Replace Solar Sync rain sensor?
#1
10-03-22, 07:52 AM
Replace Solar Sync rain sensor?
Hi All,
About 6 years ago, we had inground sprinklers put in, with the Hunter Pro-C (PCC-12 ; meaning, I think, 12 zones) controller, and the Solar Sync wireless sensor. The wireless sensor was attached to a gutter on the roof, and it just recently broke off the arm that it was attached to (almost like an extra piece of plastic attached to the sensor, so there was some way to bind it to the gutter). Anyway, the sensor itself still works, but it no longer has the arm attached, so I would need to get creative with re-attaching it.
But - I'm thinking of maybe just replacing the sensor overall. My neighbor had once mentioned that he has a sensor that connects to the internet to get weather reports so it knows when to turn on/off. According to him, its better than what I have because mine would still turn on sprinklers at 6am even if it will rain at 9am, etc. With his, it knows when it will rain in the near future so that it doesn't turn on.
Two questions: i) anyone ever hear of this type of sensor and if it actually works well?; and ii) how difficult is it to remove the Solar Sync and add in this new type of sensor? I looked at the circuit board (is that the right term?) of the Pro-C controller, and the receiver for the Solar Sync is attached to the circuit board by two wires (the connection points on the circuit board are labeled as "sensor").
(If it matters, I'm located in northern NJ.)
Thanks for any help/advice/info!
About 6 years ago, we had inground sprinklers put in, with the Hunter Pro-C (PCC-12 ; meaning, I think, 12 zones) controller, and the Solar Sync wireless sensor. The wireless sensor was attached to a gutter on the roof, and it just recently broke off the arm that it was attached to (almost like an extra piece of plastic attached to the sensor, so there was some way to bind it to the gutter). Anyway, the sensor itself still works, but it no longer has the arm attached, so I would need to get creative with re-attaching it.
But - I'm thinking of maybe just replacing the sensor overall. My neighbor had once mentioned that he has a sensor that connects to the internet to get weather reports so it knows when to turn on/off. According to him, its better than what I have because mine would still turn on sprinklers at 6am even if it will rain at 9am, etc. With his, it knows when it will rain in the near future so that it doesn't turn on.
Two questions: i) anyone ever hear of this type of sensor and if it actually works well?; and ii) how difficult is it to remove the Solar Sync and add in this new type of sensor? I looked at the circuit board (is that the right term?) of the Pro-C controller, and the receiver for the Solar Sync is attached to the circuit board by two wires (the connection points on the circuit board are labeled as "sensor").
(If it matters, I'm located in northern NJ.)
Thanks for any help/advice/info!
#2
10-03-22, 10:46 AM
Group Moderator
As far as I know there is no add-on internet enabled rain controller.
The rain sensors are all connected with two wires and supply local control.
New Hunter controllers come with Hydrawise which is internet based control over the system.
There is a replacement module for the Hunter pro-C to convert it to internet based.
Hunter HPC-FP retro panel - video
The rain sensors are all connected with two wires and supply local control.
New Hunter controllers come with Hydrawise which is internet based control over the system.
There is a replacement module for the Hunter pro-C to convert it to internet based.
Hunter HPC-FP retro panel - video
#3
10-06-22, 07:55 AM
Hi PJ,
Thanks as always for the advice/info.
I think I'll just stay with what I have right now; I'll figure out some way to re-attach the sensor to my gutter. The Hydrawise stuff may have been what my neighbor was talking about, as it seems (I think?) to automatically change watering times/schedules/etc. based on predicted weather forecasts. But not looking to spend ~ $175 to upgrade the panel right now.
Thanks again for the advice/info!
Thanks as always for the advice/info.
I think I'll just stay with what I have right now; I'll figure out some way to re-attach the sensor to my gutter. The Hydrawise stuff may have been what my neighbor was talking about, as it seems (I think?) to automatically change watering times/schedules/etc. based on predicted weather forecasts. But not looking to spend ~ $175 to upgrade the panel right now.
Thanks again for the advice/info!
