Jimi wrote:
Hello,

I am in Canada and realize this is "out of season" but since I have a
few days off I thought I would do some research into buying a garden
sprinkler control. We live on a small acerage (ranch) and have six
underground sprinkler grids connected to a manifold with manual ball valves.
I have been manually turning on the valves for each grid for the past 10 or
so yrs. I wish to update to electric valves operated by a central control
located inside the house. (Plan on taking extended holidays this coming
summer)
My question is what do you have for this type of control? Does anyone
have any recomendations for what kind, brand type etc to buy or what to stay
away from?
. I consider myself to be "fairly" good at figuring out timers
etc, but don't want something so complicated I'll need a PHD in electronics
to operate. In addition, can anyone comment on what type of electric valves
to buy?

Thanks Group for any constructive replies...Jimi
http://www.championirrigation.com/HT...es/Cat_CL.html
I've converted over several systems

I use Champion actuators & Toro multi-staion timer

I prefer the brass/brass units....plastic ones suck

Valve bodies will last 20+ years or longer , acutatutors 10+ years or
longer

they used to be sold at HomeDepot but knwo I get them at commericial
irrigation supply house

use the classic size if available

Toro timer

Toro Automatic Sprinkler Timer/Controller Toro ECX. 8 zone watering
capacity

look on ebay search for........toro timer

currently auction item 260050319975 is what you need

I like these units so much, they're the only ones I use

retail they're ~$60US + tax & driving to store

on ebay you can get them for ~$50 or less....including shipping

make sure they have all the plug in units to allow use of 8
valves....The controller can accept up to 4 dual valve plug
ins........sometimes the auction is for less than 4, read the
description carefully

auction 160051300968

wold be a steal IF it has enough plug ins for 8 valves extra plug
ins are $10

cheers
Bob