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Advice for first time purchaser of irrigation system and potentially Rainmachine

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Sumo

Hi,

I have never had an irrigation system but I have thought of installing one for several years. I was looking for advice and confirmation on a few items and was hoping for some assistance.

Below are the components being quoted for installation:
- Rainbird 1800 Series Mist Spray Sprinkler Heads
http://www.rainbird.ca/documents/turf/bro_1800Series-D40586.pdf1
- Rainbird Electric Solenoid Valves
http://www.rainbird.com/homeowner/products/valves/DV-DVF.htm
- Rainbird Wifi Link Module
http://www.rainbird.ca/documents/turf/bro_LNK-WiFi_SellSheet_en.pdf1
- Wired Rain Sensor
https://www.hunterindustries.com/sites/default/files/BR_MINICLIK_em.pdf

Questions:
1) Is my assumption that all of the above items will be compatible with the Rainmachine correct? I didn't see this specific rain sensor covered but presume it is in the "standard wired rain sensor" category and thus it will work with the Rainmachine even though I know the Rainmachine doesn't need the rain sensor?
2) How many of you feel the rain sensor is still worthwhile given weather forecasts may not be as precise compared to an actual rain sensor and using Rainmachine's intelligence of predictive forecasts and all the other variables it factors in? (Live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada if that matters for weather accuracy) (assuming rain sensor plus Rainmachine adds the best of both worlds (predictive and reactive/highly localized)
3) Is the above hardware solid and good quality?
4) Any opinions on the Rainbird Wifi module? My potential installer doesn't offer either Rachio or Rain Machine control systems so trying to understand difference and if it is worth doing it myself and not buying the wifi module from Rainbird.
5) Any other advice you can provide (or things I should confirm with the contractor) to make the best decision for a fairly significant investment?

Thanks in advance,
- Sumo

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    Andrei

    Hello Sumo, 

    The RainMachine Mini-8 has 2 terminals for rain sensor, so it will work with the mentioned sensor.

    RainBird WIFI module: I think this is a custom module that adds functionality to legacy RainBird devices, therefore this device will not be compatible with RainMachine. 

    The sprinkler heads config does not matter from an electrical point of view and the valves are compatible with Rainmachine (they are low power & modern valves with holding current = 250mA).

    >2) How many of you feel the rain sensor is still worthwhile given weather forecasts may not be as precise compared to an actual rain sensor and using Rainmachine's >intelligence of predictive forecasts and all the other variables it factors in? (Live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada if that matters for weather accuracy) (assuming rain sensor plus >Rainmachine adds the best of both worlds (predictive and reactive/highly localized)

    Wired rain sensors act more like brute force and usually work only by stopping irrigation when rain is present + a few hours afterwards. They are very good at detecting rain for your exact location (of course) but they do not know how much rain or when it rained. A forecast based rain sensing model allows you to know exactly how much rain you get, when it rained and the RainMachine can then make the respective calculations for a more precise computation. For example, if you have a huge rain, a wired-only controller will stop watering only for that day, a forecast based system can stop watering for 2 or 3 days based on how much water is calculated to be left the ground. 

    Combining the two can give a different set of results. Most people do not have rain sensor connected to smart sprinklers, but sometimes city regulation requires it. PLease note that when rain sensor is used the evapotranspiration calculations for the respective day are discarded as the rain sensor dictates the outcome.

    The weakness of forecast systems is, of course, the forecast. However satellite based forecast systems such as NOAA are getting very good at predicting amount of rain at great precision. We use QPF (Quantitative Precipitation Forecast) values, not precipitation chance (this is used by most weather forecasters). QPF is a product of satellite and radar instruments.

    Hope this helps,
    Andrei

     

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    Sumo (Edited )

    Thanks for the thorough response.

    1) You mentioned the mini supports rain sensors and is compatible with the hardware I mentioned. Are both statements on compatibility true for all your devices?

    2) Also your site mentions using exact address for weather forecasting, does that apply for Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada? How can I know what weather sources and accuracy is for my specific house/area?

    3) Also, could I use a combination of a local forecast + Netatmo weather station and rain gauge?

    a) Would it factor in the amount of rainfall from the rain gauge in its calculation of evaporation?

    b) If there is a different in the Netatmo temperature and the local forecast, will the Netatmo override the local forecast? 

    c) Can I choose to use the local forecast if I am worried about Netatmo temperature accuracy or if the battery dies or it fails?

    4) Would you be adding support of water flow meters? Would this be a new hardware product or driven via software update?

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    Andrei

    >1) You mentioned the mini supports rain sensors and is compatible with the hardware I mentioned. Are both statements on compatibility true for all your devices?

    The HD series works with Rain Sensor, but the rain sensor would need to be installed in series with the Common wire, the Mini-8 has a dedicated input for rain sensor. 

    >2) Also your site mentions using exact address for weather forecasting, does that apply for Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada? How can I know what weather sources and accuracy >is for my specific house/area?

    Yes, same precision, I tried it just now and it works.

    Also, the RainMachine can read weather from MetNo (like NOAA, but international). Here is the data that is being pulled for your location: https://www.yr.no/place/Canada/Ontario/Richmond_Hill/

    >3) Also, could I use a combination of a local forecast + Netatmo weather station and rain gauge?

    Yes. We prefer single sources of weather data, mixing in multiple sources can be confusing, IMHO. NetAtmo will not over-write, it will be mixed in.

    >c) Can I choose to use the local forecast if I am worried about Netatmo temperature accuracy or if the battery dies or it fails?
    Yes. Actually the Netatmo is past data, we have a (beta) feature called 'forecast correction" where in case forecast was wrong, watering behavior will be corrected the next day based on local sensor.

    >4) Would you be adding support of water flow meters? Would this be a new hardware product or driven via software update?

     If flow sensors can communicate, we will try to incorporate their data! Can't want to see the next gen of flow sensor that are WIFI/Internet based!

     

    Best Regards,
    Andrei
     

     

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