Table of Contents
Where should an irrigation controller be placed?
So, you’ll need to mount your controller within 6 feet of an electrical socket. You can mount it inside or out, as long as you keep it about 15 feet from other major appliances. Choose a spot that’s out of the rain and not in direct sun.
Is it better to have sprinkler controller inside or outside?
If the controller is located in the home or office, the sprinkler guy has to go into the home or office to check the timer. If it is outside it has easier access. A good controller will also have a key lock on it so vandalism should not be an issue.
Where is the sprinklers control panel?
1) Start in the Most Likely Places Probe the soil. Determine the irrigation valve area, and sift through the soil in that specific section of your property. Look for valves box covers. If valve boxes were set over the valves when the system was installed, they are most probably just under the surface.
What is a common wire in a sprinkler system?
Cut Common Wire The common wire is usually white in color and runs from your controller to your master cylinder and then to each of the other valves on your irrigation system in turn. If something happens to cut your common wire, then every valve after the cut will fail to turn on when activated.
How do you wire a pump start relay to a controller?
Run a single wire from the “common” terminal on the controller to one of the yellow wires on the pump start relay. Run a single wire from the “P/MV” terminal on the controller to the other yellow wire on the pump start relay. Use wire nuts to make the connections and verify they are secure.
What voltage does a sprinkler valve use?
It’s a common mistake to assume sprinkler valves work with DC voltage. While most valves indeed CAN be powered by DC voltage (see below), they are designed to work with AC voltage in the range of 22VAC to 28VAC.
Can you put a timer on a garden hose?
A hose timer is a simple device that connects directly to the hose and to the hose’s water faucet. Hose timers can work with up to four different hose outlets, providing the user with total control of the exact amount of water that each zone of the yard receives.
How does a faucet timer work?
A mechanical timer hooks directly to your faucet and works just like an egg timer in your kitchen — you twist the dial to whatever water duration you want and your faucet will shut off automatically when the timer is finished.
What does a garden hose vacuum breaker do?
A vacuum breaker is a backflow preventer. It’s a threaded device that attaches onto a faucet. It prevents water from flowing backwards into the plumbing.
How does an automatic watering system work?
Automatic Sprinkler Systems: How Do They Work? An electrical controller is attached to a set of valves buried in a box in the ground. The primary water source is directed towards the box and separated into various zones. Each of these zones can be controlled by a valve set to release each one separately.
How much does it cost to replace a sprinkler controller?
Installing a new sprinkler system controller and timer will cost $150 to $225 on average, plus labor. However, your technician may only need to reprogram or rewire your unit, at an average cost of $80. If wiring is an issue you can expect to pay $1 per sq. ft.
What is an indoor sprinkler controller?
The B-hyve® Smart Indoor Irrigation Controller and timer syncs with your underground sprinkler system and is elegantly designed to be mounted indoors. The smart sprinkler controller makes adjustments based on weather conditions to ensure that your lawn is perfectly watered every time.
What should I look for in an irrigation controller?
When selecting irrigation controllers, know how many stations the system needs. Choose a sprinkler timer with extra stations, in case of later expansion. The number of programs a controller or timer typically has can range from 1 up to as many as 4. They are usually labeled as Program A, B, C, and D.
What should I look for in a sprinkler timer?
To make your watering experience more convenient, choose a timer with options such as a sunlight sensor, built-in calendar and more. If your timer is outdoors, shield it from the elements with a weather-resistant cabinet. A skip button allows you to skip watering a zone so you don’t have to reprogram the entire system.
How long do irrigation controllers last?
One of the components that you may need to replace regularly are the wires, often due to improper installation and corrosion. Valves will give you 10 to 15 years of service, while controllers 5 to 10 years.
Which wire is common on sprinkler valve?
Every valve has a solenoid with two wires; one common wire, and one zone wire. The common wire is usually white but can be any color as long as it’s hooked to the common slot in the sprinkler timer. It’s important for the common wire to be connected to every zone.
Does it matter which wire goes where on a solenoid?
If they are connected to a terminal, you are good to go. The small gage wires on the small terminal are the same as the small gage wires on the larger terminal. It does not matter because it isn’t specified in the instruction manual.
What are the three wires on a solenoid valve?
The XR33 actuator that controls the valves position is configured with 3 separate wires. The black or neutral wire is connected to the ground. The red or positive wire is connected to the power. The green wire is the control wire that will change the position when power is applied or removed.
