Alternative to Gardena Garden tap timer

[henward]

ok

my auto water changer ...works well.

except one weakness.

everytime i do a battery change on the garden tap timer, the timer itself breaks.

it just stops working.

i have replaced it 3 times now lol

i dont care i guess, replacing it.

mitre 10 said to me themselves, if it breaks in one year, come and we replace it.

but problem is that its annoying.

is there any alternative to this?

a good brand that works well?

[ryanjury]

You could maybe use a solenoid and a timer?

[David R]

Try a horticultural supply place like Pacific Growers in Mt Wellington, they might be able to recommend a proper commercial irrigation timer.

[henward]

yeah

saw one.

problem is that tehy are 10 times the price!

there are control boxes that even dose water to the exacts MLs.

but the boxs alone is hundreds, and all others will be more!

the tap timer is 60.

i guess if im stuck wtih changing it very 4 to 7 months, so be it, just maybe there was one someone was using for domestic use...maybe like an 'eheim equivalent'

[David R]

But what price do you pay for reliability? Would suck if it malfunctioned while you were away for a few days....

[henward]

its ok.

the tanks wont has a margin of nitrate while away.

factored this in.

nitrate is so low during fully working parameters and feeding is so light while away, i could be away a month and it still would not really impact too much.

nitrate would still be well inside acceptable.

it is annoying.

i would look for something better, but not the professional series, it costs way too much.

right now, the only issue is i will hve to go back to mitre 10 for a exchange every few months.

thats not really a big deal, just annoying, not catastrophic.

[henward]

calling pacific growers

[henward]

unfortunately, even pacific growers said, gardena does fail like that frequently.

to me its 100% failure rate, they certainly aint making profit from me.

they recommended an orbit start controller, and i have to get a solenoid, 4 times the price but said its reliable.

will have to weigh it up i guess.

cost vs minor inconvinience lol

[David R]

its ok.

the tanks wont has a margin of nitrate while away.

What about the pump in the barrell, would it run for long enough with no water to cause damage if the timer broke? Or the pump in the big tank, say if the timer broke then you had a power cut and the auto water changer didn't top the big tanks back up for a day or two until you got back. I know its a long shot, perfect storm sorta scenario, but it could happen...

[henward]

yeah, thought of that exact thing.

so far i am playing on probability.

am considering the more expensive system.

will investigate when i return. the way to fix it really is to ensure my sump is big enough. but unfortunately, thats not possible as there is no room lol.

the pumps in the barrel im not too concerned about its the main pump in the sump.

[snookie]

Switched on gardeners may have some for cheap 8)

[henward]

yeah, im growing different types of plants:P