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Irrigation Control

 

Using Soil Moisture Sensors 

Quick Start Guide  

Version 2c

Delta-T Devices Ltd

 

 

 

Summary of Contents for GP1

Page 1: ...Irrigation Control Using Soil Moisture Sensors Quick Start Guide Version 2c Delta T Devices Ltd ...

Page 2: ...ntrol Reduced water use Compact plants Fewer weeds Reduced labour for watering pruning and weeding Plants are less soft so establish more reliably More fruit and flowers less vegetative growth Irrigation Timer GP1 Solenoid Valve Moisture Content Timer control Sensor control ...

Page 3: ...stems switch off too slowly for accurate moisture control Reasonably uniform irrigation system The Coefficient of Uniformity CU should be 80 for you to get the most benefit from the system otherwise you will have to routinely over water to prevent the less irrigated plants from drying out Plant pots grow bags mineral wool slabs etc 0 8 litre volume The SM300 can be set to control irrigation in sma...

Page 4: ... to put the connector block into a sealed box if connecting to the solenoid valve in a wet area Tape and or cable ties For keeping wires tidy and preventing accidents These may also be helpful SM300 HH2 Useful for checking range of moisture contents during set up and adjustment Note that the HH2 does not display readings from the SM300 temperature sensor You will also need access to the following ...

Page 5: ...e water content of potential control plants using an SM300 and HH2 if available otherwise by lifting the pots or feeling the compost Avoid plants that appear to be unusually dry or wet 1 3 Insert SM300 into pot soil Screw the cable onto the sensor attach the extension cable first if you are using one otherwise directly attach the logger cable which terminates in bare wires Make sure the connectors...

Page 6: ...own order for channel 1 is red grey white black green and blue Connect the cable for controlling the solenoid valve to the relay as shown note the colours of your cable will likely be different but the orientation of the connection is unimportant Don t connect the other end to the solenoid valve at this stage Tighten the cable glands replace the GP1 cover secure all cables to the post and tape car...

Page 7: ...ct File New Program From the list choose Standard GP1 Program 3 2 Set up the GP1 recording program Double click and select the SM300 sensor type for Channel 1 In this example the SM300 moisture reading has been labelled Moisture1 Select Organic for the Soil type unless you are using John Innes compost Click on other channels if you have more sensors to connect Set the recording interval Note this ...

Page 8: ...lose the program editor In the main DeltaLINK window select the Program view and click on the Change button Select File Import Program and select the program file pg6 that you have just saved Switch to the Control tab Click on Insert and select Moisture1 to control irrigation ON with an appropriate moisture threshold see next section 3 4 Set the OFF conditions similarly Set the GP1 to check the OF...

Page 9: ...ld be able to hear the GP1 relay switching but it may be convenient to attach a multi meter to the end of the control cable so that you can check the switching remotely When finished click on Cancel to stop the readings and if you have been checking the readings by withdrawing the SM300 re insert it in a new hole Moisture level falls below set level 25 ON condition is triggered and control relay s...

Page 10: ...nger periods The SM300 and GP1 will prevent your irrigation system from over watering so you can safely increase the irrigation times The sensor control will attempt to switch the irrigation ON soon after the moisture level falls below the lower threshold depending on the time set in the recording rate so it is important that the timer allows irrigation to start within a reasonable time If you are...

Page 11: ... 2 Adjust irrigation levels If you want to adjust an irrigation control level in the main Logger view click on Change and adjust the threshold value in the Program setting window that opens up Click OK to apply the change 7 Pocket DeltaLINK The GP1 can also be configured using the Pocket PC version of DeltaLINK This provides exactly the same facilities for programming the logger and examining the ...

Page 12: ...nection is water tight Ensure that all cable glands and cover screws are fully tightened Where possible avoid placing the GP1 directly underneath irrigation nozzles Replace the GP1 desiccant bags annually Status LED the GP1 LED flashes twice every 10 seconds when it is logging normally It will flash four times instead if it detects a problem Care and Safety The rods of the SM300 are sharp in order...

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