1) To replicate drip, bring the arc width of a 15’-18’ VAN nozzle down to less than a ¼ circle. Then with the LittleValve, adjust down the throw distance to as little as two inches. To water 2 plants at the same time, use a 5’ center-strip nozzle and locate the sprinkler between the 2 plants. 16’ SLA (stream low-angle) nozzles and 5’ stream bubblers are also good for drip applications.

2) For Micro-Sprays use Rain Bird’s 8’ Flat nozzle (NOT an 8’ nozzle) or Toro’s Flat nozzle and adjust it down to a 20” to 48” radius. Oftentimes a 6’ VAN works well for irregular planter areas.

3) When using LittleValves in drip or micro-spray mode or any distance under 6 feet, we strongly recommend inserting a LittleValve LVA ( Low Volume Application) filter screen under the LittleValve - tail first - into the bottom of the pop-up stem. Push screen into bottom of stem until it holds in place. When using with LittleValve shrub adapters, couplings or riser extenders, place filter screen onto the opening of a Schedule 80 or cut-off riser, tail down into riser opening. Screen cannot fall into riser opening. LVA filter screens are available in 25 count bags.

4) With LittleValve parts and Little Tuffy Pop-up heads, even in drip and micro-spray mode, pressure regulation is never needed even if you have 165 p.s.i.

5) Remember, each sprinkler head is individually controlled with LittleValve parts or Little Tuffy Pop-up sprinkler heads, so drips, micro-sprays and regular sprays can all be mixed on the same valve system, if desired.

6) When mixing drip application with micro-sprays and/or regular sprays on the same valve, special low-flow valves are NOT necessary. BUT, when all heads are in drip mode, a low-flow valve may be necessary.

7) CALCULATIONS:
A. A Rain Bird 18’ VAN adjusted down to a 2” throw uses approximately .1636 gpm or 9.82 gallons per hour. Adjusted down to a 4” throw, it uses .1833 gpm or 11 gallons per hour. Adjusted down to a 6” throw, it uses .2207 gpm or 13.24 gallons per hour. A Rain Bird 15’ VAN adjusted down to a 2” throw uses just .138 gpm or 8.3 gallons per hour.
B. Micro-Spray tests with a Rain Bird ½ circle 8’ Flat nozzle adjusted down to a 36” to 40” radius show usage of .31 gallons per minute, (less than 1/3 gpm) or 18.4 gallons per hour. From 20” – 36”, the usage is 15 – 16 gph.