Sprinkler System Basics - Toro GreenKeeper 212 User Manual

Sprinkler System Basics

The three main components of every automatic sprinkler
system are the controller, station control valves and
sprinklers.
The controller is the brain of the system, telling the control
valves when and how long to supply water to the sprin-
klers. The sprinklers direct and control the water applied to
the lawn and plants.
Each valve controls a specific group of sprinklers called
a watering station. The stations are generally laid out
and installed according to the type of plant material to be
watered, the location of the plant within the landscape
and the maximum amount of water which can be sup-
plied. Each valve is connected to a numbered terminal
within the controller, identifying it as Station 1, Station 2,
etc.
The controller operates the valves in order, one at a
time. In other words, one station would water completely
before another station would turn on. This is called a
watering cycle. The information stored in the controller
memory which determines when and how long the sta-
tions will water is called a program.
The next section of this guide is very important. It explains
what a program is and how the GreenKeeper 212 controls
the operation of the sprinkler system.
6
Valve 1
Controller
ON
MANUAL NEXT
START
PROGRAMS
A B C
OFF
Valve 2
R
Valve 3
Valve 4
Valve 5
Valve 1 - Station 1 - Parkway Lawn - Fixed Spray
Valve 2 - Station 2 - Front Lawn - Fixed Spray
Valve 3 - Station 3 - Front Shrubs - Flood Bubbler
Valve 4 - Station 4 - Back Lawn - Geared Rotor
Valve 5 - Station 5 - Garden - Drip
House