Acclima ACC-SYS-024 User Manual - page 12
Installation and Operation Manual
Page 9
area then waiting for the sensor readings to stabilize. The stabilized reading is Field
Capacity. For heavier, low-percolation soils it may be best to flood the sensor in the
evening then take a moisture reading the next morning before transpiration starts (before
the sun gets too high). In the morning the soil will be at Field Capacity.
After you have determined the FC for each sensor multiply that number by .8 to get the
watering threshold. Using .8 instead of the .75 MAD level will provide margin for the
sustenance of the grass until the next watering cycle. Round up to the nearest whole
percent then set that number as the 'threshold' for the sensor.
Field Capacity %
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Watering Threshold %
12
16
20
24
28
32
36
NOTE: Run the system on timer programs (programs A, B, C, and D) for a week after
flooding the sensors. Otherwise the flooded sensors will not allow the dryer lawn to
receive water. After the week period configure the zones to run on the sensor programs.
Timer Programs
The SC24/36 allows four timer programs (called A, B, C and D). Timer programs are
used when you do not want a zone to track a moisture sensor. This will be helpful for
xeriscape, gardens, or flower beds where you may not have a sensor installed.
Timer programs begin as scheduled, water for a set duration, and then turn off. You can
customize timer programs to water daily, odd days or even days, or every 3 to 30 days.
You may also customize timer programs to water on selected days of the week. Each
timer-configured zone can run one or more timer programs.
Sensor Programs
The SC24/36 accepts up to 36 sensors. Each installed sensor creates a new program
(S1, S2, S3…S36). Any zone can be configured to follow any sensor program.
Sensor programs are controlled by a specific soil moisture sensor buried somewhere
among the zones assigned to that program. A moisture threshold is set for the senor and
a schedule for the program is set up. This includes setting the days to water, the program
start times and the zone run times. Sensor programs should be set to water frequently—
every day if possible. On those days when water is not needed no water will be applied.
But if water is needed the next cycle is only hours away. If you must restrict watering to
widely spaced intervals set the thresholds a little higher to allow stress-preemptive
watering ahead of those dry spells.
Each sensor-configured zone must be assigned to only one sensor program.
Planning a Water Schedule
Watering schedules consist of four data points:
·
What days to water—watering days
·
When to water—start time
·
How long to water—run time
·
Sensor threshold (for sensor programs)