Baseline Systems BaseStation 6000 - Manual (Page 16)

BaseStation 6000 Site Controller Manual
8 | P a g e
2 – HARDWARE INSTALLATION & CONFIGURATION
Installation Hints
To quickly configure the BaseStation 6000 Site Controller software and start watering, refer to the Quick Start Guide. This
manual gives more detail for configuring the system and fine tuning the programming.
Initial Setup
This initial setup configures the devices within the system for use. After you have properly configured all the devices, you need
to set up the watering strategies in the BaseStation 6000 software. Refer to Setting Up Programs (Establishing Water Windows)
on page 30.
The BaseStation 6000 Site Controller works differently than traditional irrigation control systems. In traditional irrigation control
systems, you specify exactly when and for how long you want the system to water. The BaseStation 6000 Site Controller can be
used in this manner; however, you can also configure it to do much more.
Instead of telling the system when and how long to water for every situation, you specify when you do not want the system to
water. BaseStation 6000 then intelligently chooses watering cycles that take these constraints into account. Because of these
intelligent watering cycles, the site is watered only when needed (and allowed), and it does not require constant maintenance.
Existing Systems
Consider the following hints when you are configuring a conventionally wired system to work with the BaseStation 6000:
• Manually run all valves to verify that they are operating properly before you start the installation.
• Make any necessary repairs to the existing wiring, as needed.
• When you upgrade an existing system to a two-wire system using Powered biCoders, make sure you locate power and
ground wires in order to correctly hook up the system. If you mix up the power and ground wires, you will create problems
that can be difficult to diagnose. To simplify this process, make one or two connections, and then test. Using this method,
you can easily find and repair any problems before they become hard to find.
• Run two-wire from the Remote Base Unit to the closest controller and replace the controller with a Baseline 12/24 Valve
biCoder.
Note: Before removing the wires from an existing controller, write down which zones they control and mark the wires. This
information will help you determine which Baseline biCoder address is associated with the zone when you reconnect.
• If you have more than one controller, convert a single controller and all of its associated valves before moving to another
controller. To connect an additional controller, you can run two-wire between the controller locations or between two
valve boxes on the two systems.
All Systems
Consider the following installation hints when you are configuring any BaseStation 6000 system:
• Start by setting up the computer that will be running the BaseStation 6000 Controller software. Refer to Installing and
Setting Up the Computer on page 9.
• Always add a few two-wire components at a time, and then test. This method makes it easier to find and correct any
problems.