Underground irrigation programmers

The use of a buried automatic watering controller allows you to control the watering time at the most convenient time of the day. 

One of the most important ways to save water is to water only as long as you need to, when evaporation is lowest, i.e. in the middle of the night or early morning.

To do this, your underground watering system must include an important element: the programmer. It will allow your installation to start and stop at the desired time; it will control the solenoid valves, so that your garden is watered in successive sequences: we speak then of several networks or ways.

There are four main types of multi-network programmers:

1. The battery-operated programmer, connected to the solenoid valves by a cable with many wires. This is a choice to be reserved exceptionally for places where there is no power supply. Compared to other options, this product is quite expensive. (main manufacturer: RAIN BIRD).
2. The wireless battery or current programmer. This one is connected by waves to the solenoid valves. The installation is thus strongly facilitated.
3. On the other hand, it is still a very expensive product, but practically all suppliers are trying to develop this type of programmer. We can therefore hope that the prices will decrease in the years to come. (Main manufacturers: RAIN BIRD, GARDENA...).
4. The wall-mounted programmer, with a separate transformer (photo opposite), connected to the solenoid valves with a multi-core cable. This is the best quality/price ratio. There are, apart from the "first prices", very reliable models at around 75 Euros that can control up to 6 solenoid valves. The only problem is that these products must be installed indoors (garage, cellar, storeroom, etc.), near a power outlet, as the electrical transformer (220v/24v) is not protected from water projections. (main manufacturers: RAIN BIRD, NELSON...).

The wall-mounted programmer, with an integrated transformer, connected to the solenoid valves with a multi-core cable. This is the largest choice available on the market. There are all models (from 2 to 48 networks) and all prices (from 170 Euros for the big brands). These devices have the particularity to be in the standards for a wall installation outside, even in the rain.
They are also products that can be installed inside. The advantage is that there are less visible wires, the transformer being included with the programmer in a single box, with a door that can be closed. (see photo below)

Logically, the many existing models and the discretion in terms of wall installation make these products very often preferred by craftsmen. (Main manufacturers: HUNTER, RAIN BIRD...).

The purchase of a programmer should not be based solely on its price: it is the submerged part of the iceberg (the rest of the installation being buried) and you will use it frequently (changing the watering times according to the season for example).

So you need a model that is easy to modify.

More and more products are available with hundreds of programming options. Even if you don't need all of them, the more options a controller has, the easier it is to adjust if you only focus on what you need for your garden.

So don't necessarily look for the cheapest one that seems simple, as this may limit the use you want to make of it.

Finally, in addition to the notions of saving water, a programmer is obviously a comfort of use, like all the rest of an underground watering installation.

Note that there are now programmers accessible from your smartphone.