How to set a timer for an irrigation system. Watering timer: the main advantages and main tasks of using the device (105 photos). What data should be taken into account when configuring sensors
Do-it-yourself watering timer can have various varieties. Here a device with a wick dropper will be created.
Necessary materials
A thick cord and fluid reservoir are required. The height of the side of the vessel should vary from 5 to 8 cm. To create a water reservoir, you need a plastic bottle or a bottle from 5 to 10 liters. This directly depends on the volume of water that will have to be contained inside.
Instructions for creating a timer
The main property of a liquid is used - fluidity. The fabric lowered into the water instantly absorbs it. You can make a tourniquet from a piece of fabric, or you can take a rope of suitable thickness. The choice should be made after deciding how much fluid to feed the plant. A submerged cord or rag can only lift the water to a certain height. Physical laws allow high level water in the container to saturate the fibers with sufficient moisture. The fabric or fibers of the rope will not allow moisture to evaporate too quickly, between the fibers it will pass to the other end.
Now another question arises. It is necessary to adjust the amount of water that can flow to the plant. If there is time, then it should be spent on experiments. The more water is needed, the thicker the wick will need to be made or the thicker the rope will need to be taken.
The experiment can be carried out by putting one end of the rope in water, and leaving the other end hanging freely over the place where the liquid will drip. In order not to play with the thickness for a long time, you can pinch it with a wire. This will give you the required bandwidth.
After the experiment, you can find out exactly what thickness of the cord is preferable for the device. When the cord is selected, you can go to the height of the water column. This means that you need to choose a bottle so that it fits the container. In this case, it is necessary to take into account physical laws. The water column does not affect the speed of the drops supplied to the required place, but the liquid level in the container. The level is important for filling the rope with the necessary amount of moisture. Another condition for him is his constancy. A low liquid level will not be able to sufficiently fill the rope with moisture. Therefore, the depth of the container and the height of the bottle are interconnected things. It is better to select them to each other with the help of experiments.
If time does not allow to conduct experiments for a long time, then an already tested combination of volumes can be used. If the supply of liquid is sufficient in the amount of 5 liters, then it is better to take a canister with a side height of about 5 cm. For a 10-liter bottle, you can pick up a vessel with a side height of 8 cm.
It is better to take a bottle whole with a lid. A hole is made in the bottom for the liquid to flow directly into the vessel. The prepared bottle will stand in the container.
The bottle can be filled with liquid in two ways. The first way is to pour without removing from the container. If it is outside the container, then it is better to press with your finger the place where the hole was made in the bottom. The bottle should be closed with its own cap so that it has a tight pressure after twisting. It is placed in the canister and the finger is wrung out from the place with the hole. Some water will fill the vessel. If the liquid will overflow through the top, then you need to find a container with higher sides.
A rope or wick is installed with the correct position of the ends. As the bottle flows, the water will gradually decrease. When the level drops to a critical level, it is worth refilling the water supply.
One of the conditions for the full growth and development of plants is timely watering. But due to the employment of the owners and the remoteness of the site from the city, it is not always possible to provide it. To solve the problem of creating optimal conditions in compliance with the humidity regime, setting a timer will help. This device will not only simplify the care of green "pets", but also have a beneficial effect on the quality of the crop. The device you need on the farm can be purchased at a gardening store, or you can make a do-it-yourself watering timer. About how to choose best option models or make a simple device yourself, we will consider in the article.
The watering timer is a single or multi-channel locking mechanism that controls the water pump. It opens at regular intervals, allowing water to enter the irrigation system.
Drip irrigation systems provide an opportunity not to appear on the site for several days or even weeks, without worrying about your seedlings.
The automatic watering timer solves a lot of tasks in one fell swoop:
- Provides watering with a given intensity and frequency;
- Prevents waterlogging of the soil and rotting of the roots due to measured and slow water supply;
- Bringing water to the roots horticultural crops, resolves the issue sunburn leaves and minimizes the risk of their disease;
- By providing local irrigation, it helps to solve the problem with weeds.
