Skydrop Smart Sprinkler Controller — Installation and Setup Instructions

Installation and setup instructions for the Skydrop smart sprinkler controller — a Wi-Fi-connected irrigation controller that uses local weather data to optimize watering.

Before You Begin

• Choose a controller location near an electrical outlet and within Wi-Fi range.
• Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, wire strippers/cutters, and a small flat-head screwdriver (for removing some brands of old controllers).

Step 1: Remove Old Controller

1. Unplug the existing controller from the wall outlet.
2. Access the wiring compartment and locate the zone wires. Use the provided adhesive stickers to mark each wire as you remove it.
3. Loosen each terminal screw or push-button release, removing and labeling wires one at a time. Tip: take a photo of the wiring with your smartphone first.
4. Number the wires in their existing order (or reorder as desired). Be sure to identify and mark the common wire(s), master valve/pump relay wire, and flow meter wire.
5. Bundle the wires together tightly (electrical tape helps) to ease removal from the old controller.
6. Remove the mounting screws and separate the old controller from the wall. If it's still attached with no visible screws, there may be a hidden screw in a slot behind it — wiggle the controller upward, then pull toward you to find it.
7. If a PVC conduit with a locking nut shields the wires, remove the nut first so the controller can slide free.

Step 2: Mount Wall Plate

1. Determine whether your control wires are exposed coming up the wall, or hidden coming out of the wall — the wall plate supports both bottom entry and back entry.
2. Insert the zone control wires and the Skydrop AC power supply through the appropriate channel(s). If wires come from inside the wall, route them through the back channel and the AC power supply through the bottom channel.
3. Once wires are routed with enough slack (about an inch above the wall plate), position the wall plate on the wall.
4. Use the provided level to straighten the plate, then fasten with the provided screws.

Step 3: Insert Power Supply

1. Insert the power supply cord through the same entry as the control wires, or into the receptacle just below the bubble level.
2. Plug the AC power supply into the provided plug in the wall plate (beneath the level), then plug the power supply into a 110V wall outlet near the controller. This provides 24VAC to a "hot post" inside the wall plate.

Step 4: Run Control Wires

1. Run control wires to the wall plate and measure/cut to the top edge of the wall plate.
2. If using multi-strand sheathed wire, trim the sheath so it ends just inside the wiring cavity, giving each wire maximum flexibility.

Step 5: Identify Order of Zones / Insert

1. Strip about 3/8"–1/2" of insulation off each wire. The white wire is typically your common wire — insert it into the terminal block labeled "C." Push each wire fully in, then pull back slightly to confirm it's secure.
2. To test a zone wire, connect it to the "hot post" (labeled "H") one at a time — the attached valve activates, letting you visually confirm and order zones as desired.
3. To reorder zone wires, press the zone button and pull the wire from its terminal block.

Step 6: Power the Controller

1. Align the 4 snap pegs on the back of the controller with the 4 mounting holes on the wall plate, and press evenly on both sides until you hear a confirming snap and the Skydrop logo illuminates.
2. The controller takes about 90 seconds to fully boot. It's ready when the ring illuminates green.
3. The first screen prompts for your zip code — follow the on-screen guide to complete setup.

Step 7: Complete Setup

Before setup, register your account at my.skydrop.com.

Zip Code & Wi-Fi

• Enter your 5-digit zip code and press Continue.
• Select your Wi-Fi network from the list and enter the password. A 6-digit security code will display, used to sync your controller with your computer/app account via my.skydrop.com.
• You can also choose to skip Wi-Fi setup and run Skydrop as a basic sprinkler controller — you'll set date/time, watering start time, and choose interval watering (every N days) or specific-day watering (e.g. Mon/Wed/Fri), plus zone durations. In this mode Skydrop will not use smart/weather-based optimization.

Browser / App Setup (Smart Mode)

• Water Time: the hour Skydrop starts watering on scheduled days.
• Soil Type: select your soil type (see Soil Type Test below), then proceed to zone-by-zone setup: Plant Type, Sprinkler Type, Shady Y/N, Slope Grade, Water Duration.
• Once finished, you can revisit controller/zone settings and location info (confirm your zip code is populated) at any time.

Soil Type Test

Gather soil samples from 3-4 spots in your yard, mix, and take about 1 cup. Put it in a clear quart container, add 3-4 cups of water, and shake to suspend the soil. Let it settle until the water on top is clear — you'll see layered strata: sand on the bottom, loam in the middle, and the finest particles on top. Your soil type is whichever layer is thickest.

Watering Restrictions

• Run On (days): select days you cannot water; all days are allowed by default. Skydrop will still determine optimal watering, but may need to water more frequently to fit within restrictions.
• Hours: select hours of the day when watering is not allowed.
• Odd/Even Day: for municipal odd/even calendar-day restrictions.

Zone Settings

• Water Duration: Skydrop suggests a range of minutes based on your soil type and sprinkler type. For best plant health, water deep and infrequently.
• Zone Name: name each zone for easy identification.
• Zone Enabled: disable a zone entirely if it shouldn't run.
• Exclude from Restrictions: lets a specific zone water even during a general watering restriction.
• Plants: selecting plant type tells Skydrop the root zone depth and soil water-holding capacity — if multiple plant types share a zone, select them all; Skydrop uses the deepest-rooted type to set duration.
• Sprinklers: sprinkler type determines the precipitation rate Skydrop uses to calculate run time.
• Slope: sloped zones automatically get a Cycle/Soak watering pattern — Skydrop applies water up to the point of runoff, waits, then repeats as needed based on soil type and slope severity.
• Shade: select the shade level matching the most demanding part of the zone (e.g. select Full Sun if part of the zone is shaded and part is sunny).

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