Do I need to run power to my valves to make them work?

The valves of an irrigation system get their power from the timer/controller that controls them. There are two main types of controllers: AC (wall plugin) and DC (Battery Operated). Typically, an AC controller would be mounted on a house, in a garage, or on a shed and be plugged into an outlet. Wires are run from the controller to the valves in the yard which gives them power and tells them when to operate. A DC controller goes directly in the valve box with the valves and is powered by batteries, saving you from running wire from the controller location to the valves to power them. To use a DC controller, you need to have DC solenoids on your valves. DC controllers are typically only used in areas where it is difficult to run power to or in temporary systems. AC controllers are considered more permanent, longer lasting, and have more options such as number of zones, Wi-Fi operation with smart watering, intricate programming etc.