Smart Irrigation Controllers

[Hammer]

This week I received, and installed, a new smart irrigation controller from Skydrop.

So far there is a LOT to like.  I think this new controller is really going to help me take much better care of my palms and other landscape plants.

Curious who else out there in PT-land is using a smart controller, what you bought and what your positive and/or negative experience has been.

 

[LJG]

Rachio Iro. Love mine. I watered my garden during a 100 degree Santa Ana while in Madagascar.

[Steve Mac]

I don't know exactly how smart ours is to a really smart one. In fact, It is probably digitally challenged.

It is  a programmable timer. We can put in how long to turn on for, and how often. We are very happy with that.

What does a smart one do?

[strandoo]

Looked it up on their web site but they do not tell you a lot. How does it read the local weather report? I assume there has to be some sort of language to allow them to interface or do Skydrop generate the report? No indication of allowable max current draw  either. Not what I would want but I can see the advantages for users in areas with designated watering times that could change in your absence. I just replaced my Toro controller due to failure of the liquid crystal display with a Hunter   I-Core which is excellent for my needs. Possibly I am a bit of a Ludite with some smart technology .

Kind regards John K.

[Palm Tree Jim]

I have Rain Machine and love it.

And with the rebate program, how can you not install one!

[Tassie_Troy1971]

I use a hunter irrigation controller and its fantastic. A friend of mine uses Rainbird also very good

 

[Hammer]

21 hours ago, gtsteve said:

 

What does a smart one do?

My understanding is they take multiple weather data source inputs, soil, terrain, plants, and so on and they create a watering schedule that is customized by zone.  As the wind or weather heats up, it will water more.  But every zone runs independently based on its needs.

Traditional controllers run a program like...20 minutes MWF.  

Can be operated manually via phone app or website as Len said.

Like Jim said, great rebates too. Thing is practically free.  Can't believe I didn't buy one years ago.

[Hammer]

18 hours ago, strandoo said:

How does it read the local weather report? I assume there has to be some sort of language to allow them to interface or do Skydrop generate the report?  

Skydrop and Rain Machine tap NOAA and Weather Underground for the forecast as well as actual current weather conditions.  These inputs have a big influence on duration and frequency of watering. 

[Matt in OC]

Bump. I just installed a Rachio. It was so easy! For those that use one, are you sticking to the schedules you usually use or did you let your controller basically take over based on weather data?

[Hammer]

9 hours ago, Matt in OC said:

Bump. I just installed a Rachio. It was so easy! For those that use one, are you sticking to the schedules you usually use or did you let your controller basically take over based on weather data?

I have let the system take over.  BUT I have had to tweak those schedules. 

For example, a zone might be set to water every 3 days for 20 minutes with average temps at 80f.  And then increase or decrease watering based on changes to the weather. 

What smart controllers can't do very well is determine if the base watering length and frequency is adequate for what ever you planted.  So I have had to adjust this from zone to zone.  

I have also made volume adjustments through the dialing up or down of drippers per plant.  

Hope that makes sense.

[Palm Tree Jim]

15 hours ago, Matt in OC said:

Bump. I just installed a Rachio. It was so easy! For those that use one, are you sticking to the schedules you usually use or did you let your controller basically take over based on weather data?

Let the device make the decisions most of the time.

When we have a heatwave forecast, I turn on certain zones for more water.

Easy to do from any wireless device which is great!

[Palm Tree Jim]

5 hours ago, Hammer said:

I have let the system take over.  BUT I have had to tweak those schedules. 

For example, a zone might be set to water every 3 days for 20 minutes with average temps at 80f.  And then increase or decrease watering based on changes to the weather. 

What smart controllers can't do very well is determine if the base watering length and frequency is adequate for what ever you planted.  So I have had to adjust this from zone to zone.  

I have also made volume adjustments through the dialing up or down of drippers per plant.  

Hope that makes sense.

True.....

[Hammer]

3 hours ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

Let the device make the decisions most of the time.

When we have a heatwave forecast, I turn on certain zones for more water.

Easy to do from any wireless device which is great!

Yes.  Whatever Jim says, listen to this.  His place is really dialed in.  I copy him whenever possible. 

[Matt in OC]

Thanks for the replies. I'm concerned that I may have done something wrong as it is only scheduling to water my palms about ever week and a half, about 20 minutes, on drippers. Maybe that's due to the cooler weather, but it's not that cool. I've tried customizing my emitters as well as changing the soil types. Any other thoughts?

Here's one such zone.

[Palm Tree Jim]

Matt,

I do not own Rachio so I can not address the issue.

Hopefully someone else will chime in soon.

[Matt in OC]

40 minutes ago, Palm Tree Jim said:

Matt,

I do not own Rachio so I can not address the issue.

Hopefully someone else will chime in soon.

Thanks, Jim. I'm starting to think my soil type isn't as clay-like as I had thought. Time to do some digging!

[Hammer]

That watering schedule seems way off.  Is your location correct?   Maybe it thinks you are in a different zip code.

[Jesse]

Bump.  Rachio gen 2 controller is available on prime deal day.  @Matt in OC do you have the 2nd Gen? What are your thoughts after having it for a while?

[Matt in OC]

@Jesse I have 2 2nd Gen controllers and am pretty happy with them. I think I've got them dialed in sufficiently after doing some soil surveys and tests. It's funny. I never would have thought that being able to control sprinklers from my phone would be a big advantage, but it really is. It's nice to be able to give everything an extra water if we have freak 100-degree days.

A few issues: with 2 controllers, it'd be really great if they could talk to each other, but they can't. In other words if I don't want them watering the same days/times, I have to set each controller with different watering days. Another issue is I'm not happy with my official weather station and it seems that private weather station data feeds can be inconsistent for use with a flex daily schedule. Other than that, so far, I'm a happy customer. 

Oh, and the water company gave me a full rebate for each controller. They both ended up being free!

[Jesse]

Thanks Matt!

[pj_orlando_z9b]

Do the newer digital timers gauge how much water they put out? I saw the Rachio on prime and thought about it but didnt want to jump on something without researching it  wish j had read this post. :)

[Mangosteen]

Just be careful to add plenty of water your newly planted palms in addition to what these timers put out. The smart timers are great for mature planting areas, but they will kill your newly planted palms.

Don't know how useful they are in So Cal since it pretty much never rains here. Just setting a regular timer to deep water your mature garden 3 times a week should suffice. 

[Matt in OC]

Actually by setting the root depth and allowed depletion you can keep young palms in California plenty moist. The last Rachio update removed the gallons used.