RainMaster ET Tracker, User Manual

Page 1: ...Weather Station User Manual ET Tracker Rain Sensor Wind Sensor March 2001Document Number 500009 Rev C ...

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Page 3: ...Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Weather Station ...

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Page 5: ...Interfacing 21 3 2 6 Reading Rain Sensor Values at the Evolution DX2 Controller 22 3 3 Wind Sensor 22 3 3 1 Features and Benefits 22 3 3 2 Wind Sensor Installation Checks 22 3 3 3 Wind Sensor Information 22 3 3 4 Evolution DX2 Controller Wind Sensor Interfacing 23 3 3 5 Reading Wind Values at the DX2 Controller 23 4 0 Maintenance 23 4 1 ET Tracker Maintenance 23 4 1 1 Adding Distilled Water 23 4 1...

Page 6: ...nics 36 5 6 Wind Sensor Checkout Procedure 37 Table of Figures Figure 1 Weather Station Configuration 3 Figure 2 Weather Station Tower Base 6 Figure 3 Tower Base Mounting 7 Figure 4 Sensor Mounting Configuration 8 Figure 5 Tower Terminal Block 9 Figure 6 Weather Station to Controller Connections 10 Figure 7 ET Tracker Components 11 Figure 8 Assemblying the Top Cup 12 Figure 9 Top Cup Assemby 13 Fi...

Page 7: ... the attached Evolution DX2 Controller The evolution central computer uses the weather data to recalculate the irrigation schedules for all satellites associated with a particular microclimate The schedule in turn are downloaded to the field irrigation controllers Each of the measuring devices are permanently mounted onto a vandal resistant tower with all connections made within the tower s termin...

Page 8: ...Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Page 3 Figure 1 Weather Station Configuration ...

Page 9: ...d ET readings Locate in an area that will prevent the top evaporating surface from getting wet from the irrigating water Table 1 Weather Station Parts List Part Number Description Quantity EV SEN WD Anemometer Assembly 1 EV SEN TRKR E T Tracker Assembly 1 EV SEN RN Rain Guage Assembly 1 ET PS Power Supply 6V DC Reg 1 ET 610 Hand Tool 610 OW Remove 1 020 0104 Tower ET Wethr 10 foot 1 020 0106 Cap P...

Page 10: ...on Installation Use the following step to assembly the Weather Station tower Step 1 Prepare and pour a concrete support slab according to the enclosed drawing see Figure 2 Weather Station Tower Base Use the provided template to set the 5 16 mounting bolts The bracket must be level and plumb The conduit should extend at least 2 inches above the horizontal plate Step 2 Install the 8 conductor cable ...

Page 11: ...Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems Page 6 Figure 2 Weather Station Tower Base ...

Page 12: ...ee Figure 3 Tower Base Mounting Figure 3 Tower Base Mounting Step 4 Using a 7 16 inch socket wrench remove the four Rain Gauge and Anemometer mounting bolts from the tower mast Attach the Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge to the tower and insert the signal cable with connector through the 5 8 inch hole in the side of tower See Figure 4 Sensor Mounting Configuration ...

Page 13: ...Step 5 Attach the wind cup assembly to the anemometer and secure the assembly to the spin shaft using the supplied allen wrench Step 6 Attach the Anemometer to the tower and insert the signal cable with connector through the 5 8 inch hole in the side of tower See Figure 4 Sensor Mounting Configuration ...

Page 14: ...wer access plate using the supplied hand tool ET 610 Drop the cable all the way down the tower mast until it is accessible through the lower access panel Mate the connectors to the Weather Station terminal bracket connectors See Figure 5 Tower Terminal Block and Figure 6 Weather Station to Controller Connections ...

Page 15: ...Weather Station Manual Rain Master Irrigation Systems Page 10 Figure 6 Weather Station to Controller Connections ...

Page 16: ...on Systems Weather Station Manual Page 11 Figure 7 ET Tracker Components Evaporation Plate Top Cup Assembly Pinch Clamp Stopper Reservoir PVC Pipe Distilled Water Rubber Tube ET Tracker Electronics Bd Lower Enclosure Cover ...

Page 17: ...ed alkaline batteries size AA in the battery holder with the positive end pointing towards the red side of the holder Step 2 Refer to Figure 7 ET Tracker Components Release the retaining clips and remove the top cup assembly from the reservoir Step 3 Make sure the canvas cover is contoured to fit the ceramic cup See Figure 8 Assemblying the Top Cup CAUTION It is important to fit the canvas cover t...

Page 18: ... filled cup into a suitable container and completely immerse the top cup assembly in distilled water Allow the cup to soak for at least 30 minutes Refer to Figure 10 Cup Immersion Figure 10 Cup Immersion Step 5 While cup is soaking fill the reservoir PVC pipe section with distilled water Fill it to a level approximately 1 inch from the top of the PVC pipe section Canvas Stopper Evaporation Plate G...

