Irrigation controller with integrated valve locator

An irrigation controller, comprising:

• a control node;
• a memory for storing processor usable program code for generating a valve control signal for energizing the control node;
• and
• a processing unit connected to the memory and receptive of the program code, wherein the program code for generating a valve control signal, when executed by said processing unit, causes the irrigation controller to:
• generate a valve actuation control signal on the control node for controlling a continuous control voltage to a valve over an actuation period;
• and
• generate a valve chatter control signal on the control node for a controlling an intermittent chatter voltage to the valve over a chatter period, wherein the intermittent chatter voltage comprises a plurality of duty cycles and each duty cycle comprises one signal voltage period and at least one naught voltage period, said signal voltage period comprises a first voltage level over a first portion of the signal voltage period and a second voltage level over a second portion of the signal voltage period, and said at least one naught voltage period comprises a second voltage level, wherein the second voltage level is less than the first voltage level.

A method for generating valve control signal for energizing a valve, comprising:

• generating a valve actuation control signal on a control node for an actuation period, said valve actuation control signal comprising a plurality of control signal periods each having a continuous control voltage, whereby the valve actuation control signal continuously energizes the control node and a valve coupled to the control node for the actuation period;
• discontinuing the valve actuation control signal;
• and
• generating a valve chatter control signal on the control node for a chatter period, said valve chatter control signal comprising a plurality of duty cycles, wherein each duty cycle comprising one control signal period and at least one naught signal period, said control signal period including a first voltage over a first portion of the control signal period and a second voltage over a second portion of the control signal period, and said at least one naught signal period including a second voltage over the at least one naught signal period, wherein the second voltage is less than the first voltage, whereby the valve chatter control signal intermittently energizes the second control node and a valve coupled to the second control node for the chatter period.