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
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
Evaporation
Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control
Key Concepts
Plant Transpiration
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.
Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control
Key Concepts
Evapotranspiration (ETo)
• Loss of water from
vegetation though the
combined processes of
soil evaporation and
plant transpiration
Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control
Key Concepts
Weather Factors That
Influence The ETo Amount
• Temperature
• Wind
• Humidity
• Solar Radiation
Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control
Key Concepts
Historical ETo by Month
Efficient Irrigation via “SMART” Control
Key Concepts
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%
“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
Larger Sites,
Fully-Automatic
Operation
Smaller Sites,
Semi-Automatic
Operation
Maxicom2
IQ
Single-Site
SiteControl
MDC
Climate-Based Solutions
Central Control
• Maxicom2 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
ET Manager: Where to Use it
• ET Manager Indoor (ETMi): Any nonbattery operated controller in light
commercial and commercial
applications
• ET Manager Cartridge: Any Rain Bird LX
Controllers
SWAT TESTED
22
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
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” – 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
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
Key “Smart” Features
• 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
Rain Bird ESP-SMT
Smart Modular Control System
Extra Smart
– Schedule Optimizing
– Automatic Cycle & Soak
– Rain Suspend & Measurement
Accounts for Effective Rainfall
– SWAT Test Scores
ƒ Adequacy = 100%
ƒ Scheduling Efficiency =
98.5%
Rain Bird ESP-SMT
Smart Modular Control System
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
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:
ƒ Rain Sensor
ƒ Rain Freeze Sensor
Benefits of the WR2:
9 Installs Faster
9 Easier to Use
9 Superior Reliability
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Installs Faster
LCD screen displays all your settings at a glance
SignalTemperature
Strength Rainfall
Set Points
Levels Levels
and Setand
Points
Battery Life
Programmable irrigation modes
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Installs Faster
Shows signal strength on the controller interface AND the sensor
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Installs Faster
• WR2’s mounting bracket easily
mounts on walls or gutters
Competition:
ƒ Hunter gutter mount is a separate SKU – an extra
expense and inconvenience
ƒ Both Hunter and Irritrol mounting brackets are not as
easy to install
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Easier to Use and Superior Control
ƒ Six rainfall set points between 1/8”
and 1/2” inch
ƒ Rainfall adjustment is important
depending on your soil type
ƒ “Quick Shut Off” feature
Competition:
ƒ Hunter does not have rainfall set points
ƒ Irritrol only has four set points
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Easier to Use and Superior Control
ƒ Three adjustable temperature set points
ƒ Why is adjustability important?
Competition:
ƒ Hunter has only one set point at 37ºF
ƒ Irritrol only has one set point at 41ºF
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Easier to Use
ƒ Antennas are contained within the sensor and
controller interface
ƒ Homeowners will prefer this neat look compared
with external wire antennas
Competition:
Rain Bird’s WR2
Hunter
Irritrol
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Easier to Use
ƒ Battery strength is shown on controller interface
ƒ Battery can easily be replaced without tools or disassembling
product
Competition:
ƒ Hunter’s battery life is shown as “good” or “bad”
ƒ Irritrol’s battery strength indication is confusing. A
single LED is responsible for communicating
multiple messages
Rain Bird’s WR2 Wireless Rain Sensor
Superior Reliability
ƒ Signals are updated every 45 seconds
ƒ Overcomes most line of sight restrictions for freedom
in sensor placement
ƒ 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%
WATER = 50%
SOIL = 50%
Accurately
measures
the ABSOLUTE volume
of soil moisture even
when conditions
change.
ƒSoil Type
SOIL = 50%
ƒSoil Temperature
ƒSoil 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?