| Does your sprinkler system know if it's raining? It can | | | | installation and increased placement options offset the |
| by adding a simple devise known as a "rain sensor." | | | | cost. Most wireless units come with by-pass switches |
| For this reason every lawn sprinkler system should | | | | built into the device. |
| have a rain sensor. The rain sensor determines | | | | Some digital controllers also offer by-pass options for |
| whether or not enough rainfall has occurred in order to | | | | both wired devices and wireless rain sensors. No |
| skip an irrigation cycle. | | | | matter the type of rain sensor type that you choose, |
| There are three basic types of rain sensors. They all | | | | all rain sensors offer many advantages over not |
| serve the same purpose: keeping your system from | | | | adding this detector to your automatic sprinkler system. |
| over-watering the turf or your garden. How does it do | | | | Some of the immediate and long term benefits include: |
| that? | | | | - Saves Money. Whether you pay for city water or |
| The electrical connection between the sensor and | | | | spend electricity running a pump, the money you save |
| your sprinkler system controller is interrupted when a | | | | over time will more than pay for the rain sensor. |
| certain amount of rain triggers the device. The sensor | | | | - Extends Sprinkler System Life Span. Sprinklers are |
| breaks the electrical connection so that electricity | | | | made up of gears and other parts that move. The less |
| cannot flow to either the sprinkler valves or to a pump | | | | the sprinkler parts are used, the longer they last. |
| start (if your system is on a well without a pressure | | | | - Protects Water Resources. By limiting the over use |
| tank). | | | | of your sprinkler system, rain sensors reduce excess |
| One type breaks the connection by weighing the | | | | water run-off that carries fertilizers and pest control |
| water in a rainfall collection cup. The problem with this | | | | chemicals into our shared water supply. |
| type is that leaves, sticks, or the occasional lizard will | | | | - Conserves Water. Less water is wasted when less |
| find its way into the collection cup and therefore turning | | | | supplemental water is needed for your turf and in your |
| off the system. | | | | garden. |
| The next type uses electrodes to determine how | | | | How much money can you save with a rain sensor |
| much water is in the collection cup. This kind of rain | | | | device? It will vary based on your water source (city, |
| sensor device also has a system problem of collecting | | | | re-claim, or well) and where you live (water costs, |
| things other than rainfall in the collection cup. | | | | electrical rate, climate). |
| The expansion disk type seems to be the most | | | | Here is one example that demonstrates the benefits |
| popular. This kind of sensor does not use a collection | | | | listed above: Seminole County, Florida. System |
| cup; instead rainfall causes cork disks to expand. This | | | | Description: |
| device uses a pressure switch to break the electrical | | | | Intended to sprinkle a 1/4 acre of turf calibrated to |
| connection. These can be adjusted in increments of | | | | precipitate a half inch" of water every time the system |
| ¼" to the desired rain fall setting. These | | | | runs. |
| adjustments can be configured to kick in from 1 to a 1 | | | | - This schedule would equal 6,788 gallons per irrigation |
| 2" of rain has fallen. | | | | cycle. |
| The most important aspect of installing a rain sensor is | | | | - This system (on City Water) pays $2.30 per |
| where to place it. It should be installed in an area that is | | | | thousand gallons. |
| unobstructed by trees, roof over hangs, or anything | | | | - Every time the rains sensor interrupts a sprinkler |
| else that might block rain from getting to the sensor. | | | | cycle, you would save $15.61 |
| Wired rain sensors are usually installed by the timer. | | | | According to a recent study in Florida, the use of a rain |
| The wires should be connected inside the controller's | | | | sensor device averaged a 45% savings in water for |
| valve wiring panel. This allows for easier electrical | | | | single-family residential water usage. The next time |
| trouble-shooting of the system as the sensor can be | | | | you see a sprinkler system running in the rain, you now |
| easily disconnected. | | | | know it doesn't have to be that way. Rain sensors are |
| Year by year, as technology improves, FM sensors | | | | affordable solutions to conserving our water, protecting |
| have become more popular. Although they are more | | | | our water resources, and saving you money. |
| expensive than the wired devices, the ease of | | | | |