How an automatic irrigation controller works

• Your presence will not be necessary for its operation.

• Reduce the cost of water, because it avoids valuation errors, since the irrigation time does not obey the person who is watering your garden or green area.

• Its system responds to data from humidity sensors, weather stations, volumetric valves, anemometers, etc.

• They have a water consumption control, and can be adjusted precisely to avoid waste and reach a consumption limit.

There are only 2 types of irrigation controllers according to the needs of the programmer.

Centralized programmers

These are installed for a single programmer only. In principle, all the solenoid valves are operated, through a wiring or by a wireless control method, be it WFI, Bluetooth, radio. These are activated with current from the electrical network and have a transformer that varies the input voltage. normally at 24 Volts. Likewise, there are centralized systems that operate at other voltages and pulse solenoids and are connected to wireless systems. The installation of these centralized systems is according to your model. Some are not allowed to be installed outdoors, therefore they are installed indoors. And others can be installed without problems outdoors, and there are even some that come with a pedestal to be installed on the ground.

It is common for centralized programmers to contain a battery to certify the maintenance of the programming in the event of a power failure. But these do not serve to water.

Battery programmers for irrigation or autonomous programmers

Battery controllers are used in structures where wiring is not recommended due to their complexity or in small structures with only one or two irrigation sections. They are also used in cases in which it is impossible to use power from the electrical network.

Self-contained controllers use batteries to actuate and provide starting and closing current to the solenoid valves. It is very common that they use 9V batteries; the solenoids for the solenoid valves must be 9 volts and also act on pulses (latch solenoids). Then, they receive a short current (pulse) for start and another for closing. In this way, a system with minimal energy consumption is achieved, therefore, the useful life of the programmer battery is prolonged.

The battery controllers are designed to be installed inside the irrigation box, right next to the solenoid valves. It is common for them to have some protection against moisture, and most resistant to occasional sinking and some even submersible.

Tap programmers

Faucet controllers are a special kind of self-contained battery-operated programmer that attach directly to a garden faucet. They are commonly used for small irrigation in residences and are generally used for a single irrigation section, but are also found for two phases.

Two types of tap controllers are found on the market:

• The tap programmers with internal solenoid valve . The start and stop of the water flow are due to a solenoid valve that requires a minimum pressure to start and close. The pressure required depends on the controller models, it is common for it to be greater than 1 bar of pressure.
• Faucet programmers with motor . The start and stop of the water inlet is done with a small motor. Here there is no need for pressure and it can be used in low pressure network scenarios and also in small irrigation by gravity. These are very inexpensive but do not have many functions, depending on the model.