Drip Defender — Field Installation Guide

Before You Begin

Gather the following tools and materials before starting the installation.

Tools needed

• Trenching spade or power trencher
• Wire strippers and crimping tool
• Drill and bits (for valve box lid)
• Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips)
• Measuring tape
• Pipe wrench or adjustable wrench

Materials needed

• Drip Defender device(s) — one per foundation zone
• Transformer — 300 W, 24 VAC or 12 VAC (sold by Telemetry Insights or customer-supplied)
• Landscape cable — 14–16 AWG multi-conductor (sold by Telemetry Insights)
• Splice connectors — one per device tap point (sold by Telemetry Insights)
• Underground valve boxes — one per device location
• Foundation perimeter solenoid valves — 24 VAC standard or 12 VDC latching
• Drip irrigation tubing and emitters for foundation perimeter zone

Power System Overview

Each Drip Defender device draws power from a single landscape cable run that extends from the transformer along the foundation perimeter. Each device taps power from the cable at its installed location using a splice connector — no individual runs back to the transformer.

Power options

Wiring

• Cable type: 14–16 AWG landscape wire, multi-conductor
• Route: One cable run from transformer along the entire foundation perimeter
• Tap method: Splice connector at each device location — no return runs needed

Run a single cable from the transformer along the entire foundation perimeter, passing through or near each planned device location.

1. Plan your device locations around the perimeter — typically one device per foundation zone or corner.
2. Trench along the perimeter at a depth of at least 6 inches (15 cm) to protect the cable from damage.
3. Lay the landscape cable continuously from the transformer through each device location. Do not cut individual runs — one continuous cable feeds all devices.
4. Leave a service loop of extra cable (about 12 inches / 30 cm) at each device location for splicing.
5. Leave the trench open until all device installations are complete and tested.

Each device installs inside an underground valve box. The device mounts to the inside of the valve box lid and is accessible from the surface without digging.

1. Dig a hole at each device location sized to fit the valve box, with the top of the box flush with or slightly above ground level.
2. Set the valve box in the hole. The box houses the solenoid, soil sensor, and device wiring.
3. Route the landscape cable service loop into the valve box.

The solenoid valve controls the foundation perimeter drip zone. It installs inside the valve box on the irrigation supply line.

1. Connect the upstream supply pipe to the solenoid inlet.
2. Connect the solenoid outlet to the zone pipe that feeds the foundation perimeter drip emitters.
3. Route the solenoid's two wire leads into the valve box — these connect to the device.

Proper sensor depth is critical for Drip Defender. The goal is to measure soil moisture at the level where foundation stress occurs — near or at the depth of the foundation footing. Soil that is too dry or too wet at footing depth causes structural movement.

Recommended sensor depth — Drip Defender

If you are unsure of your footing depth, check your original construction drawings or contact your builder. In most residential climates, a depth of 2–3 ft (60–90 cm) captures meaningful moisture data for foundation protection purposes.

1. Insert the RS-485 Modbus soil sensor probe vertically into the ground at the appropriate depth for your foundation type (see table above). The probe should be positioned close to the foundation wall — within 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) of the foundation.
2. Route the sensor cable up through the valve box and leave enough length to reach the device connector (Side B).
3. Backfill around the probe and tamp lightly to ensure good soil contact.

The device mounts to the inside of the valve box lid using standoffs, keeping it accessible from the surface.

1. Using the included mounting template, mark and drill the standoff holes in the valve box lid.
2. Attach the device dock to the lid using the stainless machine screws, threaded spacers, and rubber gaskets included in the box.
3. Connect Side A of the device:
   • 2-wire power from the landscape cable splice connector
   • 2-wire solenoid leads
4. Connect Side B of the device:
   • 4-wire soil sensor connector
5. Dock the device into the mount and secure with the knurled thumb screw at the top tab.
6. Splice the landscape cable power tap at this device location using a splice connector. Connect the splice output to the device Side A power leads.

Once all devices on the run are installed and wired, restore power at the transformer and verify each device comes online.

1. Turn on the transformer.
2. Each device LCD should power on and cycle through startup. After connecting to WiFi and the cloud, the screen cycles live sensor readings — confirming soil moisture, temperature, humidity, and pressure data.
3. Open the Telemetry Insights app and verify each device appears as online with live telemetry.
4. Check that soil moisture readings are within a reasonable range for your current soil conditions — typically 20–80% for most soil types.
5. Backfill the trench and replace sod or ground cover.

Products Available from Telemetry Insights

Everything needed for a complete Drip Defender installation is available directly from Telemetry Insights. Using matched components ensures compatibility and simplifies support.

• 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