Efficient Irrigation via “Smart” Control - Rain Bird Irrigation... · does not occur during the...

Efficient Irrigation via “Smart” Control

Rick Foster

Sr. Product Manager

The World’s Water Crisis

There is no new water.

Current Water Issues

• The cost of water & power is rising annually

• As the population grows, limited water sources strain to keep up with demand = DROUGHT

• In many cities, water delivery systems were designed to service a much smaller number of people than is required today = INFRASTRUCTURE IS STRAINED

• Irrigation is one the most visible forms of water use and is usually the first to be regulated in a drought or water shortage condition


• A recent report on the irrigation industry stated that automatic irrigation systems are one of the largest causes of over-watering:– The controller on the typical irrigation system is adjusted an

average of 1-1/2 times per year and many are never adjusted

– Controllers are typically set to apply the peak irrigation requirement of the year

– The average automatic irrigation system applies 2 to 3 times the amount of water required by the landscape


• Current politics of irrigation: – Water bans & restrictions– Tiered water rates– Lawn size and landscape restrictions– Mandatory irrigation audits– Mandatory “smart” controllers– Water-efficient product rebates

Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” ControlKey Concepts

1. Evapotranspiration – Plant Water Need Based on Changing Weather Conditions

2. Management Allowed Depletion (MAD) – Proven Method of Irrigation Scheduling


Evaporation


Transpiration is the process by which plants return water to the atmosphere. After absorbing water from the ground, plants release water through their leaves. Transpiration helps plants stay cool, in the same way perspiration keeps humans and animals cool.

Plant Transpiration


• Loss of water from vegetation though the combined processes of soil evaporation and plant transpiration

Evapotranspiration (ETo)


• Temperature

• Wind

• Humidity

• Solar Radiation

Weather Factors That Influence The ETo Amount


Historical ETo by Month


• Maximum % of Plant Available Water (PAW) taken out of soil before irrigating– % removed; NOT % remaining

• MAD provides a safety buffer– Broken mains– Controller downtime– Weather variations

• Varies by soil type – MAD Ranges from 35% to 50%

Management Allowed Depletion (MAD%)

“Smart” irrigation controllers work by monitoring and using information about site conditions (such as soil moisture, rain, wind, slope, soil, plant type, and more), and applying the right amount of water to the landscape based on those factors.

IA Association SWAT website: http://irrigation.org/SWAT/Industry/landscape-contractors/

Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control

Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control

• Climate - Based Systems–Central Control

–ET Controllers

• Site Data – Based Systems–Soil Moisture Sensors

–Rain/Freeze Sensors

ET ManagerCommercial grade

retro-fit product

ESP-LXM Controller with ET CartridgeCommercial grade,

modular, ET controller

ESP-SMTResidential or Light Commercial Smart

Controller

NEW

IQ/Site Control/MaxicomResidential or Light Commercial Smart

Controller

Climate-Based SystemsET Control

Climate-Based SolutionsCentral Control

Multi-Site

Maxicom2

IQ

Single-Site

SiteControl

MDC

Larger Sites,Fully-AutomaticOperation

Smaller Sites,Semi-AutomaticOperation

Climate-Based SolutionsCentral Control

• Maxicom2 Weather Station WS-PRO– Collects and stores weather

data– Data communicated to central

control – Runtimes adjusted according

to daily ET and rainfall


retro-fit product




Controller

NEW


Controller


ET Manager: Where to Use it

• ET Manager Indoor (ETMi): Any non-battery operated controller in light commercial and commercial applications

• ET Manager Cartridge: Any Rain Bird LX Controllers

22SWAT TESTED

How ET Manager Works

23

ET Manager Rain Gauge: Features• Measures rainfall on-sight so overwatering

does not occur during the next irrigation event.

• Rainfall interrupt to shutoff irrigation during the rain.

• Applies only the correct amount of rainfall to future irrigation calculations

– During a heavy downpour the rain gauge accounts for increased runoff

– During a light drizzle the rain gauge accounts for higher absorption

24


retro-fit product




Controller

NEW


Controller


Rain Bird ESP-SMTSmart Modular Control System

“ESP” – Extra Simple Programming Continues the legacy of the Rain Bird ESP family that customers have embraced due to its “ease of use” and high quality

combined with

“SMT” – Smart Modular Technology

Uses proven scientific principles to automatically optimize the irrigation schedule in order to maintain healthy plant material


ESP-SMT Smart Control SystemComprised of:

1. On-Site ESP-SMT Weather Sensor

2. ESP-SMT Smart Modular Controller


• On-site weather sensor

• Rain Measurement Capabilities

• Automatic "Cycle and Soak"

