Sprinkler & Lighting News

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Soil Moisture Sensors: Calibrating for Turf vs Shrubs

Why One Threshold Does Not Fit All Turf roots are shallow; shrubs pull from deeper layers. A single global threshold will overwater one and underwater another. Calibration Steps Baseline readings after irrigation and after dry-down. Map those to controller setpoints instead of guessing vendor defaults. Sensor Placement Install in representative soil, not in pure sand […]

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Rain Sensor Mounting: Height, Exposure, and False Trips

Location Matters Mount sensors with open sky exposure but away from walls that shed water unpredictably. Keep them clear of sprinkler spray and gutter splash. Height Guidelines Follow manufacturer height and tilt guidance—many units need level mounting to drain properly after storms. Wired vs Wireless Wired sensors avoid battery issues but require clean routing. Wireless […]

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Irrigation Controller Wire Gauge: Common, Home Runs, and Voltage Drop

Why Wire Size Matters Solenoids need adequate voltage at the end of the run. Undersized wire causes weak pulls and ghost operations. Home Run vs Daisy Chain Home-run each valve when possible for cleaner troubleshooting. Daisy chains save copper but complicate fault isolation. Splices That Survive Use waterproof connectors rated for direct burial and tug-test […]

Hunter Hydrawise Pro-HC 24-Zone Indoor Wi-Fi Controller (PHC2400i)

Hydrawise Flow Monitoring for HOA Leak Prevention

HOA irrigation flow sensors turn Hydrawise from a scheduling app into a leak early-warning system. For associations, the expensive failure mode is not a brown lawn—it is a valve stuck open overnight that floods a garage, undermines a slope, or spikes the water bill before anyone walks the site. Hub: HOA irrigation controller upgrade. Example […]

Hunter Hydrawise Pro-HC 24-Zone Indoor Wi-Fi Controller (PHC2400i)

HOA Water Budget Reporting with Smart Irrigation Controllers

An HOA water budget for irrigation is only useful if the board can show what the controllers actually did. Smart platforms like Hunter Hydrawise turn “we think we saved water” into schedules, history, and flow charts property managers can attach to meeting packets and water-district inquiries. Related: HOA irrigation rules & audits · controller upgrade […]

Hunter Hydrawise Pro-HC 24-Zone Indoor Wi-Fi Controller (PHC2400i)

How Many Zones Does an HOA Need? Controller Sizing Guide

Asking how many irrigation zones an HOA needs is really two questions: how many stations exist today, and how many controllers should manage them. Overloading one box creates long water windows and complaint-prone dry spots; splitting thoughtfully keeps pressure, runtime, and landscaper workflows sane. Upgrade hub: HOA irrigation controller upgrade. Buying context: controller buying guide. […]

Hunter Hydrawise Pro-HC 24-Zone Indoor Wi-Fi Controller (PHC2400i)

Pro-C and ICC to Hydrawise: Retrofit Guide for HOA Boards

Most associations already own Hunter Pro-C or commercial ICC / ICC2 cabinets in pump rooms and entry walls. An HOA Hunter controller upgrade to Hydrawise often means changing the facepack—not trenching new wire. This retrofit guide is written for board packets and property managers. Hub: HOA irrigation controller upgrade. Deep dives: Pro-C → Hydrawise · […]