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

Get the Hunter Pro-C timer that is expandable to 15 zones. This is the best bang for the buck. It is a smaller footprint than the Hunter ICC. It is a great controller that will do everything that you need. Two timers is a problem because they could potentially operate at the same time and kill your water pressure, They will also look Mickey Mouse and show the world that you did on the cheap. The Hunter is an affordable option that will be a professional option.


Thanks

Dan

Dan has given you the main reason to potentially avoid two controllers... what are you going to do to make sure they both don't run at the same time?

Now that doesn't mean that it's impossible. After all, if you have a watering schedule where it's impossible for the two to operate at the same time, then two controllers is a non-issue. An example would be where everything on controller 1 only runs on Mon, Wed, Fri and everything on controller 2 only runs on Sun, Tue, Thr. But of course that makes things less flexable.

The other situation (and this is mine) is to have the system designed so that it doesn't mater if both controllers operate at the same time. In my case, I accomplished this by using one controller for drip irrigation and the other for lawn irrigation, and then over designed the lawn irrigation system. (i.e. my system is so over designed that I can have a lawn circuit and a drip circuit running at the same time and still have a load of laundry running while someone is taking a shower).

Even if you don't mind showing off your dumbass cheapness, you are providing a disservice to all the subsequent homeowners, and you are also affecting the value of your home, by displaying Amateur-Hour DIY workmanship. What's next, leaving out the backflow preventer, because you want to save a buck? Buy the Hunter Pro-C or ICC and add modules as needed.

Hey Boots,
Aren't we getting a little insulting here? I mean come on, we are talking about a frickin controller. While you might be right that having multiple controllers looks amateurish, it's rather inappropriate to attempt to start equating amateurish with a lack of safety.

After all, I'll freely admit the system I put together would probably be laughed at by a professional. But I can tell you that my system works and works in a safer manner compared to the building contractor neighbor who installed his own system that looked profession... that is except for its total lack of any backflow preventer.

While your advice (as usual) is sound, the name calling is not.

I want to shock all would-be cheapskates - the money you save by avoiding the use of the one correct controller may show your home in a poor light, and actually cost you more money down the road, when the home is shown to prospective buyers.

For a 15-zone system, it looks like the price difference between a Pro-C and two Rainbird timers is less than ten dollars. I mean, really, can it get any more lame? And how many acres are these fifteen zones going to water?