Off-Season Shut-Down of the Cellular Gateway:
Disconnect one terminal from the battery pack of
the Cellular Gateway. Preferably, remove the Base,
Cellular Gateway, Solar Panel and Battery Pack from
the field.
SensMitWeb
Subscription Registration
IRROMETER has partnered with iDUS Controls to
provide the WEB storage and display features for data
collected by the IRROmesh system. You must register
and pay a subscription fee online in order to utilize the
features of the WEB portal. All data will be stored within
the portal for current and future access. Data will be
viewable on any WEB enabled computer, Smartphone
or tablet device. To activate your system, go to
www.SensMitWeb.com. Click on the tab ‘Activate
your SensMit Web account here’ (just under the log-in
box) and follow the instructions. Register as the ‘Mesh
Owner’ upon initial set-up if you have the Base ID and
PIN (found on the Node label under the clear cover)
and you will be responsible for subscription fees. This
verifies that you are a certified IRROmesh Owner and
that your data can be accepted into the portal. It will
also start a free one month trial. Base ID and PIN
characters include only numbers 0 to 9 and letters A
to F. As the Mesh Owner you can grant certain
permissions to ‘Mesh Viewers’ or users but you alone
will be responsible for subscription fees.
NOTE: If you shut down a system during off-seasons
to save expense, the minimum monthly Base fee (and
Cellular Gateway fee if applicable) still applies, in order
to maintain your account.
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Changing a Data Collection Device
If a data collection device needs to be changed (such
as changing from a PC Link to a Cellular Gateway).
1. Un-power the existing device
2. Re-start the Base by switching the power button
‘OFF’, covering the solar panels for a few minutes,
then switching the power back ‘ON’.
3. Associate the new device with the Base.
4. If, after association, data is not being sent, reset the
new device. (see page 8)
Connecting to WATERMARK Sensors
Follow the wiring color scheme as shown on page 9.
Use waterproof wire connectors.
– Insert one side of a Node wire pair and one side of
the corresponding sensor wire pair into one
connector. Repeat for the other wire in the Node
pair and the remaining sensor wire with another
connector. One connector per individual Node
wire is needed.
Be sure to INDIVIDUALLY insulate ALL unused
wires. DO NOT leave unused Node wires un-
insulated and allowed to corrode, touch each other
or touch the metal pole.
Sensor Installation Guidelines
SENSOR SITE SELECTION — Often more than one
sensor should be placed, at varying depths, in a given
location. For instance, one sensor in the upper portion
of the plant's effective root zone and other sensors
located deeper into the root zone profile. This is
referred to as a ‘sensing station’. It can give a better
representation of the plant’s uptake of water. Be sure to
use enough “sensing stations” – sensing stations every
10-15 acres is a good rule of thumb.
PLACEMENT
Furrow or Flood Irrigation — Locate sensing stations
about 2/3 the way down the run, just ahead of the
tail or backup water. This is the area where water
penetration is usually the poorest. With tree crops,
locate sensors on the southwest side of the tree (in
the Northern Hemisphere) as this side gets the hot
afternoon sun.
Sprinkler Irrigation — Even though the distribution is
typically more uniform with sprinkler irrigation, there
can be great differences in penetration and holding
capacity due to soil variations, interfaces and
contour. These variation sites make good locations
for sensor stations. With tree crops, locate sensors
at the drip line of the canopy, being sure that they
are not obstructed from the sprinkler’s distribution.
With row crops, locate sensors right in the plant row.
Center Pivot Irrigation — Place sensors in 4 - 5
locations down the length of the pivot (between
towers) just ahead of the ‘start’ point. Additional
locations at ‘hot spots’ or good production areas of
the field can help give a better overall view of the
field.
Drip or Micro Irrigation — Sensors must be located
in the wetted area. With drip emitters, this is usually
12"- 18" (30- 45cm) from the emitter. With micro-
sprinklers, usually 24"-36" (60-90cm) is best.
Monitor often enough to get a good overall picture
of the field, or irrigation ‘block’, and consider the soil
variations which exist. Keep in mind that light soils
dry very quickly and heavy soils more slowly.
Depth — This depends on the rooting depth of your
crop, but can also be affected by soil depth and texture.
With shallow rooted vegetable crops, one depth may
be adequate (root system less than 12" [30cm]). With
deeper rooted row crops (small grains, vines and trees)
measure soil moisture in at least two depths. With
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