rain sensor

[LeoS818]

Will one Hunter mini click run two Hunter SRC clocks?

[jman00]

I think it would work. I dont see why it wouldnt. The question to ask is can the new wireless rain sensor work with more than one clock. This seems like it would be useful.

[greenworldh20]

keep one rain sensor for each timer.

the rain sensor will send power to the other unit when it is not on. over time, it will burn the unit out.

i have seen this alot.

rain sensors are only $20...wireless are about $40...spend the extra dough.

brian

just my .02

[greenworldh20]

i just took this pic, and since we are discussing rain sensors, i decided to post it.

brian:p

[jman00]

Is this on a system you are servicing. And where do you get wireless for 40. My price which until now i thought was pretty good. I get pgps for 9.40. I am sure some of you guys who install thousands get it for much cheaper.

[LeoS818]

I called our suppiler today and he said the wireless are about $60.

[leadarrows]

uh hey I'm just asking because I don't know ok I have no experience with any other kind of rain gage but the free glass ones I get from Farm Bureau :) ... but isn't that sensor kind of close to the house? How far do you have to be from the house to negate the affects on a rain gage like that? What brand do you recommend? I would like to have one but I haven't a clue what to look for in one. Are they all about the same or is there an ultimate system?

[jman00]

As far as i am concerned Hunter makes the only rain sensor. Sure toro and a few others make them, but if you walk into an irrigation supply house and ask them for a rain sensor the hunter rain-click is what they will give you.

The sensor should be unobstructed from anything that can block the rain. And it should never be placed where a sprinkler will hit it(happens every once in a while) The sensor has a long enough arm on it if you put it on the eve it shouldnt be hit by runoff. Dont put it under a tree either.

[therainman]

I agree, put that sensor up on the top of the gutter away from trees or other obstructions so it can work propery.. the one on the fence looks like ssomeone got lazy to me. the house is going to block half of the rain.

shawn

[SWD]

PGP's obtained through my supplier cost me about $7.40 to $7.75 ea depending upon quantity. Rain sensor - a mini clik, costs me @$18.00.
The hunter mini clik is simply a passive switch. Depending upon the length of wire run from the sensor to both controllers, it will work. However, resistence along wire length, cost of extra wire/labor plus reduction in retail sales equals you should be installing two sensors, one for each controller.

[HBFOXJr]

Are the 2 SRCs operating the same water source as in one big system or 2 totally separate systems?

[LeoS818]

2 clocks, 1- 3 inch water supply line, 13 -2 inch valves, approx 250 maxi paw heads on 10 acres

[HBFOXJr]

Personally I don't like 2 clocks on 1 source unless the source can supply 2 or more zones at a time. Never should they share the same wiring.

An ICC or Pro-C with modules is not that much more money than 2 SRC's.

Is this a job you've done, doing, servicing or done by others?

[LeoS818]

Its one that im taking care of. 3 in. supply line moves enough water for it. The clocks have their own wires.

[HBFOXJr]

Definitely go with 2 sensors.

[greenworldh20]

put a package deal together and put your salesman shoes on...discuss to the client that it is in his best interest to have one irrigation timer...the benefits of one timer FAR outweigh the cost of changing it...


savings immediately would be ONE rain sensor versus TWO rainsensors. other benefits are second nature to us, so i won't waste space.

:dizzy:

[AnInsideExpert]

:angel: Just as a thought, use one wireless Rain Clik and two receivers. Don't forget to 'program' the additional Wireless Rain Clik receiver.

[Mdirrigation]

Use 1 sensor , you can break the common on the master valve

[activelandscaping]

It's a common interrupt, it won't matter how many 24V/AC common wires you interrupt or how many timer's their connected to. Basically, it's a switch mounted on a piece of cork. You would not want to provide multiple load's to it but, in much the same way your house is wired, the common's mount to a central junction anyway.

I would be more concerned with the multiple clock issue, unless you are running one clock LV or have a 1.5" main and 1" valves. 2 zone's coming on at once will result in pressure reduction that will not allow the heads to operate properly, if at all. I would say their money would be better spent on a relay than a rain-sensor.

Cost of mini-click $18
Cost of 10 trips to reiterate why the mini-click doesn't " do what they want " ----Priceless

Regards,
Active

[DGI]

Breaking into the common is something that the scrubs do around here. It prevents you from being able to bypass it at the clock, which can create all sorts of issues.

[AnInsideExpert]

The concept of just breaking the Common for both clocks seems simple enough. The problem is if the phasing of the 24VAC is not correct you could damage the transformers.

[jerryrwm]

The concept of just breaking the Common for both clocks seems simple enough. The problem is if the phasing of the 24VAC is not correct you could damage the transformers.

Phasing of transformers - That's a term that not many are familiar with, and even less know how to do. But you are correct. Improperly phased power sources can and do damage transformers and circuit boards. They do it most of the time on golf courses where there may be more than one controller running a common wire, or multiple commons wired to several controllers.

Breaking into the common is something that the scrubs do around here. It prevents you from being able to bypass it at the clock, which can create all sorts of issues.

I don't know about 'scrubs' but if you read the mini-clik instructions it will tell you that you can split the common (most generally done at the controller). This allows one to install a rain sensor and/or a freeze sensor to irrigation systems that have older controllers that did not have sensor terminals on the wiring strip, and there are a number of controllers out there that don't have the strip, and most of them don't have the by-pass switch.

Easiest, most economical fix would be two sensors. Your customer doesn't need to learn to reprogram a new controller. The controllers that are there are still apparently working so why would you want to change them out?

[activelandscaping]

2 clocks, 1- 3 inch water supply line, 13 -2 inch valves, approx 250 maxi paw heads on 10 acres

Somehow I missed that. :o

HB is correct. The issue, in my opinion anyway, is water velocity through a 3" pipe and the impact on the mainline tee's and bow's. Certainly will test the thrust blocking. :)

With regards to the wiring, it would be best not to wire separate timer commons together, if only to cut down on the confusion in the event of a problem. I would, however, recommend a (Single Pole Double Throw Relay N/O ) to ensure the timers won't run zones at the same time.

Regards,
Active

[Mdirrigation]

On a system that size I would assume the controllers are set up as a master controller and the second being the slave , breaking the common at the master valve shuts down the entire system . DGI , I am curious why is breaking the common a problem in your area? , prior to controllers having terminals for rainswitches that was the only way.

[activelandscaping]

Will one Hunter mini click run two Hunter SRC clocks?

To get back to the original question, yes one mini-click can be used with 2 timers.

Regards,
Active