Field Installation Guide
Drip Defender protects your foundation by continuously monitoring soil moisture around the perimeter and automatically triggering corrective irrigation before conditions cause structural damage. This guide covers everything from power wiring to soil sensor placement and device mounting.
Before starting: Complete the Device Setup Guide first to connect your device to WiFi and link it to your account.
Existing transformer? You can use your own if it supplies 24 VAC (or 12 VAC for latching solenoids) with sufficient wattage. Budget 20 W per device with 24 VAC hold solenoids. A 300 W transformer supports up to 12 devices on a single run, depending on cable gauge and run length.
Each Drip Defender device draws power from a single landscape cable run from the transformer along the foundation perimeter. Each device taps power at its installed location via a splice connector, no individual runs back to the transformer.
| Source | Solenoid type | Budget per device |
|---|---|---|
| 24 VAC | 24 VAC hold solenoid valve (most common) | 20 W |
| 12 VAC | 12 VDC latching solenoid valve | 10 W |
USB power packs are not for permanent installation. Use a USB power pack only during initial device setup.
The irrigation pipe and the 2-conductor power wire share the same trench. Plan and dig the full perimeter trench before placing either.
Water pressure: Each device waters independently based on its own soil moisture readings and AI recommendations. There is no coordination or staggering between devices. Simultaneous activation of all zones is unlikely in practice, but not prevented. Size your supply pipe accordingly. Run the trench at least 6 ft (1.8 m) from the foundation wall so it does not interfere with the drip emitters or sprinkler heads placed at the base of the foundation.
Each device installs inside an underground valve box. The valve box has no bottom and has curved side openings for irrigation pipe entry and exit. The device mounts to the inside of the lid and is accessible from the surface without digging.
The solenoid valve controls the foundation perimeter zone and installs inside the valve box on the irrigation supply line.
Match solenoid type to your transformer output tap. The 24 VAC output tap pairs with the 24 VAC hold solenoid. The 12 VAC output tap pairs with the 12 VDC latching solenoid. The device rectifies the 12 VAC input to 12 VDC internally. Mismatching transformer output tap and solenoid type will result in the solenoid either failing to open or burning out, and may damage the device. Check the solenoid spec sheet if unsure.
A single Drip Defender device can feed multiple heads in its zone, drip emitters, short-throw sprinkler heads, or a mix of both, based on available water pressure and pipe sizing. Drip emitters are preferred along the foundation wall for precise, low-pressure delivery. Short-throw sprinkler heads work well where the coverage area is wider or where emitter placement is difficult.
Pipe size should match your solenoid valve size (1/2", 3/4", or 1") and be sized to deliver adequate pressure across all drip emitters or sprinkler heads in the zone. Larger pipe supports more irrigation points. Solenoid valves in all three sizes are available from Telemetry Insights in both 24 VAC hold and 12 VDC latching types. All pipe, fittings, and valves can also be sourced from any third-party irrigation supplier.
Proper sensor depth is critical for Drip Defender. The goal is to measure soil moisture at the level where foundation stress occurs, near the depth of the foundation footing. The recommended depth for your foundation type is shown in the Moisture Sensor Installation section of the device configuration page. The table is a starting point. Adjust based on your specific site conditions and foundation type.
Place the sensor within 6 inches (15 cm) of the foundation wall. This is the recommended starting point. Adjust based on your site conditions and foundation type.
Monitoring every inch of the foundation is impractical and costly. Place devices strategically at points around the foundation where each device and its sensor can represent a distinct zone. A single device can feed several drip emitters or sprinkler heads covering that zone. Position the sensor centrally within the zone at the correct depth to most effectively capture soil moisture and temperature for the area being irrigated. Factor in budget, soil conditions, sun exposure, and foundation layout when deciding placement. Sunny south/west exposures typically dry faster than shaded north/east sides and may need independent monitoring.
The device mounts to the underside of the valve box lid on four brass standoffs, hidden inside the box and accessible from the surface. See the Device Mounting Guide for the full step-by-step with hardware details, the process takes about 20 minutes and requires only the included drill template and hex keys.
Ensure power is off at the transformer before making any wiring connections. Turn power back on only after all devices on the run are wired and mounted.
Once the device is mounted to the lid, make the electrical connections. By this point, three cables have been routed into the valve box: the 2-conductor landscape power cable (Step 1), the solenoid 2-wire leads (Step 3), and the 4-wire sensor cable (Step 4). All terminals are labeled on the device rear panel. Use these labels to confirm each connection before applying power. Incorrect wiring has the potential to damage the device, sensor, and/or solenoid.
Right terminal block - soil moisture sensor (4-wire, color-coded):
| Pin | Position | Wire color | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Top | Black | Ground |
| 3 | One below top | Yellow | RS485 A |
| 2 | One above bottom | Blue | RS485 B |
| 1 | Bottom | Brown | 12VDC out |
Sensor leads are color-coded and must be connected by color to the correct terminal. Check all four connections carefully before applying power. Incorrect wiring can damage the device, sensor, or solenoid.
Left terminal block - power and solenoid:
No polarity requirement means either wire can connect to either terminal for both the power pair and the solenoid leads.
WARNING: Before applying power, confirm that the transformer output tap in use and the solenoid installed in the valve box match. Using the 24 VAC tap with a 12 VDC latching solenoid, or the 12 VAC tap with a 24 VAC hold solenoid, will result in the solenoid failing to open or burning out, and may damage the device.
Splice the landscape cable at this device location using a splice connector. Connect the splice output to the left terminal block bottom screws.
Before closing the lid, verify all connections are secure and confirm the lid closes properly with the device mounted.
If a device does not come online, check the splice connector for a secure connection and confirm the power cable connection is secure throughout the run.
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Transformer | 300 W, dual-voltage 24/12 VAC output |
| Landscape cable | 14–16 AWG multi-conductor, UV-rated |
| Splice connectors | Waterproof, direct-bury rated |
| Startup bundle | Transformer + cable + connectors in one order |
Visit telemetryinsights.com/shop to order.