Unpowered Measured Irrigation Controller
Universal Measured Irrigation Controller
It is recommended that you watch the YouTube video
Small Terracotta Irrigation Controller showing the control box
Small Terracotta Irrigation Controller
showing float and water level
The float for the Small Terracotta Irrigation Controller is adjustable
Large Terracotta Irrigation Controller
showing float and water level
The float for the Large Terracotta Irrigation Controller is adjustable
The control dripper is adjustable
Terracotta is porous and so the water level in the pot falls as water evaporates from the outside surface of 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.
During an irrigation event, the control dripper replaces the net volume of water that has evaporated since the previous irrigation event. This volume is called the control volume. The Small Terrcotta Irrigation Controller has a control volume between 90 ml and 275 ml. The Large Terracotta Irrigation Controller has control volume between 400 ml and 2300 ml.
By using the Small or Large Terracotta Irrigation Controller with the appropriate control dripper, you can irrigate directly from the rainwater tank by gravity feed without using a pump. Furthermore, the volume of water discharged by each irrigation dripper will be independent of the water level in the tank. The Terracotta Irrigation Controller is a game-changer for automated gravity feed irrigation from a rainwater tank without using a pump.
The adjustable control dripper is used to adjust the water usage to suit the water requirements of the plants. The adjustable float is used to adjust the frequency of irrigation.
Having set the adjustable control dripper and the adjustable float, the irrigation frequency and the water usage (litres per week for example) are controlled by the prevailing on-site evaporation and rainfall. The irrigation frequency and water usage are directly proportional to the net evaporation rate (evaporation minus rainfall).
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Use for any size irrigation application with any size solenoid valve (latching or non-latching)
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The water in the terracotta bowl is protected from algae, mosquitoes and thirsty animals
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Completely automatic
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Smart irrigation – the irrigation is controlled by the prevailing weather conditions
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Use for both gravity feed and pressurised irrigation
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Use for both sprinkler and drip irrigation
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Use for both pressure compensating drippers and non pressure compensating drippers
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Adjust the water usage (litres per week for example) by adjusting the flow rate of the control dripper
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Adjust the irrigation frequency by adjusting the float
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The water usage and irrigation frequency ares directly proportional to the net evaporation rate (evaporation minus rainfall)
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When there is an unexpected heat wave, the water usage and irrigation frequency increase
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When it rains, water enters the terracotta pot and delays the start of the next irrigaion
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A timer is not required
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If you are using the same drippers throughout the irrigation application including the control dripper, the water usage is independent of the pressure
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You can irrigate by gravity feed directly from a rainwater tank without using a pump
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A light sensor provides the option of irrigating at night time only
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Uses much less water without affecting the yield
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Simple and low tech, therefore fewer things can go wrong
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Provided you have a continuous water supply, you can leave your irrigation application unattended for months on end
Purchase online from the Measured Irrigation Shop.
Detailed instructions are in the
Small and Large Terracotta Irrigation Controller
