Baseline Systems BaseStation 6000 - Manual (Page 103)

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Recommendations
• This graph represents a normal occurrence caused by water traveling through the soil to the sensor more slowly than it is
applied. If the peaking is not excessive, no changes are required.
• If the peaking is excessive, the soak time should be increased so that water is applied more slowly.
Moisture Continues to Rise after Cycle Is Complete
Characteristics
• The moisture continues to rise well after the cycle is complete, indicating that there was not enough time for the water to
percolate through the soil to the location where the sensor is buried during the programmed cycle time.
 The leading edges are not sharp and clean
 The tops are rounded
• The watering cycle stops because it reaches the maximum allowed
time, not because the desired moisture level is reached.
• It might also mean that water is being applied too fast and the soil
cannot absorb the moisture quickly enough to allow the sensor to read
the moisture.
Recommendations
• If the water is being applied too fast, increase the soak time to allow
the moisture to reach the sensor.
• If the sensor is buried deeper than 4 inches, we recommend that it be
relocated. Typically, 2 – 3 inches is an adequate depth for most
sensors.
 Mark or record the location of the sensor so it does not get damaged during aeration.
 Locate the sensor in a dryer portion of the zone.
 Do not locate sensors in shady areas unless the whole zone is shady.
Erratic Graph
The movement on this graph is not distinctly tied to watering cycles.
Causes and Recommendations
• The watering cycle may not be long enough for the moisture to reach
the sensor - increase the watering time.
• The sensor may be too deep and moisture is not reaching the sensor -
CAREFULLY move the sensor.
• The sensor is not in the zone being watered. Locate the sensor and test
the zone coverage. Find the sensor and confirm that the correct zone is
watering it.
• The sensor is too wet and is hyper saturated. Locate the sensor and
probe the ground to test for water content.
• Check for broken/leaking pipes and valves, marshy areas, or extreme
over watering.