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Smart irrigation = Sustainability & water savings

Automatic Irrigation FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Find answers here to the questions we are asked most often about automatic irrigation (controllers, solenoid valves, sprinklers, rain sensors, batteries and Wi-Fi modules), as well as ordering, delivery, payment and returns at Arrosage Pro. Each answer links to the matching products in our shop.

In this FAQ

Ordering, Delivery, Payment and Returns

Which countries do you deliver to?

We deliver to Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. We do not deliver to islands.

How long does delivery take?

Allow 2 to 3 working days after your order is confirmed. You will receive a confirmation email as soon as your order has been registered.

How much is delivery, and when is it free?

Delivery is free on orders of €600 or more, excl. VAT. Below that, the cost depends on the weight and size of the products and on the destination country. It is calculated automatically and shown in your basket before you confirm your order.

Which payment methods do you accept?

You can pay by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Bancontact, iDEAL, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Payments are processed by Stripe, and we do not store your card details.

Are prices shown with or without VAT?

Prices are shown in euros, excl. VAT (marked “+ VAT”). VAT is calculated at checkout according to the delivery country.

My parcel arrived damaged: what should I do?

Check the parcel when it arrives and report any damage within 48 hours to info@arrosagepro.com, quoting your order number and attaching photos.

Can I return a product?

Yes. You have 14 calendar days from receipt to change your mind, without giving a reason, whether you are a consumer or a business customer.

  • Email info@arrosagepro.com with your order number first, before sending anything back.
  • The product must be new, unused and not installed, in its original packaging and with all its accessories. You are welcome to open it and look it over, as you would in a shop.
  • Return shipping costs are at your expense, unless we made a mistake or the product is faulty.
  • Refunds are issued no later than 14 days after we receive and inspect the product, using the same payment method as the original purchase.

Full details are in our returns and refunds policy and our terms and conditions of sale.

What warranty covers my purchases?

Consumers are covered by the 2-year legal guarantee of conformity. Business customers are covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and the applicable legal guarantee. To make a claim, email info@arrosagepro.com with your order number and photos of the problem.

How can I contact customer service?

Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8:00–18:00, by email at info@arrosagepro.com or by phone on +32 2 219 57 00 and +32 486 91 27 02. You can also use our contact page.

Choosing Your Irrigation Controller

How do I choose an automatic irrigation controller?

Three things are enough: the number of zones to water, the power supply available (mains or batteries) and how you want to control it (buttons, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi). Once you have settled those three points, the choice narrows down to a few models. Browse our multi-zone irrigation controllers and our tap timers.

How do I count my watering zones?

A zone is a group of plants with the same water needs: lawn, hedge, flower bed, vegetable patch or drip irrigation. Each zone is operated by one solenoid valve, and each valve is connected to one station on the controller. So you need one station per zone, and it is wise to keep one or two spare stations for future garden changes.

What is the difference between a tap timer and a multi-zone controller?

A tap timer screws onto an outdoor tap and runs a single circuit (a soaker hose, a line of drippers, one sprinkler). A multi-zone controller operates several solenoid valves and is designed for medium and large gardens, or for underground systems.

For a single tap, these are popular models:

Which mains-powered multi-zone controller suits a small or medium garden?

For straightforward programming, the Hunter XC-401i-E (4 stations), XC-601i-E (6 stations) and XC-801i-E (8 stations) are safe bets, as is the Hunter ELC-601i-E. From Rain Bird, the ESP-TM2 comes in 4, 6, 8 or 12 stations. If you would like to set it up from your phone, the Solem BL-IS2, BL-IS4 and BL-IS6 run on mains power with 24 V solenoid valves.

Which controller should I choose for an outdoor installation?

Go for a model with a weatherproof casing: the Hunter X2 (IP55 plastic casing) or the Rain Bird ESP-TM2 outdoor. Indoor models need to be kept under cover, in a garage or utility room.

My garden is going to grow: is there an expandable controller?

