Timer & Controller Buying Guide

How do you automate your irrigation system? With a timer or multiple-zone controller. How do you know what type of timer/controller will be best for your system? This guide will inform you about your choices and explain their differences.

Hose Threaded Timers:

A hose-end timer is what most homeowners are familiar with when looking for a timer. These timers connect to your standard hose spigot or faucet. The timer contains a valve inside the body that will open and close based on the program scheduled by the homeowner. Before choosing a timer, you will need to gather some basic information. All hose-end timers have a pressure range in which they will open and close properly. Most hose-end timers will have a minimum pressure requirement of 5-15 PSI and a maximum incoming pressure rating of 120 PSI. You can test the pressure from your faucet with a pressure gauge.

Timer	Minimum Pressure	Maximum Pressure	Flow Rate
Orbit B-Hyve	10 PSI	100 PSI	8 GPM
Galcon 9001	15 PSI	100 PSI	5.3 GPM
Galcon 11000	15 PSI	100 PSI	5.3 GPM
Orbit Single Dial	10 PSI	80 PSI	6.5 GPM
Orbit Multi-Valve	25 PSI	100 PSI	6.5 GPM
Irritec Zero Pressure	0 PSI	115 PSI	7.5 GPM

How about features? What kind of programming are you looking for in a timer? Are you looking for something with elementary programming or something with more options? A dial timer or EZ program timer offers the simplest programming options.

Timer	Frequency of Start Times	Duration	Maximum cycles per Day
Irritec Zero Pressure	1 hr. to once weekly	1-120 minutes	24
Orbit Single Dial	Daily, Every other day, Every 3rd day	2-60 minutes	6
Galcon EZ timer	1 hr. to once weekly	1 minute to 4 hours	24
Orbit Multi-Valve	2 hrs. to once weekly	1-240 minutes	3

Several other options exist if a simple dial timer does not meet your needs. Most standard hose-end timers will have multiple start times per day and a range of durations. There are also options for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi timers. Bluetooth connectivity means you can control and program your timer from an app. You need to be within Bluetooth range of the timer to change your programming. Setting up your watering schedule through an app can be very easy, usually much easier than programming it on the actual timer. A Wi-Fi-enabled timer lets you control your timer from an app on your phone or smart device anywhere you have an internet connection. The Orbit B-Hyve does require a Wi-Fi hub to use the Wi-Fi feature. One hub can provide a Wi-Fi connection to up to 16 timers.

Timer	Start times per day	Duration	Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Compatible
Galcon 9001d	4	1 minute to 12 hours	No
Galcon 9001BT	4	1 minute to 12 hours	Yes- Bluetooth
Galcon 11000L	4	1 minute to 12 hours	No
Galcon 11000BT	4	1 minute to 12 hours	Yes- Bluetooth
Orbit B-Hyve	4	1 minute to 4 hours	Yes- Wi-Fi

Now that we have gone over hose-end timers, let’s go over controllers. A controller is used for multiple zone systems and will come in AC power or DC power. With a controller, you must use valves with the same power source. The valves wire to the controller to complete the system.

AC (Alternating Current) controllers are either indoor or outdoor. Indoor models include a 110V or 120V plug, while an outdoor model must be hard-wired into an electrical circuit. An AC controller offers you the most flexibility and typically a longer life expectancy than you find with DC controllers.

Controller	Indoor/Outdoor	# of Zones	Additional Features
Irritrol	Indoor 120 V plug	6, 9, or 12	Rain Sensor port Master valve port Backup battery 3 Individual Programs SMRT Logic compatible
Galcon	Indoor or Outdoor	4, 6, 9, 12 or and 8 station expandable up to 24 stations	Rain Sensor port Master valve port Backup battery Greenhouse misting/cyclical programming
Orbit B-Hyve	Indoor 110V	6, 12 stations	Wi-Fi connected. WeatherSense approved. Easy program
Hunter Pro C	Indoor 110V or Outdoor	4 stations expandable up to 16 stations	Rain Sensor port Master Valve port Three programs per station
Orbit Easy Dial	Indoor 110V	6 stations	Rain Sensor port Two programs per station Battery backup Easy program
Rainbird ESP-TM2	Indoor 120V or Outdoor	4, 6, 8, or 12 stations	Sensor port Master valve port Seasonal adjust. Wi-Fi compatible

DC (Direct Current) controllers run off batteries instead of electricity. A DC controller is an excellent option for someone who may not have a power source close to where their irrigation system begins. Most DC controllers can provide you with the same great features as an AC controller but also the convenience of running on battery power.

Controller	# of Zones	Features
Galcon Wall Mount	6, 9, or 12 stations	Master valve port Rain sensor port Seasonal Adjust Independent programming per valve
Galcon Valve Mount	1, 4, or 6 stations	Rain Sensor/master valve Weather resistant Independent programming
Hunter XC Hybrid	6 stations	Rain Sensor capable Seasonal Adjust Weather resistant enclosure

For a quick review, let’s review the timer and controller options.

Hose-end timers run on batteries and are commonly used in smaller home gardens and landscapes. These timers attach to your hose faucet for easy installation and have an internal valve. Hose-end timers are mostly used for single-zone irrigation systems.

A DC or AC controller might be your best option for larger irrigation systems requiring multiple irrigation zones. An AC controller provides many options if electricity is readily available at the irrigation source. A DC controller would be an excellent choice for more remote areas without electricity. Knowing how many zones you need and whether you plan on expanding in the future will narrow down the exact model you need. For more information, please call our dedicated call center at 1-800-522-3747 Monday through Friday from 8 am-4 pm. We also offer a chat option online to answer your questions.