Know Your Irrigation System

There are literally hundreds of controllers on the market. However, by and large they are all the same no matter if you have the traditional dial or new digital style.  We have two of the most prevalent residential controllers shown here. Just know your controller may look different but will most likely have some variation of the same features.  

• Date/Time - Set for the current date and time.  Pro Tip: Make sure the time is set to correct AM or PM as it is the biggest reason we see systems run during the day.
• Start Time - This option will have multiple "Programs" usually A, B, C. Each Program can have multiple start times, i.e. midnight and 3 am (Read Cycle and Soak below).
• Run/Station Time - This is individual station run time. This is where you make adjustments if you need more or less water in a portion of your yard.
• Watering Days - This option is where you set up your watering days to be in compliance with watering bans.  Your system should be set to run either on odd or even days. It should be set to match your house number, odd if you're an odd house number, even if it is even. You can also set it so it does not run the day before if your mow company comes on a particular day.
• Sensor - This is the option to bypass the rain sensor and water regardless of what the sensor is telling it. Sensors typically only last 5-10 yrs. as the cork inside will dry out and no longer read correctly.
• Seasonal Adjust - This is a quick adjustment feature to increase the runtime for EVERY zone in your system.  If a zone is set to 20min at 100% it will go to 30min at 150% and so on. Pro Tip: This option is used frequently on every one of our commercial sites.
• Manual Watering - This will allow you to water the system if you are at the controller at any point during the day. 
• Off - Just what you think it is. This will set your system to NOT run. Make sure it is in this position over winter. 
  
• Auto - Congrats. The system is set up and let it do its thing.  Pro Tip: Always switch back to auto when you make any adjustments.