Irrigation Controller Extra: Performance Precautions

No matter which controller a contractor chooses, some maintenance is important to keep it in working order as long as possible. To help maximize a controller’s life, Ziggy Korona, product manager for commercial controllers, and Don Clark, senior product manager for Rain Bird, San Diego, recommend making sure the controller is properly grounded, that it is designated for outdoor use if installed outdoors and that contractors remind customers to always keep the cabinet door securely closed when not in use to prevent water damage.

“There isn’t much to go wrong inside a controller if it’s installed properly,” says Jeff Kremicki, product manager of controllers and sensors for Hunter Industries, San Marcos, Calif. “Most controller replacement is mainly due to external factors, such as lightening.”

Bob Dobson, owner of Middletown Sprinkler Co., Port Monmouth, N.J., agrees with the importance of proper installation. “You can have the best product and the best design, but if it’s not installed and managed properly it can still waste enormous amounts of water,” he says. Most of Dobson’s clients have annual service plans that include winterizing the system and yearly checkups. Some also sign up for weekly or biweekly checks and meetings to discuss irrigation scheduling.

To further enhance the production of a controller, contractors can take advantage of manufacture-offered training programs. “The better a contractor knows the product, the better he can serve his customers,” says Gene Johnson, technical service specialist and export sales manager for Weathermatic, Dallas.
Other training and certification programs are offered by the Irrigation Association (www.irrigation.org).

Over time, an irrigation controller can begin to degrade, causing problems such as frayed wires or bad splices that cause shorts, says Brian Ries, marketing and product manager for the Toro Co., Riverside, Calif., and yearly checkups are necessary to verify the system’s overall health and to troubleshoot problems. “Controller lifespan can range from a couple of years to decades,” he says. “It depends on the quality and durability of the product, installation locations and susceptibility to the elements.”
With constant improvements, irrigation system controllers will continue to become more efficient and easier to use, while helping contractors and their clients become more water-conscious.