Rain Sensor Connection to ELK

[srodgers]

I have a Elk M1 setup running my sprinklers. I want to use a Hunter MiniClick rain sensor but have concerns about connecting it to an Elk input zone. I live in the Northwest FLA and get a lot of lightning. Would hate to fry the Elk panel from a outside lightning strike to a simple Rain sensor.

I have a Elk output relay controlling 12vdc to the pump control relay and 3 24vac zone valves controlled by other elk relays so I would not have a single place to connect the Rain Sensor there. I think I need to wire this to be a Elk input and I can use it via rules to cutout sprinklers when it has rained.

Any suggestions or examples of how others have done something similar?

 

[Sandpiper]

I have a Elk M1 setup running my sprinklers. I want to use a Hunter MiniClick rain sensor but have concerns about connecting it to an Elk input zone. I live in the Northwest FLA and get a lot of lightning. Would hate to fry the Elk panel from a outside lightning strike to a simple Rain sensor.

I have a Elk output relay controlling 12vdc to the pump control relay and 3 24vac zone valves controlled by other elk relays so I would not have a single place to connect the Rain Sensor there. I think I need to wire this to be a Elk input and I can use it via rules to cutout sprinklers when it has rained.

Any suggestions or examples of how others have done something similar?

The likelyhood of lightning damage to the ELK M1 from a rain sensor connected to the M1 is about the same as when having pump and zone valves connected to the M1. Using a relay may give a small amount of protection from lightning. Using MOVs or other types of protections can also help.

 

[srodgers]

I have a Elk M1 setup running my sprinklers. I want to use a Hunter MiniClick rain sensor but have concerns about connecting it to an Elk input zone. I live in the Northwest FLA and get a lot of lightning. Would hate to fry the Elk panel from a outside lightning strike to a simple Rain sensor.

I have a Elk output relay controlling 12vdc to the pump control relay and 3 24vac zone valves controlled by other elk relays so I would not have a single place to connect the Rain Sensor there. I think I need to wire this to be a Elk input and I can use it via rules to cutout sprinklers when it has rained.

Any suggestions or examples of how others have done something similar?

The likelyhood of lightning damage to the ELK M1 from a rain sensor connected to the M1 is about the same as when having pump and zone valves connected to the M1. Using a relay may give a small amount of protection from lightning. Using MOVs or other types of protections can also help.

Good point. I was just more worried about the rain sensor mounting on the roof edge being a more likely lightning strike point than the valves/wiring in the valve box which is partially underground.

 

[iostream212]

I was browsing online and came across this today. It would be a different type of sensor but would be able to detect moisture from rain. Also it would be in-ground eliminating the roof install fears.

 

[Sandpiper]

Good point. I was just more worried about the rain sensor mounting on the roof edge being a more likely lightning strike point than the valves/wiring in the valve box which is partially underground.

I know this from experience.....when lightning hits anything....a tree.....a house.....a pole....eventually it gets to "ground". Once it hits the ground, it spreads out in all directions, taking multiple paths. If a wire or cable is in the vicinity in the ground it will jump onto it and ride it for a while, following it to wherever it goes...seeking another path to "ground".

I couldn't say whether having the sensor on the side of the house or near the ground would make any difference. Probably not.

 

[pete_c]

I am currently using a DS10a connected to the Rainbird rain sensor in the MW. Lightning would still probably affect my setup (Rain8's) maybe. I have the Rain8's connected serially to a computer for scheduling.

The Rainbird sensor is mounted on one corner of the roof (2 story home) and its cabling goes to the sprinkler box underground adjacent to the house where my 10 zones / manifold is). Here the sprinkler "cluster" of wires run underground along side of the home then into the house to the opposite side of the home where the old Rainbird box resides in the garage. I currently use the Rainbird sensor, Rain tipping bucket, wind sensors to shut off my sprinkler system and to circumvent normal watering scheduling.

In FL I have the Rainbird controller in the garage connected to 6 zones (mostly for shrubs and plants and 3 zones for grass). The Rainbird rain sensor is mounted adjacent to the house about halfway up (2 story) mounted in such a way that rain gets to it. There is much lightning in the area sometimes during the rainy season. The set up is currently about 10 years old - with no lighting affects yet. In the last two years local power company has been suggesting "renting" an externally mounted surge protection device (have none today but considering it). I have started to automate the home in FL with the installation of an HAI OPII last year. If I were to integrate sprinkler system into OPII I would most likely do it wirelessly.

I have had to replace switches at the manifolds, fuses at the controller and transformer so far to date (not lightning damage but rather just maintenance).