This game-changing valve control technology is here to stay, and for good reason.
Decoders are electronic devices that are connected to a wire path from an irrigation controller. They operate irrigation valve solenoids by receiving both signal and power from the same wire path. This allows the installation of many irrigation stations (or valves) down the same wire run, rather than requiring a separate power wire for each solenoid. Experienced decoder installers point to other real-world benefits of decoder wiring Flexibility and Expandability.
Wire savings are only the beginning of the decoder story
Ease of troubleshooting:
Many irrigation systems experience problems over time due to degradation or faults in the field wiring.
The industry has evolved, and there are new techniques and devices to simplify fault-finding. In decoder wiring, there are fewer wires to troubleshoot.
Some brands offer handheld devices to aid programming and diagnostics of decoders, which can save many man-hours.
A forty-station cut wire path would require several hours to repair, while a 2-Wire path would require one splice and waterproof wire connection.
Reliability: Less wire means fewer problems. Exposure to shovels, rodents, and even lightning is minimized with 2-Wire paths.
While there are now several brands of decoders available to the designer or installer, most share some common characteristics:
Each manufacturer has rules and specifications for decoder layout, but one principle is generally true: your decoder wire is going to be installed along with your pipes. The idea is for the wire to go wherever you'll need valves, so the pipes and the wire can share the same trenches.
The best designs make the most efficient use of copper wire within a specific design.
The pipe layout and overall irrigation plan will determine how many decoders you need on a single path (within the specifications of the control system).
It is generally not necessary to 'loop' the wire path back to the controller from the end, but individual manufacturers provide specific guidance on their products.
The idea, after all, is to save wire.
Installation:
The difference between happy decoder systems and sad ones usually has more to do with the installation than with the design.
Installing 2-Wire is not the same as installing traditional 24V solenoid wiring.
It's best to approach the manufacturer's specifications with an open mind, no matter how many standard 24V systems you have done in the past.
