Baseline Systems BaseStation 3200 V12 - Manual (Page 63)

BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual
 The first calibration cycle occurs on the first start time after a biSensor has been
installed for at least 48 hours.
 A calibration cycle will calculate limits 12 to 15 hours after watering is complete on the
primary zone.
 A calibration cycle will extend the programmed zone water time if needed to determine
the soil saturation point - if the ground is very dry (or if the water time is too short), the
water time could extend to twice the programmed time.
 If a calibration cycle cannot determine the soil saturation point, the calibration cycle will
fail – posting an alert and setting a default limit.
Lower Limit Watering Behaviors
• It is uncertain which days of the week when watering will occur – use water windows or block
a day to specify a mow day.
• The water time for a program is fixed, so the end time is predictable to the extent that
multiple programs may all be trying to water on the same day.
Upper Limit
This water strategy varies the zone water time each time the program runs in order to apply
enough water to raise the moisture level to field capacity. Soak cycles are critical for this mode
because the controller monitors the moisture level as water is applied. At the end of each soak
cycle, the controller determines whether an additional water cycle is needed. After the upper limit
has been reached, the controller will water for an additional 10% of the water time to increase
deep watering.
When you choose the Upper Limit water strategy, you must set and manage the upper watering
limit. You can have the controller perform an initial calibration cycle to establish the starting limit
value. This calibration cycle will be run on the first start time, two days after the biSensor
installation date. After the initial calibration cycle has been run, you must monitor the moisture
levels and plant health so you can make adjustments as needed.
Upper limit watering starts a watering cycle on each start time for the primary zone and adjusts the
watering time to raise the moisture level back up to the upper limit (field capacity). The controller
increases or decreases the water time, but it never adjusts more than twice your initial water time.
Upper Limit Programming Requirements
• Set the zone water times to apply ½ inch to ¾ inch of water
• Set the program to use Historical Calendar day intervals (or alternately, specific days of the
week or fixed intervals)
• Enable soak cycles
Upper Limit Watering Behaviors
• The water schedule is known as far as what days watering will occur – use water windows to
specify a mow day.
• The water time for a program is variable, so the end completion time is not predictable – if
there are completion time constraints, this may not be a good water strategy.
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