For ease of maintenance, water supply timers are placed together with other equipment in plastic boxes installed underground.
To be able to quickly access devices, these boxes are equipped with a removable hatch or a tight-fitting lid.
According to the counting principle, timers are divided into single-action devices (with a single operation) and multiple (when it works several times with pre-set shutter speeds).
Depending on the type of mechanism used, the timer can be:
- Electronic– the control unit of the device includes electronic equipment that determines the response time and opening of the solenoid valve. The indisputable advantage of this type of device is a wide range of response times, which can vary from 30 seconds to one week. Irrigation mode can be adjusted both locally and remotely.
- Mechanical- is a control unit equipped with a coil spring and a mechanical valve. Works on the principle of a mechanical watch. One cycle of the spring block winding is able to ensure continuous operation of the mechanism for up to 24 hours, opening the valve according to a user-defined response period. The watering mode is adjusted only manually.
Both devices are multi-channel designs. The mechanical watering timer is distinguished by its simple design and the absence of electrical leads in it. This greatly reduces the cost of the device.
A mechanical timer, in comparison with an electronic analogue, has a more limited duration of a given cycle
In a mechanical timer, it is enough to set the watering cycle by selecting an interval. With an electronic model, it is somewhat more complicated: first you need to set the date and time, and only after that choose the program that is optimal for the crop being grown.
Many have noticed that in the water supply systems of suburban villages in daytime due to the intensive water intake, the pressure decreases. By setting an automatic watering timer, you can schedule evening and nighttime irrigation.
Depending on the modification of the device, the timers can have internal or external “regular” pipe threads, and are also equipped with quick-clamp hose connectors or quick-connect connectors to the irrigation system.
Most expensive models have additional functions, for example, determining humidity, depending on the indicator of which watering is automatically reduced or extended
Water timer manufacturing options
When planning to equip an automatic irrigation system on the site, it is convenient to use water timers to control taps. With their help, the water supply system can be made completely non-volatile, avoiding the use of any electronics.
Timer with drip-wick
The fibers of the wick, being saturated with moisture, raise it up to a certain height, preventing the water from evaporating quickly. If the wick is thrown over the side of the container, then the absorbed water will simply drip from the free end.
This method is based on physical laws that create a capillary effect. It occurs when a fabric wick is lowered into a container of water.
The moisture throughput can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the wick, the density of the twisting of the threads and pinching them with a wire loop.
To equip the timer in a container with low sides, the height of which does not exceed 5-8 cm, install a five or ten-liter plastic bottle. One of the key conditions for the operation of the system is to maintain the liquid level in the tank at a constant height. The optimal ratio of capacities is easiest to determine experimentally.
The defining factor in his work is the water column. Therefore, the height of the bottle and the depth of the wide container are interconnected things.
A small hole is made in the bottom of the bottle for water to flow out. The bottle is filled with water, covered for a while drainer and sealed with a lid. The filled bottle is placed in the trough. Water seeping through the bottom will gradually flow out, stopping at a level when the hole does not hide under the thickness. As the water is used up, the water flowing out of the bottle will make up for the losses.
The wick itself is easiest to make from a rope of suitable thickness or a bundle twisted from a piece of fabric. It is placed in a container, correctly distributing the ends
The main advantage of such a timer is that due to the same water level in a wide container, in case of rain, the replenishment of moisture loss from the bottle will be suspended.
Craftsmen who have already tested such a device in practice claim that a five-liter bottle with a flow rate of 1 drop / 2 seconds is enough for 20 hours of uninterrupted operation. By choosing optimal size bottle, which performs the function of a water column, and by adjusting the intensity of the drop, you can achieve the effect of multi-day delays.
Ball valve control device
In a water timer, the response time is carried out under the action of a drop. The water flowing out of the tank, which acts as a ballast, reduces the weight of the structure. At a certain point, the weight of the container is no longer enough to hold the handle stopcock, and the water supply starts.
