IRROMETER WaterSwitch-DC User manual

WARRANTY: The IRROMETER COMPANY warrants its products against defective
workmanship or materials under normal use for one year from date of purchase. Defective parts will
be replaced at no charge for either labor or parts if returned to the manufacturer during the
warranty period. The seller’s or manufacturer’s only obligation shall be to replace the
defective part and neither seller nor manufacturer shall be liable for any injury, loss or
damage, direct or consequential, arising out of the use of or inability to use the product. This
warranty does not protect against abuse, shipping damage, neglect, tampering or
vandalism, freezing or other damage whether intentionally or inadvertently caused by the user.
The WaterSwitch and Watermark Sensor is used to control irrigation
for all valves on a controller.
The WATERMARK Soil Moisture Sensor is installed in an
active root system area representative of the plant material which is
being used as the control point for the entire controller. You should
select the area of greatest water demand for this control point. In
selecting the site, factors such as sprinkler distribution, topography,
appearance of the turf or plant material and the amount of sun
exposure should be considered. It would be preferable to locate the
sensor in a drier area, avoiding low spots which may be on the wetter
side due to runoff and drainage. Wires from the sensor are run back
to the location where the WaterSwitch is mounted.
Cool Season Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2'' to 5'' deep (in root system)
Warm Season Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6'' to 8'' deep (in root system)
Shrubs/Ground Cover . . . . . . . . . . . 8'' to 14'' deep (in root system)
Trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16'' to 24'' deep (in root system)
Step 3 - Install a splice box (Ametek #182001/2 Econo Box or equal) within
2-3 feet (61-91cm) of the sensor location and cut a trench from the splice box
to the sensor location to bury the sensor wire.
Step 4 - At the end of the trench,
excavate a hole to the depth required for
the sensor to be installed. Fill the bottom
of the hole with a thick slurry made of soil
removed from the hole and water, then
firmly push the sensor down into the mud
in the bottom of the hole. This will “grout in” the sensor to ensure maximum
surface contact between the sensor surface and the surrounding soil.
Alternately the sensor can be firmly pushed to the bottom of the access hole
as long as it is a tight enough fit to ensure adequate contact; a snug fit is
absolutely necessary. A piece of 1/2'' PVC pipe (class 315) can be used as
an insertion tool to push the sensor in, being careful not to pinch the wires. Be
sure the sensor are installed in the active root system of the turf, shrubs or
trees. The sensor should be installed vertically or to a 45° downward
angle into the soil. For deeper placement, a vertical borehole can be made
with a piece of pipe and the sensor inserted to the bottom of the hole, into the
thick slurry mixture. The sensor MUST be firmly packed in the soil.
Step 5 - Backfill the sensors firmly to ensure a snug fit and run the sensor
wires to the splice box. Backfill the sensor wire trench.
Step 6 - Separate the two sensor wires and strip insulation for making
the waterproof splices. Then splice the wire to the wires running back to
the site where the WaterSwitch is located. Refer to Sensor Wire Sizing
Chart .
Sensor Wire Sizing Chart
Up to 1000' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #18 AWG-UF Valve Wire
1000' to 2000' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #16 AWG-UF Valve Wire
2000' to 3000' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #14 AWG-UF Valve Wire
NOTE: The sensor wires can be run in conduit if desired. The top of the sensor
will socket inside 1/2'' (13mm) class 315 PVC or 3/4'' (19mm) SDR 11 CPVC
pipe, and can be attached with a transition solvent PVC to ABS cement.
PLEASE NOTE: Sensors must be installed in the area
irrigated by the last valve to run. Re-sequence valves to
accomplish this as necessary. All valves must have the
opportunity to irrigate before the area where the sensor is
located is watered.
INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
— 8 —
(2/21) #725
LITHO U.S.A.
1425 Palmyrita Ave., Riverside, CA 92507
951-682-9505 • FAX [phone]
[e-mail]
www.IRROMETER.com
®
SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR AND SWITCH
WS-DC
The WaterSwitch-DC
Automates Battery
Powered Controller/Valve
to Water ONLY when
Necessary
Figure 1.
