Not every install needs a Rachio Pro or Hydrawise. Compare B-hyve XR, Yardian Pro, and Rachio Pro Series side-by-side to match the right controller to each residential and commercial job type.
Lance Garcia
Lance has been around irrigation controllers and parts long enough to care more about what ships on time than buzzwords. He writes the technical stuff—wiring, compatibility, and the questions installers actually ask.
LED Retrofits for Halogen Landscape Fixtures: What Actually Works
Beyond Screw-in Bulbs Quality LED retrofits match beam angles and CRI expectations. Cheap discs often create hot spots and odd color fringes. Transformer Compatibility Magnetic transformers may need minimum load; electronic units often handle low LED wattage better. Color and Glare Warmer 2700–3000K is typical for residential paths; cooler temps suit modern architecture when glare […]
Landscape Lighting Transformer Sizing: Watts, Tap Voltage, and Load Planning
Load Math That Survives Summer Add fixture wattages (or VA) and multiply by manufacturer minimum headroom—often 20–25%. LED loads are lower but inrush still matters on some transformers. Voltage Drop Planning Long homeruns need thicker gauge or multi-tap transformers. Sketch zones so no leg runs near max length for its gauge. Tap Strategy Distribute load […]
Western US Drought 2026: What Irrigation Contractors Must Spec on Every Job in CA, AZ, NV, and CO
California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado all have mandatory smart irrigation requirements in 2026. This contractor guide covers what to specify on every Western US job to meet water restriction rules and qualify for utility rebates.
Master Valves: When to Install and How They Protect the System
What a Master Valve Does A master valve sits upstream of zone valves and closes whenever no station runs. It can stop catastrophic leaks downstream if the controller commands it closed. When to Add One Sloped sites, high static pressure, and systems with history of stuck zone valves benefit most. Pair with flow sensing for […]
Upgrade Your Hunter ICC/ICC2 to Hydrawise HCC — Retrofit Guide
Your Hunter ICC or ICC2 has run rock-solid for years — but it can’t text you about a broken pipe, adjust to tomorrow’s rain, or let you tweak a schedule from your truck. The good news: you don’t have to scrap a perfectly good commercial controller to get all of that. Hunter’s HCC-FPUP retrofit kit […]
How to Replace a Bad Hunter HCC Facepack (941500) — Step-by-Step
Your Hunter HCC commercial controller boots to a black screen, the touchscreen won’t respond, or it dropped off Hydrawise after a storm. Before you rip out the whole controller and re-pull every field wire, know this: on the HCC, the brains live in the removable facepack — and you can swap just that part. This […]
How to Replace Your Hunter Wireless Rain Sensor (WR-CLIK-TR) — Full Guide
Your sprinklers ran through a rainstorm again — or your system hasn’t come back on in days. Either way, the culprit is almost always the same: a dead or miscommunicating Hunter Wireless Rain-Clik transmitter. The good news? Replacing it takes about 10 minutes and costs $68.45. This guide walks you through everything — how to […]
FX Luminaire LumaKey Utility: Wireless Luxor Fixture Assignment Is Here
FX Luminaire just made life easier for every landscape lighting contractor in the field. The new FX Luminaire LumaKey™ Utility replaces the old Luxor Light Assignment Module with a faster, completely wireless solution — and you can get it now at Big Irrigation Supply. What Is the FX Luminaire LumaKey Utility? The LumaKey™ Utility is […]
Pump Start Relays for Irrigation: Wiring and Safety Checklist
Why a Relay Exists Controllers output low-voltage signals; pumps need high-voltage contactors. A pump start relay bridges that gap safely. Wiring Discipline Follow the pump and controller manuals exactly. Label commons, MV, and pump terminals to avoid cross-talk during service. Safety Hardware Lockable disconnects, proper grounding, and strain relief on flex protect technicians and homeowners. […]
