The Irrigander Irrigation Expander - add lawn sprinkler valves, garden irrigation valves or a new drip irrigation system

Overview
"Two-wire” irrigation control is a low-voltage irrigation control system that utilizes a two-conductor wire to provide power and control signals to decoders connected to the valves to be controlled. Typical “two-wire” systems are designed for golf courses and commercial installations with large numbers of zones and are too expensive for use in residential or other small installations. Our proprietary Irrigander 2-wire Technology solves this problem. The Irrigander 2-wire Technology has been designed to meet the needs of cost conscious small to medium sized installations while delivering the reliability demanded by professional installers. Our family of Irrigander Pro irrigation expanders using Irrigander 2-wire Technology can easily expand existing systems or reduce the cost of new installations.

Theory of Operation
Irrigander Pro expanders using Irrigander 2-wire Technology are comprised of two modules: an Encoder that is installed close to the sprinkler controller; one or more Decoders that are installed close to the valves to be controlled (2-Wire Technology Diagram). The Encoder and the Decoders communicate over a dedicated field wire using a proprietary bidirectional serial protocol. Whenever the irrigation controller activates one of the inputs to the Encoder, the Encoder exchanges commands with the Decoders including a command to select a Decoder output. Once this protocol is complete the Encoder will switch the output line to 24 VAC which causes the Decoder to turn on the selected output. If the Encoder detects an error in the commands with the Decoder it will indicate the problem by rapidly blinking the LED on the front panel. When the irrigation controller deactivates the input to the Encoder, the Encoder turns off the 24 VAC thus turning off the valve. Unlike other 2-wire systems, the Irrigander 2-wire Technology removes the voltage on the field wires when the system is inactive.

Reliability
The Irrigander Pro family of expanders drive each valve with 24 VAC to ensure reliable valve operation. The Irrigander Pro expander Encoders and Decoders use only high grade commercial components for maximum reliability. The circuitry in the Irrigander Pro expander Decoders is encapsulated to provide long life in any environment. The Irrigander Pro expander Decoders and Encoders use metal oxide varistor surge suppression technology and other design techniques to minimize the potential damage from lightning and other electrical surges. Optional Irrigander Surge Suppressors can be installed along the 2-wire path to further enhance protection from lightning. More information on proper installation of the Irrigander Pro expander system to maximize protection from lightning is available in the User Guide for any of the Irrigander Pro expander products. Online copies of the User Guides are available on our Support Documentation web page.

Irrigander 2-wire Technology Benefits

Simple: add up to 7 new valves using only the installed field wiring, no need to trench or pull a new field wire
Economical: installation cost is much lower than other 2-wire products for small to medium size systems
Reliable: design uses high grade commercial components and state-of-the-art surge and lightning protection