Terracotta is porous and so the water level in the pot falls as water seeps through the pot. A float inside the pot floats on the water. When the water level reaches the low level, a magnet inside the float activates the valve so that the valve opens and the irrigation starts. During the irrigation event a control dripper drips water into the pot and the water level rises. When the water level reaches the high level, the magnet inside the float disengages from the valve so that the valve closes and the irrigation stops.

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The Terracotta Irrigation Controller for Latching Solenoids is suitable for automatic sprinkler irrigation or drip irrigation. The valve at the bottom of the controller operates in the pressure range 10 kPa to 800 kPa. The irrigation frequency responds automatically to the on-site prevailing weather conditions (namely, evaporation and rainfall). For in ground installation the irrigation frequency also responds to the transpiration of the plants.

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During an irrigation event, the control dripper replaces the water that has seeped through the pot since the previous irrigation event. This volume is called the control volume. The Terrcotta Irrigation Controller for Latching Solenoids has a control volume between 110 ml and 385 ml. With the booster connected the control volume is between 1000 ml and 1825 ml.

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By using the Terracotta Irrigation Controller for Latching Solenoids with the appropriate control dripper, you can irrigate directly from a rainwater tank by gravity feed without using a pump. Furthermore, by using the same drippers throughout irrigation application, the volume of water discharged by each dripper is independent of the water level in the tank. The Terracotta Irrigation Controller for Latching Solenoids is a game-changer for automated gravity feed irrigation from a rainwater tank without using a pump.

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Key Features​

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1. Use for any size irrigation application with any size latching solenoid valve

2. All the power required is provided by a small 9V lithium battery

3. The water in the terracotta bowl is protected from debris, algae, mosquitoes and thirsty animals

4. Completely automatic

5. Smart irrigation  – the irrigation is controlled by the prevailing weather conditions

6. Use for both gravity feed and pressurised irrigation

7. Use for both sprinkler and drip irrigation

8. Use for both pressure compensating drippers and non pressure compensating drippers

9. Adjust the water usage rate (litres per week for example) by adjusting the flow rate of the control dripper

10. Adjust the irrigation frequency by adjusting the float

11. When there is an unexpected heat wave, the water usage rate and irrigation frequency increase

12. When it rains, water enters the terracotta pot and delays the start of the next irrigaion

13. A timer is not required

14. If you are using the same drippers throughout the irrigation application including the control dripper, the water usage rate is independent of the pressure

15. You can irrigate by gravity feed directly from a rainwater tank without using a pump

16. A light sensor provides the option of irrigating at night time only

17. Uses much less water without affecting the yield

18. Simple and low tech, therefore fewer things can go wrong

19. Provided you have a continuous water supply, you can leave your irrigation application unattended for months on end

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