Baseline Systems BaseStation 3200 V12 - Manual (Page 50)

BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual
Using Soak Cycles
Because each type of soil has a different rate at which it can absorb water, you should set up the
cycle time and soak time (“soak cycles”) for your zones to ensure that water soaks into the soil
instead of being wasted. For example, if you are applying water at 0.4 inch per hour to an area of
clay soil that can only absorb water at 0.2 inch per hour, the water that does not soak into the soil
will either run off or evaporate.
It is especially important to use appropriate soak cycles when you are watering a slope.
To set up soak cycles for a zone
1. Turn the dial to the Zones position.
2. Verify that the number displayed in the Program field matches the program in which you
want to set up the soak cycles. If the zone is enabled in multiple programs and you want to
set up the soak cycles in a different program, press the + or – button to change the program
number.
3. Press the Next button to move to the Zone field, and then press the + or – button to select
the zone that you want to set up the soak cycles for.
Note: When you set the soak cycle times for a primary zone, the soak cycles will also be set
for all linked zones. The cycle time for linked zones is calculated based on the tracking ratio of
the primary zone cycle time. The soak times will be the same as that of the primary zone.
4. Press the Next button to move to the Water Time field.
 To change the value in the hours place, press the + button.
 To change the value in the minutes place, press the Next button, and then press the + or
– button.
Note: When you change the water time setting for a linked zone, notice that a
percentage displays to the left of the Water Time field. This percentage compares the
new value with the value in the Water Time field for the Primary zone and establishes a
tracking ratio. The ratio will be maintained when changes are made to the primary
zone’s water time.
Tip: Let the controller calculate the cycle time and soak time settings for you. Press the Next
button to move to the minutes placeholder in the Soak Time field, and then press the Back
button. The controller divides the time in the Water Time field by 3. This value is used for the
cycle time and the default soak time is 30 minutes.
5. Press the Next button to move to the Cycle Time field. If you are using soak cycles for this
zone, the cycle time defines the duration of each watering cycle interspersed with soak times.
 To change the value in the hours place, press the + button.
 To change the value in the minutes place, press the Next button, and then press the + or
– button.
Note: You cannot change the cycle time setting for a linked zone.
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