Review of Smart Irrigation Controllers
In order to evaluate some of the different smart irrigation sensing and management technologies in context, let us examine some real-world examples of brands and types. There are a variety of smart controllers that range in cost and capability, it is just a matter of finding one that fits your farm operation.
Verdi is an irrigation automation platform that offers wireless pump and valve control, with water tracking and several sensor input options to inform irrigation management. This system operates on long range radio waves (LoRaWAN) for controlling and monitoring, and has transmission range of up to 10 miles from the central hub, called a gateway. From the gateway you can manage valve and pump automation, row-level drip line control, remote soil moisture monitoring, as well as remote water pressure and flow rate sensing. Verdi uses “Block Controllers” that can be purchased as all-in-one valve and sensor units, or can be added to existing valves with the option to combine other sensors. Taken altogether the Verdi platform can give you simplified management of large farm operations, providing a suite of data inputs to tailor irrigation timing, and help to identify blockages, breaks and leaks in the system.
All this does come at a cost, with the LoRaWAN gateway starting $2000, and if it is not within reach of your Wi-Fi, cellular data will cost an additional $250 per year. The Verdi software and support services will cost an additional $1000 per year. The cost of the individual valves and sensors will depend on your particular situation, and Verdi does offer lease options for many components. All and all Verdi is a good solution for large acreage farms, especially those needing more pinpoint management across sloping fields and varying soil types. In the circumstance where water savings and reduced pumping costs can offset the cost of buy-in and annual fees, then Verdi might be a good solution.
Another example of subscription-based automation and remote sensing systems is Agrilynk. Agrilynk offers automated valve control, irrigation scheduling linked to soil moisture probes and weather stations, and some technical support. Entry levels for the Agrilynk platform can start under $2000 for hardware and annual subscription at around $150 per year.
There are some middle of the road options for smart irrigation controllers that offer informed valve control without the annual cost. Hunter Hydrawise HCC is one such platform which is suited to mid-size and small farms.
Standard Hunter HCC models come with 8 stations/valves but some can be expanded up to 54 stations. With a Wi-Fi connection to the controller box you can control irrigation from your phone or PC (though it can be manually operated without Wi-Fi). Managed through the Hunter Hydrawise app, the program reads the weather forecast to adjust irrigation times. There are certain preset triggers that allow you to skip irrigation cycles when there is a high percent chance of rain in the forecast, reduce irrigation duration at lower temperatures, and increase run times on days of high temperatures.
There are some very beneficial irrigation management possibilities that come with the addition of a flow meter to the controller. Another add-on to the controller is a Hunter flow meter, a mechanical meter that is plumbed into your water line up-stream of your valves. It comes in a range of 3/4” to 2” water line sizes and can be wired to deliver flow data to the controller. In addition, Hunter makes a battery operated transmitter that can deliver flow rate data to the controller without a hard wired connection (152 meter range). The addition of a water flow meter to the controller allows real-time water use data, but also the ability to track water-use day-to-day, year-to-year. Because the controller knows which valve is on at any given time, it is possible to track water use for each individual irrigation zone – informing water use on different areas and crop-types. With the addition of a flow meter you also get real time alerts to excessive flow rates (if for example there are breaks in your water lines), and shut the system down remotely from your phone.
Hunter also offers a moisture probe that can be paired with the system. Only one moisture probe can be added, so it might not be suited to diversified cropping systems, varied soil types, or steep terrain. However the probe can also be wired as an interrupt on one valve station, so it would not affect all watering stations. This would be useful in a situation where you have one particularly soggy part of the field or greenhouse irrigation where temperatures are higher and no rainfall is received. There are also weather stations and evapotranspiration sensors that can be linked to these controllers, but most irrigation professionals will tell you they are finicky and not suited to warmer regions.
One downside to the Hunter platform is that a Wi-Fi signal is required to access irrigation control from your smartphone or computer. As such, the Hunter platform might not be suitable for more remote situations or where irrigation is managed far from the central hub of your farm.
Hunter HCC controllers start at around $500, but go up considerably in price as you add stations (there is a wireless valve control option too). The Hunter water flow meter has a nice solid brass construction, and varies in cost depending on size of pipe, with the 2” model being around $600.
In a similar price range to the Hunter platform, are the Rainbird ESP-LX models. Once again with Wi-Fi access you can control irrigation remotely, use weather reports to adjust irrigation cycles, and have the option of adding flow meters, soil moisture probes, and various weather station sensors. The Rain Bird operates on its own RainBird IQ app and has no annual subscription cost.
On the less expensive side there are smart controllers that can be purchased for just $100–$200 and still provide some smart irrigation benefits. Rachio 3 and Orbit B-hyve controllers are two examples of controllers that are marketed to domestic users but could provide automation on the farm at a much lower cost. These controllers connect by bluetooth or wifi, and they have as many as 16 stations that can be managed from your smart phone. Features vary on lower end models but offer some level of weather related adjustments.
Finally, there are smart control options for hose-bib based timers; timers that thread right onto the spigot. Not to be overlooked, these Wi-Fi based valves are an option where valves are not in the ground, and the farmer is not interested in or prepared for installing permanent irrigation equipment (for example when farming on leased land). These simple hose bib timers report to your phone and often have flow meters integrated into the valve. In many of these simple hose bib valves, you can employ the same type of water leak alerts and weather adjusting irrigation found in much more expensive platforms.
With options spanning from budget-friendly hose-bib timers, to advanced multi-zone platforms, small-scale farmers can choose scalable, cost-effective solutions that streamline operations, reduce pumping expenses, and improve crop yields.
This article was compiled with funding from the Department of Water Resources Underrepresented Communities, California Tribes, and Small Farmers Groundwater Technical Assistance Program.