Simplicity 1692376 Installation Manual

Field Guide to Soil Moisture Sensor Use in Florida

Installation6A. Optimal Installation Arease following are optimal areas for sensor installation:• Intheturfgrassrootzone (Figure 2), if turf gr

Installation7B. Areas to Avoid – GeneralWhen establishing the SMS location, certain areas and site conditions should be avoided.INSTALLthesensorat

Installation8D. Areas to Avoid – Disturbed Sites and SoilsIn some areas it is difficult to tell if the soil has been, or will be, compacted. Installers

Installation9In a Typical LandscapeFigure 3 depicts a typical residential landscape characterized by large turf grass areas (greater than 60% of the e

Installation10In a Florida Water StarSM LandscapeFigure 4 depicts a hypothetical Florida Water StarSM (water-efficient) landscape, composed of 60% or le

Installation11In a Preserved Vegetation LandscapeFigure 5 depicts a residential landscape with a high percentage of preserved vegetation. is landscap

Installation12F. Include SMS Location in New Landscape PlansSpecifying the SMS location in the landscape and irrigation design plan prior to installat

Installation13A. Sensor Typesree types of residential sensor probes are now typically available in Florida: (1) flat, (2) node, and (3) rod. Installat

Installation14Flat Probes in Existing LandscapesTwo methods can be used to install flat sensors in existing landscapes.Option 1: Bury the SMS probe in

Installation15Gently compact the turf grass sod, making sure that there are no channels that will allow water to seep in and 6. pool around the SMS pr

e Field Guide to Soil Moisture Sensor Use in Florida was produced for the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) by the Program for Resou

Installation16Using the manufacturer’s specified orientation, slide the sensor probe into cut area at the midpoint of the 3. maximum turf grass root de

Installation172. Node ProbesAn SMS with node probes should be installed vertically or at a 45-degree angle within the root zone. Sensors with this typ

Installation18Insert the sensor into the side of the trench at a 45-degree angle (see Figure 21).3. Dig the trench to run the wiring (see section B);

Installation19Dig the trench to run wiring (see section B); make the connections according to the manufacturer’s 3. specifications; and check for prope

Installation20Manual Digging In Existing LandscapesTwo manual digging methods, lift trench and slit trench, can be used for running wiring in existing

Installation21b. Slit Trench MethodA slit trench is a wedge made in the ground. is method can be slightly more time-consuming than the lift trench me

Installation22Step 3: Install the Controllerere are two recommended locations for an SMS controller: Adjacent to the irrigation timer on an interior

Installation23A. Connect Sensor to the Zone ValveGenerally, sensors can be wired either to an irrigation valve or directly to the SMS controller. It i

Installation24B. Connect SMS Controller to the Irrigation Timere connections from the SMS controller to the irrigation timer also vary by brand and s

Calibration25III. CalibrationStep 1: Establish the Controller Set PointPrior to calibration and set point establishment, it is necessary to determine

iiTable of Contents I. Introduction ...

Calibration26Step 2: CalibrationAlways refer to the manufacturer’s specifications for detailed SMS controller calibration procedures. Calibration instr

Calibration27Irrigation Controller Schedulinge irrigation controller, not the SMS controller, initiates scheduled irrigation events. It is extremely

Calibration28

Maintenance29IV. MaintenanceSMS control system manufacturers do not specify routine maintenance procedures. A properly working SMS controller should n

Maintenance30Dual MeterIf an independent water meter is installed to record irrigation consumption, calculating SMS performance is relatively straight

Maintenance31B. Other InformationPeriodic RecalibrationSMS controller set points can be increased or decreased periodically to achieve a homeowner’s d

Maintenance32

Troubleshooting33V. TroubleshootingSMS control systems have troubleshooting procedures that are typically model-specific, and operators should always r

Troubleshooting34

Resources35VI. References and ResourcesA. Irrigation SchedulingAugustin, B.J. (2000). Water requirements of Florida turfgrasses. BUL200, Institute of

Resources36

Appendixes37VII. AppendixesAppendix A: Where to Install a Soil Moisture Sensor (SMS)Prerequisites for PlacementWithin the root zone of turf grass•In

Appendixes38Season North Central South Season North Central South0.50 inches/hour 1.50 inches/hourWinter5 25 50Winter0 10 15Spring75 110 80Spring25 35

Appendixes39Table 1: Monthly Net Irrigation Requirements for North FloridaNet Irrigation Requirement (Historical ET – Rainfall)Volume (gallons) of Irr

Appendixes40Table 3: Monthly Net Irrigation Requirements for South Florida Net Irrigation Requirement (Historical ET – Rainfall)Volume (gallons) of Ir

Introduction1I. IntroductionA. The Role of the Modern Soil Moisture Sensor in FloridaWater is an extremely valuable yet seriously stressed resource in

Introduction2Useful TermsEvapotranspiration (ET) – A combination of water transpiration from vegetation and evaporation from the soil and plant surfac

Introduction3Rainfall during this study period was average to above average, resulting in high sensor-based water savings. Treatments were compared to

Introduction4DisclaimerProcedures for proper installation, calibration, and maintenance vary by SMS brand. Generally, each manufacturer’s installation

Installation5II. Installatione four main installation steps are:Establish the sensor location.1. Install the sensor.2. Install the controller.3. Conn