Talk of The Villages Florida - Check your irrigation control system

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I think lighting has fried mine I program it and it just gone back to old setting. I don’t have grass so I just run mine manually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrref (Post 2392825)

With all of the computerized sprinkler controllers available at a reasonable cost I don't see why anyone would still use the old controller that came with the house. The rain sensor will usually last about 5 years until the little sponge material dries out and the sensor stops working. With the new computerized units they use the weather available on the internet to determine when your lawn should be watered.

Personally, I like the Rachio 3.

Call Chuck, he can install one for you if you can't do it yourself.
Chuck Grospitch
chuck.grospitch@gmail.com
440-823-4273

I installed my own and setup was easy. Turn on/off via app. Make adjustments, it tells you run times, rain and frost skips. It tells you how much water you saved due to rain skips. You just need to have the original manual for wiring comparison to change it over. The manual is available online for the Hunter sprinklers. Make sure you check how many zones you have. Rachio has several models available based on number of zones. It appears there are now only 8 & 16 zone controllers with a few 4 zone controllers still left on Amazon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2393043)

Not correct. This is from the Hunter manual. The battery is not needed to save the programming of the controller, per the last sentence.:

"Connect a 9-volt alkaline battery (not included) to the battery terminals and place in the battery compartment in the front
panel. The battery allows the user to program the controller without AC power. Watering will not occur without AC power.
Since this controller has non-volatile memory, the program clock and calendar will be retained during a power outage even if no
battery is installed."

Note that I don't have a battery installed, and I have never lost my programming during many power outages.

“during a power outage even if no
battery is installed."

I don’t understand where it get it’s to power keep digital panel to store settings? Sure it don’t go back to default settings?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2393174)

“during a power outage even if no
battery is installed."

I don’t understand where it get it’s to power keep digital panel to store settings? Sure it don’t go back to default settings?

No. The settings are stored with no power. That is what non-volatile memory means. This is just like a smart phone or other device where the battery is either dead or removed. The settings and apps are still there when you repower the phone. A lot of devices operate that way. For example, you can replace the batteries in a TV remote control, and the settings are maintained.

The function of the 9-volt battery is designed to allow the initial installer to program the controller on a new house before the house power is turned on. That way, the installer doesn't need to return to the house after the power is turned on. The 9-volt battery has enough power to program the controller, but that is all it can do. The battery is not needed to maintain the controller settings during a power outage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2393043)

You are correct. I was misinformed.

I could have sworn that my 2005 vintage controller stated that the 9V battery was used in order to maintain the time and date and the programming.

But that was back then….

Thanks for informing our readers about the 9v battery. I assumed that the battery was for backup purposes during a power outage and didn’t know that it didn’t serve a purpose beyond initial programming.

I still wonder how an extra watering cycle appeared right after my new electrical meter was installed, and recommend others check their Hunter controller if they’ve had their meter recently replaced.