#183 - For Immediate Release, Patent US3808385 The Sprinkler Nerd Show podcast

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#183 - For Immediate Release, Patent US3808385

20d ago 11:36

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For immediate release—breaking news, kind of.

In this solo episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, Andy dives into what seems like a revolutionary product: a mechanical rain sensor that requires no batteries, no Wi-Fi, no firmware updates—just pure, functional design. It shuts off irrigation during rainfall and turns it back on when conditions dry out, all thanks to hygroscopic discs that expand and contract to trigger a simple switch.

This device sounds like the newest drop in water-saving technology—until Andy reveals the twist: it's not new at all. In fact, it's based on US Patent 3,808,385, filed in 1972 and granted in 1974. That's over 50 years ago. And the core concept of the mechanical rain sensor hasn’t changed since.

Andy breaks down how the device works, why it’s still effective today, and what it says about the pace of innovation in the irrigation industry. He challenges contractors and tech developers alike to ask the big question: why are we still using 1970s technology in 2025?

Could we create a smarter, data-driven rain sensor that actually logs rainfall events, provides historical context, and informs better irrigation decisions? If so—why hasn’t anyone built it yet?

Key Highlights:

Breakdown of how the moisture-responsive switch actuator works
Benefits for contractors: simplicity, reliability, zero maintenance
Installation and adjustment tips
Why the current state of rain sensors is a wake-up call
A challenge to the industry: let’s rethink how we track rain and respond to it

Andy closes the episode with a call to action for all Sprinkler Nerds: always ask why. Why things work the way they do, why they've stayed the same—and how we can make them better.

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