Apparatus for testing an irrigation system controller and method of testing irrigation systems

Abstract

An apparatus for testing the operation of an irrigation system is disclosed. The apparatus pinpoints defects in the irrigation system controller by simulating control signals and processing the control signals through controller output chips. Visual indicators offer an indication of defects in output chips. The apparatus may be coupled to the controller and receives potential from the controller. The potential is converted to produce a signal for operating the tester. An oscillator/clocking section produces serial data input, strobe pulse, and clock pulse signals to simulate signals produced by the controller microprocessor. These signals operate the visual indicators and are simultaneously processed through the controller output chips. Defects low in the output chips prevent the operation of visual indicators. The absence of an operating visual indicator represents a defect in the output chips. A method is prescribed for testing the controller output chips for defects and replacing defective output chips, and for pinpointing defects in solenoid valve networks and controller triacs. The tester allows a user to test the irrigation system from the location of the controller and enables the user to check all of the outputs of a controller simultaneously while eliminating the need for individually checking each station terminal and its respective solenoid valve.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.