To equip a water timer you will need:
- Barrel for water;
- ball valve;
- Two plywood or metal circles;
- Canisters or 5-liter plastic bottles;
- Construction adhesive;
- Spool of sewing thread.
For the smooth functioning of the system ball valve it is desirable to modify by attaching a small pulley - rocker to the handle fixed by means of a screw. This will allow you to bring the valve from closed to open by changing the angle of the handle.
The pulley is constructed from two identical plywood circles, gluing them together with planes construction adhesive, or metal, connecting them with bolts. A strong cord is wound onto the pulley, for reliability, making several turns around it. When constructing a lever, the pieces of cord are firmly fixed at its edges. To the free ends of the cord with opposite sides tie a load-ballast and a container of water compensating for its weight. The weight of the load must be such that under its weight the crane comes into a lever state.
It is convenient to use five-liter plastic bottles as a cargo ballast and a water container compensating for its weight.
The easiest way to adjust the weight of the containers is to pour sand into one of them and pour water into the other. The role of a weighting agent can also be performed by metal chips or lead shot.
A container of water will act as a timer. To do this, a tiny hole is made in its bottom with a thin needle, through which water will seep drop by drop. The flow time will depend on the volume of the bottle itself and the size of the hole. It can range from a few hours to three or four days.
To put the device into action, the watering container is installed on flat surface and fill with water. The bottles, suspended by the ends of the cord to the pulley, are also filled: one with sand, the other with water. With an equal weight of filled bottles, the tap is closed.
As water is excavated, the container loses weight. At a certain moment, the ballast load, outweighing the partially empty bottle, turns the valve to the “open” position, thereby starting watering
There are times when you need to get full opening tap, bypassing intermediate positions - the so-called tumbler effect. In these cases, a little trick will help: in the closed position of the crane, the edge of the thread is tied to the weight, which will act as a fuse, and its free end is fixed to the crane. When the mechanism is closed, the thread will not experience any load. As the water tank empties, the load will begin to outweigh, but the safety thread will take over excess weight, not allowing the ballast to move the valve to the "open" position. The thread will break only with a significant overweight of the load, instantly switching the tap and ensuring the free passage of water.
To bring the system to its original state, simply remove the load or fix it in a suspended state, eliminating the cord tension.
The system is ready for operation, it remains only to fill the watering barrel and the timer with water before leaving and hang the ballast, securing it with a thin thread. Such a device is easy to manufacture and convenient to maintain. Its only drawback can be considered a one-time operation.
Other ideas for creating mechanical timers can be found on thematic forms. For example, some craftsmen use a cylindrical plunger with polyethylene granules in oil as the working body of the timer. The device is set up so that when the temperature drops at night, the displacer is retracted, and the weakened spring opens the tap. To limit the flow of water, use a diaphragm. Warm during the daytime sunbeams polyethylene granules increase in size, pushing the plunger to its original position and thereby blocking the water supply.
Electronic timer
Craftsmen who own basic knowledge electronics, can build simple model electronic timer. The device manufacturing guide is presented in the video clip:
One of the conditions for the full growth and development of plants is timely watering. But due to the employment of the owners and the remoteness of the site from the city, it is not always possible to provide it. To solve the problem of creating optimal conditions in compliance with the humidity regime, setting a timer will help. This device will not only simplify the care of green "pets", but also have a beneficial effect on the quality of the crop. The device you need on the farm can be purchased at a gardening store, or you can make a do-it-yourself watering timer. We will consider how to choose the best version of the model or make a simple device on our own in the article.
The watering timer is a single or multi-channel locking mechanism that controls the water pump. It opens at regular intervals, allowing water to enter the irrigation system.
Drip irrigation systems provide an opportunity not to appear on the site for several days or even weeks, without worrying about your seedlings.
The automatic watering timer solves a lot of tasks in one fell swoop:
- Provides watering with a given intensity and frequency;
- Prevents waterlogging of the soil and rotting of the roots due to measured and slow water supply;
- By supplying water under the roots of garden crops, it solves the problem of sunburn of the leaves and minimizes the risk of their disease;
- By providing local irrigation, it helps to solve the problem with weeds.
