SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Hi all,

My current RainDial controller just went belly up and I'm in the market for a new one. From reading your forums, it looks like Hunter Pro-C or Rainbird ESP are the controllers to look at. I'm not looking at my controller right now but I think it is either a 9 or 12 zone controller (I remember making a map when we bought the house that had a lot of zones). So while I'm waiting on the sprinkler guy to call me back, I thought I would see what this forum had to say on controllers and how complicated the install process was.

First some background on what I have done in the past - installed extra lights and switches in rooms, basic plumbing, basic construction - fort, furniture, etc, and I use to help my Dad in the backyard with his sprinkler system. Given that, I don't recall his controller needing electricity(fully manual?) I recall him saying it ran off water pressure. It obviously was a manual system or battery operated. But that's the memory of a 9 yr old.

So how hard is it to install a controller? It doesn't look like much but I haven't disconnected my old one yet. And is one brand easier to install than the other?[?]

I've never played much with varying the programming but would be interested to know how much people water their yards. We just moved from Texas to Missouri so I'm sure the watering needs of this grass are different from St. Augustine. Is twice a week enough or too much? Do you do it once a week in the spring and then 2-3 times in August when it gets dry?[?]

Also, why is there a backflow/pressure device? My Dad had a drain about 2 feet down in the ground for his system. In the fall, you turned the water off and opened the low point and all the water drained out. Granted my Dad did have a separate water meter for the outdoor water - he didn't want to pay sewage on water for the yard. So what are the advantages of a backflow device? And what are you testing in the back pressure test?

What questions should I ask the different sprinkler guys to see if they are good? (besides checking the BBB)[?][?]

Thanks in advance for any insight and information!

Ok - with respect to the Raindial question.
How long should a controller last? The Raindial that just went belly up, was manufactured in 1994 so that is 11 years of service (06 doesn't count). Is that reasonable? They all seem to be in the same ball park for price so I was just going off the reviews on the site and what the contractors in the area are installing. No one has mentioned a Raindial yet. For the most part, they have Rainbird, Hunter, or Toro in stock. One guy said last year he recommended Hunter Pro-C but not this year. He said he had to replace ~80% of last years due to a faulty part (timer).

Now I also have a sticky question for those of you who do this for a living. I don't mind paying for your expertise and labor but would you mind explaining the markup on parts. I know car dealers significantly mark up parts but I didn't expect the sprinkler guys to do it. I've gotten quotes from $200 to $350 in the St. Louis area for a 10 zone Rainbird ESP modular controller (or equivalent). Shipping doesn't quite cover the difference between sprinkler warehouse and these quotes. The $350 is the quote I really question. The price does not include labor which runs between $70-$80 hour (which seems reasonable to me).