Irrigation Controllers

An irrigation controller (also called a sprinkler controller or retic controller) turns your sprinklers and drip lines on and off by itself, at the times you set. Get the right one and your garden gets the same water every week, whether you're home or not. Shop mains-powered, Wi-Fi, battery and two-wire irrigation controllers for homes, hobby farms and commercial sites, with help on the pump side of the system if you need it.

Types of irrigation controllers

Standard mains-powered controllers

The everyday choice for home reticulation. You set the watering days, start times and how long each zone runs, and the controller opens each solenoid valve in turn. Indoor models plug into a power point in the garage or shed. Outdoor models have a weatherproof case and a built-in transformer, so they can mount on an outside wall. The Hunter X-Core, for example, comes in 4, 6 and 8 station sizes.

Smart Wi-Fi controllers

Wi-Fi controllers let you change programs from your phone and skip watering when rain is on the way. Hunter controllers use the Hydrawise app, Rain Bird has its own app and the LNK2 add-on Wi-Fi module, and Orbit B-hyve controllers run from the B-hyve app. Some controllers, like the Hunter X2, start as standard units and can be upgraded to Wi-Fi later with a plug-in module.

Battery-operated controllers

No power near your valves? Battery controllers mount on the valve itself, inside the valve box. They suit verges, orchards, paddocks and garden beds a long way from the house. Bluetooth models like the Hunter NODE-BT and Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT are set up from your phone. One thing to know: battery controllers need DC latching solenoids, not the standard 24V AC solenoids that mains-powered controllers use.

Modular and commercial controllers

Modular controllers start with a base number of stations and grow with plug-in modules. That makes them a good fit for large homes, strata, schools and sports grounds. The Hunter Pro-C, ACC and HCC and the Rain Bird ESP-ME3 and ESP-LXME2 all expand as you add zones. Many commercial models add flow monitoring, which can shut a zone down if a pipe bursts.

Two-wire decoder systems

On big sites, running a separate wire to every valve gets expensive fast. Two-wire controllers run one pair of cables past every valve, with a small decoder at each one. The Rain Bird ESP-2WIRE and ESP-LXD, and Signal SDS two-wire controllers with DataNodes and DataCoils, suit parks, farms, nurseries and golf courses with dozens or even hundreds of stations.

How many stations do you need?

One station runs one zone, which is usually one solenoid valve. To size a controller:

• Count the valves in your system. Not sure? Open the valve boxes and count the solenoids.
• Add one or two spare stations for future garden beds or drip lines.
• Check whether you need to start a pump or open a master valve (see below).
• Pick indoor or outdoor, and mains or battery power.

Many suburban gardens run 4 to 8 zones. Larger homes and small acreage often need 12 or more, which is where a modular controller pays for itself.

Running a pump from your irrigation controller

This is where a lot of retic problems start. If your sprinklers run off a bore or a tank, the pump has to start when a zone opens and stop when it closes. There are two common ways to set it up:

• Pump start relay. Most mains-powered controllers have a pump start or master valve (P/MV) output. It only sends a 24V signal, so you need a pump start relay to switch a 240V pump on and off. Have a licensed electrician wire the relay to the pump.
• Pressure pump with its own controller. If your pump has a pressure controller fitted, it starts by itself when a valve opens and pressure drops. The irrigation controller only has to open the zone.

Either way, the pump needs to deliver enough flow for your biggest zone. Browse submersible bore pumps, pressure pumps and pump controllers, or read our guide on choosing a bore pump for a rural property.

Sensors and add-ons that save water

• Rain and weather sensors stop a cycle when it rains. The Hunter Mini Weather Station also shuts down in high wind and frost.
• Solar Sync adjusts run times every day based on sunlight and temperature on compatible Hunter controllers.
• Soil moisture sensors skip watering when the ground is still wet.
• Flow sensors like the Hunter Flow-Clik shut the system down if a pipe breaks or a sprinkler head blows off.
• Remotes like the Hunter ROAM let you run zones from across the yard while you check your sprinklers.

Keep sand and grit out of your valves and drippers with an irrigation filter on the main line.

Irrigation controller brands

This range covers Hunter, Rain Bird, Orbit B-hyve, Irritrol, Holman and Signal. It runs from simple dial timers for the backyard to cloud-connected two-wire systems for farms and councils. Looking for a brand or model that isn't listed? Ask us and we'll check.

Not sure which controller fits?

Tell us how many zones you have, what power is at the controller and where your water comes from, and we'll point you to the right controller. Call (08) 6384 5884 or send us the details. Still choosing the pump? The Pump Finder narrows it down in about a minute.

Irrigation controller FAQs

What does an irrigation controller do?

It's a timer for your watering system. It opens each solenoid valve at a set time, runs it for a set number of minutes, then moves on to the next zone. Smart models also adjust watering for the weather.

Should I buy an indoor or outdoor controller?

Indoor controllers suit a garage, shed or laundry with a power point. Outdoor controllers have a weatherproof case and can mount on an outside wall. If you're unsure where it will go, an outdoor model gives you more options.

Can an irrigation controller start my bore pump?

Yes. Use the controller's pump start output with a pump start relay rated for your pump, and have a licensed electrician do the 240V wiring. See our bore pumps and pump controllers, or read about bore water pumps in Western Australia.

Will a new controller work with my existing solenoid valves?

A mains-powered controller works with standard 24V AC solenoids, which most home systems use. Battery controllers need DC latching solenoids instead. Check the label on your solenoid before you buy.

Do I need a Wi-Fi irrigation controller?

Not always. A standard controller does the job if you set it and leave it. Wi-Fi is worth it if you travel, look after more than one property, or want watering to adjust to the weather by itself.

What is a two-wire irrigation system?

A two-wire system runs one pair of cables to every valve, with a decoder at each valve. It cuts wiring costs on large sites like parks, farms and sports grounds, and makes adding zones easier later.

Do I need a filter if I water from a bore?

Yes, in most cases. Bore water often carries sand and iron that block drippers and jam solenoid valves. A filter on the main line protects the whole system. Browse water filters for irrigation.