For ease of maintenance, water supply timers are placed together with other equipment in plastic boxes installed underground.
To be able to quickly access devices, these boxes are equipped with a removable hatch or a tight-fitting lid.
According to the counting principle, timers are divided into single-action devices (with a single operation) and multiple (when it works several times with pre-set shutter speeds).
Depending on the type of mechanism used, the timer can be:
- Electronic– the control unit of the device includes electronic equipment that determines the response time and opening of the solenoid valve. The indisputable advantage of this type of device is a wide range of response times, which can vary from 30 seconds to one week. Irrigation mode can be adjusted both locally and remotely.
- Mechanical- is a control unit equipped with a coil spring and a mechanical valve. Works on the principle of a mechanical watch. One cycle of the spring block winding is able to ensure continuous operation of the mechanism for up to 24 hours, opening the valve according to a user-defined response period. The watering mode is adjusted only manually.
Both devices are multi-channel designs. The mechanical watering timer is distinguished by its simple design and the absence of electrical leads in it. This greatly reduces the cost of the device.
A mechanical timer, in comparison with an electronic analogue, has a more limited duration of a given cycle
In a mechanical timer, it is enough to set the watering cycle by selecting an interval. With an electronic model, it is somewhat more complicated: first you need to set the date and time, and only after that choose the program that is optimal for the crop being grown.
Many have noticed that in the water supply systems of suburban settlements in the daytime, due to intensive water intake, the pressure decreases. By setting an automatic watering timer, you can schedule evening and nighttime irrigation.
Depending on the modification of the device, the timers can have internal or external “regular” pipe threads, and are also equipped with quick-clamp hose connectors or quick-connect connectors to the irrigation system.
The most expensive models have additional features, such as moisture detection, depending on which watering is automatically reduced or extended.
Water timer manufacturing options
When planning to equip an automatic irrigation system on the site, it is convenient to use water timers to control taps. With their help, the water supply system can be made completely non-volatile, avoiding the use of any electronics.
Construction #1 - timer with drip-wick
The fibers of the wick, being saturated with moisture, raise it up to a certain height, preventing the water from evaporating quickly. If the wick is thrown over the side of the container, then the absorbed water will simply drip from the free end.
This method is based on physical laws that create a capillary effect. It occurs when a fabric wick is lowered into a container of water.
The moisture throughput can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the wick, the density of the twisting of the threads and pinching them with a wire loop.
To equip the timer, a five or ten-liter plastic bottle is installed in a container with low sides, the height of which does not exceed 5-8 cm. One of the key conditions for the operation of the system is to maintain the liquid level in the tank at a constant height. The optimal ratio of capacities is easiest to determine experimentally.
The defining factor in his work is the water column. Therefore, the height of the bottle and the depth of the wide container are interconnected things.
A small hole is made in the bottom of the bottle for water to flow out. The bottle is filled with water, covering the drain hole for a while, and hermetically sealed with a lid. The filled bottle is placed in the trough. Water seeping through the bottom will gradually flow out, stopping at a level when the hole does not hide under the thickness. As the water is used up, the water flowing out of the bottle will make up for the losses.
The wick itself is easiest to make from a rope of suitable thickness or a bundle twisted from a piece of fabric. It is placed in a container, correctly distributing the ends
The main advantage of such a timer is that due to the same water level in a wide container, in case of rain, the replenishment of moisture loss from the bottle will be suspended.
Craftsmen who have already tested such a device in practice claim that a five-liter bottle with a flow rate of 1 drop / 2 seconds is enough for 20 hours of uninterrupted operation. By choosing the optimal size of the bottle that acts as a water column and adjusting the intensity of the drop, you can achieve the effect of multi-day delays.
Design #2 - ball valve control device
In a water timer, the response time is carried out under the action of a drop. The water flowing out of the tank, which acts as a ballast, reduces the weight of the structure. At a certain point, the weight of the container is no longer enough to hold the stopcock handle, and the water supply starts.
