Shock waves ran through the irrigation industry when Solatrol Inc. introduced the Leit? 8000 controller in 1988. A light energized controller that operates without AC power wires? With program capabilities beyond the most expensive central computer system? From where did this company come? Speculation mounted.

The brainchild of Wyn Nielsen – an engineer and former high technology business executive within the electronics, biomedical and aerospace industries, Solatroi Inc. is headquartered in Sorrento Valley in North San Diego County.

By applying his own expertise in ultra-lower power electronics and electromechanical systems – a relatively esoteric science – Nielsen developed the concept for a controller that did not rely on an external AC power source and contained computing/programming capabilities beyond anything found in the industry. Market research indicated that there was indeed a large market for this new controller.

Incorporating an entirely new approach to the micropower valves needed to work with the new controller, an actual operating model was ready in 1985. Nielsen quickly found financial backing from a major international venture capital investment group which is a publicly traded corporation. It was a matter of the right people, the right technology and the right time.

Nieisen joined forces with co-founder, Jonathan Luck, an engineer with extensive high tech electronic expertise and international experience in research and development. They quickly began a worldwide search within the scientific community to hire the top experts in low light microeiectronics technology, software development, mechanical engineering and irrigation technology. As a result, the Solatrol staff represents many cultures who have joined forces. 50 people now comprise the technical, production and sales staff.

Solatrol Inc. is not a division or a subsidiary. “We are an independent, multi-million dollar funded California corporation. We have strength and staying power to make a major impact on the irrigation industry,” said Norm Fisk, Director of Sales.

Beginning from Scratch?

lmproving upon the existing controllers available in the industry was not even considered by Nielsen. One of the largest problems with solid state and mechanical type controllers is the extremely high cost of installing the electrical service to the equipment: electric meters, governmental permits, trenches, electrical conduit, through-wall and under-slab installation, power conditioning, and other peripheral equipment. This was completely unacceptable.

The brand new method developed by Solatrol utilizes the power of low-level light. The microelectronic system of the LEIT? 8000 collects extremely low levels of light and converts it into electrical energy. The computer stores this energy directly within its circuitry, eliminating the need for AC power and storage batteries. This energy source, in which available light is collected, stored and utilized for mechanical operation, is unique.

Field Testing

Various field test sites in the Southern California region have been closely monitored for over a year. Field personnel indicate that programming and operation of the Leit? 8000 (pronounced “light”) is surprisingly simple. The instruction/operation manual is built into the software. Essentially three buttons program and operate the system; a button marked “OK”, and two arrow buttons for selecting options. An auxiliary button labeled “HELP” is available when questions arise. The appropriate answer is flashed onto the screen in response. The Leit? 8000 displays alternatives from which the user selects by pressing “OK”. The Leit? 8000 ($695 list price) has more computing power to analyze environmental data than the typical office PC and has more features and capabilities than central computer systems that cost over $25,000. These central systems can talk to the satellites by radio waves but each satellite still has to be wired to 110V electricity to operate. They also require the electrical power to be conditioned or “cleaned up” prior to being used – a costly item. In actuality, these are not independently controlled radio-linked systems. Leit? 8000 does not have these disadvantages!

The Leit? 8000 is expandable to any number of valve stations by means of a wireless, portable central system, that can be carried about, programmed anyplace, and taken to the field for operation. Solatrol calls this mode of operation, distributed installation. That is, controllers can be placed wherever a group of valves is located, eliminating long and costly wire runs. Many such controllers can then be electronically linked together – without wires – into a large system.

Regardless of location, season or weather, light actuation occurs within the Leit? 8000 which stores the energy using special micro chips. Even though it works 24 hours a day, light energy will not be collected at night unless there is a light source such as a street lamp, traffic lights, or full moon. Designed to work under low light conditions as found in Northern Canada at 55 degrees latitude, during “worst case” snow, rain, and fog, the Leit? 8000 still retains 90% of its power in reserve. As long as the sun rises in any weather conditions – the Leit? 8000 will never run out of energy.

Production is Ready

By the end of April, 1989, the Leit? 8000 will be ready to ship with thousands of units already committed. “Existing orders have already placed us well into the first six months of our first year’s production schedule,” said Fisk. The first year’s marketing efforts will focus on the United States to firmly establish manufacturing facilities, production and distribution stability. “From this point, we will rapidly expand into the worldwide marketplace,” said Fisk.

“Solatrol will change the way turf, landscape, growing grounds and agriculture will be irrigated in the future. These technological advances will soon product incredible equipment and methods…ways in which we all can benefit from the power of LEIT?."