GalconAlternator Valve Dual Outlet Tap Timer Automatic Watering System, Universal, Black GAY1S0312P0

I love the concept of an alternating valve that can turn a one-outlet timer into a two-outlet timer. Each time the flow passes through it, the valve alternates to one side or the other, so if you set the timer to come on twice a day, it can water two different systems. The reason for three stars is that they rarely make it two seasons before they stop working.

Does just what it says - switches alternatively between outflow hoses. I had something like this a few years ago. Different brand and it started to leak and fail pretty quickly. Admittedly, I've only used these new ones for a couple of months. However, it seems a lot sturdier than the old ones.5/17 Update - reduced rating from 5 stars to 3 starsJust started hooking up my irrigation lines. One of these (used just one season) is now leaking right around where the arrow shows which outflow outlet is currently selected. It is a dribble leak and the alternator is still working, but for how long?I can find no warranty information on the box. The website shown on the box gets a 404 error - Page Not Found.

I've been using the Galcon Alternator Valve for just under twelve months and it worked exceptionally well to begin with. After about seven months with exposure to sun and water on the red plastic arrow indicator it degraded the switch which became brittle. It has then stopped automatically switching like it did when I first received it so it's no longer functioning as intended, so therefore is not used any more.Thisb would work well if it's on a tap which is protected from the elements. Depending on how you plan on setting up your irrigation I would pay the extra $20 and buy an Orbit Dual Tap timer.  Orbit 58910 2-Outlet Programmable Hose Faucet Timer  I also have one of these ans the extra $$$ are worth investing for a simple dual tap timer vs an alternator relying on pressure changes.

When I got tired of the annual sprinkler system repair and maintenance cost, I switched to timers and hoses run off my two outdoor spigots. These alternator valves, in combination with a few timers, two multiple outlet manifolds and pattern sprinklers, give me the flexibility to customize 10-12 watering zones--3 lawn spaces, several containers, a strawberry bed, two vegetable plots, and many flower beds.You can attach the valve directly to a timer or, to reduce the congestion at the spigots, run a hose toward two flower beds, attach the valve, then run two hoses in two directions. Just make sure the valve is protected from foot traffic.I live in an area that gets brutal heat July-September. These valves help me keep the garden looking good while conserving water.

This is an awesome product. It allows two zone watering by alternating the side that is "on" each time it starts. My setup is I have a single valve that is driving this device and it has two programs A and B. A runs 6:00-6:30 and B runs 7:00-7:30. Every day zone 1 is watered at 6:00 and zone 2 is watered at 7:00. Note that there needs to be a full stop to the water flow for the switch to the other side to take place. The full stop can be just a few seconds or can be longer, like 30 minutes in my setup. Anyway, this thing saved me time and money and I'm glad I stumbled on it. I did not find any significant loss of pressure.

It does a decent job of switching between two lines of drip irrigation, however there is a small leak at the red switch valve point. This has happened with every one of them I'm purchased, and I'm on my 3rd one. Still, it is hard to find any other product out there that does this job.

I have two of these and they worked well for two years. Both locked up and would not switch to the alternate outlet. I asked Galcon if they could be restored. They did not answer.

Works great so far (1-2 mos use outside on my makeshift automatic lawn watering system). I have 2.As someone else said, they do leak leak out of the red dial thing on the front. The leak is slow, though, so I don't consider it an issue so long as it doesn't get worse.