To equip a water timer you will need:
- Barrel for water;
- ball valve;
- Two plywood or metal circles;
- Canisters or 5-liter plastic bottles;
- Construction adhesive;
- Spool of sewing thread.
For the smooth functioning of the system, it is desirable to modify the ball valve by attaching a small pulley - rocker to the handle fixed with a screw. This will allow you to bring the valve from closed to open by changing the angle of the handle.
The pulley is constructed from two identical plywood circles, gluing them with planes between each other with building glue, or metal, connecting them with bolts. A strong cord is wound onto the pulley, for reliability, making several turns around it. When constructing a lever, the pieces of cord are firmly fixed at its edges. To the free ends of the cord from opposite sides, a ballast load and a water container compensating for its weight are tied. The weight of the load must be such that under its weight the crane comes into a lever state.
It is convenient to use five-liter plastic bottles as a cargo ballast and a water container compensating for its weight.
The easiest way to adjust the weight of the containers is to pour sand into one of them and pour water into the other. The role of a weighting agent can also be performed by metal chips or lead shot.
A container of water will act as a timer. To do this, a tiny hole is made in its bottom with a thin needle, through which water will seep drop by drop. The flow time will depend on the volume of the bottle itself and the size of the hole. It can range from a few hours to three or four days.
To put the device into action, the watering container is placed on a flat surface and filled with water. The bottles, suspended by the ends of the cord to the pulley, are also filled: one with sand, the other with water. With an equal weight of filled bottles, the tap is closed.
As water is excavated, the container loses weight. At a certain moment, the ballast load, outweighing the partially empty bottle, turns the valve to the “open” position, thereby starting watering
There are situations when it is necessary to get the full opening of the tap, bypassing intermediate positions - the so-called toggle switch effect. In these cases, a little trick will help: in the closed position of the crane, the edge of the thread is tied to the weight, which will act as a fuse, and its free end is fixed to the crane. When the mechanism is closed, the thread will not experience any load. As the water container empties, the load will outweigh, but the safety thread will take on the extra weight, preventing the ballast from moving the tap to the “open” position. The thread will break only with a significant overweight of the load, instantly switching the tap and ensuring the free passage of water.
To bring the system to its original state, simply remove the load or fix it in a suspended state, eliminating the cord tension.
The system is ready for operation, it remains only to fill the watering barrel and the timer with water before leaving and hang the ballast, securing it with a thin thread. Such a device is easy to manufacture and convenient to maintain. Its only drawback can be considered a one-time operation.
Other ideas for creating mechanical timers can be found on thematic forms. For example, some craftsmen use a cylindrical plunger with polyethylene granules in oil as the working body of the timer. The device is set up so that when the temperature drops at night, the displacer is retracted, and the weakened spring opens the tap. To limit the flow of water, use a diaphragm. In the daytime, polyethylene granules heated by sunlight increase in size, pushing the plunger to its original position and thereby blocking the water supply.
Construction #3 - electronic timer
Craftsmen with basic knowledge of electronics can build a simple model of an electronic timer. The device manufacturing guide is presented in the video clip:
What is a watering timer? This question is of interest to those who have a garden, cottage or greenhouse and want plants to grow and develop without worries. After all, summer residents all the time have to think about ensuring timely watering. Particular attention should be paid to this on hot days.
It is sometimes difficult to provide green spaces with irrigation if they are far from the main place of residence. Depending on the type and requirements of the plant, you can choose a program that will allow you to supply water in the required mode. Some types of timer controllers can be installed outside a building or building. The advantage of the controllers is that you can supply water both to the space near the estates and to the gardens with a huge area.
Timers can be divided into 2 types: single-channel and multi-channel, the latter are divided into manual and automatic. By design watering timers are divided into:
- automatic;
- mechanical;
- electronic;
- digital.
The difference between manual and automatic is that manual is easier to use.
