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
Current Water Issues 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 Water Issues 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
The need to deliver superior results with less water creates exciting new business opportunities. As the industry leader in water-efficient irrigation, Rain Bird can help your business thrive.
The Intelligent Use of Water
The Intelligent Use of Water Today s Rain Bird Solutions Controller, central control and sensor-based solutions to maximize water application efficiency ET (Evapotranspiration) Management Soil Moisture-based Management Optimize the timing, quantity and frequency of water applied to the landscape with leading edge water management controls. Seasonal adjust/water budgeting Cycle+Soak Flow monitoring, leak detection & response Rainfall monitoring & response
Efficient Irrigation via SMART Control Key Concepts 1. Evapotranspiration Plant Water Need Based on Changing Weather Conditions 2. Management Allowed Depletion (MAD) Proven Method of Irrigation Scheduling
Efficient Irrigation via SMART Control Key Concepts Management Allowed Depletion (MAD%) 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%
Efficient Irrigation via SMART Control Key Concepts Anatomy of Soil Water Content Wasted Water Control Range Plant Stress Plant Death Saturation Soil Field Capacity Reservoir Permanent Wilt Point Parched Gravitational Water Water Run-off Heavy Nutrient Loss Root Rot Plant Available Water (PAW) Management Allowed Depletion (~50% of PAW)
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
Climate-Based Systems ET Control NEW ET Manager Commercial grade retro-fit product ESP-LXM Controller with ET Cartridge Commercial grade, modular, ET controller ESP-SMT Residential or Light Commercial Smart Controller IQ/Site Control/Maxicom Residential or Light Commercial Smart Controller
Climate-Based Solutions Central Control Multi-Site Single-Site Larger Sites, Fully-Automatic Operation Maxicom 2 SiteControl Smaller Sites, Semi-Automatic Operation IQ MDC
Climate-Based Solutions Central Control Maxicom 2 Weather Station WS-PRO Collects and stores weather data Data communicated to central control Runtimes adjusted according to daily ET and rainfall
Climate-Based Systems ET Control NEW ET Manager Commercial grade retro-fit product ESP-LXM Controller with ET Cartridge Commercial grade, modular, ET controller ESP-SMT Residential or Light Commercial Smart Controller IQ/Site Control/Maxicom Residential or Light Commercial Smart Controller
How ET Manager Works 20
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 Ideal for end-users: Positioning themselves as green conscience Paying a high cost for water or facing increases in water bills Existing in states with water conservation legislation Under strict watering restrictions With a positive attitude toward change or a knack for technology Understanding the ROI of ET products With an existing weather signal 21
ET Manager (ETMi): Features Add-on device that can be used with any controller Interrupts the common telling each scheduled day of irrigation to water (YES) or to not water (NO). Saves 30-50% of water / money by being extremely accurate with hourly, live, local weather readings that include all four factors of ET plus rainfall measurements Smart Water Application Technologies (SWAT) Tested 22
ET Manager Cartridge: Features Use with any Rain Bird LX Controller Dynamic programming according to current climate conditions Irrigation schedule Runtime Easy to program with Setup Wizard Scheduling Software to design custom irrigation schedule SWAT Tested 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
Climate-Based Systems ET Control NEW ET Manager Commercial grade retro-fit product ESP-LXM Controller with ET Cartridge Commercial grade, modular, ET controller ESP-SMT Residential or Light Commercial Smart Controller IQ/Site Control/Maxicom Residential or Light Commercial Smart Controller
Rain Bird ESP-SMT Smart Modular Control System ESP-SMT Smart Control System Comprised of: 1. On-Site ESP-SMT Weather Sensor 2. ESP-SMT Smart Modular Controller
Rain Bird ESP-SMT Smart 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
Rain Bird ESP-SMT Smart Modular Control System How the System Works + + 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
Site Data - Based Systems Rainfall and Freeze Sensors NEW Rain Check Rain Sensor RSD Wired Rain Sensor WR2 Wireless Rain/Freeze Sensor
Rain Bird s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Features and Benefits Available as: Rain Sensor Rain Freeze Sensor Benefits of the WR2: Installs Faster Easier to Use Superior Reliability
Rain Bird s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Installs Faster LCD screen displays all your settings at a glance Signal Temperature Strength Rainfall Levels Levels and Set and Points Set Points Battery Life Programmable irrigation modes
Rain Bird s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Installs Faster WR2 s mounting bracket easily mounts on walls or gutters
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
Rain Bird s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Easier to Use and Superior Control Three adjustable temperature set points Why is adjustability important?
Rain Bird s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Easier to Use Antennas are contained within the sensor and controller interface End-users will prefer this neat look compared with external wire antennas Rain Bird s WR2
Rain Bird s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor Superior Reliability 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-ofsight
Site Data - Based Systems Soil Moisture Sensor NEW SMRT-Y Soil Moisture Sensor Add-on device that makes any controller smart
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 SMRT-Y Controller Interface Unit Controller Valves SMRT-Y Moisture 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 for the 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 Legend Rainfall Control WR2 SMS1 SMS2 + WR2 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
Questions?