Rain Bird Decoders
Simple, Reliable, Below-Ground
Irrigation Control

A technology long-since proven on golf courses throughout Europe is quickly gaining popularity in the U.S. Rain Bird decoders are an alternative to satellites on centrally controlled irrigation systems. Decoders act as control stations to operate electric valves and electric valve-in-head rotors. Underground installation and simple, low-cost wiring make decoders an aesthetically pleasing and economical option for reliable in-field control.

Features and Benefits:

• Improve aesthetics and reduce costs with buried in-field controls
• Easy system expansion...simply splice into the communication line and add additional decoders
• Installation requires up to 80% less wire than conventional satellite systems
• Electronic components are completely encapsulated to protect against the elements
• Simple, two-wire system can be spliced and expanded during installation
• Underground decoders reduce the chance of damage from animals, insects or vandals
• Pre-coded addressing eliminates confusion associated with switch-based addressing
• With the addition of Rain Bird's Decoder Programming Unit (DPU), decoder addresses can be reassigned if necessary.

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional in-field satellite control, Rain Bird decoders may be the right solution for you. Below-ground Rain Bird Decoders used with your central control system are simple, yet very reliable. They work with your central control system just like conventional satellites but are buried underground away from the elements.

A Cost-Effective Alternative

A simple wiring configuration and absence of protective satellite enclosures keeps installation and maintenance costs low. A conventional, 18-hole satellite-based system requires more than 250,000 feet of 24-volt wire. Decoders utilize a two wire path of 14-gauge wire connecting the central control system, decoders and valves or valve-in-head sprinklers. A typical setup rarely uses more than 50,000 feet of wire and 250 to 300 decoders.

Protect Against the Elements

With all electronic components fully sealed within a water-tight enclosure and buried underground, damage from floods, frost, insects, rodents or vandals is virtually eliminated. Rain Bird decoders are an especially good choice for flood plains and in other areas where the risk of damage to traditional satellite controllers is high.

An Out-of-Sight Solution

Buried decoder systems leave nothing exposed to the elements. With no evidence of in-field control, this aesthetically pleasing alternative works perfectly in situations where satellite enclosures are unwanted or impractical.

Excellent for Renovations

Thanks to advanced central control technology and simple wiring requirements, decoders are a smart choice for many golf course renovations. With Rain Bird’s Cirrus™, Nimbus™ II and Stratus™ II Central Control Systems, it is now possible to use Rain Bird’s hybrid control feature to operate satellites and decoders concurrently. This makes it easy to expand irrigation coverage or renovate a golf course using a minimal amount of wire and decoders.

In-Field Control Options

The addition of decoders doesn’t mean the elimination of in-field control. Decoders can be turned on and off in the field with a plug-in Rain Bird Field Transmitter or The FREEDOM™ System. The Rain Bird Field Transmitter is a portable key pad that can be plugged into the system at certain points on the course to provide on-the-spot control. Another alternative is The FREEDOM System. This hand-held radio remote allows you to signal changes to the central control system from anywhere on the course. Rain Bird’s new FREEDOM-PAD™ unit can be used in conjunction with the FREEDOM radio to bring system adjustment and control to the palm of your hand.

The Right Amount of Control

Select different decoders to operate one, two, four or six solenoids. Five different decoders let you choose the amount of control you need.

Note: Rain Bird recommends using 3M DBY electrical connectors for all connections.