(email previously sent on Thursday, 8/15/2024)
Let me explain. First, some background.
As designed and originally installed by Windsong, we have over 100 individual irrigation zones controlled by two units installed at the Clubhouse. Two “Controllers” were necessary due to the maximum capacity of each at the time.
In addition, in an oversight or perhaps money saving measure, a thorough grounding system recommended by the manufacturer was not put in place at the time of installation. This item would greatly reduce the danger of damage due to a nearby lightning strike.
We currently find ourselves in the situation that those two controllers have failed and need replacement.
The question becomes whether to incur the expenditure of replacing those items and the associated cost of installation or to upgrade to a newer system which would offer a number of advantages as well as reducing the likelihood of the ongoing cost of repairs to the existing system. The logical choice was the latter.
The grounding system absolutely needs to be installed as protection against a nearby lighting hit that could take out the whole system, again.
The system works by sending a signal addressed to a “Decoder” at each sprinkler station which in turn activates a valve and turns on the sprinkler head. Each Decoder has an address similar to an IP address in a computer network and at installation each one has to be assigned an address under the new system. This is physically done at each station. To complicate matters further, the original installer did not provide a map of the location of each Decoder, so these have to be traced, located and programmed, a time consuming affair.
Ten day or longer weather forecasts have very poor accuracy, 50% or lower. Since the lawns have been allowed to remain a bit taller they will hopefully do alright during this dry period. Annuals or other plantings would most definitely benefit from periodic manual watering with a hose. Homeowners who have recently had patches of sod installed should absolutely manually water twice a day, morning and evening. Current weather reports are calling for rain over this weekend. That’s a good thing, pray for more.
The advantages of a grounding system are obvious and the upgraded Controller will provide a number of advantages not the least of which will be easier and faster programming, diagnosing of problems as well ease of programming changes through a web interface. Both these characteristics will reduce expensive time and travel charges from Landscape Workshop as their services are needed.
Let’s hope for a trouble-free, quick installation and quick resumption of our normal watering schedules. We apologize for the inconvenience that this whole affair poses but, hopefully, we’ll have a newer technology, easier and more secure system for a long time to come. Thanks for your patience.
As work progresses we’ll keep you posted.
For the Board and Landscape Committee,
Len Sanchez
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