Question
How
Can I switch from an intermatic mechanical 4 zones Timer to an
electronic 4 zones timer controller with battery backup without adding
solenoid switches to each individual zones is there an electronic
controller with a battery backup so that if there's power failure it
will not effect the time.
NOTE...I tried an electronic timer controller (Orbit 4 zone electronic
Controller & no matter how i tried to program it would not change
to different zone because I need a delay of at least 1
minute off (no 24V) in order for the switcher to work to the next
zone..Please help me to figure out a way to to make it work without
redoing the pipes & adding individual Solenoid on each zone valves.
Or is there an add on battery backup that i could buy so my time won't
go off with power failure & still use my existing mechanical timer.
Thanks, PAT (708) 562-3113

Answer
Hey Pat, I'm not sure why you need a 1 minute delay between the valves coming on, but here is what I suggest. Buy any controller that has at least 8 zones. Suggest either a Rainbird ESP series controller, or an Irri-trol "Rain-dial" series controller. Both of these controllers have a battery back up system. Now what you will do is wire valve #1 to zone #1, leave zone #2 blank, wire valve #2 to zone #3 on the controller, leave zone #4 blank, wire valve #3 to zone #5, leave zone #6 blank, then wire valve #4 to zone #7. Now when you program the controller, you will put the time you want the valves to run into zone #1,#3,#5 and #7, and on valves #2,#4,#6 and #8 you could program in just 1 or 2 minutes, to give you the down time you need between the valves running. I do not know of any battery back up for your mechanical controller. Good luck and have a great day.