Unpowered Measured Irrigation Controller
Universal Measured Irrigation Controller
Measured Irrigation Controller
upgrade pressurised multi-zone drip irrigation to measured irrigation
SZ single-zone, MZ multi-zone, GF gravity feed
Measured Irrigation Controller: $140 plus GST
Solenoid valves and float switches may be purchased from Measured Irrigation. Everything else should be purchased locally.
solenoid valve 12V DC: $40 plus GST
float switch: $40 plus GST
To understand the Measured Irrigation Controller, it is recommended that you watch the following video.
Measured Irrigation Controller - let the weather control the irrigation, not a program
(uploaded 19 July 2016,
duration 4:25)
How to install the Measured Irrigation Controller
Step 1. For each zone select a suitable evaporator with vertical sides. If all the drippers in the zone are the same, then the volume of water emitted by each dripper during the irrigation event is the same as the net volume of water that has evaporated from the evaporator for the zone since the previous irrigation.
Step 2. For each evaporator drill a hole in the side of the evaporator and mount a float switch. The off/on position for the float switch should be about 2 cm below the overflow level.
Step 3. For each zone position the evaporator so that it is exposed to full sun, and position a single dripper (called the control dripper) so that it drips water into the evaporator during the irrigation. Fill the evaporator with water to the level of the float switch.
Step 4. For each zone install a 12 volt solenoid valve.
Step 5. Install a 12 volt 20 watt solar panel in a suitable location.
Step 6. Connect the 20 colour-coded electrical leads as follows. A sealed lead acid battery 12V 7.2Ah is recommended.
Connect the Bat− lead from the Charge Controller to the negative battery terminal.
Connect the Bat+ lead from the Charge Controller to the positive battery terminal.
Connect the PV− lead from the Charge Controller to the negative lead from the solar panel.
Connect the PV+ lead from the Charge Controller to the positive lead from the solar panel.
Connect the 2 white leads to the solenoid valve for zone 1 (polarity is irrelevant).
Connect the 2 green leads to the solenoid valve for zone 2.
Connect the 2 yellow leads to the solenoid valve for zone 3.
Connect the 2 pink leads to the solenoid valve for zone 4.
Connect the 2 black leads to the float switch for zone 1.
Connect the 2 blue leads to the float switch for zone 2.
Connect the 2 brown leads to the float switch for zone 3.
Connect the 2 grey leads to the float switch for zone 4.
Step 7. Switch on the MI controller to the “night only” ON position. The “battery” ON position should only be used for testing purposes or for emergency irrigation.
The irrigation starts automatically after sunset each day. The zones that need watering will be watered one at a time in order.
So the next time you take an extended holiday, the MI controller will look after your garden regardless of the weather. The MI controller responds appropriately to temperature, humidity, rainfall and the wind. In fact the number of litres per week delivered to each plant is directly proportional to the net evaporation rate. The MI controller can be installed in any location that has access to sunlight. It can also be used for gravity-feed systems as well as pressurised systems.
Float switch and dripper Solenoid valves (one for each zone)
