A siphon sprayer, similar in operation to a hose-end sprayer, works by using the flow of water to create a vacuum that pulls liquid product from a separate container and mixes it uniformly with the water.
Understanding the Siphon Mechanism
The core of a siphon sprayer's function lies in the principle of siphoning, which is activated by water pressure from your hose. When water flows rapidly through the sprayer's body, it passes over an opening connected to a tube submerged in the product concentrate. This rapid flow creates a low-pressure area, or vacuum, at the opening. The higher atmospheric pressure on the surface of the liquid in the separate container then pushes the product up the tube and into the water stream.
Think of it like sucking on a straw – you create a low-pressure area in the straw, and atmospheric pressure pushes the liquid up. In a siphon sprayer, the flowing water creates that low-pressure area.
Proportional Mixing: The 16:1 Ratio
A key feature of these sprayers is their ability to proportion the product automatically. According to the reference provided:
"The siphoning device proportions the product in a ratio of 16:1. That is, for every 16 gallons of water flowing through the siphon and into the hose, one gallon of product is pulled from the bucket into the water flow and mixed uniformly."
This means the sprayer is designed to maintain a consistent mix ratio as long as water is flowing. The liquid product is not diluted within the sprayer itself before mixing; it's pulled directly into the flowing water stream at a controlled rate.
Here's a simple breakdown of the ratio:
| Component | Volume |
|---|---|
| Water | 16 gallons |
| Product | 1 gallon |
| Total | 17 gallons |
Note: This 16:1 ratio specifically refers to the volume of water relative to the volume of concentrate product pulled into the stream.
Practical Application
Siphon sprayers are commonly used with external containers (like buckets or jugs) for applying fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides that come in concentrated liquid form. The suction tube is placed directly into the concentrate. As you spray water through the device attached to your hose, the concentrate is automatically drawn up and mixed into the water as it exits the sprayer. This ensures a consistent application without needing to pre-mix large batches.
Benefits include:
- Automatic Proportioning: No need to measure and mix large volumes manually.
- Ease of Use: Simply attach to a hose, place the tube in the product, and spray.
- Consistent Dilution: Maintains the desired mix ratio during application.
In summary, a siphon sprayer leverages water flow dynamics to create suction, drawing concentrated liquid product into the water stream for uniform mixing at a specific ratio, such as the 16:1 ratio mentioned, simplifying the application of liquid concentrates over large areas.
