We are often asked why do you do so many irrigation timers and controllers?. We call devices  that attach to the tap a "timer" and devices that have a seperate unit and valves "controller".

The reason is we want you to have the best timer for you, to ensure your automatic watering system carries on watering for maximum efficiency.

19 years ago we were one of the first to start importing "yard computers" from the USA and we sold lots at £150.00 each! Now everybody makes them. Our advice is based on all our years of experience and if the controller does not cost you very much it has not cost very much to make and the first thing to go is reliability.

What will the controller do for me?

When you have a permanent irrigation system you need to make the most of it, it will need to come on regularly and consistently. Not many of us live our lives waiting to switch on and off our watering system!

This will make the most of your system and will allow you to get complete control over the amount and regularity that the water is applied.

A controller is a must during holiday times.

When applying water to containers we all know how hard it is to re-wet compost when it is dry, the timer should avoid this by keeping the compost moist which will help move the water to the edges and in dry weather the watering can be split between morning and evening.

In our experience people when watering either water too little or vastly over water, both waste a considerable amount of water by using the controller you can be certain the water is used correctly.

The water can be applied at the correct time of day i.e the night time! This means that evaporation is kept to the minimum, wind is usually less, and the mains water system is less under demand and often there is more pressure and flow.

The simplest timers are our clockwork timers these you switch on by the turn of a dial and it will switch the system off. We do not recommend the type that "measure" the amount of water going through as they are not very accurate and if the quantity of water passing through is low will not register at all and the controller will not switch off.

We recommend a tap splitter so the tap can still be used for other purposes.

Your choice of timers.

 

Battery timers. 

 

These range from the simple single zone that attach to an outside tap and range in price from £30.00 to £100.00

(A zone is an area of irrigation that requires a separate watering programme e.g lawns, beds and pots should be all have different watering requirements so should be watered separately with three zones.  You might also need to split an area into several zones if to water the whole area you do not have enough supply of water to do it in one.  The area would have to be split into different zones.)

 

 

Single Zone that fit in line

 

 

 

 

Two zones that fit onto a tap like the Claber Duplo or the Orbit yard watering system that comes with 2 zones and can be expanded to 4.

 

A series of remote valves around the garden that are controlled by a remote access programming controller that sets the watering times E.g. Gardena valved system.

 

 

The more sophisticated controllers  that while they still have a battery  that sends a signal down a wire to either a single valve or to a manifold consisting of several valves. E.g. the Claber and Toro System   

 

These are now very reliable and the battery can be expected to last for a season.

 

Many have the option for attaching a rain sensor to temporary disable the system if rain has fallen.

 

 

 

 

 

Controllers from mains electric. 

These require a mains (240V) supply and consist of 2 parts the controller and the automatic valves that are connected to the controller via a wire. The valves can be situated around the garden or as a manifold.

Battery timers

 

For the past 18 years we have mainly supplied Gardena timers and we can not speak highly enough of them. We have literally now sold probably 10's of thousands of them and the amount we have had returned as faulty is a handful and as a company they have always been a pleasure to deal with. The Gardena 1030 plus is our best seller and is especially good for drip system in beds and borders, vegetables and hedges.

With its redesign and up grading it is even simpler to operate and allows for extended running times.

The Gardena water timer is a cheaper timer and does not have such flexible programming but has proved ideal for hanging baskets containers and greenhouse where two short periods of watering a day are what you are looking for.

Gardena card timer The timer to work from water butts. If you have small fingers who like to alter settings then this is the controller for you. Set your programme on the card, push it in the controller, withdraw it and the timer remembers the settings and no one can alter it without the card. Ingenious.

 

Gardena Premium especially when used with the 6 way gives you a timer that can control up to 6 zones from a tap.

Most Gardena timers can be attached to devices that will override the timer if either the soil is wet, soil moisture sensor, or if it has rained, rain sensor.

 

 

 

Claber timers. These have proved to be an excellent timer and at a very good price and are proving popular.

The Duplo became an instant best seller as it allows two zones from one timer. The zones need to have similar watering patterns as the timers 2 valves are sequential.

If you wish to have two entirely separate watering regimes ( drip on beds and say drip on containers) two controllers is still the answer

 

 

The rest of the Claber range has proved trouble free good value especially the video 6 that has one of the most flexible programmes with up to 6 start times per days good to operate a damping/cooling system in a greenhouse or when it is important that hanging baskets do not drip through then shorter more frequent watering can be used.

 

 

 

The Orbit yard controller comes as standard with 2 zones that can be expanded to 4. This has three start times and the sequence moves from valve to valve. Ideal for multiple zones of all the same type of watering. Does not have different programmes for different watering regimes.

 

For running from a water butt the Gardena card timer works at the low pressures generated

For multiple zones which require different watering regimes more sophisticated timers have to be used. 

Battery operated Toro DDCWP for up to 8 zones with a sophisticated programming options for muliple applications and the Claber Multipla will do 6 zones with a simple single programme.

 

 

From the mains.

240 Volt supply required. This gives you maximum flexibility and multiple zones. For most gardens the Orbit Control Star with 3 programs will be ideal and can control up to 12 zones. This is easy to operate and has slide controls.

For a cheap option the Orbit pocket star has 2 programmes and up to 6 zones.

 

 We are able to cope with multiple applications and 99+ zones with both multi-cored and 2 wire systems call us for details 01473 400101 or see Heron.

These control system with a 240v supply require the controller and some solenoid valves that allows the water through when the signal arrives from the controller.Irrigation manifolds and solenoid valves.

Rain sensors can easily be attached.

How long should the timer be on for? Click here to find out