RV pumps like I'm using for a the drip system do not shut the flow off like a valve. Water will flow through them when they're turned off. That 1/4" drip line basically has holes for drippers and naturally, water will flow through a hole via gravity alone. A full tank will actually create a little bit of pressure too.
I'm sick of seeing my tanks slowly drain in between watering sessions on occasion. I can and do turn the spigot on/off but that makes me a slave to a drip schedule and negates the automation. I do it as much as possible when I'm here but then if I forget, it's either turned off and the pump comes on or it's turned on and things drain. Even moving the pump to the bottom end isn't going to fix it because the water level in a 4 foot tall tank will still be higher than the drip lines.
Most irrigation systems have these solenoid operated water valves. They get installed right at the source, either the supply pipe on commercial systems or a spigot on home systems which allows leaving that spigot open. In my case, the spigot on the tank will be replaced by a solenoid/valve.
Latching; in electrical terms means it only requires a pulse of electricity and then it holds on it's own via a magnet and consumes zero electricity to stay activated. The water valve starts in the closed position and when solenoid is activated by a pulse of electric, it opens the valve and it stays open until the solenoid is deactivated at which point the valve closes.
I'll still be moving the pump to the bottom because all four tanks will be plumbed together to make it like one tank so I want the pump at the lowest tank to allow me to use all the water.
Momma found her a good chin rest, her kid.
