I need to replace our home irrigation controller, and a quick peek around the 'net shows a bewildering array of choices. If any of you have personal experiences with these things that you'd be willing to share, I'd be grateful to have some data to help simplify the decision process.
Thanks!
How complicated is your irrigation system? Number of Zones? Watering days? Do you need different zones watered on different days and some zones more often than others? Well/Pump or city water?
I have a really basic digital model, with 5 zones, and 2 programs. I'm only allowed to run my lawn sprinklers one day a week (county water saving restrictions), but I have a drip irrigation zone that I run every day.
Mine is called a Irritrol Slimdial, it has a battery back-up and it's really easy to program, 6 zones, and I think it has an output to control a pump.
I should also mention that this one has to be mounted on an inside wall (not whether proof), so that's a factor to consider, too.
> How complicated is your irrigation system? Number of Zones? Watering days? Do you need different zones watered on different days and some zones more often than others? Well/Pump or city water?
We have 6 zones right now, but are re-doing the system and want to go to 8 zones. The schedule won't be complicated, but we might want to spread the watering out over multiple days. We're on city water (not sure how that affects things). Inside mounting is fine; that's what we have right now.
I had to have my controller replaced about five years ago. It was replaced with this, the newer model is shown below
It has not malfunctioned one time since I have had it. I have a 12 zone system and sometimes when I'm wandering around checking zones I leave the door open on it. It has gotten wet several times and never missed a beat.
