How To: Install a wireless rain sensor
1 Jun, 2005 By: Landscape Management Staff LDB SolutionsA step-by-step guide to sensing rain sans wires
Many times, the mere hassle of running wires from an irrigation controller to a rain sensing device has kept contractors from installing a rain sensor.
 Things to note |
But the introduction of wireless rain sensors eliminated the hassle. A wireless sensor requires no ladders, since it is not necessary to place the device in the usual hard-to-access spots that a traditional rain sensor requires. Simply attach the unit to a fence or any convenient eye-level location. And, because it is wireless, there are no holes to drill and no wires to hide from view.
 Pre-installation Checklist |
1 The rain sensor receiver unit should be installed adjacent to the irrigation controller.
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2 The receiver unit's wire installs in seconds to the sensor terminals in the controller. If the controller does not have a sensor terminal on the terminal block, then one wire of the sensor receiver is connected to the controller common terminal and the other wire is connected to the valve common wire from the field.
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3 Once you have chosen a preferred location for placing the receiver, test to see if the unit can successfully receive communications from the transmitter prior to mounting the receiver. This can be done by placing the receiver atop the controller or having someone stand at your potential mounting site and hold the receiver as you bring the transmitter to its potential mounting site. Press the test button to make sure it shuts the watering off. If there is successful communication, then you can mount the receiver for permanent installation.
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4 To mount the transmitter, choose a location such as the side of a building or a post. The closer the transmitter is to the controller, the better the reception will be. Correct placement of the transmitter is important for accurate sensing. The best location is out of direct sunlight.
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