• Irrigation Schedule optimizing using "MAD" Approach

• Separate Grow-In and Established Modes

• Default or Custom/Advanced Mode

Key “Smart” Features


Extra Smart– Schedule Optimizing – Automatic Cycle & Soak– Rain Suspend & Measurement

Accounts for Effective Rainfall– SWAT Test Scores

Adequacy = 100% Scheduling Efficiency = 98.5%


Extra Simple– “Configure Controller” and

“Zone Set-Up” Programming Wizards

– Self-prompting Programming– HELP Screens– English/Spanish Screen Text– Field Test “Ease of Use”

Survey Scores = 4.5+ out of 5.0


Site Specific•Temperature• Rainfall Shut-off• Rainfall Measurement

Zip Code Specific• Humidity Avg. by Month• Wind Speed Avg, by Month• Solar Radiation Calculation

Zone Specific Parameters• Soil Type / Slope• Sprinkler Type – Applic. Rate • Plant Type

•Species Factor•Root Depth

• Plant Density• Shade factor

+ +

How the System Works…

Site Data - Based SystemsRainfall and Freeze Sensors

RSD Wired Rain Sensor

WR2 Wireless Rain/Freeze

Sensor

Rain Check Rain Sensor

NEW

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Features and Benefits

Available as: Rain Sensor

Rain Freeze Sensor

Benefits of the WR2:Installs FasterEasier to UseSuperior Reliability

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Installs Faster

LCD screen displays all your settings at a glance

Battery Life

Signal Strength Rainfall Levels and Set PointsTemperature Levels and Set Points

Programmable irrigation modes


Shows signal strength on the controller interface AND the sensor


• WR2’s mounting bracket easily mounts on walls or gutters

Competition:Hunter gutter mount is a separate SKU – an extra expense and inconvenienceBoth Hunter and Irritrol mounting brackets are not as easy to install

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Easier to Use and Superior Control

Six rainfall set points between 1/8”and 1/2” inch

Rainfall adjustment is important depending on your soil type

“Quick Shut Off” feature

Competition:Hunter does not have rainfall set pointsIrritrol only has four set points

Three adjustable temperature set points

Why is adjustability important?

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Easier to Use and Superior Control

Competition:Hunter has only one set point at 37ºFIrritrol only has one set point at 41ºF

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Easier to Use

Antennas are contained within the sensor and controller interface

Homeowners will prefer this neat look compared with external wire antennas

IrritrolHunter

Competition:

Rain Bird’s WR2

Battery strength is shown on controller interface

Battery can easily be replaced without tools or disassembling product

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Easier to Use

Competition:Hunter’s battery life is shown as “good” or “bad”Irritrol’s battery strength indication is confusing. A single LED is responsible for communicating multiple messages

Signals are updated every 45 seconds

Overcomes most line of sight restrictions for freedom in sensor placement

Communication distance of up to 700 feet line-of-sight

Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain SensorSuperior Reliability

Site Data - Based SystemsSoil Moisture Sensor

SMRT-Y Soil Moisture Sensor

Add-on device that makes any

controller “smart”

NEW

SMRT-Y Soil Moisture Sensor Overview

• Add-on device that turns any standard controller into a “smart” controller

• Typical water savings of 40% or more

• Advanced sensor technology provides accurate soil moisture readings even as soil conditions change

SMRT-Y Primary Function

ControllerSMRT-Y Controller

Interface Unit

Valves

SMRT-YMoisture Sensor

….

Patented Time Domain Transmissometry (TDT) with Digital Signal Processing

AIR = 15%

WATER = 35%

SOIL = 50%

WATER = 50% SOIL = 50%Accurately measures the ABSOLUTE volume of soil moisture even when conditions change.Soil Type

Soil Temperature

Soil Electrical Conductivity

Simplified Sensor Installation

1) Select a location forthe sensor

2) Install the sensor 3 to 5 in. below the surface

3) Connect the sensor to the nearest valve

Setting the Moisture Threshold

• Set Manually– Use average value of the site’s Management Allowable Depletion

(MAD)

– Calculate 80% of the known or estimated field capacity

• Use the SMRT-Y Auto-set feature

University of Florida Study:45%-73% Water Savings

• Controller scheduled to irrigate 2 days per week

• Less than normal rainfall during test period

• Expect even greater savings when….– Higher rain fall during test period– Irrigation > 2 days/week

ControlWR2SMS1SMS2 + WR2

Rainfall

Legend

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