HOA irrigation control options?

Started by GeorgeS21 • 8 replies • 552 views

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GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Hi All,

Our 314 property Association has two multi zoned irrigation systems for two large parks (5 acres plus), and lots of traffic islands and boundary plantings.

We constantly misjudge the rain and dry times, and the landscaping company is constantly reprogramming, etc - one system is relatively inexpensive (well), and the other is county water authority and is very expensive.

Anyone have ideas or experience with IP enabled irrigation controllers accessed via cell system (controllers not close to any WiFi).

This area of Florida has significant rain - if we were able to manage these better, it would likely save some bucks.

LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679

Posted:

Check with your local nursery or talk to your landscaper lead. It is possible that the rain sensor for the Toro and Rainbird irrigation clocks will work on your clocks for common area irrigation.. The hardware is the same i.e. drip emitters, valves and lines.

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Hi Let,

Yes, we already have rain sensors, and they do prevent some over usage, but imagine knowing it was going to rain 18 hours in advance, or even 4 hours in advance, and being able to prevent irrigation. Some systems are IP enabled and use a online data service that is predictive in nature, vice responsive to actual rain.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

George,

Looks like you want a weather adaptive controller.
I use one of those and it works great - adjusts watering to weather reports that are updated every 4 hours.
The controller is accessible over my cell phone as well.

I've only seen them that work over wifi.

Expecting you have power at the controller locations, you might want to consider a cellular wifi router or a cellular (mobile) hotspot.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Oh, the weather reports are from NOAA

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Zactly ... would need to have cell connectivity like an alarm system - not sure if still called GSM card?

Is the NOAA output sufficient, or do you need to interrupt via your cell connection?

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Which manufacturer is yours?

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

NOAA is pretty much where all "local" weather forecasts are derived from all over the country. Live NOAA updates from the National Hurriane Center, for example, are all anyone in Florida needs. Every tropical storm update during the season (thankfully only 2 more days) originates with NOAA.

In short, it doesn't get any better than NOAA.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Mine use wifi.

RainMachine is the manufacturer.

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