Abstract: An irrigation subsystem for locating a decoder unit in an irrigation system includes an irrigation controller controlling a plurality of irrigation units installed around branches of one or more water pipes in a field. Each irrigation unit includes a decoder unit placed in a box partially sunk in a ground and a solenoid. The subsystem further includes a memory, a memory control controlling data loading and retrieval into the memory, and an NFC interface having an NFC plate arranged in the box ensuring communication and energy supply with a mobile phone of an installer or searcher when being positioned close to the NFC plate. The communication includes downloading location coordinates of the decoder unit into the memory. The irrigation controller includes a memory for storing location data obtained from the decoder units in the form of a location database.

Abstract: An irrigation subsystem for locating a decoder unit in an irrigation system includes an irrigation controller controlling a plurality of irrigation units installed around branches of one or more water pipes in a field. Each irrigation unit includes a decoder unit placed in a box partially sunk in a ground and a solenoid. The subsystem further includes a memory, a memory control controlling data loading and retrieval into the memory, and an NFC interface having an NFC plate arranged in the box ensuring communication and energy supply with a mobile phone of an installer or searcher when being positioned close to the NFC plate. The communication includes downloading location coordinates of the decoder unit into the memory. The irrigation controller includes a memory for storing location data obtained from the decoder units in the form of a location database.

Abstract: A valve control assembly for a watering system including a decoder unit and provided with valve control outputs, a solenoid releasably attachable to a valve. The decoder unit is arranged in a substantially cylindrical shaped decoder body having a central axis. The solenoid is arranged in a substantially cylindrical solenoid housing. The decoder body and the solenoid housing are releasably attachable together so that in attached position their axes fall in the same line and their edges along which they are united have respective conforming recesses that are fitted together and prevent angular displacement. In the interior of the decoder body and the solenoid housing in the connection zone a hollow space is defined. Control wires connect the decoder unit, with the solenoid are placed in the hollow space. The control wires having a length to permit dis-assembly and replacement of any of the decoder unit and the solenoid.

Abstract: A valve control assembly for a watering system including a decoder unit and provided with valve control outputs, a solenoid releasably attachable to a valve. The decoder unit is arranged in a substantially cylindrical shaped decoder body having a central axis. The solenoid is arranged in a substantially cylindrical solenoid housing. The decoder body and the solenoid housing are releasably attachable together so that in attached position their axes fall in the same line and their edges along which they are united have respective conforming recesses that are fitted together and prevent angular displacement. In the interior of the decoder body and the solenoid housing in the connection zone a hollow space is defined. Control wires connect the decoder unit, with the solenoid are placed in the hollow space. The control wires having a length to permit dis-assembly and replacement of any of the decoder unit and the solenoid.

Abstract: A rain gauge includes an orifice which is of a diameter generating water drops of uniform mass. A sensor below the orifice senses individual water drops. An adapter for an irrigation controller having a master valve output and a rain switch input and a system therefor includes a rain gauge input, a weather station input receiving Evapotranspiration data (ET) and an input from the master valve output receiving irrigation program cycles. A routine for updating the current water balance value by reducing the sum of the rainfall and the irrigation cycles by the value of ET is used with an output to the rain switch input responsive to the determination of the current water balance value. A maximum water balance value and a minimum water balance value are maintained to compare with the current water balance value to control the irrigation program.