X-aircraft industry workers controller.

[sheshovel]

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this homeowner installed controller.
KaPOWW!

[sheshovel]

I guess those are his manual control toggles.

[Remote Pigtails]

I guess those are his manual control toggles.

Looks like it. Added a lock to keep people from running it. I'd like to know the story behind this. All and all besides the orbit timer not a bad looking set up. I've see toggles added on several timers by HO but never to this extent.

[sheshovel]

There is no real story, it was installed by a real old guy who used to work in aviation mechanics. He proudly showed it to me.
I thought it was pretty cool.
He only has three valves that I know of. All drip, no sprays.
The controller has a keyed lock as well. I thought it was a bit of overkill for just a mobile home system.
He no longer lives there. Real nice man.

[unit28]

5
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IGNITION>>>>Go for Launch:laugh:

cool stuff, ty for sharing it

[Remote Pigtails]

The more I study it I think the toggle switch set up was the original on/off and the timer was added later. He could flip on several zones at once. I find myself liking this set up.

[Keith]

Houston, we have a problem.

[PurpHaze]

Orbit could never market it though. Too complicated... almost have to be... an aerospace mechanic to understand it. Wonder if his wife was the remote?:laugh:

[Mr. Vern]

All and all besides the orbit timer not a bad looking set up. .

Ok Remote Pigtails, maybe you can tell me why so many people are so critical of the Orbit timers. I have seen countless disparaging remarks about them, but not one person has given me the reason for their dislike. I would love to hear some objective feedback on them.

[Remote Pigtails]

Actually that timer if I remember right was one of the first timers that had an independent 24vac for hooking up a wireless sensor. As far as Orbit timers go that is probably their best one. BUT my criticism (and I suspect most criticism) of Orbit is due to their lousy popups and that the word orbit on any part of the system means a nonprofessional has been involved.

[Remote Pigtails]

I hate to complement that Orbit timer again but it is one of the easier clocks to slap a pigtail on.

[Mr. Vern]

I know I will get flamed again for admitting this, but I use that timer on 95% of our residential installs and I love it. I was just chatting with our supplier this morning and he and I were trying to figure out why they are so looked down upon - except for what you mention; the word Orbit.
The fact is that the only folks I hear bad mouthing them are other professionals, yet not one to date has been able to explain why. Customers love them for the ease of programming, and the durability. I have installed countless numbers of them and have only 1 DOA to date and that was no big deal because I just got a new one out of the trailer and only lost a few minutes.

Like I said - I like them and since I have no intentions of installing them on one of my competitor's properties, I don't see any negative thing about them.

[sheshovel]

The more I study it I think the toggle switch set up was the original on/off and the timer was added later. He could flip on several zones at once. I find myself liking this set up.

See? I can contribute positively to this forum in my own weird ways. Plus, I like you guys in here, so I am hanging out awhile.

[Remote Pigtails]

I know I will get flamed again for admitting this, but I use that timer on 95% of our residential installs and I love it. I was just chatting with our supplier this morning and he and I were trying to figure out why they are so looked down upon - except for what you mention; the word Orbit.
The fact is that the only folks I hear bad mouthing them are other professionals, yet not one to date has been able to explain why. Customers love them for the ease of programming, and the durability. I have installed countless numbers of them and have only 1 DOA to date and that was no big deal because I just got a new one out of the trailer and only lost a few minutes.

Like I said - I like them and since I have no intentions of installing them on one of my competitor's properties, I don't see any negative thing about them.
Power to ya:weightlifter: I don't think you should get flamed you have definitely weighed the pros and cons. Now Orbit pop ups are a whole different matter.

[bicmudpuppy]

Some very high end clocks have station toggles within the pedestal to allow either manual operation and a positive off to that station. Three position switch is common. One for manual, then auto, and off. This allows you to shutdown a zone without reprograming.

The name Orbit leaves a bad taste. I have found that there is some good in almost any brand and this controller may be Orbits positive contribution to irrigation. The majority of the products with Orbit stamped on them are made with inferior parts and the failure rate is VERY high. The Orbit brand PGP knockoff comes with a 7 year warranty now. They fail at a very high rate in the less than two year category. I can get warranty for an Orbit head through one of the plumbing suppliers that carry Orbit..........No thanks.
Hmmm, plumbers and Orbit in the same building. Irrigation specialty supplier and no Orbit............A connection maybe?

[DanaMac]

I know I will get flamed again for admitting this, but I use that timer on 95% of our residential installs and I love it. I was just chatting with our supplier this morning and he and I were trying to figure out why they are so looked down upon - except for what you mention; the word Orbit.
The fact is that the only folks I hear bad mouthing them are other professionals, yet not one to date has been able to explain why. Customers love them for the ease of programming, and the durability. I have installed countless numbers of them and have only 1 DOA to date and that was no big deal because I just got a new one out of the trailer and only lost a few minutes.

Like I said - I like them and since I have no intentions of installing them on one of my competitor's properties, I don't see any negative thing about them.

I just don't see how you or anyone considers that controller to be easy to operate compared to the other "professional" grade controllers. The "enter" button is a PITA to remember, the way you have to punch through the manual and next buttons to get a zone up manually is lame, the screen is tiny, the tiny a$$ little icons on the screen, if lighting is weak I can't see the screen well, the tiny screws to install the wiring, and I don't like the way it has the A/B programs. Should I go on?

[unit28]

Dooood,
Why do you think he added the toggles?tiny screan?,,,,LOL

[Mr. Vern]

Ok guys, here's some anecdotal information for you. We just installed a brand new Rainbird controller for a customer upon his request last week. The unit came with a defective transformer and we had to use his original transformer to get it working. We took back a replacement transformer the next day and it was defective. I had our supplier pull another new one out and I tested it before I took it over to the guy's house and it worked fine. You can say what you want about the Orbits, but I've never had that happen with one of them.

When it comes to sprinklers, I stick with the Rainbirds, I don't think you can beat the 1800 series

[gusbuster]

I just don't see how you or anyone considers that controller to be easy to operate compared to the other "professional" grade controllers. The "enter" button is a PITA to remember, the way you have to punch through the manual and next buttons to get a zone up manually is lame, the screen is tiny, the tiny a$$ little icons on the screen, if lighting is weak I can't see the screen well, the tiny screws to install the wiring, and I don't like the way it has the A/B programs. Should I go on?

If I were to knock the orbit line, it would be as stated above.

The other thing would be how it doesn't tolerate heat very well and let's not forget if you bang anywhere near the controller, it's enough to jack it up. Plus a very big one, it doesn't handle power spikes that you get from sudden loss of electricity and then the power comes back on. I know to hit the re-set button, but I do get calls to replace an orbit timer all the time for this reason. When I hit the reset button, then program it, most of the people end up asking me to replace it anyways. But it's their choice.

[Dirty Water]

Ok guys, here's some anecdotal information for you. We just installed a brand new Rainbird controller for a customer upon his request last week. The unit came with a defective transformer and we had to use his original transformer to get it working. We took back a replacement transformer the next day and it was defective. I had our supplier pull another new one out and I tested it before I took it over to the guy's house and it worked fine. You can say what you want about the Orbits, but I've never had that happen with one of them.

When it comes to sprinklers, I stick with the Rainbirds, I don't think you can beat the 1800 series

What Model Rainbird Timer? If it was one of the crappy indoor timer lines like I'm guessing than I'm not surprised.

If it was an outdoor ESP-M, with a internal transformer, then I'd be very surprised.