SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Quoted from "Wet_Boots"

Only sensor control allows you to "set and forget" - everything else is approximation, no matter what the controller programming is, and as you noted, sensors are not perfect.

By the way, it is curious you would mention seasonal adjustment of all watering times, because your 'perfect' controller would have already taken everything into account, and no need would then exist for a Seasonal Adjust

When dealing with weather, nothing is exact. Close enough approximation is good enough. I know many people just set their controllers to a fixed schedule all year round and never bother to change. I was that way too, until it rained less and the water bills hiked. But programming a sprinkler controller is such a chore that it is the least favorite thing to do. I think this is the reason why people would just rather waste the water.

Do you mean the seasonal adjust % on BlueSpray? Yes, it seems redundant if you have seasonal schedule, but I think it is for those lazy people who would just adjust the watering % instead of making a schedule for each time period. Just another option.

I've played with the BlueSpray demo, and the UI is pretty slick. I like the fact that the interface has a picture of your lawn and a representation of where your zones are on your lawn. This is way better than Irrigation Caddy, IMO, and it's wifi! That means I don't have to run a cat5 cable into my garage.

Only sensor control allows you to "set and forget" - everything else is approximation, no matter what the controller programming is, and as you noted, sensors are not perfect.

By the way, it is curious you would mention seasonal adjustment of all watering times, because your 'perfect' controller would have already taken everything into account, and no need would then exist for a Seasonal Adjust

Quoted from "mrfixit"

I'm done with this topic.

Why the hate?

Sorry if my queries bother you. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I'm just doing my homework to find the best controller for me.
I appreciate all of your professional input and opinions.

Quoted from "Wet_Boots"

It isn't a buyer preference on a controller. It's a home inspector, who is likely to know the difference between a piece-o-crap controller you got for less than $100 and a Hunter I-Core .

So you now can enjoy a controller with unlimited everything. That comes with unlimited ability to generate conflicts that must be resolved. And resolving unlimited potential for conflicts gets you back to the endless operating manual that makes the ESP-SMT so unloved.

And again, tell the world why individual programs for each zone is not possible on a conventional controller. That you don't see them is an indication that they are probably more a burden than a blessing.

Lawn watering isn't made optimal by a controller alone. It will require sensors, for weather and soil moisture.

BlueSrpay supports rain sensors. I like moisture sensor better, but I can't find a moisture sensor that is reliable and practical. Besides, my system does not have wiring for moisture sensors.

I like BlueSpray features. Basically, I'd like to water my lawn according to seasonal weather:

Summer - from 4/15 to 8/31: 5AM (10 min), 6AM (5 min), 10PM (5 min), every 3 days.
Fall - from 9/1 to 11/15: 7AM (10 min), 7PM (5 min), once a week.
Winter - 11/16 to 2/15: off
Spring: 2/16 to 4/14: 7AM (10 min), 6PM (10 min) twice a week.

And there is also seasonal budgeting where you can adjust from 0% to 150%.

Now, I can set it for year round customized schedule only once and forget about it. No more running out to the garage and manually adjust it every time I need to water less or more.

You don't need a big thick manual with BlueSpray or IC. I didn't say conventional controller can't do individual program for each zone. My only gripes with conventional controller is that the dial and button interface is cumbersome and old. I can't imagine using the dial and button to program it like I could with a GUI like BlueSpray.

Quoted from "scercpio"

OK, search is over. I stumbled onto this:

http://www.bluespray.net

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Unlimited programs, unlimited start times. Configurable seasons means I can set different watering schedule for each season and off for the winter season.

mrfixit,

firmware/software upgrade isn't necessarily for problem fixing. They contain improvement as well. That means the controller is getting better.

Wet_Boots,

A full installation is $5000, but you can buy a minimal sprinkler controller for $100. If I were to sell my house, I don't mind buying a $100 controller if the buyer prefers, and I'll keep my IC or BlueSpray.

It isn't a buyer preference on a controller. It's a home inspector, who is likely to know the difference between a piece-o-crap controller you got for less than $100 and a Hunter I-Core .

So you now can enjoy a controller with unlimited everything. That comes with unlimited ability to generate conflicts that must be resolved. And resolving unlimited potential for conflicts gets you back to the endless operating manual that makes the ESP-SMT so unloved.

And again, tell the world why individual programs for each zone is not possible on a conventional controller. That you don't see them is an indication that they are probably more a burden than a blessing.

Lawn watering isn't made optimal by a controller alone. It will require sensors, for weather and soil moisture.

I'm done with this topic.

OK, search is over. I stumbled onto this:

http://www.bluespray.net

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Unlimited programs, unlimited start times. Configurable seasons means I can set different watering schedule for each season and off for the winter season.

mrfixit,

firmware/software upgrade isn't necessarily for problem fixing. They contain improvement as well. That means the controller is getting better.

Wet_Boots,

A full installation is $5000, but you can buy a minimal sprinkler controller for $100. If I were to sell my house, I don't mind buying a $100 controller if the buyer prefers, and I'll keep my IC or BlueSpray.

So far, we have yet to hear of any desired programming option that could not be had with existing controllers, or one with a very few changes.

Conflicts are the chief problem with the more exotic controllers' programming. It would be the easiest thing in the world to have an unlimited-options controller have two or more zones trying to water at the same time. One of the reasons the ESP-SMT has such a long instruction manual, is that there must be explanations of how the controller resolves such possible conflicts.

I think the reason the contorllers of today aren't up to your standards is the fault of the Engineers who designed them.
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I looked at the controller in question. It looks cheaply made to me. Look how the wires connect to the controller. They don't look like they'll handle 10 gauge solid wire to me. The connections look cheap like on a mini Orbit controller. I bet they break.
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Also they only give you one option. You buy a 10 station controller or forget it. What if I only need a 4 station or a 12 station. I'm not sure this controller is ready for mass production.
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Look at all the updates they've had with the firmware. That means they've had many problems with it. I wonder what will go wrong next...

On your best day, you will never ever sell any professional on the Irrigation Caddy. Pros have to walk up to a controller they've never seen before, and by using the instructions printed inside the controller cover, set up a watering program. No smart phone. No computer. No nothing but the instructions and those pushbuttons and switches.

And far as home inspections go, it is obvious that you've never taken a phone call from a worried seller about a problem that was going to affect the price received for the house they were selling. (and on what planet is a sprinkler system a $100 dollar item - $5000 is more like it)