Pre-wire for sprinkler control?

[wkearney99]

What's the typical sort of box to put on the outside wall as a junction?  I think I'll be running a conduit from that outside location back to the wiring closet, just to be reasonably 'future proof'.  But it'll be a tricky bit of transitions getting the conduit to make usable turns to exit the wall.  The inside wall doesn't lend itself to having an access panel on it at that location.  But I'll manage something.

 

[pete_c]

A plastic externally mounted outdoor utility box?  (like your telephone or broadband cable box?)
 
Guessing here most important cabling is from the manifold (solenoids) to the controller. I modified "en vivo" what the Rainbird installers were doing when they were tapping into the water lines and wiring for the Rainbird controller box.
 
I guess their "standard wiring" / "Rainbird controller" methodology put the controller in my garage.  That said I noticed the same methodology utilized in Florida.  Both controllers are on the opposite side of the house from the manifolds / solenoids.  Both are probably some 100 feet or so from the manifold to the controller.
 
Here the cabling is feed where the water lines go out and traverses to the opposite side of the home in the basement rafters and comes out to the garage wall.  I've used the "chase" for my garage automation stuff.  I ran more conduit though using the same area as the chase installed by the rainbird installers.  I'm thinking the Rainbird controller being installed in the garage is related to servicing the controller without having to go into the home. The run through the basement is not in conduit.  That said though it would be easy to put the wire in a conduit.

 

[JimS]

The controller can be outside but for most residential installations I think the controller is usually inside, often in the garage.  My installer just drilled a hole through the wall and ran the sprinkler cable through the wall and across the wall to the controller.  Not the best as there is no protection outside from weed wackers and such but that's what was done.  When I expanded the system I used 3/4" conduit and and LB box for the 90 degree turn like this:
 
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Carlon-3-4-in-Non-Metallic-Type-LB-Conduit-Body-E986E-CTN/100404084
 
The conduit just extends about 6 inches below ground level and a few inches into the joist area.  Those were on the other end of the house so they went into the rim joist and into an unfinished basement area.  They don't seem concerned about low voltage cabling here so no issue with wires not being CL2 for interior runs - your area may be different.  I ran them up into the attic and over to the garage controller.  Hope that gives you some ideas.
 
Where are you putting the controller? 

 

[Neurorad]

My Rainbird controller has an integrated box, though unsure if it's rated for exterior use.
 

 
Whether you are going to DIY or have a pro install, I'd say get the cheapest, smallest box possible, and replace it when the time comes, with one that is the optimal size.  Maybe a single gang j-box?  In other words, don't worry about it now, do it later.
 
Don't forget you'll need power to the controller.

 

[pete_c]

I reused the Rainbird box in the garage for my new controllers. 
 
I did keep the old Rainbird controller and remote board for it though such that I can just drop it back in place.
 
Today the controller/software is managed from the Seagate Dockstar you see running Arch Linux and directly connect to the two Rain8nets via serial link.  I went to using the Dockstar because of its size. The Pogo Plugs were too big and got too hot when I tested them (all of the models literally).
 
The software has a web interface and a customized touch screen interface.
 
The plastic PVC conduit goes into the basement between cement and the framing.
 
I guess same said controllers are also mounted outside.