To work with manual view device, you need to set the time and duration of water supply. And in order to start using the automatic view of the device, you must first set the date and time, and then select one of the programs with a timer. The timer stops the pump and water supply, and after the time set in the timer, the supply resumes. The duration of the break depends on the type of plant and the amount of moisture required.
Principle of operation
The timer is cut into a pipe with a diameter of 20-40 mm, which directs water for irrigation, the mechanism located in the tap stops and resumes watering desired frequency and duration. For example, you can set watering for 30 minutes every 10 hours. After 30 minutes of operation, the water in the tap stops. The faucet runs on a battery that will have to be changed once a season.
Electronic watering timer (video)
Water timer manufacturing options
If you plan to install a lightweight system in the country drip irrigation, then you should think about a device with a timer. The water supply can be made completely independent of energy and at the same time do not use electronics.
Design No. 1 - watering timer with a dropper-wick. The wick, absorbing water, delivers it to the desired height, preventing rapid evaporation. If it goes beyond the boundaries of the container, then water will begin to drip from the open end. This is based on the law of physics, which favors the capillary way of working. Moisture permeability directly depends on the thickness of the wick, which can be adjusted. To use the timer in a container with a height of 5-8 cm, use a plastic bottle of 5 or 10 liters. The water level in the tank must be at the same height at all times. Make a small drain hole in the bottom.
Temporarily cover the hole, fill the bottle with water and close the lid tightly. Place a bottle filled with water in the trough. As it flows out of the tank, the water will compensate for the losses. The wick is best made from a rope or a tourniquet. desired thickness woven from a piece of fabric. Having placed the ends as necessary, you should install the wick in the container.
The advantage of such a device is that on rainy days, compensation for moisture loss from the bottle will stop.
Design No. 2 - a device regulated by a ball valve, or a timer for drip irrigation.
The timing of the timer depends on the drops in it. Water flowing out of the structure reduces its weight. The faucet handle is not held due to the lack of weight of the container, and the water supply is triggered.
To equip such a timer for drip irrigation, you will need:
- barrel;
- ball valve;
- 2 circles made of plywood or metal;
- 5 liter bottles plastic or canister;
- building glue;
- sewing thread (spool).
For the smooth functioning of the system, it is advisable to modify the ball valve by attaching a small pulley - rocker to the handle fixed with a screw. The angle of inclination of the crane handle changes, due to this it is brought into working condition.
The pulley is made from a pair of plywood circles, which are glued together with building glue, or from metal, attaching them with bolts. Wind a strong cord around the pulley. Tie a weight-ballast to one end of the cord, and a container of water of a similar size to the other. This container will be the timer for drip irrigation. A hole is made at the bottom. The time can be set to several days.
To work, the container should be placed on level ground and filled with water. If the bottles are equal in weight at both ends, the tap must be closed.
Thus, if you have a garden, cottage, garden plot big size if your green spaces are far from your home, if you care about the healthy, full and carefree growth of your pets, a definite advice: you should think about setting an irrigation timer.
The water timer will be your true companion, saving you the time you would normally spend manually watering and giving you more time to do other things like harvesting or other maintenance. Plants will delight, grow beautiful and flawless.
Automatic faucet timer for irrigation with mechanical control (video)
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Many owners spend a huge amount of time on watering, spending at the same time large quantity water than plants need. It is especially problematic to produce regular watering remote from the house and fields.
It was for this purpose that a special timer irrigation, which we will discuss in this article. Let's figure out how the device works, what it is used for, whether the price corresponds to the real benefit.
What is it and how does it work?
Let's start with what an automatic watering timer is.
The design can be different forms, however, most often it resembles a water meter, which everyone has in a private house or apartment. The device is designed both to supply water for irrigation at a certain time, which is set by the timer, and to program irrigation for each day of the week.
At the same time, the program is not limited by anything, and if you understand the action system, you can program a separate irrigation option for every day, while setting different time and duration. 
That is, we have a device that allows you to remotely irrigate according to the program you set. The device works on batteries, which are protected from moisture. Thus, the timer does not depend on the presence of the mains supply, therefore it can be used even in an open field.
