Picture: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
As a house owner and avid gardener, I’m at all times in search of methods to avoid wasting time and guarantee my crops and garden obtain enough water. That’s why I made a decision to check quite a lot of the most effective hose timers in my very own yard and backyard. One hose timer stood out throughout the testing course of: the Melnor AquaTimer water timer.
This Melnor water hose timeroffers the comfort of computerized watering, with the additional advantage of two hose retailers for individuals who must water a number of zones. I discovered it straightforward to arrange and program. The central button in the midst of the management panel made scrolling by the capabilities a breeze, and the plus and minus buttons allowed me to set the time and watering durations for every zone.
Water timers aren’t new, however they’ve surged in recognition lately as a result of they assist guarantee crops get sufficient water whereas decreasing the chance of overwatering. If you happen to’re contemplating investing in a hose timer, hold studying to seek out out what occurred once I examined the Melnor water timerand to see if it’s proper in your watering wants.
Melnor AquaTimer Water Timer: At a Look
Ranking: 9/10
Picture: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
PROS
- Gives 2 hose retailers to supply watering to greater than a single zone
- Every zone may be arrange with a customized watering schedule
- Rain-delay perform permits person to pause programming in case of rain
- Guide override permits person to show water on and off by hand
CONS
- No method to alter the specified water strain from zone to zone
- Requires two AA batteries (not included), which could require frequent alternative
- LCD display displays and is difficult to learn in brilliant daylight
Get the Melnor AquaTimer hose timer at:
What’s the Melnor AquaTimer hose timer?
The Melnor hose timer is a distinctive gardening instrument that attaches to an outside spigot to mechanically water crops or lawns by a backyard hose. It options two hose retailers to simply water separate zones, and it’s designed to be user-friendly with an easy-to-read LCD display and easy programming buttons.
Completely different crops have totally different water necessities. The Melnor water timer offers customizable watering packages for every zone, with watering durations starting from 1 minute to six hours. It additionally features a rain-delay perform that pauses the watering schedule when rain is within the forecast, and a guide override perform for watering at any time.
Whereas the Melnor water timer has ample professionals, it isn’t with out a few cons. The water move power is just not adjustable per zone, which could be a problem for some customers. Moreover, it requires two AA batteries (not included), which can ultimately run down and require alternative. I examined the timer for 3 weeks without having to interchange the batteries, however I’m uncertain how lengthy they’d have lasted.
Picture: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
How straightforward is it to arrange and program the Melnor water timer?
Establishing and programming the water timer was easy. I connected it to an outside spigot and linked two hoses to the underside retailers. The becoming that connects to the spigot twists independently of the unit, which makes it easy to connect.
I discovered programming the Melnor water timer to be self-explanatory—it has a central button in the midst of the management panel that permits for scrolling by the assorted capabilities. The timer additionally contains plus and minus buttons for choosing when watering will start and the way lengthy it is going to run earlier than shutting off. I created customized watering packages for every zone—the method was straightforward to grasp and implement.
Does the Melnor water timer work reliably over time?
Throughout the 3-week take a look at, the Melnor water timer carried out flawlessly. As soon as I set the watering schedule, the timer ran the identical program every day until I paused it through the use of the rain-delay function. I can not communicate to its sturdiness over an prolonged interval, however it appeared properly made and functioned with out issues all through the testing interval.
The timer is designed to be weather-resistant, and its sturdy building means that it will probably stand up to the pains of outside use over time. The battery compartment comes with a watertight seal to maintain moisture from coming into. After a driving rain, I eliminated the battery tray to see if any water had gotten inside, however it was bone dry.
The water timer comes with three spare display washers that may be swapped in if an older washer begins to leak. The sort of washer is available at {hardware} shops, however I preferred the thought of getting extras available.
Picture: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
What options does the Melnor water timer supply?
The Melnor water timer has some nice options that make it a sexy choice for these in search of a digital water timer. One of many standout options is its easy-twist connector, which makes attaching the timer to a spigot extremely easy. This function alone saves time and problem, particularly for individuals who don’t wish to take care of sophisticated setups.
The twin-zone functionality is a boon for anybody with a number of watering wants. I arrange one zone for a sprinkler in my flower mattress, and the second zone equipped water to a big canine bowl within the pet’s play yard. I configured the primary zone to water twice per day for half-hour every time. I programmed the hose to the canine’s bowl to return on twice every day and run for two minutes every time—that was lots to replenish the bowl with recent water.
The big, easy-to-read LCD display makes it straightforward to program the timer and monitor watering schedules at a look. The Melnor water timer doesn’t supply Wi-Fi connectivity or different sensible options, however it nonetheless offers dependable and simple operation for individuals who are in search of a easy but efficient watering resolution.
Can the Melnor water timer be used with varied kinds of hoses and watering techniques?
The Melnor hose timer is appropriate with customary backyard hoses and drip-type watering techniques, however it’s unsuitable for in-ground sprinkler techniques, which require high-pressure controllers.
The timer additionally works properly with soaker hoses, that are generally utilized in house gardening and landscaping. Nonetheless, it’s value noting that water hose timers are usually not meant to be used with expandable hoses, primarily as a result of expandable hoses are designed for hand watering, not automated watering, on account of their tendency to shrink when drained of water.
Picture: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Must you purchase the Melnor hose timer?
This water timer is a wonderful alternative for anybody in search of an easy-to-use and customizable hose timer to handle their watering wants successfully. When you have a big backyard, a number of garden areas, and even out of doors pets that require common watering, this system could be a priceless instrument to make sure that every thing stays hydrated with out the necessity for guide intervention.
The Melnor timer’s user-friendly interface makes programming straightforward. A central button permits you to scroll by capabilities and buttons to set the beginning time and watering period. Its giant, easy-to-read LCD display simplifies holding monitor of your watering schedules and program settings.
Whereas the Melnor hose timer could be a priceless instrument for a lot of gardeners and householders, there are a number of cases the place it may not be needed. When you have a small backyard or solely must water one space, the timer’s dual-zone function will not be required, and a less expensive, single-zone timer might suffice. Moreover, when you choose to water your crops or garden manually or have a fancy irrigation system in place, chances are you’ll not want a hose timer in any respect.
Additionally it is value noting that the AquaTimer’s water move power is just not adjustable per zone, so when you require totally different water move charges for various areas, this timer will not be the most effective match in your wants.
The place to Purchase the Melnor AquaTimer Hose Timer
Get the Melnor AquaTimer hose timer at:
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a seasoned product tester and author with a deal with the development, transforming, and actual property industries. As a co-owner of a basic contracting firm with expertise in each residential and business constructing functions, she brings a wealth of information and experience to her opinions. She exams a variety of energy instruments in addition to different house enchancment, family, and lawn-and-garden merchandise, to assist shoppers make knowledgeable selections. Together with her cautious evaluation and a spotlight to element, her opinions supply a novel perspective trusted by professionals and DIY fans.
