Rain8 or Not?

[Jrock]

I recently installed an OIIe... I have not yet done much as far as HA, but I am loving the possibilities!

Anyway, I am having an irrigation system being installed and was wondering if I should go with the rain8 or just stick with whatever controller the contractor would normally install. After searching the forums it seems like there are a lot of cool options with the rain8 if you have a HA server running HomeSeer, CQC, MSC or something similar. At this point HA software is not in my budget so is it worth getting the Rain8 now or just waiting?

Any input, suggestions, feedback would be appreciated...

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

I don't think the Rain8 can operate as a 'stand alone' system, so you might want to have the standard controller installed and just replace it when you want to automate it.

 

[Jrock]

I don't think the Rain8 can operate as a 'stand alone' system, so you might want to have the standard controller installed and just replace it when you want to automate it.

I was figuring I would use the Rain8 software or the OIIe for basic control until I got some sort of HA software.

 

[Michael McSharry]

BSR provides good advice. There is no timer in the Rain8 so any irrigation schedule would need to be started manually and then that is only with the Rain8X10. For other models you need some type of computer or controller to communicate. You are best off by putting in a no-frills timer that your contractor would normally install. You then will have a functional system and when you are ready to automate it will be a small step to replace the timer with something that your HA system can control

 

[JonW]

The Rain8 (serial) and UPB models can be controlled by the Omni panels. Since you already have an HA controller, I would just get one of those Rain8 models. You don't need HA software to control them, the Omni's already do it.

 

[Jrock]

Thanks for the advice... You guys are right. I tend to get excited about things and jump the gun a bit!

Do you recommend I have the contractor install the controller near my OIIe or does it not really matter? One contractor I had give me an estimate wanted to put the controller outside. I assume the controller would be in some sort of weatherproof box so I would be able to just place the Rain8 in there eventually?

 

[Jrock]

The Rain8 (serial) and UPB models can be controlled by the Omni panels. Since you already have an HA controller, I would just get one of those Rain8 models. You don't need HA software to control them, the Omni's already do it.

That's what I was originally thinking. The only reason I mentioned HA software was because that's where the "coolness" factor and real customization seemed to come in. From what I have read it seems like the Rain8/Omni will give me the same basic control as the contractors controller with the advantage of being able to control the sprinklers through my 5.7e and/or HAI software.

edit: spelling mistake

 

[ewiz]

I had the same dilemma. So..... I'm hooking up my old classic Rain8 controller to the irrigation valves directly, and then via 8 rocker switches also connecting the Rain8Net to the valves. That way my gardner can switch over to 'manual' Rain8 control mode by flicking a rocker when I'm on vacation or I can use 'manual' mode when/if my CQC server dies.

 

[pete_c]

I let the sprinkler company install their system. (Rainbird). They put the controller in the garage. One of the adds that I did though was have the sprinkler company run more flexible PVC tubing for my extra outdoor HA stuff. (IE: cams, low voltage wiring, PIRs etc). Initially wrote to Rainbird about getting some detail documentation on their controllers. They would have none of that. I then took out my Rainbird system and replaced it with 2 Rain 8's. I rain a cat5/RS-232 cable over to it. I like the idea of a failover mechanism with the rockers but actually over to the old controller. Anyone do anything similiar? Thinking for me its only 10 zones (10 wires plus common) and power. Ideally some small box with one switch for everything then manual switches as stated above. Even a failover to my OPII would work and eventually control sprinkler system. Even a primary connection to OPII then be able to do detailed scheduling via plugin to OPII but failover to OPII should software not work work be nice.

 

[heffneil]

There is a rain8 version with switches on it for testing the valves. No buttons needed. I was looking at it. I was considering the UPB version and UPB has been pretty reliable but I didn't want to rely on it to water the lawn. Down in FL if you miss watering for any reason you could really cause problems for you lawn. Also the rain8 isn't weather proof and the transformer is big. In other words getting it to be outdoor friendly for me was a problem and or expensive.

Neil

 

[pete_c]

In FL still using a Rainbird. Its also in the garage. There they used rigid PVC pipes closer to the surface. To be self sufficient the HOA decided to utilize the old wells and added new pumps and storage. There are only three streets. One of the homeowners turns on the water alternating the streets. The initial costs of the new well system was charged to all of the homeowners (50 houses) but now we have "free" water. I have noticed though if during the summer with no rain a sprinkling is missed then the grass does dry up right away.

 

[Steve]

Well, I am in Fla and this is my story. Started out BA (Before Automation) with typical controller. Moved to a digital controller which had to do in weatherproof box. The box is large enough for a controller and has an outlet for the wall wart. When I installed my M1 many years ago I ran a Cat5 from that outdoor box to my controller can. I removed the controller gyts and stuff and left the power supply and attached it all to the Cat5. On Elk end I attached to relays on M1RB board. It all worked pretty good.

Now, with the remodeling and move of the closet and conversion to Omni I decided to use use the Rain8Net Pro. And I will use it with CQC just because there is such a complete and easy driver for it. I went back and forth deciding if I wanted to put the Rain8 in the outdoor box since it does have the buttons to turn zones on/off, but I decided at the end of the day to keep it in the can indoors. So now the power and controller are in the can and just the Cat5 goes to the valves. It's hooked up and working fine although I don't have the driver and programming configured yet. I went with the Pro for the buttons and surge suppression on the zones and power input.

I may be sorry I didn't put it outdoors for the convenience of the buttons, but I can control it easily via my phone the few times I may need to troubleshoot.

 

[pete_c]

I use an "old" x10 palm pad to manually test sprinklers both for shutdown and turnup in the spring. My Rain8 setup is about 5 years old now and trouble free. The manual piece with no electrics is just going to the valve itself and turning it about to open it relating to testing a zone. In FL earlier this year I had to replace about 3 valves. They are in a box and are still buried a bit in sand making them difficult to service. Because of the timing of the local well water I reversed my watering sequence so that the most dry part of the lawn gets water first. Its hit or miss how long the neighborhood well water is left on. In FL would use an updated Rain8 as there are some major lightning storms there. There's also problems with animals. One day about 5-6 years ago a Manatee decided to take refuge under the boat dock. The problem was that the Manatee was larger than the dock. All the water lines/electrical lines got trashed. I had to call "animal" rescue to coax the animal out back into the water.

 

[heffneil]

Interesting stories! I might go with the rain 8 pro. My landscaper and grass guy (two different people) want access to test the valves and make adjustments as necessary. So putting it outside is a must for me. Problem is I just grew to 9 zones so now I need more! Plus on the house next door I have two clocks so I would need two there as well!

For now the rainbird and hunter clocks are good but I would like to consider something that I can change without walking to the box.

I am surprised that the one system with the cat 5 works. That seems like a long distance for that voltage to run to the valves? You don't have any issues huh?

Neil

 

[pete_c]

The Cat5 (serial) connection run is about 60-70 Feet(?). The sprinkler valve wiring is even longer.

The power for the values is only about 6 feet from the Rain8's from the garage wall into the basement ceiling.