There are several additions to irrigation systems that will allow the system to work more efficiently. Among these additions are weather stations, full computer stations, in-ground moisture sensors and rain sensors. The addition of any of these products will allow the system to work more efficiently by better understanding the environment. The easiest product to add to a home system to increase the efficiency of the system is a rain sensor. Does this Spark an idea?
Pick the Right Sensor
Every major home irrigation producer has a rain sensor that can be added to the system. The purpose of a rain sensor is to tell the controller when it is raining outside. When the sensor tells the controller this the controller shuts off the system, thus ending unnecessary watering. There are two basic types of rain sensors: wired and wireless. When deciding between the two there are things that need to be considered. First, does the controller support one or both? Next, will the controller be able to "hear" the sensor if it is wireless? Once these questions are answered, the next thing to decide is where to mount the sensor.
Where to Mount
The first thing to remember when mounting the rain sensor is to mount it out of the irrigated area. Basically, do not put it where the sprinklers will hit it because this would cause the sensor to trip and shut the system off. Next, if the sensor is wireless, the sensor and controller need to be within the transmittance range and with minimal interference. Basically, as close as possible with as few walls as possible. Finally, if the sensor is wired, it has to be easy to run the wire to. For most standard home installations, the best place to mount the sensor is on the roof of a porch or a deck handrail that is out of the irrigated area.
Tags: rain sensor, allow system, allow system work, irrigated area, more efficiently, mount sensor