FALLS CHURCH, Va. - Are you looking for a cost-effective way to boost productivity? Try hand-held remote control devices, one of the most useful tools an irrigator can carry on a service truck. Some irrigators look at remote control devices as just another gimmick - a hi-tech product to impress the client. However, when put to work "in the field," the value of a hand-held remote control is incredible. While remote controls for televisions and garage doors save us a few steps, irrigation remotes save the irrigator miles of walking throughout the course of a year.
Let’s look at an example. A simple checkup of a residential sprinkler system involves turning on each station from the controller, followed by a brief inspection of each station while the system is running. If the system has seven stations, it means a minimum of 14 trips between the controller and each station location. You could use an employee to stand and operate the controller while you yell, "Turn it on!" and "Turn it off!" Use of a two-way radio does away with yelling. Although a two-way radio offers an improvement, it still requires the use of an employee who could be far more productive elsewhere.
It is amazing how a hand-held remote saves time and increases productivity for irrigators in the most routine tasks. Unclogging nozzles, flushing heads, repairing pipes and making sprinkler adjustments move along much more quickly with the use of a hand-held remote. When it comes to more difficult tasks such as electrical troubleshooting, this technology is invaluable to repair technicians.
TWO TYPES OF HAND-HELD REMOTES. There are currently two basic types of irrigation remote control devices - controller-specific and universal-commercial. Controller-specific units are linked to a specific brand and model of controller, matched with an optional add-on remote control feature. While major manufacturers offer models with different features, they all share the same basic characteristics.
Controller-specific units consist of an electrical receiver card or module added to the controller, receiver and antenna, and a hand-held transmitter. Units offer programmable features that can be altered by code to operate one or many compatible controllers. This can work to the advantage of an irrigator. For example, if a contractor installs one type of controller for all clients, he can carry just one programmable transmitter and a list of codes to operate each client’s irrigation system. Each client can choose to have a transmitter for use, too. A controller-specific unit simplifies scheduling of service and maintenance work, since access to the controller is not necessary to service the system.
ARE THERE ANY DISADVANTAGES TO CONTROLLER-SPECIFIC UNITS? Controller-specific units tend to be "site-sensitive." In other words, they have less power and shorter range than their universal-commercial counterparts.
The term site-sensitive refers to occasional interference from large obstructions, power lines or other onsite factors that affect signal transmission. Each manufacturer will list specifications, limitations and installation recommendations for their products.
Personal experience with the model I field-tested was very satisfactory. I found the published claims of the manufacturer to be accurate. Further testing of controller-specific models will continue.
UNIVERSAL-COMMERCIAL REMOTES ARE MUCH MORE POWERFUL - WITH RANGES UP TO 5 MILES. Although better suited to large properties, universal-commercial units can be used in residential applications, too. The biggest advantage of the universal-commercial remote is its ability to adapt to virtually any controller that uses 24 VAC, regardless of make or model.
While on the market for some time, evolving technology has made universal-commercial remotes more affordable, durable and reliable. Various models offer 12, 24, 32 and 56-station capability. Receivers can be temporarily connected to any controller with alligator clip connectors, or hardwired with a "pin-type" electronic plug and go hookup. These same "pigtail" connectors can be routed outside and placed in a weatherproof enclosure for easy access and scheduling convenience.
Both the controller-specific and universal-commercial units will save time and increase your productivity. I have found this to be true through my use of both kinds of units. In fact, I’ll continue to use both types where each is utilized appropriately. Whether you are in irrigation installation, maintenance, repair or landscape management, you can benefit from the increased productivity that remote control technology provides.
Article reprinted with permission from the Irrigation Association (IA) - www.irrigation.org. The article originally appeared in Issue 1, Spring 2001 of "Be ALIRT," an IA publication published by the Affiliation of Landscape Irrigation Repair Technicians (ALIRT). ALIRT is a common interest group of IA with a focus on concerns surrounding the maintenance and repair of irrigation systems.
The author is a Contributing Editor to "Be ALIRT."