How AquaLot Saves You Money on Irrigation and Landscaping

Installing AquaLot: A Step-by-Step Setup for HomeownersAquaLot is a smart irrigation controller designed to simplify watering, reduce water waste, and keep landscapes healthy with minimal effort. This guide walks homeowners through planning, purchasing, installing, configuring, and maintaining AquaLot so you get reliable performance and maximum water savings. It assumes a typical residential yard with an existing irrigation system (valves, sprinkler heads, drip lines), but also explains steps for new installs.

Why choose AquaLot?

Improves watering efficiency by using weather data and soil-moisture integration.
Saves water and money through targeted schedules and leak detection.
Easy user interface with mobile app control and remote updates.
Compatibility with most standard 24VAC solenoid valves and common sensors.

Before you begin — planning and tools

What to check

Confirm your irrigation system uses standard 24VAC solenoid valves (most do).
Locate your existing controller and main irrigation manifold/valve box.
Decide whether you’ll replace the old controller or add AquaLot alongside (replacement recommended).
Ensure Wi‑Fi coverage reaches the controller location or have an external antenna/mesh option.

Tools and supplies

Screwdrivers (flat & Phillips)
Wire stripper/crimper
Voltage tester/multimeter
Wire nuts or terminal connectors
Exterior-rated ⁄₂ irrigation wire (if re-running wires)
Drill and mounting hardware (if wall‑mounting)
Garden gloves, flashlight, bucket (for valve box access)

Step 1 — Power down and safety

Turn off the irrigation system at the main electrical breaker or plug.
Disable any timers or sensors linked to the old controller.
Use a voltage tester to confirm no voltage at the controller terminals.

Step 2 — Remove the old controller

Open the controller cover. Take photos of existing wiring and label each zone wire with masking tape (zone 1, 2, etc.).
Disconnect valve wires from the zone terminals and the common wire from the COM terminal. Also note transformer wires (24VAC).
Unscrew and remove the old controller from the wall or mounting plate. Save screws if suitable.

Step 3 — Mount AquaLot

Position AquaLot on the wall or inside the valve box per manufacturer instructions; maintain clearance for ventilation and Wi‑Fi signal.
Mark and drill mounting holes, then attach the controller securely.
If mounting outdoors in a valve box, ensure rubber gaskets and seals are in place to prevent moisture ingress.

Step 4 — Wiring

Run the labeled zone wires into the AquaLot enclosure.
Connect each zone wire to the corresponding zone terminal (Z1, Z2, etc.).
Connect the common wire to the COM terminal.
Attach the 24VAC transformer wires to the transformer input terminals (or plug transformer into outlet if external). Use a multimeter to verify 24VAC at the transformer before powering the unit.
If using sensors (rain, flow, soil moisture), connect them to their respective sensor inputs following polarity and wiring diagrams.

Example wiring checklist:

Zone wires → Z1, Z2, Z3…
Common wire → COM
Transformer → 24VAC terminals
Sensors → SENSOR/Rain/Flow inputs

Step 5 — Power up and basic verification

Restore power to the irrigation circuit.
Watch AquaLot boot sequence on its display or LED indicators.
From the controller interface, manually run each zone for a short test (10–30 seconds) and observe valves/sprinklers to confirm correct zone activation.
If a zone doesn’t activate, re-check the zone wiring and common connection.

Step 6 — Connect to Wi‑Fi and set up the mobile app

Download the AquaLot app (iOS/Android) and create an account if needed.
Follow in-app prompts: put AquaLot into pairing mode (usually a button press or menu option).
Select your home Wi‑Fi network and enter the password. If your controller is far from the router, use a Wi‑Fi extender or the optional external antenna.
Once connected, the app will likely check firmware and prompt updates—install these.

Step 7 — Configure zones and watering settings

Name each zone (Front Lawn, Vegetable Bed, Drip Line, etc.) for clarity.
Set valve type (sprinkler, drip) and sprinkler head radius/flow if prompted—this improves run-time recommendations.
Define plant types and soil type for each zone (sandy, loam, clay) to tailor watering.
Configure default watering windows (e.g., early morning) and maximum run times.
Enable weather-based adjustments so AquaLot reduces or skips cycles during rain or high humidity.

Step 8 — Advanced features and integrations

Enable leak/flow monitoring and set alert thresholds.
Connect soil‑moisture probes in high‑value beds for precise control.
Integrate with smart home platforms (Google Home, Alexa, HomeKit if supported).
Set up seasonal adjustments or custom schedules for vacation/establishment periods.

Step 9 — Testing and optimization

Run a full-cycle test for all zones and walk the property to check coverage uniformity and leaks.
Note dry spots or overspray; adjust sprinkler head direction, add drip emitters, or change run times accordingly.
Monitor app reports for 2–4 weeks and tweak schedules based on observed soil moisture and plant health.

Troubleshooting common issues

No power: confirm transformer output is 24VAC and fuse (if present) isn’t blown.
Zone won’t activate: check continuity of zone wire back to valve; verify valve solenoid resistance (typical 20–60 ohms).
Wi‑Fi pairing fails: move router closer, use 2.4 GHz network, or enable extender.
Frequent false rain skips: calibrate or relocate your rain sensor and check firmware.

Maintenance tips

Inspect wiring and valve box annually for corrosion or rodents.
Clean filters and flush drip lines in spring.
Update firmware when available.
Replace batteries in battery-backed models yearly.

Warranty and support

Register your AquaLot in the app to activate the warranty and access support. Keep photos of original installation and purchase receipts for warranty claims.

A correct installation combines careful wiring, thoughtful zone configuration, and a short optimization period. Follow these steps and within a month you should see healthier plants and measurable water savings.