Page 19: ...ss the push button switch at the lower left corner of the circuit board to activate the valve While holding the push button in allow the water to flow through the glass vial until it is clear of all air bubbles then release the switch Step 7 Refer Figure 12 Filling the Syringe With the syringe attached to the upper end of the rubber tube draw water slowly through the tube until the tube is complet...

Page 20: ...d twist the rubber stopper tightly into the cup Note Ensure that the ceramic cup assembly is completely full of water before insertion of the rubber stopper Step 10 Refer to Figure 13 Attaching the Tube Using the top cup assembly from Step 5 Carefully attach the tube to the glass protruding from the stopper without spilling the water from either assembly Figure 13 Attaching the Tube Syringe Pinch ...

Page 21: ...he Weather Station end of the EV CAB WS 8 conductor cable according to the color code and wiring diagram supplied See Figure 6 Weather Station to Controller Connections Step 3 Install the access door using the supplied one way bolts See Figure 5 Tower Terminal Block 2 3 Evolution DX2 Controller Wiring Step 1 Turn off power at the Evolution DX2 Controller using the AC power switch Step 2 Connect th...

Page 22: ...rn on the Evolution DX2 Controller use the AC power switch Step 8 Secure the Weather Station access plates as necessary This completes the Weather Station installation 3 0 Weather Station Instrumentation 3 1 ET Tracker 3 1 1 Features and Benefits The ET Tracker is a patented precision electronic instrument that measures the Evapotranspiration ET The ET Tracker evaporating surface is a physical mod...

Page 23: ...ering schedule When the microclimate becomes cooler or increases in humidity the watering schedule will be adjusted to a lower percentage of station run times thus reducing water usage The ET Tracker is typically connected to one controller of an irrigation system which is set up to gather accumulated ET data for the 24 hour period between 12 00 AM and 12 00 midnight The final totals are uploaded ...

Page 24: ... 0 01 reference Evapotranspiration ET Sensor Output A single pulse per 0 01 ET Capacity Reservoir contains 12 inches of distilled water per ET filling Installation Connects directly into a Rain Master Evolution DX2 controller equipped with a sensor board The ET is read directly from the Evolution DX2 controller by the Evolution Central Computer Dimensions 34 5 inches high x 3 1 inches in diameter ...

Page 25: ...idnight the current ET value will be replaced by a zero 0 and today s ET value will start to accumulate Note Although the ET readings are continuously updated the latest readings will not appear on screen To read the most recent values exit the ET screen using the up arrow then return to the ET screen by pressing F4 3 2 Rain Sensor 3 2 1 Features and Benefits The RMIS tipping bucket rain gauge pro...

Page 26: ...fall period Whenever the tipping bucket mechanism flips to one side or the other an electrical pulse is magnetically generated by means of an inverted pendulum action and fed directly to the sensor terminal board Input 3 The incoming pulse is collected to produce a reading of 0 01 1 100th of an inch at the controller display screen 3 2 3 Rain Sensor Installation The housing of the Rain Sensor shou...

Page 27: ...and benefits Automatic system shutdown for wind Wind too high Automatic wind start up Wind calm enough for normal operation Graph of the last three hours of wind data at Evolution Central Computer 3 3 2 Wind Sensor Installation Checks Check to see that the cup assembly of the wind sensor rotates freely 3 3 3 Wind Sensor Information Accuracy 1 5 or 0 25 mph Maintenance The sensor bearings should be...

Page 28: ...hould then last through the summer months 4 1 2 Cleaning the Ceramic Cup Assembly After removal from the field in the fall or periodically to ensure proper tracker operation the ceramic evaporating surface plate should be cleaned and reconditioned as described below CAUTION Detergent should never be used to clean the ceramic plate 4 1 3 Cleaning the Canvas Cover Should the canvas cover become dirt...

Page 29: ...d water This sanding procedure may also be necessary if bird droppings stain and seal the clay evaporating surface Place the uncovered ceramic plate assembly where it can dry completely 4 1 6 Testing the Cup for Performance To test the ceramic plate for a clean well conditioned surface verify that the ceramic cup is thoroughly dry and pour a small amount of distilled water over the top flat white ...

Page 30: ...ve input the output valve and the third valve leg 2 rubber stoppers the reservoir input and the reservoir output and 1 mesh filter located inside the reservoir attached to one of the rubber stoppers To check the plumbing for debris use the following steps Flush the hoses Attach the syringe to one end of one tube fill a cup with hot water insert other end of tube into the water and rapidly pull the...

