one tap good, four taps better (Hozelock 4-Way Tap Connector)

Member Name: gryphon

Product:	Hozelock 4-Way Tap Connector
Date:	12/04/01 (1084 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: no more swapping hoses all the time

Disadvantages: may use more water

Water, water everywhere

That’s all we gardeners seem to have to do whenever [ifever?] it gets sunny, and there is only so much that can be done with water butts and cans.

If you use an automatic watering system hooked up to an outside tap, as I do, you’ll know how aggravating it is to have to turn the water off, disconnect / reconnect, turn the water on again, just to use a hose, then do it all over again to leave the automatic system connected afterwards.

The expensive answer is to plumb in an extra tap or two, the easiest answer is to install a Hozelock 2150: a four-way, individually controllable water supply.

As with all hozelock stuff, it comes in a yellow grey plastic combo, that appears robust, nicely finished and well thought out.

Water goes into the manifold via a port at either left or right through a short length of dedicated hose which remains permanently connected to your outside tap: the connectors for this are supplied with the manifold; you have to supply the hose- I used a short piece from an hose which was ruined further along its length where it had got frosted.

The manifold push fits onto a bracket which screws onto the wall- the packaging card has a template to ensure you drill them in the right place.

That’s it

Once the manifold is on the wall, the supply hose connected, and the water turned on, you’re ready to go. Up to two automatic timers can be left permanently connected, as well as a hose or two for washing cars, lawn sprinkling etc.

Each outlet has its own control tap, which can be opened part way if you don’t want so much water delivered. The control taps seal with a rubber O ring which should be good for some years.

All in all, I consider this well thought out, and very useful if you use an automatic watering system- the ease of access that we take for granted in our houses with electricity, is now becoming available
in the garden with water.

The only obvious downside is that you might use more water, though I would say that the precise delivery given by an automatic system actually cuts the amount needed, especially when combined with mulches to reduce water loss.

UPDATE June 2001

I've now connected a second auto irrigation system for the back garden and greenhouse, and a wall mounted hosereel. Everything is a lot tidier, and much easier to use. I now have just the one tap not spoken for. . . .

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