Hello,
After the last round of freezes the vacuum breaker for my lawn
sprinkler system needs replacing (extreme water leak under housing).
It is a Conbraco Industries Model #4050502, SN CX886. I have taken
the parts and this information to two trusted local hardware stores
and they do not carry Conbraco, and the irrigation supply companies
have also been a dead end for this brand. Trying to contact Conbraco
through the web leads to an Apollo website that does not help. Before
I give up and purchase a completely new unit from Febco, I thought I
would try here. Does anybody know a company or website that cannot
assist with Conbraco vacuum breaker parts?
Thank you,
Carl

Carlshead wrote:

After the last round of freezes the vacuum breaker for my lawn
sprinkler system needs replacing

Sorry, can't help.

I've seen these things on lawn irrigation systems - can anyone explain
what the heck they do?

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/v/..._507_02_05.jpg

How is a "vacuum breaker" = "backflow preventer" ?

How exactly does the standing water in a sprinkler system overcome the
high pressure of your average municipal water system such that you need
a backflow preventer? These things are usually mounted up against a
wall where your supply line runs out and down to your valve manifold.
How the heck does the standing water that's under zero pressure flow
up-hill and back into your fully pressurized water supply lines?

And what are the small ports on these things for (the things with the
small red caps) ?

Going off on a slight tangent - are there any of these gadgets designed
to draw in fertilizer or pesticide / herbicide from a jug (or sealed
tank) and mix it with the water going to the sprinklers?

Home Guy wrote:
Carlshead wrote:

After the last round of freezes the vacuum breaker for my lawn
sprinkler system needs replacing

Sorry, can't help.

I've seen these things on lawn irrigation systems - can anyone explain
what the heck they do?

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/v/..._507_02_05.jpg


I haven't looked real close, but I think this kind of vacuum breaker is
used (here) on commercial buildings and cheap plastic ones are used on
residential.

How is a "vacuum breaker" = "backflow preventer" ?

If you get a negative pressure (siphon) on the water pipe the vacuum
breaker opens to air, so water is not siphoned.


How exactly does the standing water in a sprinkler system overcome the
high pressure of your average municipal water system such that you need
a backflow preventer? These things are usually mounted up against a
wall where your supply line runs out and down to your valve manifold.
How the heck does the standing water that's under zero pressure flow
up-hill and back into your fully pressurized water supply lines?

The same way water can be sucked out of your toilet tank. Probably very
common to require toilet 'ballcock' valves to be antisiphon. Also
required clearances between faucets and sink overflow levels to prevent
siphon. And hose connections may require vacuum breakers. It is one of
the basic principles for plumbing systems.

One way a siphon could happen is if there is a fire, and pumping city
water creates a negative pressure (and you flush the toilet). Another
could be if the city water is turned off (as for repair) and water
drains back downhill or into a hole creating a siphon.


And what are the small ports on these things for (the things with the
small red caps) ?

I believe they are for testing.


Going off on a slight tangent - are there any of these gadgets designed
to draw in fertilizer or pesticide / herbicide from a jug (or sealed
tank) and mix it with the water going to the sprinklers?