Some of you might have heard me whining on an episode of “U.S. Farm Report” a few weeks ago about the servo valve on my sprayer failing and the subsequent weed streaks I had in my field. I challenged the sprayer industry to invent a simple monitor to show when the sprayer control thinks the valve is open but it’s not. Nothing happened.
So as I threatened, I invented a miraculous solution: the Phipps-O-Matic 3000 SSSP (Stupid Sprayer Streak Preventer). It’s a device that lights up when there’s power to the boom section servo, but not flow—hence the product motto: If the light’s a glowin’, the spray isn’t flowin’.
This stunningly simple add-on uses miniature pressure switches that cost $800 to $900. I bought the expensive ones for the stainless-steel construction and easy pressure adjustment ring. The lights are 12-volt LEDs, and the futuristic housing is ¾" plywood of my own original design. The cable is 10-strand, 18-gauge sprinkler wire, but I only used six strands. I had a choice of 10' or 250', and I didn’t want too many connections, so I have 200' left. I used Weatherpack connectors because I’ve had good experience with them and recommend T-spice snap connectors. It’s also necessary to add a tee and gauge adapter to each boom section hose barb, but Banjo manifold fittings made that fairly easy. You can also use the alternate switch contacts and have green lights that are on when everything is working but go off at failure—your preference.
I know what you’re thinking: Gosh, John. I’d pay dozens of dollars for a Phipps-O-Matic, but they’re not for sale. That’s right, put your credit card away, I’m giving this technological breakthrough away for nothing, which is roughly what it’s worth.
Watch the full Phipps-O-Matic 3000 episode, find a link to material suppliers and download his hand-drawn schematic at bit.ly/no-more-sprayer-streaks
Materials:
- Pressure switches—I used PSW523 (100 psi)
- LEDs—the tabs can break off if you bend them too much
- Sprinkler wire
- Connectors
- Splice connectors
- Plumbing adapters—flange plug (need brass ¼" to 1/8" bushing) and tees and barbs to fit
- Gaskets
Trial and Error Notes:
- If you use solid wire, make sure there isn’t excessive bending when changing boom height, folding, etc.
- Use only enough connectors to make repair possible: one in the cab, one at the manifold (minimum).
- I like red=fail, but green=good works too, using the normally open switch contact.
- Protect the cable with wire wrap.
- Splice servo leads upstream of the connector, so you can change servo motors without rewiring.
- LEDs are polarized. Make sure the + tab gets the 12-volt side.