Yes, a modular controller. The Rain Bird ESP-ME3 comes with 4 stations and accepts expansion modules: the ESPSM3 module (3 stations) and the ESPSM6 module (6 stations), up to 22 stations in total. You buy what you need today and add modules later.

Which controller should I choose for a tight budget or a simple lawn?

Orbit controllers offer simple programming: the Orbit Pocket Star Ultima (4 stations, with a rain sensor input) or the outdoor version of the Orbit Easy Set Logic. If you only have one tap to water from, a tap timer is all you need.

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Battery-Powered Controllers

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi: what is the difference for an irrigation controller?

With Bluetooth, your phone talks directly to the controller when you are nearby: no hub or router needed, which is ideal for a valve box or a far corner of the garden with no power socket. With Wi-Fi, the controller connects to your home internet router and you can control it from anywhere, with alerts and weather-based adjustments.

Can I water a garden without a power socket?

Yes. A battery-powered controller paired with a latching (pulse) solenoid valve waters automatically with no mains cable at all. A brief pulse is all it takes to open or close the valve, which saves the batteries.

Which battery-powered controllers do you sell?

Which batteries does my controller need?

The battery type depends on the model: for example, 4 AA batteries for the Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT. Always check your controller’s product page. We stock Varta Industrial alkaline batteries in 9 V, AA (pack of 4) and AAA (pack of 4). Rain Bird quotes up to 5 years of battery life for the ESP-BAT-BT-2, depending on the watering schedule.

Which Wi-Fi controllers do you sell?

  • Rain Bird: the RC2I4-230 (4 stations, indoor), controlled with the Rain Bird app.
  • Solem: the SMART-IS (2 to 12 stations, with MySolem) and the Villa (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 4 to 12 stations).
  • Hunter: the PHC-601E, PHC-1201E and PHC-2401E, controlled through the Hydrawise platform.

Can I make my current controller Wi-Fi enabled?

Yes, with a Wi-Fi module, provided your controller is compatible.

  • The Rain Bird LNK2 Wi-Fi module slots into the ESP-TM2 and ESP-ME3 (as well as recent ESP-ME and RZXe models). It adds the Rain Bird 2.0 app, seasonal adjustment, rain delay when rain is forecast, and alerts. It works on a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
  • The Hunter WAND Wi-Fi module connects Hunter X2, PHC and HPC controllers to the Hydrawise platform.

Before ordering an LNK2, look for the Wi-Fi symbol on the front of your controller: Rain Bird states that only models made after 2 November 2016 have it. If in doubt, email us with your controller’s model reference.

Solenoid Valves for Irrigation

How does an irrigation solenoid valve work?

The controller sends an electrical signal to the solenoid, the small coil fitted on top of the valve. The solenoid releases the diaphragm and water flows to the zone concerned (sprinklers, drip irrigation, etc.). When the signal stops, the valve closes. You need one solenoid valve for each watering zone.

24 V AC or 9 V latching solenoid: what is the difference?

This is the key point: the valve must match your controller. Mains-powered controllers (Hunter X2, Rain Bird ESP-TM2 and ESP-ME3, Solem BL-IS) operate 24 V AC valves. Battery-powered controllers operate a latching (pulse) solenoid, not a 24 V AC solenoid: the two are not interchangeable.

Which 24 V AC solenoid valve should I choose?

For 1-inch valves:

For high flow rates, in 2 inches: the Hunter PGV-201 (2″ female thread, flow adjustment, 24 V AC solenoid).

Which solenoid valve should I choose for a battery-powered controller?

Is the K80920 solenoid compatible with my controller?

The K80920 works with Rain Bird TBOS, TBOS-II, TBOS-BT, ESP-9V and WPX battery-powered controllers. The Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT Bluetooth controllers, on the other hand, use the TBOSPSOL solenoid listed on their product page. Always check compatibility before ordering, and email us if you have any doubt.

What should I do if my solenoid valve will not open or will not close?

  • It will not open: check the wiring and the connections in the valve box, which are often corroded, then open the bleed screw to check that water is actually reaching the valve. If everything looks fine, the solenoid may need replacing.
  • It will not close fully: flush it using the external bleed screw, then check that the solenoid and the bleed screw are tight. A bit of debris stuck on the diaphragm is the most common cause.
  • It leaks at the connections: redo the PTFE tape on the adaptors.

