Common water irrigation timers...1 yr life? | FerrariChat

Common water irrigation timers...1 yr life?

Discussion in 'Technology' started by 11506apollo, Apr 1, 2018.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. 11506apollo

    11506apollo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 16, 2008
    2,493
    Tx Co Ca
    #1 11506apollo, Apr 1, 2018
    Not really a “technology” question but where else to post this?
    Every year I have to replace the timers I use for irrigation to some flower gardens in our back yard. I buy them at lowes, H depot , ACE and similar stores. They rarely last past one year. Is not a battery issue. Its a cheap plastic parts issue. Im tired. Are you folks aware of a brand that will last a few seasons? I typically pay between $35 and $45 each. I would gladly pay more if they were to last longer.
    No , I dont want a professionally installed irrigation system. Just a reliable timer I can hook up to my water bib outside the house and program to turn on daily at 6 am for 15 minutes. Any ideas or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks
     
  2. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    #2 Wade, Apr 1, 2018
    Hmm... a need for some failure analysis.

    Anyway, my wife has one for her tomato garden and it's been working for a couple of years at least. She bought it off of Amazon. I'll check the manufacturer tomorrow.
     
  3. 11506apollo

    11506apollo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 16, 2008
    2,493
    Tx Co Ca
    #3 11506apollo, Apr 1, 2018
    Please do! Thanks!
     
  4. Randy R

    Randy R Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 23, 2011
    334
    SF Bay Area
    Full Name:
    '14 Cal 30 TDF/Tan
    #4 Randy R, Apr 2, 2018
  5. Gran Drewismo

    Gran Drewismo F1 Rookie

    Jan 24, 2005
    3,778
    Idaho
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #5 Gran Drewismo, Apr 2, 2018
    Out of curiosity, what is failing? Does the plastic just get brittle and fall apart?

    I've had success with Rainbird and I believe Melnor. FWIW, at my grandparents old place we used a Rainbird brand timer to trigger the pumps that would bring water from the headgate into the yard for flood irrigation. I know that particular timer sat on a south facing (full sun) shed that would have to endure temps from below zero in the winter to above 100 in the summer, all with almost no humidity. It has lasted 7+ years now.
     
  6. 11506apollo

    11506apollo Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 16, 2008
    2,493
    Tx Co Ca
    #6 11506apollo, Apr 2, 2018
    what typically fails is the internal valve which starts to leak and doesn't seal completely.
     
  7. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    #7 Wade, Apr 2, 2018
  8. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
    Full Name:
    Wade O.
    #8 Wade, Apr 2, 2018
    11506apollo likes this.
  9. norcal2

    norcal2 F1 Veteran

    Sep 21, 2007
    6,815
    Sierra Nevada Triangle
    #9 norcal2, Apr 3, 2018
    Ive been using Orbit timers for decades, we have to water year round and they seem to hold up the best and you can size them for how many valves/stations you have also
     
  10. NYC Fred

    NYC Fred F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 28, 2010
    9,692
    Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Full Name:
    Fred C
    #10 NYC Fred, May 22, 2018
    Hmm. Just bought that model for the tomatoes at the beach. Was gonna build it a lil "birdhouse" out of cedar to keep it out of the sun/salt.

    Now I may just toss a piece of weedguard fabric over it.
     
  11. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    Dec 7, 2003
    16,250
    Winston Salem, NC
    #11 Ricambi America, May 23, 2018
    I've never gotten more than about 18 months from them. I've gone through probably 5 or 6 different versions/manufacturers.

    I use them in places where the in-ground system doesn't reach, and it seems like at any price point, they're all somewhat life-limited/disposable. When they work, they're easy and convenient. When they crack, break, leak, or the electronics die, they are quite annoying.
     
  12. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    25,892
    DFW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    #12 tomc, May 23, 2018
    Our first house in Memphis had a Rain
    Our first house in Texas had a Rainbird. We lived there 2 years, house was abt 10 yrs old when we purchased. Never gave my wife a lick of trouble. Now she has some dude with a garden hose (me!), reasonably dependable, and with a much lower water bill. :)
    T
     
  13. Gran Drewismo

    Gran Drewismo F1 Rookie

    Jan 24, 2005
    3,778
    Idaho
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #13 Gran Drewismo, May 23, 2018
    Does she have you on a timer? :)
     
  14. tomc

    tomc Two Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 13, 2014
    25,892
    DFW, Texas
    Full Name:
    Tom C
    #14 tomc, May 23, 2018
    Are you married?!? Of course!
    T
     

Share This Page