Wifi Irrigation Controller Gurus

[KJ1325]

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?

[Fredster]

I replaced my old Hunter controller with this…

RainMachine Mini 8 - Forecast Smart Wi-Fi Irrigation Controllers (https://www.rainmachine.com/products/rainmachine-mini-8.html)

Simple DIY installation, and I’ve been very
happy with it. I added a WiFi rain sensor to it.
If you have a more zones than 8, they offer a model that will do more.

[Chellybean]

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?

check your PM (private Message)

[Chellybean]

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?

WIFI New Hunter Irrigation System Complete: | Talk of the Villages (https://classifieds.talkofthevillages.com/item/wifi-new-hunter-irrigation-system-complete/)

[biker1]

I have a Rachio 3 and I do not use a rain sensor, but you could. I have the Rachio set up to use actual precipitation from local weather stations and the forecasted precipitation to decide when to irrigate.

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?

[Malsua]

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?

How many zones? The pro c wifi models don't need a wand plug in. About $160 or so for the 6 zone version. Takes about 20 minutes to install. Easy and has control for a master valve. I've installed 4 of them. Been flawlessly functioning for 2+ years now.

[KJ1325]

How many zones? The pro c wifi models don't need a wand plug in. About $160 or so for the 6 zone version. Takes about 20 minutes to install. Easy and has control for a master valve. I've installed 4 of them. Been flawlessly functioning for 2+ years now.

6 zones. And I do not need the wand?

[Malsua]

6 zones. And I do not need the wand?

PRO-HC PHC-600i 6 Zone

$178 on Amazon. That's all you need. Just swap the wires over, connect it to your wifi, then create an account at Hunter, enter the serial number and it'll find it. Won't need a rain sensor, it uses the weather stations near you. I took the free package on each I installed. There is a pay subscription that gives you better control of the weather stations but I don't think it's necessary.

That's the Indoor case. If it's in your garage. There is an outdoor one too, more water tight and locks.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I used the B-Hyve wifi, and can tell right away that it is a money saver over the hunter non wifi. However, not sure if the adjustments are optimized yet since whole time i was waiting, there was enough rain to delay watering the lawn, for many days. . .

The majority of water loss in irrigation is due to a sprinkler head going bad, or being sliced off by a lawn service. .

YMMV

[KJ1325]

PRO-HC PHC-600i 6 Zone

$178 on Amazon. That's all you need. Just swap the wires over, connect it to your wifi, then create an account at Hunter, enter the serial number and it'll find it. Won't need a rain sensor, it uses the weather stations near you. I took the free package on each I installed. There is a pay subscription that gives you better control of the weather stations but I don't think it's necessary.

That's the Indoor case. If it's in your garage. There is an outdoor one too, more water tight and locks.

Is the wand essentially the rain sensor?

[Bilyclub]

Rachio 3 works pretty good and been on sale recently.

[B-flat]

PRO-HC PHC-600i 6 Zone

$178 on Amazon. That's all you need. Just swap the wires over, connect it to your wifi, then create an account at Hunter, enter the serial number and it'll find it. Won't need a rain sensor, it uses the weather stations near you. I took the free package on each I installed. There is a pay subscription that gives you better control of the weather stations but I don't think it's necessary.

That's the Indoor case. If it's in your garage. There is an outdoor one too, more water tight and locks.

We have the wireless unit in 2 homes, love the unit and the fact that if the weather is rainy even without a rain sensor the system won't run.

[EdFNJ]

I have a Rachio 3 and I do not use a rain sensor, but you could. I have the Rachio set up to use actual precipitation from local weather stations and the forecasted precipitation to decide when to irrigate.
I have same setup. I also have a weather station and use that rain data which is on Wunderground to take the place of the sensor which I never liked. Around here it rains 3" 2 blocks away and not even a drizzle at my house. 2 days days ago it absolutely poured for about 10 minutes 2 blocks down our street but we got virtually zilch.

I have the Rachio 3 and also have my own weather station (Ambient WS5000) on my lanai roof . I use my own wx station on the Rachio for the same reason you stated so it is accurate 98% of the time. It can rain across the street here and not on my property (and has).