Important!When you change the batteries, the set programs are saved.
The timer works as a shut-off valve, which is connected on one side to the pipe to which water is supplied, and on the other side a regular irrigation hose is attached. The design provides for the presence of a nozzle for watering hose so you don't need to buy anything extra. At the moment when it is necessary to produce, the device opens a valve, like a ball valve, and water is supplied to irrigate the site.
It is worth noting that not all watering timers have software, which will allow you to program actions, so be sure to check the capabilities of the device when buying. Also note that the watering timer, although it has a similar shape, does not function as a water meter. 
Device types
Mechanical
The mechanical timer has a watch device that was used in the first microwave ovens or mechanical watch. The watch device works on a spring and can provide continuous watering for up to one day. In this case, any adjustments are made manually. Such devices are deprived of a dial or screen, as well as the possibility of programming actions. 
A mechanical timer is great for home gardens where irrigation is constantly controlled by the owner. At the same time, the unit allows you to supply water for a fixed amount of time, after which the mechanism is triggered and the tap shuts off the water supply.
Did you know? The first prototype of the timer and stopwatch was invented in 1720. The device could fix time intervals with an accuracy of 1/16 second.
Electronic
The electronic version, as you might guess, has additional function programming that allows you to spend more time doing other things than watering the vegetation. Such options are best suited for areas remote from home. Since some crops require daily watering, the purchase of such a timer will pay off almost instantly, given the cost of gasoline and the time spent. 
The electronic version has two varieties, which we will further describe.
The electronic watering timer allows you to set actions for one week, with a maximum watering duration of 2 hours. All tasks are set in advance by a person, after which the system works according to a given scenario.
Such devices have average price and a fairly good functionality that allows for remote irrigation. 
The most advanced option, which has up to 16 programs. Any action associated with watering is set. You can also irrigate from one timer various plants, while setting a specific watering time for each.
To make it easier to understand what the difference is, let's compare the cheapest microwave and a microwave with all possible "bells and whistles". Yes, each can heat or cook food, however the more expensive option gives you more choice, which allows you to cook absolutely any dish using only a microwave oven, which will replace the oven, grill, gas oven, and even.
It is the same with electronic timers with program control. They allow you to irrigate all crops at once, while using their own time and volume of water for each of them. Such a system works without any human intervention. 
Did you know? The first electronic clock appeared in 1971. They were equipped with a digital LED display.
Selection rules
To begin with, it is worth deciding what exactly you need, since the functionality of the device and, of course, its price will depend on this.
If you are reading this article, then you are interested in this device, or there is a need for such a sensor. Therefore, it is worth considering all the options, as well as explaining their usefulness in a particular case.
- mechanical option. If you do not want to stand "for a dead hour" with a hose in your hands on personal plot, as well as remember the exact time of watering, then it is enough to purchase the simplest option that works on a spring. You will receive a device that does not require electricity, does not deteriorate from exposure to moisture or the sun, and also has a low cost.
- Electronic version with mechanical control. Such a device is installed at a site remote from home and is designed to irrigate one crop, since you can programmatically set any time for any day of the week. Of course, such a device is more expensive, but for watering large fields it is the best fit, since its functionality is quite enough. It does not make sense to install such a device on a personal plot, because the main advantage of the device is distant work which saves you time.
- Electronic version with software control. Such a device is usually placed in greenhouses, where not only the irrigation schedule is important, but also air humidity. The presence of sensors allows you to control the humidity of the air, as well as set the ideal program for each crop.
Important! If the device runs on batteries, then, on average, they will last for 1500 on / off.
It does not make sense to use the most advanced option in open fields, since all the functionality of the device will not be disclosed. And given the cost of the device, its loss or breakdown can hit your pocket hard. After all, it is worth understanding that the more in the device electronic stuffing the more vulnerable it is to external factors.
Now it's worth talking about which device to take for plumbing system, and which watering timer to choose for gravity systems.
