Patent ID: 7225058
Filing Date: 2007-05-29
Classification: A01G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A modular irrigation controller, comprising: a processor for executing a watering program and turning a plurality of irrigation valves ON and OFF in accordance with the watering program; a plurality of station modules each having a first set of electrical contacts and a station module circuit connectable to at least one of the irrigation valves; a plurality of receptacles that establish each have a second set of electrical contacts that mate with the first set of electrical contacts to a communication path between the processor and each station module circuit when the station modules are inserted into corresponding ones of the receptacles; a manually actuable mechanism that allows a power connection to be applied to the station module circuit of each station module after it has been inserted into its corresponding receptacle and the communication path has been established between the station module circuit and the processor; wherein power is applied to the station module circuit of each station module through a separate electrical contact located remote from the first and second sets of mating electrical contacts.