Always switch off the water before working on the system. You will find all our valves in the Solenoid valves and fittings category.

Sprinklers and Rotors

What is the difference between a rotor and an impact sprinkler?

A rotor sends out one or more fine jets that sweep across the lawn, covering large areas with few heads. An impact sprinkler (such as the Rain Bird MAXI-PAW 2045A) works with an oscillating arm and is tough enough to cope with dirty water.

Which rotor should I choose for my lawn?

Four things matter: the size and shape of the area, the water pressure available, the radius and nozzle, and consistency across the system. Here are the rotors in our shop:

You will find every model in the Sprinklers category.

What water pressure does a Hunter PGP-ADJ rotor need?

According to Hunter, the recommended pressure for the PGP-ADJ is 1.7 to 4.5 bar. With too little pressure, the jet falls in large drops and the range drops; with too much pressure, it breaks up into a fine mist.

Can I adjust the spray angle of a rotor?

Yes. On the PGP-ADJ, the arc can be set from 40° to 360°, so it fits corners and borders without watering the patio or the road. Hunter offers 27 nozzles to fine-tune the range and flow rate, including low-angle nozzles that are useful under branches or in windy spots.

Can I mix different types of sprinkler on the same zone?

No, you should avoid it. Different types of head do not water at the same rate, so you end up with dry patches and waterlogged patches. Put identical sprinklers together on each zone.

How do I position my rotors properly?

Installers follow a simple rule: place the rotors so that the jet from one head reaches the neighbouring head. This is what ensures even watering, with no dry ring in the middle. If you are unsure how many heads you need, email us with the size of your garden.

Rain Sensors and Saving Water

What is a rain sensor for?

It suspends watering once enough rain has fallen, then lets the controller resume on its own when the sensor has dried out. Without one, a controller waters at the scheduled time even after a night of rain: wasted water and a lawn exposed to excess moisture.

Which rain sensor should I choose?

  • Hunter Mini-Clik: adjustable rain threshold from 3 to 20 mm, 7.5 m cable. Compatible with all Hunter controllers and most other brands, with a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, according to Hunter.
  • Hunter Rain-Clik: Quick Response technology, which interrupts watering about 2 to 5 minutes after rain starts.
  • Rain Bird RSD-BEx: threshold adjustable from 5 to 20 mm with a simple dial, 7.6 m cable and aluminium bracket included, for 24 V AC circuits.
  • Orbit RX-1.5: adjustable wired sensor, simple and economical, connecting to the controller’s sensor input.

You will find all our sensors in the General accessories category.

Which rain sensor suits my controller?

For a Rain Bird controller (ESP-TM2, ESP-ME3), the RSD-BEx is the natural choice. For a Hunter (X2, XC, ELC), go for the Mini-Clik, or the Rain-Clik if you want a very fast shut-off. For an Orbit Pocket Star Ultima, which has a rain sensor input, the Orbit RX-1.5 is a good match. Before ordering, find the “SENS” or “Sensor” terminals on your controller: that is where the sensor connects.

Where should I install a rain sensor?

Choose an open spot with good exposure to rain, away from gutters, trees, sprinklers and strong wind. A very sunny location will dry it out faster, a shaded one more slowly. Keep it within 7.6 m of the controller, which is the length of the cable supplied with the RSD-BEx.

How can I water using less water?

  1. Water early in the morning: the water soaks in before the heat and wind arrive, so less evaporates.
  2. Adjust for the seasons: a lawn does not need the same amount of water in May as in August. Some controllers offer seasonal adjustment, such as the Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT (from 0 to 200% depending on the month).
  3. Split your watering into shorter cycles on compacted or sloping ground, so the water does not run off.
  4. Separate plants with different needs (lawn, hedge, drip irrigation) onto different stations.
  5. Install a rain sensor so watering stops by itself when it rains.

