Hunter's New Controllers for Sites With No Electric Power

The Smart Valve Controller: Battery-Powered Single-Station Control

There are plenty of situations where you’d like to have an automatic controller for an irrigation system, but there is no electrical connection available. So, does that mean you have no way to install a controller?

Not so fast. Having an electrical hookup is not a requirement. Just take advantage of the benefits of an automatic controller. With Hunter’s new Smart Valve Controller, you can have reliable single-station control without the need of electric connection.

Why Use a Smart Valve Controller?

If you’re not watering an area because you can’t get wires from the controller to the valves, the new Smart Valve Controller is an ideal economical answer.

There are many instances when a battery-operated controller can be handy. If you have a shorted wire in an existing system and want to keep that system running without the need to pull a wire, the Smart Valve Controller is the quick and easy solution.

The Smart Valve Controller is also ideal when adding a zone to an existing system where there is no more wire or where the added zone is a substantial distance from the wiring.

And the Smart Valve Controller comes in handy at sites that require new landscaping, but where there is currently no available power (e.g., a new housing development). The installation of a battery-operated controller can save a contractor from having to send someone out to manually operate the valves each time watering is needed – which could be often if a new lawn is taking root.

It is also useful for temporary irrigation at sites where power doesn’t exist but will be brought in later.

In all of these situations, the Smart Valve Controller allows operation of your irrigation system without the need for a direct electrical connection. And the Smart Valve Controller mounts to a valve solenoid quickly and easily – without screws, drills or wires.

Open the valve box and set the program information on your Smart Valve Controller.		Then attach the controller to the valve (or, if it’s a complete kit, install the combination controller/valve).		Replace the valve box cover and the hermtically-sealed controller is protected from water, dirt and contaminants.

Built Tough

The Smart Valve Controller boasts exceptionally solid construction, to handle the harsh environment of a valve box. How harsh? This rugged product is fully submersible and resists moisture intrusion in water, mud and debris as deep as 12 feet. Its double-sealed battery compartment with resin-sealed electrical components – including an o-ring seal near the threads and a second seal inside the cap – is built specifically to withstand water intrusion.

Of course, brawn isn’t all this controller has to offer. Operating off a single 9-volt battery that’s guaranteed to provide power through a full season, exceptional reliability is another feature. It’s also a breeze to program, with an easy to read and understand LCD display (the same user-friendly programming style as all Hunter controllers) instead of cumbersome buttons and knobs.

Up to nine start times provide the flexibility to handle watering schedules for such things as establishing new turf or irrigating steep slopes with low infiltration rates. Plus, a full slate of programming options, including days-of-the-week or 31-day interval scheduling, is provided.

Unlike most other battery products, the Smart Valve Controller is compatible with the full line of Hunter standard weather sensor products.

Running low on power should never be an issue. With its latching solenoid designed for minimal power consumption, a single 9-volt battery is guaranteed to last longer than one full season. Plus, a battery life status indicator display lets you visually check battery power level.

The Choice for New Installations or Retrofits

The Hunter Smart Valve Controller is an easy addition to an existing system or the ideal choice for an entirely new one. That’s because the controller is a self-contained, stand alone unit that is available in two different versions.

For that extra zone you have that’s not wired to your present controller, simply purchase an SVC and attach it to any Hunter valve quickly and easily on your own. Or, you can purchase the controller pre-packaged with a 1" PGV flow control valve (SVC-100) for easy installation.

For isolated sites or power-restricted areas, and for the special needs of drip zones, the new Hunter Smart Valve Controller is your single-station solution.

A Battery-Operated Latching Solenoid: How Does it Work?

Both of Hunter’s new battery-powered controllers, the single-station Smart Valve Controller and the multi-station Wireless Valve System, feature a latching solenoid. This design results in minimal power consumption and helps to guarantee that the single 9-volt battery that powers each product will last through a full season.

How does the latching solenoid operate? A pulse from the battery-powered unit (both the Smart Valve Controller and the Wireless Valve System operate the same) is sent to the solenoid and it latches the solenoid in the open position. This allows the valve to open and water to flow through the valve and on to the sprinklers. When the next pulse is received, the solenoid closes and then the valve closes.

Because the solenoid is only open when the valve needs to be open, the battery is not in continuous operation. Since the battery is only being used when the system is actually irrigating, longer battery life can be assured.