Why Flow Monitoring Matters A stuck valve or broken lateral can waste thousands of gallons overnight. Flow sensors give controllers real-time data to compare expected versus actual flow per zone. Installation Basics Install on the mainline after the backflow and before the manifold when possible. Keep straight pipe upstream and downstream per manufacturer specs so […]
Static vs Dynamic Pressure Static pressure is what you measure with no flow. Dynamic pressure is what heads actually see when valves open. Regulators must be sized for worst-case simultaneous flow, not just static readings. Field Regulators for Irrigation Inline or valve-box regulators protect sprays from over-pressure that causes fogging and rapid soil compaction. Install […]
What a Nozzle Chart Tells You Nozzle charts list flow (GPM) and radius at a reference pressure—usually 30 or 45 psi. They help you match precipitation across mixed heads so one zone waters evenly. Pressure Changes Everything If your field pressure is higher than the chart baseline, throws and GPM increase; if lower, expect shorter […]
Why a Controlled Spring Startup Matters Opening a sprinkler system too fast can crack manifolds, stress solenoids, and hide small leaks until your water bill spikes. A disciplined spring irrigation startup protects equipment and confirms every zone runs clean before summer demand. Pressurize the Mainline Slowly Crack the main valve and wait several minutes while […]
Rain Bird vs Hunter: The Two Giants of Irrigation If you’re installing or upgrading a sprinkler system, you’ll inevitably face the question: Rain Bird or Hunter? Both are American-made brands with decades of professional trust, global distribution, and product lines covering everything from residential pop-up sprinklers to commercial central control systems. This comparison breaks down […]
Hunter X-Core Programming: Everything You Need to Know The Hunter X-Core is one of the most popular residential sprinkler controllers ever made, installed in millions of homes across the US. It’s reliable, affordable, and straightforward to program — but the dial-based interface can be confusing if you’ve never set up an irrigation timer before. This […]
Smart WiFi vs Traditional Sprinkler Controllers: Which Is Right for You? Choosing the right sprinkler controller can cut your water bill by 30-50% while keeping your lawn green. But with smart WiFi controllers flooding the market, should you upgrade from a traditional timer — or is a conventional controller still the better choice? In this […]
Landscape Lighting Wiring Basics Low-voltage landscape lighting runs on 12 volts AC, making it safe to install without an electrician in most jurisdictions. The system has three main components: a transformer (converts 120V household power to 12V), landscape wire (carries power to fixtures), and the fixtures themselves. Proper wiring is the difference between a lighting […]
What Is the Hunter Pro-C WiFi Module? The Hunter PC-WIFI module is a plug-in WiFi card that upgrades any Hunter Pro-C controller from a traditional timer to a smart, internet-connected irrigation system powered by Hunter’s Hydrawise platform. Once installed, you control your sprinkler system from your phone, set weather-based schedules, and monitor water usage — […]
What Is 2-Wire Decoder Irrigation? Two-wire decoder irrigation is a technology that replaces the traditional bundle of individual valve wires with just two conductors running from the controller to all field stations. Instead of pulling a separate wire for each valve zone, a single two-conductor cable carries both power and data signals to decoders installed […]
