Dripper with moisture sensor, core element of the “Tropf-Blumat-System”,
- Maxi -
- 1 Tropf-Blumat Maxi (TB-Maxi)
with drip tubing and T-connector
Consists of a bottom part (= porous clay cone + integrated threaded neck) + a watering head + 60 cm drip tubing and T-connector, 8-3-8 mm
Size (approx.): total length- 230 mm, Ø clay cone- 20 x 55 mm, Ø max.- 35 mm
Automatically controlled dripper for 1 plant or container, insert about 15-18 cm into the soil and connect to the water supply tubing using the T-connector; water pressure is required for operation (see Function).
The extra long TB-Maxi is specially designed for use in planting tubs of about 30 cm in height or width but can also be used in beds planted at a depth of about 25 cm.
Special Advantage:
With the TB-Maxi, moisture is measured and regulated in deeper soil layers, near the roots, so that watering occurs less often but therefore more intensely, the surface remains drier.
Tip for use: in general, it is advisable to pre-make the hole into which the cone is to be inserted; the clay cone must have good soil contact.
System
"Tropf-Blumat" (Tropf = Drip) works using pressure as its basis, it requires a minimum pressure for the correct functioning of the watering head and to avoid cloggage.
The Tropf-Blumat is the heart piece of the entire system and acts as a moisture sensor and dripper at the same time. Every dripper location is therefore sensor controlled according to the tensiometer principle. Also included in the system are fittings to connect the tubing.
Procedure
Fill the Tropf-Blumat with water (part of the sensor function only!) – see Directions for Use – and insert into moist soil. As the soil becomes drier, water is sucked out of the feeler which is a porous clay cone. This creates a sub pressure (partial vacuum). As the pressure develops, a membrane in the watering head is released (before then it is squeezed together), opening the thin dripper tubing; the tubing begins slowly to drip. The water seeps through the soil once again to the clay cone, causing a lessening of the sub pressure, the valve closes; the dripping slowly stops.
Adjusting
The Tropf-Blumat is adjusted using the brown knob; it should be set so that when the soil is optimally wet, the dripper has just stopped dripping. When first using, the sensor requires a certain settling period. Therefore, adjusting should be carried out only after a day of use. The general recommended adjustments are described in the Directions for Use or in our Recommended Settings. It is important that the adjustment is correct from the beginning!
Maintenance
The water being used must be clean (there is no filter in the system), it can contain completely water soluable fertilizer. It is recommended to treat water that is extremely hard (over ca. 30°dH) by softening or to use rainwater, if possible. Light lime deposits in the tubing can be removed by rubbing.
The water inside the sensor should be occasionally checked. However, in general, the water will not need to be topped off during the watering period. Under certain conditions, winter operation is also possible.
