I’ve seen posts about specific controllers, but I’d love to hear opinions on a few that would be good choices in 2026. I don’t have a lot of specific requirements in mind. But here’s what I’m thinking:
-At least 14 stations
-Configurable on the controller so our gardener can change settings
-Weather prediction aware (see below)
I have to admit I’m a little torn about if I want the irrigation controller to be weather aware or if I just would do this in HA. I already get the daily forecast in HA from open weather map. And I also already control my Ecobee thermostats from HA using the forecast and other information. What’s nice about the Ecobees is that they can be controlled with their app but the integration also allows full control. I wouldn’t mind an irrigation controller that works this way.
From what I’ve seen, it looks like the more “bare-bones” controllers don’t have a control panel that would let my gardener control it. Something like this could work, I guess. He would just have to tell me the adjustments he wants.
Also, something that connects via wifi should work fine. I have coverage where the controller needs to go. I also have an elaborate zwave network so zwave would be fine too. I’m assuming that most or all of the off-the-shelf controllers use wifi.
It doesn’t have any control panel on it though, so your gardener couldn’t run it manually unless you setup a touch panel of some sort to get to the web interface. It’ll do 8 zones with the core hardware, and you can add extensions that add 16 more (for a max of 72 zones) and is weather aware (you can also add moisture sensors).
I have an OpenSprinkler at each of the properties that I manage with HA. It’s a great system with a well supported, by the vendor, integration too.
If you really want your gardener to be able to make schedule adjustments you can either give them access to the on device UI via the phone app, or you could give them access custom HA dashboard. Ideally you would just get it configured, have some sensors to work with and have it auto-adjust based upon forecasts as well as direct measurements from sensors.
Yeah, I’ve seen OpenSprinkler too. It’s not critical to have the gardener make the adjustments. He could just tell me which zones need adjustments. Of course, as you point out, the automated adjustments might work fine.
One initial question I have is regarding power. My current Hunter controller (20+ years old) connects to the output of a transformer that’s mounted inside the box. I’d like to reuse it. Despite the transformer being labeled at 25VAC out, it’s actually outputting 28.5VAC. The spec for open sprinkler says it uses 24-28VAC. Maybe 28.5 is close enough, but I wouldn’t want to damage something.
Also, regarding moisture sensors, what do people use with opensprinkler? I clearly have never used anything like this so I know nothing about them :).
I’m not actually currently using any sort of sensors other than the default weather sensor with HA. OpenSprinkler does have inputs for binary sensors. The sensors can be binary rain / soil sensors, a Program switch allowing manual start of program 1 or 2 (depending upon which input it’s connected to) with a button press of 1+ seconds or a flow sensor.
In truth, I’m really using it as a fairly dumb controller right now with the ability to remotely enable or disable the sprinkler at my AirBnBs and my own home!
Am I ever going to add more sensors? Possible, as I’ve got one property that the backyard turns into a bit of a mud pit if it gets too wet, so I really should make sure that zone doesn’t water if it’s too wet, I just haven’t done anything yet.