1. Irrigation Controllers

2. The Brains of the Operation Controllers are effectively the “brains” of the irrigation system Used to carry out watering schedules automatically Irrigation systems are typically 24 volts

3. Controllers Programmed to start watering at specific stations... At selected times and... And for predetermined durations (length of times)

4. Controllers Large selections available... Fits almost all irrigation needs... And most budgets

5. Types of Controllers Digital Controller or Solid State Hybrid Controller Electromechanical Controller Hydraulic Controllers

6. Digital/Solid State Controllers Computerized Digital readout display w/ keyboard No moving parts Accurate

7. Digital/Solid State Controllers Can be complicated to program Battery backup – can retain program for several hours to days depending upon manufacture Can be remotely operated

8. Hybrid Controllers Combines solid state circuitry with mechanical type controls Considered more “user friendly” Mechanical “user interface” allows for easier use... Integrated with solid state technology

9. Hybrid Controllers Knobs, switches and sliders are the moving parts Accurate Battery backup

10. Hybrid Controllers

11. Hybrid Modular Controllers

12. Electromechanical Controllers Older Mechanical technology containing... Motors and gears... Wheels... Dials and pins

13. Electromechanical Controllers Considered “user friendly” Does not loose program in power outages Inaccurate – give or take 5+ minutes

14. Hydraulic Controllers Connected to valves by small tubing carrying water under pressure… When the pressure is released, the valves open… When the pressure is reapplied, the valves close

15. Hydraulic Controllers In many cases, the valves are in the bottom oh the individual heads Typical in large heads used in sports turf applications

16. Controller Placement Indoor Controllers Have external transformers... On power cord (wall wart) Unsuitable for outdoor use

17. Outdoor Controller Placement Outdoor Controllers Cases are water-tight Internal transformers Must be "hard wired" using 110v

18. Outdoor Controller Placement When used indoors a “pig tail” can be attached

19. Outdoor Controller Placement Correct installation Inappropriate installation

20. Outdoor Controller Placement Should be located within “eye shot” of the valves they control... Whenever possible Should never be located within the spray of the irrigation heads

21. Controller Features Versatility is typically a function of cost with irrigation controllers... More features... More money Typically, more expensive controllers have more capabilities

22. Controller Stations A station in a controller is tied directly to one valve circuit or zone... And is numbered 1, 2, 3, etc. The term “station” can also be considered as one valve and the heads connected to it

23. Programs A program is a set of watering instructions or a watering schedule, including... Days to be watered... Start times... Stop times... Run times or durations

24. Programs Controllers with multiple programs allow increased flexibility... Also allowing multiple start/run times per station... Program are continuous from start to finish

25. Start Times The number of times a controller can signal the stations per day... Cheaper controllers have fewer start times

26. Start Times Multiple start times allow for greater flexibility... Particularly in specialized settings ex.: newly planted turf slope plantings greenhouses and mist houses

27. Watering Cycles A complete set of irrigation instructions is implemented during a cycle, including... Start times Run times Run days

28. Watering Cycles Typical watering cycles are 7 days, 14 days and 15 days 7 day watering cycles limit possible programs 7 day clocks allow for daily watering but not every other day or every 3rd day

29. Watering Cycles 14 day and 15 day watering cycles allow greater flexibility for programming 14 day clocks allow for watering every day or every other day 15 day clocks allow for every day watering, every 3rd day or every 5th day

30. Run Days Selected days the irrigation program will operate Some controllers allow choices of... every day... every other day... every third day or... selected days

31. Run Days Many controllers default to an every day watering cycle in the event of power / battery failures

32. Station Run Times Most controllers have run times from 1 to 120 minutes Many controllers allow stations to run in minutes or hours for greater flexibility

33. Station Run Times Specialized controllers have shorter run times of 1 to 60 seconds... Or for several hours for agricultural uses... Drip irrigation and... Greenhouse / nursery production

34. Manual Control Switch Allows the operator to override the cycle and manually control the watering process Used when testing stations Also used to manually irrigate after new planting installations... or any ole time

35. System On / Off Switches Allows the entire controller to be turned off without loosing the irrigation program... For maintenance reasons or... In the event of rain

36. Global-Percentage Adjustment AKA seasonal adjustment switch... Allows the watering run times to be adjusted up or down... Across all run times in a program... Water budgeting by program from 0 to 300% in 1% increments

37. Global-Percentage Adjustment Irrigation programs are developed based on 100% of the irrigation requirements Allows for adjustments up in extremely hot, dry weather or... Adjusted down as the water requirements are reduced by cool, damp weather

38. Remote Control Systems Satellite control systems are programmed at a central computer Can be tied into any number of irrigation controllers Cellular remote systems Internet connections

39. Remote Control Systems

40. Rain Sensors Tied directly into irrigation controllers Set to shut off controllers at predetermined amounts of rainfall Some older controllers must be manually restarted

41. Soil Moisture Sensors Placed in the soil within the root zone of plants or turf... Tied directly into the irrigation controller... Shuts off the controller when soil achieves predetermined soil moisture levels

42. Soil Moisture Sensors

44. Wire Typically copper Analogous to the pipe used in irrigation Smaller wire carries a smaller flow Smaller wire offers greater resistance Kinda like friction loss

45. Wire As with sprinklers, adequate voltage must be maintained over the entire length of the run to properly operate the furthest valves Should be covered by 18" of soil When possible placed under irrigation service line piping Loosely snake the wire in the trench

46. Basic Electrical Terms Volt (V) – unit of electrical pressure Analogous to water pressure Amp (A) – unit of measure for the flow of electrons Analogous to water flow

47. Basic Electrical Terms Watts (W) – an expression of power Volts x Amps = Watts Voltage Transformer – reduces voltage from 120V to 24V Analogous to a pressure regulator

48. Short Typically caused by a nick in the wire insulation... Or a loose connection Allows the electrons to “leak” out... Causes an inadequate voltage supply at the valves

49. Control Wire or Hot Wire Carries current out to the irrigation valve from the controller Each valve should be individually connected to the controller Can be most any color

50. Common Wire Returns current from the irrigation valve back to the irrigation controller Common wire can link all valves in series to the controller Usually white

52. Wire Sizing The wire used to connect irrigation valves to irrigation controllers is typically a buriable type referred to as "underground feed" (UF) Thermostat wire or door bell wire is NOT acceptable for direct burial

53. Wire Sizing Determine the length of the run – valve to clock Determine static water pressure Greater static pressure requires larger wire to overcome higher water pressure resistance when opening the solenoid

54. Wire Sizing Use a wire sizing chart for the appropriate static pressure to determine the appropriate wire size For most residential applications, 14 gauge wire is adequate

55. Expansion Coils Expansion coils are coils formed in the wire at the irrigation valves They allow the wires to expand and contract without pulling apart at the connections

56. Expansion Coils Expansion coils allow the valve to be serviced without having to cut controller wires to gain access 8 or 9 wraps around 1/2” pipe

57. Dry Splice Connectors Used to connect two to several wires in underground vaults... And at valve connections... Reduce or eliminates corrosion at connections... Reduces chances of faulty connections occurring