Acclima ACC-SYS-024 User Manual - page 10
Installation and Operation Manual
Page 7
begin and whenever a manual reading is required. For example, if the sensor were
dipped half way in a bucket of water the moisture reading would read 50%.
Sensors are buried in a representative place in an irrigation zone at a depth of about 4
inches. A representative place means a spot in an irrigation zone that represents the
conditions of the whole zone and other zones that the sensor will control. If the zone is
only partially shaded the spot should be in the sun. The spot should be in a low traffic
area and away from tree roots and sprinkler heads. It must not be in a low spot where
water will accumulate. The subsoil beneath the sensor must allow drainage. Do not install
sensors near the base of slopes or near sidewalks, hose connections or car-washing
areas. It is a good idea to have a sensor near the top of a south or west facing berm or
slope or any other area where stress to the grass has been a problem. Do not install
sensors in a location that will receive water for a zone that is not controlled by that
sensor.
In order to save digging a trench from the sensor back to the controller Acclima has
developed a wiring method that allows you to connect the sensor to your irrigation system
at the nearest valve box.
Sensor Installation
1. Before you start ensure the lawn has been watered deeply so that the digging will be
easier and the excavated turf will not be subjected to undue stress.
2. With a flat shovel cut a U shaped vertical slit in the turf – 24 inches square and about 4
to 6 inches deep.
3. Work your shovel under the turf to a depth of 4 inches and roll it back toward the
hinged or uncut side.
4. Lay the sensor in the soil in the bottom of the hole and press it down so that it is
seated firmly in the soil in the bottom of the hole. Remove any rocks and sticks that
may interfere.
5. Pack loose soil around and between the sensor rods, covering them with tight soil to a
depth of at least 1/2 inch. Compact the soil around the rods to the same compaction
as the undisturbed soil.
6. Cut a deep vertical slit out of the side of the hole for the sensor wires. Poke the wires
down to the bottom of the slit. Keep the wires away from the sensor rods.
7. Replace the rolled-over sod. Pack around the edges with your fists and seal up the
cracks as much as possible.
To connect the sensor wiring do the following:
1. Install a 6 inch wiring box near the sensor where you will make a splice for running
longer wiring to the nearest valve box. This splice box will also serve to mark the
approximate location of the sensor for many years ahead after you have forgotten
where you put it.
2. Bring the 3 sensor wires up underneath the splice box. Also bring three 14-Ga
polyethylene insulated wires (red, white and black) underneath the splice box. These
will run to the nearest valve box.
3. Cut a deep slit trench from the splice box to the valve box and tuck the 3 wires into the
bottom of the trench. Run the 3 wires underneath the lower lip of the valve box. Stomp
the slit trench closed with your feet.
4. Wire the sensor to the extension wires in the splice box. Use waterproof connectors
such as 3M DBY connectors to seal the connections.
5. In the valve box disconnect the solenoid wires from the present wiring if wiring is
already installed. One of the solenoid wires will have been connected to the common
wire from the controller and the other will have been connected to the zone wire from
the controller.
6. Connect the black wire from the senor to one of the valve wires.