[biker1]

I have not targeted a specific Weather Underground station for the Rachio to use - there are a couple pretty close to me. It is using some sort of composite - I haven't looked at the details. I have seen instances where the Rachio doesn't think it rained but it did and vice versa. It should even out over time and summer has the most spacial variability but for any given day, a rain sensor at my house would be preferable. I agree that the "irrigation rain sensors" are not all that great - they don't seem to last.

The thing I like the most is the ability to turn a zone on and off from my phone when I am adjusting the sprinkler heads. Running back and forth to the garage was inconvenient.

I have same setup. I also have a weather station and use that rain data which is on Wunderground to take the place of the sensor which I never liked. Around here it rains 3" 2 blocks away and not even a drizzle at my house. 2 days days ago it absolutely poured for about 10 minutes 2 blocks down our street but we got virtually zilch.

[Stevestasiak]

B-have is a very simple to use, WiFi controller. I put them on my houses. They can be controlled all by the app and they are inexpensive.

[richardc1947]

I have been using the Rachio 3 for about 3 years now. It paid for itself in about 7 months. It was very easy to self install, and has been very dependable.

[CosmicTrucker]

I installed a Orbit B-hyve unit. First thing noticed was how flimsy the orbit unit is built versus the Hunter. It’s worked well other than the “ smart” weather forecast. As someone said before, it may rain 1/2 mile away and not a drop at my house. I ended up deactivating the start watering and let the previously installed rain sensor take control. The remote functions are worth every Penny

[stevekennedy3]

Orbit B-Hyve is excellent. By far, the best value.

[REDCART]

Just curious. Do you need to leave the metal door open on the cabinet in the garage or are the air vents in the door sufficient to allow the wi-fi signal to reach the sprinkler controller?

[Malsua]

Is the wand essentially the rain sensor?

No, it's a Wifi module for the higher end non wifi Hunter controllers. If you were controlling a big property with 12+ zones, it's cheaper to buy the module.

For small, single home irrigation, the entire wifi unit I listed above makes more sense sense.

[rsmurano]

Have you checked the prices for this wifi module/wand? I replaced my irrigation controller with the orbit b-hyve controller that was controlled with my iPhone/iPad and HomeKit home automation. I also got the outside remote rain gauge unit that was wireless to the b-hyve controller. It took me a while 15 mins to install on a 4 station system, half an hour to program it. It worked great, starting a station from my iPhone, looking at its calendar to see when the water will come on and it determines how long each station will run depending on heat and how much rain we have had or the rain gauge hit its limit so it’s delayed watering. You also get a notification when the system turns on/turns off/delayed so you are always know it’s working. It cost me around $80 for the 4 station controller and remote rain gauge, I’m buying 1 to replace my controller that came with my house

[biker1]

For me, Wi-Fi penetrates the metal door of the low-voltage panel just fine.

Just curious. Do you need to leave the metal door open on the cabinet in the garage or are the air vents in the door sufficient to allow the wi-fi signal to reach the sprinkler controller?

[DIver0258]

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?

Hunter makes a WIFI door that replaces the existing door on the pro c. takes about 5 minutes to install it. Works through your smartphone or computer via Hunter's Hydrawise app.

Pro-C - Replacing Front Panel | Hunter Industries (https://www.hunterindustries.com/support/pro-c-replacing-front-panel)

[Bilyclub]

Hunter makes a WIFI door that replaces the existing door on the pro c. takes about 5 minutes to install it. Works through your smartphone or computer via Hunter's Hydrawise app.

Pro-C - Replacing Front Panel | Hunter Industries (https://www.hunterindustries.com/support/pro-c-replacing-front-panel)


I'm South of 466A and had the non compatible green button Pro-C 300.

[Guychancey]

I also have the Rachio and I love it. Very user friendly and Best Buy Installed it.

[rsmurano]

4-Zone B-hyve Smart Wi-Fi Indoor Timer 57915 is the controller that I used and is all you need. You don’t need any dials, manual programming on the controller. 5-10 mins to replace your 4 stations over to this controller and do the steps on the iPhone to program it. Just make sure that your sprinkler system valves are compatible with the b-hyve unit. Also, quite possibly the wired rain sensor you have might be compatible but if not, you probably can swap out the rain gauge and use the wire to hook up to the b-hyve

[KJ1325]

Thanks Everyone. Still deciding but I have enough info to go from here!!!