Installation, Maintenance and Winterising

How do I install a multi-zone irrigation controller?

Installation is well within reach of a keen DIYer, as long as you follow the steps in order:

  1. Mount the controller close to its power supply, under cover for indoor models.
  2. Identify the valve wires (one common wire and one wire per zone) and label each one with the name of its zone.
  3. Connect the common wire to the “C” terminal, then each zone wire to its numbered terminal. If you have a master valve, it connects to the terminal provided.
  4. Connect the rain sensor, if you have one, to the “sensor” terminals.
  5. Power up the controller. For a fixed connection to the 230 V mains, have an electrician do the work.
  6. Set the time and date, then create your programmes: watering days, start times and the run time for each station.
  7. Test each zone using manual start to check that each valve opens the right zone.

You will find our multi-zone irrigation controllers in the shop.

How do I install an irrigation solenoid valve?

Plan for the valve to sit in an accessible valve box, and turn off the water supply. Wrap two turns of PTFE tape around each adaptor and screw it into the valve, hand-tight. Follow the water flow direction shown by the arrow moulded into the valve. Connect one solenoid wire to the common wire and the other to the controller’s station wire, using waterproof connectors. Before first use, loosen the external bleed screw by just one turn to flush the valve, close it again, then start the zone from the controller. These steps follow the instructions for Rain Bird DV valves, such as the Rain Bird 100-DV.

How do I set up the Rain Bird LNK2 Wi-Fi module?

Download the Rain Bird app and check that the Wi-Fi signal reaches the spot where your controller is installed. Then open the front panel and insert the LNK2 module into its slot. In the app, add a controller and follow the steps: your phone briefly connects to the Wi-Fi network whose name contains “Rain Bird”. Then run a test watering. To start again from scratch, hold down the button on the module for more than 5 seconds. Rain Bird’s official LNK2 guides explain the procedure in detail.

How do I winterise my automatic irrigation system?

Water left in the pipes, sprinkler heads and solenoid valves can freeze and crack them. Before the first frosts:

  1. Turn the controller off (off mode) so that it no longer opens any valve.
  2. Shut off the water supply.
  3. Release the pressure by opening a valve or a drain tap.
  4. Drain the pipework through the drain valves if your system has them (automatic drain valves empty by themselves).
  5. Protect the valve boxes and the backflow preventer, or remove them and store them somewhere frost-free.
  6. Bring a tap timer indoors, after emptying it.

For blowing out the pipes with compressed air, Rain Bird recommends wearing safety glasses, opening a valve before starting the compressor, not exceeding about 3.4 bar (50 psi), and blowing out each zone for 2 minutes at most, then repeating at least twice. If in doubt, call in a professional.

Do I need to remove the rain sensor or check the batteries for winter?

The Hunter Mini-Clik does not need to be removed for winter. For battery-powered controllers, check the batteries in spring when you restart the system, and keep a spare set to hand. Our Varta Industrial AA alkaline batteries (pack of 4) and 9 V are available in the shop.

Personalised Advice and Contact

How do I choose the right products for my garden?

Start with three pieces of information: the number of zones to water (lawn, flower beds, vegetable patch, drip irrigation), your water source (mains, well, tank) and where the controller will be installed (indoors or outdoors). With those three answers:

Can you help me choose a product or check that it is compatible?

Yes. If you cannot decide between two models, or want to check that a module, valve or sensor is compatible with your installation, email us through the contact page with the brand and model of your current equipment, the number of zones and, if possible, a photo of your installation. We will come back to you with a precise recommendation.

How do I contact Arrosage Pro customer service?

Use the contact page. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8:00–18:00. If your question is about an order in progress, include your order number so that we can reply faster.

Where can I find the terms of sale, returns policy and privacy policy?

They are always available: terms and conditions of sale, returns and refunds policy and privacy policy.

Do you sell to professionals (landscapers, installers, local authorities)?

Yes, professionals can order just like private customers, with free delivery on purchases of €600 or more excl. VAT. For large quantities or a specific project, contact us before ordering so that we can check stock availability of the items together.

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