Abstract: Methods for controlling irrigation devices coupled to and receiving operational power from a multi-wire interface of an irrigation system, and related irrigation devices, are provided. In some forms, the methods define initialization of the irrigation devices having received operational power, including the timing of charging, discharging and recharging of the irrigation devices in order to provide a time staggered recharging of the energy reserves of the irrigation devices. In some forms, the methods involve the use of different delay periods at different irrigation devices coupled to irrigation valves to place multiple irrigation valves into a known position. In some embodiments, these methods spread out the usage of charging energy drawn from the multi-wire interface by the irrigation devices coupled thereto to reduce inrush currents.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for controlling an irrigation device coupled to and receiving operational power from a multi-wire interface of an irrigation system comprises: receiving power at the device where the device is one of a plurality of devices receiving power substantially simultaneously; charging an energy reserve of the device using the power, wherein the energy reserve of each device is charged and adapted to supply power to an actuator coupled to a valve; identifying a delay period for the device, the delay period different than a delay period of at least one other device, the delay period defining a period of time that the device is to delay before the energy reserve is discharged; discharging the energy reserve after the delay period lapses; and recharging the energy reserve by drawing current from the multi-wire interface to provide a time staggered recharging of the energy reserves of the devices.