them literally as COVID hit as we had
3 months enforced workplace leave during which I built the various
irrigation systems and also bought & built a greenhouse.....

Cheapest I could find is now £3.80

I was buying 25+ at the time so got quite a bit of discount as postage
per item reduced considerably.

If you don't already have the Tee pieces, you can get the washing
machine isolation valves as part of a Tee for not much more than an
extra pound so that copuld save you time and/or money

a few pointers:

If you do decide to solder, *everything* at the solder joint MUST be
scrupulously clean, free of all dirt and copper oxides, and keep your
flux clean too.

Heat BOTH the pipe AND the Fitting by moving the gas torch around.

During the winter months, FULLY DRAIN the system or you will have a free
fountain in the spring when you turn the water back on!

[Chris J Dixon]

Post by SH
well to be honest with you, I got them literally as COVID hit as we had
3 months enforced workplace leave during which I built the various
irrigation systems and also bought & built a greenhouse.....
Cheapest I could find is now £3.80
If you don't already have the Tee pieces, you can get the washing
machine isolation valves as part of a Tee for not much more than an
extra pound so that copuld save you time and/or money

Thanks for that gem! A real game-changer. I could do it all with
compression fittings, no new skill and blowtorch required.

Post by SH
If you do decide to solder, *everything* at the solder joint MUST be
scrupulously clean, free of all dirt and copper oxides, and keep your
flux clean too.
Heat BOTH the pipe AND the Fitting by moving the gas torch around.
During the winter months, FULLY DRAIN the system or you will have a free
fountain in the spring when you turn the water back on!

Indeed!

Chris

[Chris J Dixon]

Post by Chris J Dixon
Thanks for that gem! A real game-changer. I could do it all with
compression fittings, no new skill and blowtorch required.

Here is the finished article, installed and working well:

<https://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_j_d/53812522914/in/album-72177720318181467/>

The timer, which was discussed in another thread here, is a
Claber Duplo Evolution. The programming instructions are not the
clearest, but the online video makes things much easier. What
swung it for me was that it works with a real-time clock, not
simply hours from set point.

Chris

[John Rumm]

Post by Chris J Dixon

Post by SH

Post by John Rumm
You can get brass hose connectors with both 3/4" and 1/2" BSP femail
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-3-4-bsp-brass-19802/
https://www.bes.co.uk/garden-hose-tap-connector-1-2-bsp-brass-19801/
It ought to be easy enough to make up a manifold with one of the 1/2"
https://www.bes.co.uk/end-feed-male-adaptor-15mm-f-x-1-2-m-6775/
(also available in push fit / compression etc)
then run a 15mm pipe through three tees: Fit four leaver isolation
valves after on one output of the fist three tees, and both outputs of
https://www.bes.co.uk/flat-faced-straight-lever-op-isolation-valve-15mm-x-1-2-bsp-pm-25058/
Finally, slap more hose connectors onto the output thread of the
isolation valves (ignoring the backnut and olive - just treating it as a
1/2" BSP male thread).

easily done to make manifolds out of 22mm & 15 mm tube, Tees, elbows and
washing machine valves.
The plastic quickfity hosepipe connector for outside taps will fit
washing machine valves. I can get theve valves for 99p each on eBay: I
have spare copper tube and plenty of sparesolder ring copper fittings
https://ibb.co/9cGRYhR
https://ibb.co/zVQzcWw
https://ibb.co/y5FktQC
https://ibb.co/XyKRspP
I would like to think this is more robust than Hozelocks own yellow
plastic manifolds.

I quite agree.
Those suggestions have certainly got me thinking. I haven't done
much plumbing, and solder fitting would be a new experience, but
that type of isolator certainly makes a home build more
attractive. Time for some homework.

If you don't fancy soldering, then pushfit will work.

If you want a simple intro to pipe soldering, then start with solder
ring fittings (aka "Yorkshire" fittings). These include the solder in
the fitting - so you apply flux, assemble the joint and then just heat
it until you see a ring of solder appear at the edges of the joint. More
expensive that plain end feed fittings, but nearly as neat.

Pushfit is very simple, but more pricy. Compression is simple, but a bit
more bulky and mid price.

Post by Chris J Dixon
Where do you get the valves so cheaply?

Places like www.bes.co.uk are pretty good and have a vast range of
fittings.

Toolstation etc can be fairly cheap if you buy packs of fittings rather
than individual ones.
--
Cheers,

John.

/=================================================================\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\=================================================================/