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August 2013 Newsletter

Wow, it's hot out there!

Contractors are reporting a surge of phone calls from customers with heat-stressed plants and lawns.  This is a great time to ramp-up your marketing campaigns to lock up projects while customers are in a buying mood. Don't neglect returning phone calls and squeezing in one more bid before the sun goes down.

MPR Supply is here to support you with great products and great deals all month long.  Check out this month's newsletter for all of the details. 

The Team at MPR Supply

P.S.   End your year with extra profits.  Attend our holiday decorating meeting on August 21.  Ask your MPR representative for details.   

Most Popular Fittings for Easier Repairs

LASCO Fittings Inc. now has a quick and simple solution for your irrigation needs - Push Fittings for use with Schedule 40, Class 200 / SDR-21 or IPS Flex Pipe pipe.

Available in ½", ¾" and 1" sizes.

  • No Primer or Glue Required.
  • No VOCs.
  • Simply clean and de-bur the pipe and push on.
  • Can install wet - no need to empty water out of trenches.
  • Once installed, the fitting will rotate to easily line up tees and elbows.
  • Can be pressurized immediately - no need to wait.
  • Stainless Steel Retainer Ring for a permanent installation.
  • Max. working pressure: 140 psi.

For irrigation only - can be used on mainlines! Learn more here.

Make a Plan to Add Profitable Holiday Decorating to Your Services

Mark your calendar for our class on August 21st!

This year you can turn downtime into additional profits by offering holiday decorating services to your clients.

We offer comprehensive support to help take the easy steps to get started.

We feature products and promotional materials from the leading brand, Seasonal Source. There's no franchise fee and no obligation.

 

 

Mark your calendar for our holiday lighting seminar held at MPR's offices. The event will be held on August 21st from 3-5PM.

Ask us how your company can have a busy and profitable December!

 

 

Pondemonium 2013: This Month!!

Whether you've been selling or installing water features for years, are just getting started, or haven't yet made the plunge into this revenue stream but want to learn more ...

Pondemonium® has something for you and your business!

Pondemonium® takes place August 22-25 at Aquascape in St. Charles, IL and focuses on reinventing yourself to be successful with water features; complete with hands-on builds, sales and marketing workshops, networking opportunities to build relationships, and of course, plenty of fun!

Attend this year's Pondemonium® and you'll be sure to gain renewed enthusiasm and knowledge on how to grow your business. What's more, by attending this premier event you'll be able to spend valuable time networking with others in the industry, learning from their successes and challenges.

For more information, visit www.pondemonium.com.

Here's How to Update Your Google Local Profile & Listing on Google Maps

Free downloadable guide from the marketing experts at MPR.

If you want to show up in Google's maps (so important for today's smart phone users!), you need to make sure your Google Local page is up to date.

Consumers make use of Google Maps to locate companies in their immediate area.

Google Local offers you the chance to add details about your business, like hours, brands carried, payment methods, etc. You can customize your profile with photos, videos, keyword-rich text.

MPR's marketing team offers a FREE PDF slideset that details how to update your Google Local profile.

An up to date profile ensures you can found by searchers in your market area.

Take the time to update your profile today.

Pervious Pavers a Fast Growing Trend on Residential & Commerical Sites

A growing movement to "go green" is driving customer interest in new solutions. MPR Supply is the area's distributor for Xeripave Pavers.

Xeripave previous segmental pavers are ideally suited as a practical long-term alternative to impervious materials. They allow water to pass through, filtering out pollutants. Xeripave products perform the same core function as traditional hardscape products, yet provide additional pervious benefits. They allow rainfall to drain through the body of the paver and be absorbed by the underlayment, recharging ground water supplies.

 

 

Xeripave is used for various applications in commercial and residential projects. The pavers are versatile and are available in a wide range of colors, designs, sizes and shapes. Pavers are uniform in size. Xeripave is inert when cured, and is unaffected by salt or UV. Pavers will not fade in

color and do not deteriorate in freeze/thaw environments.

Say Goodbye to Wire Connector Problems That Cause Callbacks!

Amazingly fast wire connectors from Blazing Products

The Blazing BVS-1 is a self-stripping wire connector for #16 to #20 gauge solid and stranded wires. No tools, stripping, or twisting necessary. Insert the wires, rotate the connector closed, and you are ready to move onto your next valve splice. With its unique patented design, the BVS-1 provides maximum moisture protection and a superior wire hold.

Blazing Wire Connectors eliminate problems with wire splices:

  • Locking: Never loosen or wiggle free.
  • Waterproof: Create a water-tight splice to prevent corrosion.
  • Easy: Simple, 5-second installation process.
  • Foolproof: Unlike twist-on splices, never fails to grab and hold wires.
  • Versatile: Works with any combination of #16, #18 or #20 (solid) wires.

Sizing Irrigation Wire Runs Properly

Tips from Regency Wire & Cable

How far can you run 18 gauge irrigation wire and still have the valve operate properly?

The answer to this question requires some basic understanding of the concept of "voltage drop". When electricity is flowing through a wire, some voltage is lost due to resistance in the wire. The amount of voltage loss is dependent upon the length of the circuit, the number and quality of splices, the size/resistance of the particular wire being used and the amount of current flowing through the wire (the amp draw of the solenoid).

Electrical resistance is comparable to friction loss in piping. As water flows down a pipe, it loses pressure (PSI). As current flows down a wire, it loses voltage.

Let's consider a "normal" installation: a single irrigation solenoid that needs 0.25 amps at 24 volts AC to operate properly that is located 750 feet from the controller. Let's assume voltage output at the controller is at least 24 volts. The total length of the circuit we need to consider is 1,500 feet (750 feet out to the solenoid on the "hot" wire and 750 feet back on the "common" wire.)

If the wire is too small or is run too far, the valve won't receive enough current to open or close against the pressure of the water. The higher the water pressure is, the greater the current must be to actuate the solenoid.

With 85 psi static pressure at the valve and a standard solenoid, 18-gauge wire might be used for total circuit runs up to 2,000 feet, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. So it would be safe to use for a single solenoid circuit up to 750 feet away. If you're sizing long wire runs, please ask us to help you make the right wire size choices. You don't want to install the wrong size!