[Edzo49]

Friend told me that there is a upgrade to the PRO-C. SPW Hunter HPC-FP Hydrawise Face Panel Upgrade for Pro-C - Amazon

[ldj1938]

Currently have Hunter Pro C non-wifi controller. I'm looking to replace it with a wifi model. I'm told to replace the Hunter I will need the Model X2 Plus a Wand. I am also looking at the Orbit b-hyve 57950 and the Rachio 3. Any suggestions? Do I need the rain sensor with the Orbit or the Rachio?
I bought the B-hyve System thru Amazon. Took picture of the wire hookups before removing the old unit. Multiple watering options are/can be controlled on your phone. Love it. It checks the wx forecast and turns it off if it is going to rain!

[rsmurano]

Did you use the hunter wired rain sensor with your b-hyve?

[tomlklein]

Used Rachio3 for past couple of years. Easy to setup and install. I also have it integrated with Alexa so can just say Water Front Bushes for 5 minutes. Can also use the app to manually turn on a zone. Automatically adjust for season with different watering types and gets local precipitation forecast to determine if watering should be skipped. One of the nice features, is that it can cycle thru the zones, so one area does not get drenched. (if each zone scheduled for 20 minutes, it will do 5 minutes for each zone then come back and repeat until the total time for each zone is reached.)

[NobodyCares]

How many zones? The pro c wifi models don't need a wand plug in. About $160 or so for the 6 zone version. Takes about 20 minutes to install. Easy and has control for a master valve. I've installed 4 of them. Been flawlessly functioning for 2+ years now.


Installed the same system and like it so far. I only have 3 zones so the setup was easy however
i didn't configure the master valve. Is there a valve for each zone? It seems to want to link the master valve
to one zone.
Any suggestions.

[jrref]

I would get the Rachio 3 because when setting it up you can use the general Weather Underground aggrigated weather data for your area OR you can look on a map that comes up and select a weather station close to your house. You would be surprised how many private weather stations there are all over the Villages. This is important because as you probably know, it could be raining a few miles from you and not at your house. Rachio will check for rain and the forecast 48 hours before and an hour before the next scheduled irregation to make the decision to skip or not. You can also change the amount of rain that has to fall to trigger a skip. So for example i think it's set to 0.15 inches of rain before it will skip so if it rains and we get 0.1 inches of rain which is really not much it will water. But if its over 0.15 inches it will skip. You can set this to any amount you want. If you ever need it their technical support is very good.

Hope this helps.

[John-US]

PRO-HC PHC-600i 6 Zone

$178 on Amazon. That's all you need. Just swap the wires over, connect it to your wifi, then create an account at Hunter, enter the serial number and it'll find it. Won't need a rain sensor, it uses the weather stations near you. I took the free package on each I installed. There is a pay subscription that gives you better control of the weather stations but I don't think it's necessary.

That's the Indoor case. If it's in your garage. There is an outdoor one too, more water tight and locks.

Hey I added this-- THANK YOU! do I need to do anything for a master valve? and what rain sensor on roof do you select? (I know it won't need it...)

[Malsua]

Hey I added this-- THANK YOU! do I need to do anything for a master valve? and what rain sensor on roof do you select? (I know it won't need it...)

If you don't have a master valve, you don't need to do anything.

A master valve is simply a main "on/off" for all the zones. Useful if you've got a leaky valve or if you need to repair the system. It also prevents weepy valves.

If you're talking about the monitoring station, just pick the closest one. If you're talking about an actual physical rain sensor, they are not necessary or needed.

[John-US]

If you don't have a master valve, you don't need to do anything.

A master valve is simply a main "on/off" for all the zones. Useful if you've got a leaky valve or if you need to repair the system. It also prevents weepy valves.

If you're talking about the monitoring station, just pick the closest one. If you're talking about an actual physical rain sensor, they are not necessary or needed.


Thank you so much!