Showing posts with label lawn irrigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lawn irrigation. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Valve Box: Electrical Danger???

Mary from Portland, Oregon asks the expert:


Hi Craig, I have a Rain Bird system that is leaking from one of the value boxes. When I opened it I discovered that the box is full of water and mud. Is it dangerous for me to dig out the mud? I don't know how or where to turn off the electricity to the system. Is there a standard place to find the electrical power switch?

Thanks, Mary in Portland, Oregon

CRAIG's Answer
Short answer, probably not. There are the rare occasions where 120 volt solenoids are used, but it is VERY rare.

Do this:

Either unplug your controller (timer) or determine the...MORE

Monday, September 24, 2007

Installing Lawn Irrigation Sprinkler Rain Sensor Can Be Simple


Automatic sprinkler system controllers are programmed to go on and off on a certain day and at a certain time. The controller does not know if it is sunny and dry outside or raining. For this reason every lawn sprinkler system should have a rain sensor.

The rain sensor determines whether or not enough rainfall has occurred in order to skip an irrigation cycle. There are three basic types of rain sensors. They all serve the same purpose: keeping your system from over-watering the turf or your garden. How does it do that? The electrical connection between the sensor and your sprinkler system controller is interrupted when a certain ...MORE