DEWENWILS 3-Zone Hose Timer: features, specs and who it suits

The DEWENWILS 3-Zone Sprinkler Timer screws onto an outdoor tap and turns watering on and off for you. With three outlets it can run separate hoses on separate schedules, which suits a lawn, a vegetable bed and a set of pots at the same time. Here is what the features mean.

What a hose timer does

A hose timer sits between the tap and the hose. It opens the valve at a set time for a set period, then closes it. It does not create pressure; it relies on the pressure of the water supply. DEWENWILS gives its maximum sustained water pressure as 120 psi, and the water must come from a tap or pressurised source.

Three zones, A, B and C

The three stations are controlled by separate programs and do not interfere with each other. DEWENWILS suggests uses such as drip systems, bird baths, rain barrels, pet water, sprinklers and filling a pool. Different hoses and settings can run on the same day.

Programs and schedules

Each outlet can have up to four watering cycles a day. You choose the days of the week or an every-2-or-3-days pattern, the start time and the duration, which ranges from 1 to 240 minutes. That covers short drip sessions and long lawn soakings.

Repeat watering mode

A repeat mode cycles the water on and off within a time window. DEWENWILS gives the example of 15:00-20:00 with 5 minutes on and 15 minutes off. Short pulses of this kind are typically useful for new seedlings or sloped ground where water would otherwise run off.

Rain delay and manual watering

Rain delay pauses the schedule when rain is forecast, so plants are not overwatered. Manual mode is a one-time run for an urgent need, after which you switch back to the automatic mode without reprogramming.

Screen, buttons and power

A 3.4-inch LCD displays the functions, with explanatory text and a flashing cursor, and five buttons handle programming. It runs on two AA batteries (not included), and a low-battery warning tells you when to replace them. If the batteries run out while you are away, DEWENWILS says the outlets stay off to avoid over-watering, and the schedules are kept. You only reset the clock when power returns.

Build

The tap connector is zinc and designed to seal without extra gaskets on a standard 3/4-inch outdoor faucet. The shell is ABS plastic, which DEWENWILS describes as sun-resistant and waterproof for outdoor use. The timer weighs about 1.1 lb (0.5 kg).

Who it suits

It suits gardeners who want plants watered on a schedule, including while they are on holiday, and households that need to water several areas using one tap.

What to check before you buy

• Tap thread: confirm your outdoor tap has the standard 3/4-inch thread, or that you have an adapter.
• Water source: a gravity or very low-pressure source may not suit every setup, so check the manual.
• Batteries: it needs two AA batteries, which are not included.
• Frost: in cold climates, bring the timer inside before freezing weather.
• Hoses and fittings: check you have enough hoses and splitters for each zone.

The short version

• A battery-powered hose timer with three zones, A, B and C.
• Up to four cycles a day per outlet, from 1 to 240 minutes.
• Repeat watering, rain delay and manual modes.
• 3.4-inch LCD, low-battery warning, 120 psi maximum pressure.
• Needs two AA batteries and a standard 3/4-inch faucet.

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