Sprinkler Settings
 

My landscape company reset my sprinkler settings and my water bill skyrocketed.

Does anyone know the recommended time intervals for the grassy areas and the plant areas?

I know how to reset the unit, just need the timings.

Thanks!!

Info here.
Water Wisdom |

When you are working on your unit, make sure that only one (1) program is running. The Hunter units can have 3 programs (a, b, and c). I know of a case where a friend had all three programs running, and was watering the lawn multiple times per week. It appears the prior owner or landscapers had reprogrammed the until using an new program instead of the original, and did not turn off the old one.
Jim Baumgartner is excellent 352-504-2317, he found the above problem at the friends house. he has also worked at my house twice, the last time to look for a leak, found a bad sprinkler head and tuned the system.

Thanks!

The site is helpful (gallons/month) but I did not see the time settings for various zones.

I have checked and I have only ne program running, I just think the program has each zone on for too long.

The answer varies for each zone. Nozzles, rotators and rotors each dispense water at different rates. You can learn more at Irrigation Product Line | Hunter Industries

A lot depends on the type of sprinkler heads. The new, water conserving rotary heads recommendation is 90 minutes, at least twice a week. Regular sprinklers is 30-40, depending on the soil. Drip systems for plants, 10 minutes. Regular sprinklers for plants, 15 minutes. Older style rotaries, 40 minutes.

Sadly, with the heat and not enough rain, many are now watering three times a week, which is frowned upon by the water company. Even so, an extremely high water bill for a month or two is much cheaper than new sod.

Call Hunter who makes the control box. Be at the controller and they will walk you through the appropriate settings while you were there.

another way to check...........


Water application measurement | UNL Water | University of Nebraska–Lincoln

I personally would like to install artificial turf. It would look great all the time and save a ton of money over the long run. No water bill and no mowing fees but I know that would never happen. Just me daydreaming again. :icon_bored:

Just go to Utube, search Hunter anyone can program their own it is super simple.


DRF Hunter Pro-C Controller Series Programming Part 1 of 4 - YouTube


I use all their options with the 3 programs, the rule of thumb is 15-20 min for regular heads.

30-40 with rotatory.

best way is place flat tray like a jar lid and measure the amount of water 3/8" - 1/2" is plenty.

2x a week is hard to maintain a great lawn in summer heat 3x works

also 4-5 AM to keep evaporation to a min, also keeps many problems from developing.

Also the sprinklers installed in new homes have their pre=filters removed so the installers don't get call backs.

So what happens is the heads get clogged, they are next to impossible to clean out.

you have to buy new ones which come with prefilters

http://cdn3.volusion.com/7j5ob.q34uw...jpg?1456986476


.

If you live below 466A you probably have a Solar Sync also. When you open your sprinkler panel, swing the hunter Pro Series out (pivots from left side) if there is a Solar Sync Module behind it--then that is further adjusting your settings.

Also a seasonal adjustment, mine is at 120% till Sept

I've found something that works great for me.I water 7 times a week.Here's what I'm doing. Let'ssay I have a zone that normally would run 35 minutes twice a week. I run that zone 7 days a week for 10 minutes. I also make sure the whole cycle is done by 5:30 a.m. This gives the water time to reach the roots before evaporating in the summer sun. Before we started doing this last year my lawn looked burnt & dry .Now we're very pleased with the healthy green look . Seems like our lawn appreciates it's daily drink.

If you look inside of your electrical box you should see recommended setting for all of the seasons . If you spray head gets clogged and you can't clear it ,you can by a replacement spray at Home Depot , they should be hunter but rain bird will fit also.

This would seem to be encourage shallow root development instead of the deeper development most experts advocate. Your thoughts?

Any signs of fungus yet?

Maybe somewhere else in the country. But, here the roots can't even penetrate the hard-packed sand.

Nope

And make sure you keep frequent check of your Seasonal Adjustment. It can change daily (after midnight). Many people think they're watering at 100%, only to learn it can possibly drop to 40 or 50%. To avoid the Seasonal Adjustment ever changing from what you want it to be set at, take the panel off, and disconnect the blue wire.

I turn my system off during the summer months and rely on the rain. My lawn is always green and I save a lot of money. On rare occasions I might have to turn it on manually if it hasn`t rained for a week or more. If I go away for any lenght of time, I`ll put it back on auto.

Up until a couple of days ago, what rain? Also, what type of magic grass do you have that stays green despite the heat and lack of rain?

Send pics !

yes pics

hard to believe without sprinklers

I had one sprinkler head clog up, that area was brown quick

I have St. Augustine grass, I`ll post a pic

Picture of lawn
 

This is it, I`ve watered once in the last monthAttachment 61434

No one setting is good for everyone. My own experience has revealed that about 30 minutes per section seems reasonable about two times per week (less or even none at all during the rainy season)

Home Depot and Lowes do not sell Hunter heads, but ACE Hardware does.

Just asking, why wouldn't you have your landscape co. come back and do it right?

Better Way to Set times
 

One reponse was correct, it depends on the head types. It also depends on what soil is under the sod; each lot is a bit different. I went to clemson Univ's ag site and read zoysia grass here needs 1 and 1/2 inches of water a week. Take the time to set out a plastic container and run your sprinklers to see how much depth you get in the time you run. Then buy a $4 rain gauge and check what Mother nature gives us, and add more if needed. Since I did this I have cut my irrigation water tremendously. It's definitely worth the time.

agree that is the best way

Joe Tucker set up our sprinklers and removed the blue wire ,too--best grass in the neighborhood

Jim Baumgartner is excellent 352-504-2317. I would call and get an expert opinion on what is best for you and your lawn.

I have the best lawn in my neighborhood since Jim has been taking care of my sprinkler system!!!

It's worth the low fee he charges. He is reasonable and honest!

OhioBuckeye
 

Glad the Villages put this subject out here for us to learn a little bit about our irrigation issues so we could see what kind of problems that are out there. As far as the company setting you control box & costing you money, well, that's not very good advertisement for them. My timings are all set on 20 mins. & I have 4 different ones. It would be interesting to see what they did to your control box to have you using more water. Water is expensive enough down here & they keep telling me fresh water is a sacred source of resource. Sorry, I really didn't answer your question exactly like you wanted, but glad you spoke up, thanks! :$::$:

OhioBuckeye
 

ALANMCDONALD, I forgot you can call the Hunter company & they'll walk you through it on the phone. (no charge) I've had a couple of issues & Hunter explains everything very easy to follow. They also told me to do something that I didn't really need, it saved me a little money & I did notice the less money on my utility bill. :$:

WAIT.................that's my yard.


Hmmmm

OhioBuckeye
 

Sorry Chatbrat, what about the blue wire, what does it do? I'm interested in anything I can learn about my irrigation system.

Changed all my settings to just 10 min. 4 or 5 am . Anything more just seems to be a waste. Les water more times a week and it is the same use. New plants should be done with your hose.

You may want to be mindful that if you don't have a water filter like a whole house filter that hose water has chlorine :mad:

?

The blue wire disables the seasonal adjustment. You set the percentage and it stays there. I just removed my Hunter and replaced it with a Rachio controller. It's controlled by wi-fi with your smart phone or computer. Links up to an official weather station or personnel one, and adjusts watering by past, present or future forecasts, or lets you decide manually. Sends me text alerts when ever it waters, the time and amounts. Also, you can run 1 zone at a time thru your phone to test your nozzles.
And, Pooh and Mike.........it works with Alexa!

your outdoor sensor does the similar thing, no?