New IDS Uses Decoders for Irrigation Control of Large Commercial Projects

With the ICC, Pro-C, EC and SRC, Hunter has a line-up of controllers that can effectively meet the needs of virtually any landscape, regardless of size, project category, terrain, climatic conditions…you name it.

Now, Hunter expands to this successful roster with yet another controller, this one specifically designed for the largest projects that you might encounter.

Introducing the new IDS Controller, providing two-wire decoder control in an advanced industrial package for the largest installations.

What’s a Decoder?

Decoder technology has been the standard irrigation control technology in Europe for years. Decoder systems use a single pair of wires to operate a large number of stations with individual decoders connected along a two-wire path. Each decoder is its own small control unit that is separately addressable with both power and signal sent over the same pair of wires.

Decoder systems offer many benefits to both the installer and system operator. First, less copper wire and associated labor reduces cost and simplifies troubleshooting. In addition, stations can be easily added in the field after initial installation without digging in new wires, and fewer controllers are required to operate large numbers of stations over long distances. Also, decoders are electrically efficient, running more stations at once.

Best of all, decoder systems are easy to operate. With the Hunter IDS, no computer is required, it’s just simple keypad programming.

Where Decoder Systems Work Best

Systems with 24 valves and larger are usually the best candidates for decoder applications. Phased projects where it would be difficult and expensive to run wires back to a controller, or where the final number of zones is undetermined, are ideal for the IDS, as well.

Thus, the potential uses for an IDS system would be at such sites as industrial parks, sports fields, cemeteries, multi-family home projects, commercial projects and large estates.

In addition, surge protection is vital to the reliable operation of all decoder systems and the IDS is no exception. With its combination of grounded in-line surge protectors (IDN) and an end-line protector at the end of each path (IDE), the IDS is readily equipped to handle sites where lightning strikes or electrical spikes are a big concern.

How Does it Work?

Decoders can make a large system more affordable and efficient to install, since these small control units receive both power and signals over the same pair of wires (solid copper wires wrapped in a polyethylene jacket). The wires are designed for direct burial and are run under pipe for maximum protection, when possible.

Hunter IDS controllers – available in stainless steel or plastic key-lockable pedestal versions – permit control of up to 103 stations (plus a pump/master valve) from a single controller. From the controller, a single twisted pair of wire is run through the area to be irrigated. A decoder is spliced into the two-wire path. Decoders, in turn, are connected to their solenoids and additional decoders are spliced in as needed.

When the controller turns on a station, it sends power down the twisted wires, along with a digital signal specific to a particular decoder. As the decoder hears its own signal, it applies voltage to the solenoid and the communication from controller to the field is complete.

In addition to the standard four independent programs (identical to that on the Hunter ICC), the IDS features two other distinctive programming options. One is blocks, where from 2-8 stations can all be turned on at once and irrigated together; the other is presets, which are custom programs created to perform special applications only run when instructed from the keypad.

Why an IDS?

Of course, there is the obvious benefit of being able to control and adjust irrigation in the field from a single location. Also, up to 64 programs can be stored in the controller’s non-volatile memory, allowing the IDS to water massive irrigation schedules. With such a high capacity controller, your complete system will require fewer controllers to operate all of your sprinklers, without giving up the local access (in view of your plants) that field controllers provide.

Plus, the two-wire decoder path also makes retrofitting new stations after the initial installation a snap – just snip the wires, and splice in another decoder.

For all the details on Hunter’s latest addition to their growing line-up of controller products, stop by your local authorized Hunter distributor and get a quote on the cost and material savings associated with using the IDS.