To begin with, these timers differ in the mechanism for opening and shutting off the water supply. One uses a solenoid valve and the other uses a ball valve. The solenoid valve opens only at a pressure of at least 0.2 atmospheres. It is used for centralized water supply, as it can withstand high pressure. Also, a similar valve protects against air supply during the time when the water is turned off.
It is used for gravity systems, that is, for irrigation from any container (barrel). This option is better suited for irrigating greenhouses and greenhouses, as a fixed amount of water is used. Ideal for drip irrigation systems. Works at a pressure from 0 to 6 atmospheres. 
Number of valves. We wrote above that advanced timers allow you to set an irrigation scenario for different crops. In order to do this, you need to purchase a device with several valves. At the same time, a separate time and duration of watering for each plant is programmatically set. It is useful to use several valves in the greenhouse, as it is important to constantly maintain the microclimate in order to get a good harvest. 
It is worth noting that several valves can be put on the simplest mechanisms, however, due to this, their functionality does not increase. You simply cannot make it so that, for example, a mechanical timer waters first one crop and then another, since all actions are set manually.
Additional features. It is possible to connect a rain sensor, an additional filter, as well as a mini-pump to the electronic options.
The rain sensor, as you already understood, is used to ensure that our timer does not flood the area at the moment when it rains. An additional filter is used only for drip irrigation to prevent clogging of the system. A mini-pump is needed when water is supplied from a tank and the pressure is 0 atmospheres.
How to connect and use the device
After connecting, we begin to understand the principle of operation. The simplest timers are enough to “start” like a clock, after which the water supply will begin. Complex options have multitasking, which requires a full study of the instructions.
Device assembly
After opening the factory packaging, carefully read the instructions. Also pay attention to which direction the water supply arrows point. If you ignore this aspect, then you will mount the device in reverse. 
After reading the instructions, which describes in detail the principle of installation, we proceed to connect to the system. Start by comparing the inlet pipe diameter. Most likely, you will need to purchase an adapter separately, which will allow you to connect a hose of any diameter to the device.
After picking up everything you need, you need to connect the pipe to the inlet. For this we shoot protective ring, put the pipe on the "nose" and twist the ring, which should fix it. Next, look at the outlet diameter. Most often, there is a special nozzle on the timers, which is used to connect the watering hoses. If the diameter is suitable, then we simply put the hose on, if not, we buy a nozzle of the desired diameter. After connecting the hose to the outlet, the installation of a simple timer is over. Mounting advanced drip irrigation devices requires additional steps, which can also be set out in the instructions. Depending on the irrigation system you are using, additional adapters, bushings or tees may be required.
Timer setting
After connecting the device to the system, you need to insert batteries or connect to the mains (some timers only support connection to the mains). Next, the dial will light up, under which the buttons are located. Most devices have two buttons that allow you to increase or decrease a numerical value, a button that sets the day or month, and buttons to turn the device on / off. There is a "Start" button that starts the algorithm of actions.
Depending on the configuration and manufacturer, the number of buttons and the actions for which they are responsible may vary, so we have provided general data.
To set the timer, you need to turn it on. Next, set the current right time to which the device will navigate. Next, you need to create a script for each day. To do this, select a day, after which we first set the watering time, and then its duration. After that, we switch to other days. If you have an advanced version, then it gives you the opportunity to create a scenario for a whole year. This opportunity is ideal for .
After full customization you need to press the "Enable" or "Start" button, and the unit will begin to sequentially execute the script.
Important! Electronic timers do not have an initial setting, so everything is programmed manually for personal needs.
Operation features
Now let's talk about how to properly operate the device so that it lasts longer.
To begin with, you should use only high-quality batteries if you have electronic device. In this case, the batteries must be 1.5 v, or another voltage, if this is described in the instructions. 
As for the water that is supplied to the device, it must be clean, fresh. Any heavy particles will clog the filter, causing the device to be cleaned frequently. At the same time, the quality and strength of the water supply will be reduced significantly. Also remember that the temperature of the water that passes through the device should not be higher than +40 ° C.
