PROGRAMMABLE ELECTRONIC VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHODS OF OPERATION THEREOF

摘要

Solar powered programmable valves and methods of programming and operation thereof are disclosed. A controller (20) for the valves is provided having one or more solar cells (38, 40) for charging a large capacitor or capacitors (62, 176) upon illumination, which provide energy storage for the continuous powering of a very low current single chip computer controller (66) and for providing actuating power to a latching solenoid (48) of a pilot operated valve (22). The valve is connected to one or more toggle valves in a serial fashion for controlling one or more devices, allowing a single controller to provide water to more than one zone. Programming of the microcontroller to cause the valve to operate at subsequent times as desired is accomplished by magnetically actuating, through the sealed controller case "yes" and "no" read switches (126, 128) in response to simple prompts presented on a display (58).