A master valve is an automatic valve that is installed at the point where the irrigation system connects to the water supply. (Sometimes this circuit is called a “pump start circuit”. Both types of circuits work identical, and can be used for a pump and/or a master valve.) The controller turns the master valve on and off.
Zone valves are the individual valves that operate a group of sprinklers or drip emitters. A Hydrawise controller supports 6 or 12 zone valves, depending on the model. Typically, one zone valve is turned on at a time and controls the irrigation in a specific area. The controller also signals the master valve to open. The master valve is considered a backup valve or a fail-safe valve. The purpose of the master valve is to shut off the water to the irrigation system when none of the zone valves are operating. The image below shows a master valve connected to Zone 12 on a Hydrawise controller.
- Water main
- Master valve
- Solenoid valves
- Water to zones
- Common wires
- 24V AC plug pack
With a Hydrawise controller, any one of your 6 / 12 zones can be configured to act as a master valve. The master valve zone is configured on the Zones & Programs above your list of irrigation zones.
Initially, there is no master valve configured and all zones on the controller can be used as normal zone valves. To select a master valve, select the relevant zone from the list next to the text that says Master valve.
- Sign in to your Hydrawise account.
- Click the () icon in the upper left.
- Click Controller Settings.
- Navigate to Master Valve/Pump Start and click Not Assigned.
- Select a Station Number assigned to the master valve.
The master valve is now configured as this station number in the app.
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