Page 31: ... this time out period suction by the syringe can be resumed to completely remove water from the vial Step 3 Disconnect the power supply and remove all the batteries 4 1 12 Freeze Protection The ET Tracker is frost protected and may remain in operation in areas that are irrigated all year The ET Tracker should be disconnected drained and brought inside in areas that freeze and irrigation is turned ...

Page 32: ...per is pushed tightly into the cup and that the plastic pinch clamp below the stopper is released A dry cup may indicate that the ceramic cup has been cracked To check if a cup is cracked place an empty cup with the canvas removed but with the rubber stopper in place under water in a sink and pressurize it with the syringe Bubbles will appear at the crack location Cracks on the side of a ceramic c...

Page 33: ... See Determining Weather Station Location See Page 4 Refer to Chapter 4 page 23 ET Tracker Maintenance Refer to Chapter 4 page 23 ET Tracker Maintenance Contact Factory Is weather station located in proper environment Is the ceramic cup free of debris No Yes Is the plumbing tubing free of debris Yes No 3 1 ...

Page 34: ...ker Reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal board Inputs 2 and 2 If voltage reads 8 VDC reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal board Inputs 2 and 2 At the tower terminal block unplug the ET Tracker connector Re measure voltage at terminals Input 2 and 2 If voltage reads 8 VDC problem lies in ET Tracker If voltage reads 0 check for shorts in cable and terminal block connections Start...

Page 35: ...aster Refer to DX2 User Guide Check cable continuity from the terminal block to the Sensor Terminal Board Check and repair cable continuity from terminal block to ET Tracker Check 6 Volt transformer and connections Repair Replace as necessary Repeat the Priming Process 1 Can 8 Volts DC be measured at the ET Terminals of the Weather Station terminal block No Yes Can 8 Volts DC be measured at the Te...

Page 36: ...age reads 8 VDC reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal board Inputs 3 and 3 At the tower terminal block unplug the rain gauge connector Re measure voltage at terminals Input 3 and 3 If voltage reads 8 VDC problem lies in rain gauge If voltage reads 0 check for shorts in cable and terminal block connections Reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal board Inputs 3 and 3 Start Is there a...

Page 37: ... Sensor Terminal board Check and repair cable continuity from terminal block to rain gauge Contact Factory for Authorized Repair Can 8 VDC be measured at the rain terminals of the weather station terminal block No 1 Can 8 Volts DC be measured at the terminal block rain gauge connecting plug Yes No End 6 5 7 ...

Page 38: ...f voltage reads 8 VDC reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal board Inputs 4 and 4 At the tower terminal block unplug the rain gauge connector Re measure voltage at terminals Input 4 and 4 If voltage reads 8 VDC problem lies in rain gauge If voltage reads 0 check for shorts in cable and terminal block connections Reconnect the two wires to the Sensor Terminal board Inputs 4 and 4 Start Does...

Page 39: ...Sensor Terminal board Check and repair cable continuity from terminal block to rain gauge Contact Factory for Authorized Repair Can 8 Volts DC be measured at the wind terminals of the Weather Station terminal block No 1 Can 8 Volts DC be measured at the terminal block wind sensor connecting plug Yes No End 6 5 7 ...

Page 40: ...ler Step 3 Press the QUIT key to return to the main display screen This is necessary to allow the controller to update the ET value information Step 4 At the Sensor Terminal board touch the two wires together momentarily 2 or 3 times An ET reading of 01 inches should be recorded each time the wires make contact Step 5 Re check the ET values on the Evolution DX2 Controller ET display screen Verify ...

Page 41: ...hat the reading has increased by the number of times the tipping bucket mechanism was activated Step 5 If readings change properly the Rain Gauge and associated wiring is functioning properly Re assemble the funnel collector onto the rain gauge If the Rain readings do not change the problem must be isolated to either the Rain Gauge or the Controller Refer to the Rain Gauge Data Checkout procedure ...

Page 42: ...ings change properly the Sensor Terminal Input 3 is OK and the Controller is operating properly Rain Gauge reading problems must therefore be associated with the Rain Gauge or its wiring Check the Rain Gauge installation and all connections If readings do not change properly the problem lies within the Controller Check controller cables to make sure that everything is plugged in correctly 5 6 Wind...

Page 43: ... assembly for at least one minute and observe the wind reading If a reading is still not displayed the problem is in the anemometer or its associated wiring Check all wiring and connections from the anemometer to the controller An updated displayed reading indicates that the anemometer is operating properly Step 3 End of procedure If wind reading problems still exist please contact the factory ...

Page 44: ...Rain Master Irrigation Systems Weather Station Manual Page 39 1825 103 Surveyor Avenue Simi Valley California 93063 Telephone 805 527 4498 Fax 805 527 2813 WWW RAINMASTER COM ...