The Brainiacs of Irrigation TimersHow close are we to living in a Jetson ’s futureworld ? When it comes to irrigation technology , pretty darn close . “ Smart controllers ” represent the next undulation of irrigation hardware . These marvel of engineering science readjust themselves based on real - time weather data , though the approach varies between manufacturers .
One type of comptroller comes with a mini - upwind station that uses on - land site temperature , wind , sun , and humidity data to continually adjust the control . You fix a service line computer programme by telling the gizmo what sort of plantseach place will be lacrimation ( lawn , shallow - rooted perennial , woody shrub , etc . ) and the type of soil you have . Then the clock figures out how long and how ofttimes to run each zone . If it gets hotter and drier , the weather station state the gadget to increase the frequency and duration of each irrigation cycle . If it ’s cool and muzzy , everything is dialed back . Pretty simple !
The more space - age approach uses satellite / radio set technology to read information from sophisticated weather stations in your orbit and aline the timer accordingly .
Most estimates conservatively claim 20 % to 50 % water diminution , yet plants are generally healthier because the scheme promise that when you do water , you ’re decently soaking the full stem visibility of the plant .
In Santa Barbara , the local H2O agencies have been offer rebate for the leverage and installation of these devices . You ’d be overbold to check for a similar program where you go . Even if there ’s no discount , the money you preserve on your water bank note will more than make up for the initial expense .
A Few object lesson : Built In Weather SensorsWeathermatic SmartLine — “ It ’s like a thermostat for your landscape . ”
Hunter Solar Sync — Built in mini - weather station figure ET
Remote Weather SensorsRainbird ET Manager
Toro Intellisense
One last mo : Susan Morrison is a blogging buddy who ’s also a brilliant landscape painting designer in the Bay Area . She wrote a few articles about her preferred overbold controller , the Toro Intellisense . Clickthisandthatfor a quick read .
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