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Battery-Powered & Solar-Powered Controllers
Sometimes getting power to a controller is a challenge. Thankfully, there are battery-powered and solar-powered controllers that can solve your problem. These sprinkler timers make it possible to run an efficient irrigation system without relying on hardwired electricity. In remote areas and gardens that aren’t near an outlet, wiring can be expensive or impractical. Luckily, battery and solar-powered controllers offer the same reliable watering schedules, all while keeping energy costs low.
Solenoids
It’s worth noting that when using solar-powered and battery-operated controllers, your valves need to have DC latching solenoids installed. The typical solenoid that is operated by a 24 VAC controller WILL NOT work with these controllers. If your current one isn’t compatible, you can order a replacement solenoid online. Just make sure that it’s compatible with the valve. After that, replacing your solenoid valve is relatively quick and easy.
To install your new solenoid, cut or unscrew the wire connections from the old solenoid, noting how they were attached for reconnection later. After that, you can unscrew the old solenoid and screw in the new one in its place. Next, match up the wires as they were before and test the system. With the proper solenoid, you can start to take advantage of your new solar or battery-operated irrigation controller.
Types of Battery & Solar Powered Controllers
Battery-powered and solar-powered controllers come in several valve-mounted or wall-mounted types. Depending on your current irrigation setup, you may be more keen on one variety rather than the other.
Valve-mounted controllers are attached directly to the irrigation valve, eliminating the need for long runs of control wiring. These controllers are typically built to be waterproof, so they should keep working just fine even when submerged in the muck and mire. Their compact designs usually mean that they’re simpler to install than wall-mounted systems, and being located at the valve reduces the risk of wiring issues.
Wall-mounted controllers are installed in a central location, often inside a garage, shed, or weatherproof box on an exterior wall. While they aren’t as waterproof as valve-mounted controllers, their biggest advantage is ease of access. With one of these controllers, you can make changes to your watering schedule without leaving your backyard. Wall-mounted units also come with more advanced programming features and, in some cases, Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control.
Battery and solar-powered irrigation controllers are available in both wall-mounted and valve-mounted designs. This flexibility makes it easier to choose a setup that suits your property and your day-to-day watering needs.
Battery or Solar Powered: Which Is Better?
Since they don’t rely on sunlight, battery-operated sprinkler timers work consistently in shaded areas, garages, or regions with frequent cloudy weather. On top of that, installation is simple. Simply mount the unit, connect it to the valves, and insert the batteries. Maintenance is fairly predictable, too, as you only need to clean it (if valve-mounted) and swap out the batteries every season or two. Compared to solar models, battery-operated controllers are often less expensive upfront, making them a budget-friendly option.
On the other hand, solar irrigation controllers use energy from the sun to run your irrigation system, making them energy efficient and eco-friendly. Unlike battery-powered models, solar-powered sprinkler timers recharge themselves and require less frequent battery replacement, reducing the frequency of long-term maintenance. While they may cost more upfront, they’re an excellent option for outdoor installations where sunlight is abundant, such as open yards or agricultural plots. Over time, they might just pay for themselves!
Shop for Battery-Powered and Solar-Powered Irrigation Controllers
Whichever you end up choosing, battery and solar-powered irrigation controllers both make it easy to keep your landscape healthy without the need for complex wiring or constant upkeep. If you want to learn more, you can browse through a wide variety of controllers at SprinklerWarehouse.com. In addition to solar and battery-operated controllers, you can shop from a wide variety of other sprinkler timers that could suit you just as well.
