Terracotta is porous and so the water level in the pot falls as water seeps through the pot. A float inside the pot floats on the water. When the water level reaches the low level, a magnet inside the float activates the valve at the bottom of the controller so that the valve opens and the irrigation starts. During the irrigation event a control dripper drips water into the pot and the water level rises. When the water level reaches the high level, the magnet inside the float disengages from the valve so that the valve closes and the irrigation stops.

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The Terracotta Irrigation Controller for Solenoid Valves is suitable for automatic sprinkler irrigation or drip irrigation. The valve at the bottom of the controller operates in the pressure range 10 kPa to 800 kPa. The irrigation frequency responds automatically to the on-site prevailing weather conditions (namely, evaporation and rainfall).

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During an irrigation event, the control dripper replaces the water that has seeped through the terracotta since the previous irrigation event. This volume is called the control volume. The Terracotta Irrigation Controller has a control volume between 105 ml and 395 ml.

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Key Features​

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1. Use for any size irrigation application with any size latching solenoid valve

2. A 12V DC power supply is required

3. Water supply pressure 10 kPa to 800 kPa

4. Use for sprinkler irrigation or drip irrigation

5. Use for gravity feed or pressurised irrigation

6. Adjust the water usage rate by adjusting the control dripper

7. Adjust the interval between irrigation events by adjusting the float

8. Responds automatically to on-site evaporation and rainfall

9. The irrigation frequency increases significantly during a heat wave

10. The adjustable control volume is between 105 ml and 395 m

11. A light sensor enables irrigation at night time only

12. Irrigate directly from a rainwater tank without using a pump

13. Water in the terracotta pot  is protected from debris, algae, mosquitoes and thirsty animals

14. Simple, unpowered, and low tech, and therefore fewer things can go wrong

15. Leave your irrigation application unattended for months on end