November News from MPR Supply
Winter Planning: Diversify Your Business
Diversification is a smart move in today's market. You don't want to have all of your "eggs in one basket" with all of the uncertainties you face. Will weather in 2024 help your business? Who knows! Why not offer some services that you can do if it's too wet?
Sell more things to the same clients. With residential construction slowing and fewer existing homes flipping to new owners, there might be less irrigation work out there. What products and services do you have for clients who already know you and trust you?
This winter, make the smart investment in training and planning to expand your offering. You'll love the positive benefit diversification can bring to your bottom line!
The Team at MPR Supply
It's Holiday Decorating Season!
We've Got the Products You Need, Come See Us!
Installations are underway. It's already been a very busy season, but we have excellent inventory to support you. MPR has the best products for your residential and commercial projects. From light sets in all sizes, types and colors - to greenery and wreaths, we have it all.
Don't settle for second-best. Insist on our professional products. Build your reputation with color-consistent, heavy-duty LED products.
Happy customers = no "call backs"! Ask us for pricing and check out the new 2023 Look Book.
Protect Expensive Backflows from Unexpected Freezes
The Zurn Wilkins ZWFR Freeze Relief Valve prevents freeze damage for backflow devices. Use it to protect pressure vacuum breakers, double-check and reduced pressure principle assemblies, as well as the detector assemblies on large backflow products.How does it work? The ZWFR operates on the principle of detecting the difference between outside air temperature and inside water temperature. The ZWFR senses when water temperature approaches near-freezing (35° F) and opens to draw warmer supply water into the system. As the system reaches equilibrium (40°F) the valve closes. This venting process protects the backflow from catastrophic freeze damage.
How is the ZWFR installed? The ZWFR is easy to install and maintain. Simply thread the ZWFR device into a standard test cock - no shutdown or system draining required. Its compact design is compatible with most backflow preventers. The corrosion resistant bronze body requires no periodic maintenance.
Learn more here.
Solve Low City Water Pressure with a Packaged Booster Pump
Are your clients suffering from low water pressure that prevents their residential system from operating properly? How can you offer a solution that doesn't require re-working the whole system? Flint & Walling offers an all-in-one solution with its VP Series City Water Booster Pump system. These pumps are plug-and-play - no need to be a certified electrician to install - and plumb directly in-line with existing municipal water supplies.Beyond providing a pressure boost, these units offer self-diagnostic features that extend the life of the pump and provide peace of mind for the homeowner. The pump only turns on when demand requires it to do so, saving on energy costs. While running, the unit can recognize low flow and shut down to protect from running dry. It will turn on hourly to test water flow and continue running or shut down based on what it detects. The VP Series is a self-contained unit with a small footprint and is offered in ½HP (model VP05) and 1HP (model VP10). For information, click here
Do's and Don'ts of Installing Threaded Plastic Pipe Fittings
Avoid costly mistakes. PVC fittings with female threads are vulnerable to splitting when incorrectly installed. Train your team: There are hidden dangers of using tape sealants and paste, the advantages of using thread sealant and the consequences of over-tightening. What you might think is correct may be against manufacturer recommendations.
Follow these guidelines:
- Don't over-tighten joints by giving "one more tum to be sure". Finger tighten plus one or two turns - No More!
- Avoid adding to the wedging force of threads with too much Teflon tape or paste. Many recommend none at all!
- Beware that thread paste/sealant makes joints easier to thread together. Therefore it can make it easier to overtighten. Be especially careful when using thread sealants.
How Many Feet of Wire are Left on that Spool?
Have you ever wondered how many feet are left in a spool of landscape lighting wire on your job site? With new descending footage markings on Regency Wire's lighting cable products, the answer is printed right on the wire. They've added handy descending footage marks into the wire legend every two feet.
This photo shows a spool with 254' remaining. (click to make it larger)
Look for this helpful new marking on 250' and 500' reels of 18-2, 16-2, 14-2, 12-2, 10-2 and also 1000' reels of 12-2. It makes it handy to also measure your wire run lengths for voltage drop calculations too.
Invest in New Tools to Make Irrigation Troubleshooting Easier
And Save on your 2023 Taxes
When irrigation and landscape lighting systems need repair, the hardest test is usually discovering the problem! Both crew time and safety are important factors in the troubleshooting process, especially when dealing with electrical systems. Making the process easier, King Innovation is now offering a variety of Sperry non-contact voltage detectors.12 Function Digital Clamp Meter, model DSA600TRMS
Non-contact clamp meter with a large range of functions including inrush current, frequency, and advanced temperature measurement Data hold capacity to maintain reading on display Industry standard safety test leads
Adjustable Non-Contact Volt Sensor, model VD6505
Troubleshoot without having physical contact with live electrical conductors. Allows for sensitivity adjustments in multiple-wire applications. Adjustable non-contact sensitivity detects voltage from 12-1000V AC with audible and visual indication
8 Function Digital Multimeter, model DM6400
Test lead input icons for correct lead placement AC/DC voltage and current capable
ToneProbe Cable Tracing Kit, model ET65220
Test continuity and trace un-energized wiring for correct wire identification
See these models, and more, on King Innovations website And remember your Section 179 deduction