Step 1 - Soak the WATERMARK
sensor in water before the
installation. Always install a “wet”
sensor.
Step 2 - Install the WATERMARK
sensor beneath the ground with a
sensor in the active root system of
the turf or plant being monitored.
Depth of placement varies with the
rooting depth of the plant material.
Creating a Set Point:
Water Switch default set point is position 3. This should
be adjusted to suit your irrigation needs.
Rotate dial to desired position. Leave in position for at
least 5 seconds. Wait for Long Red LED Flash. This
creates set point.
LED Light Interpretation:
RED LED = Allowing Irrigation (Dry)
GREEN LED = Not Allowing Irrigation (Wet)
During Irrigation Runtime:
2 Quick Red LED flashes = low battery
2 Quick Green LED flashes = Timed Bypass mode
Red and then Green LED Sequence = sensor wire short
Green and then Red LED Sequence = sensor wire open
Timed Bypass:
When the dial is turned to BYPASS, it will switch to
allow irrigation regardless of moisture status for 60
minutes. After it has timed out, then it will operate
according to the previously selected preset position
regardless of whether the dial is rotated back. If left in
BYPASS until the next time a manual operation is
needed, then the dial will have to be rotated to the
preset position until it flashes and then can be turned
back to BYPASS for another 60 minutes. This feature
avoids having the system uncontrolled by mistake. If
BYPASS is needed for an extended period of time,
such as plant establishment, use your controller’s
sensor bypass feature (if applicable) or the WaterSwitch
wiring will need to be temporarily modified to remove
power from the module. Without power the module will
default to allow irrigation.
Testing Your System:
Set Moisture Control dial to “BYPASS” position. All
valves should operate on a manual controller/time clock
sequence. Set Moisture Control dial to a “DRY” position.
Sensor will override valve (prevent operation) when soil
is wet. Set Moisture Control dial in the “WET” range.
When soil has been allowed to dry sufficiently, sensor
will allow valves to operate on the programmed
controller/time clock sequence. Verify soil water status
in sensor area with a soil probe
— 7 —
— 2 —
Typical Installation Depths:
— 1 —
WATERMARK Sensor Installation

— 3 — — 4 — — 5 — — 6 —
Operation Information
The WaterSwitch is adjustable from 10 to 85 centibars and has a BYPASS position for temporarily
overriding the sensors.
The adjustment dial gives you from very WET (Position#1) to very DRY (Position#9).
Positions #1 to #4 (approximately 10 centibars to 25 centibars): This is the normal range for most
water sensitive turf or plant material.
Positions #5 to #8 (approximately 35 centibars to 70 centibars): This is the intermediate to drier
soil moisture and is useful for most shrubs and ground cover.
Position #9 (approximately 85 centibars): This is the very dry end of the soil moisture range and
should be used with caution. Some deep-rooted, drought tolerant plant material may be able to
tolerate this level of dryness.
Keep in mind that the Soil Moisture Sensor only serves to override your irrigation controller/time clock
to prevent excessive or unnecessary irrigation and must be watered by the last valve in
sequence. The irrigation controller is still “in control” and determines “when” irrigation can occur
and “how long” a given valve can run. Thus, the key to successful use of this entire system
depends on properly programming your irrigation controller.
The correct programming procedure is as follows: Allow the controller to come on as often as possible
(except maybe the night before, or morning of, the mowing day). This means the controller is
frequently “asking” the moisture sensor if irrigation is needed. It will operate ONLY when the
sensor say it is necessary. Set the valve cycle timer (duration/run time) for short cycles. This
prevents the runoff you often see with longer cycles. The soil can absorb the water only so fast, and
long cycles usually don’t permit all the water to penetrate the soil where it is needed. With the short
cycles, you’ll need to have several repeat cycles, or start times, each day. You may want to seek
the advice of a professional irrigation consultant to help you set up a program of this type to meet peak
consumptive use based on your specific system and plant material.
Since this program can be used year-round (except in freezing climates) with your moisture
sensor control, you will eliminate the need for seasonal program adjustments. The sensor will
automatically adjust the irrigation to whatever is needed, regardless of the weather. Monitor your
system and plant material to fine tune your moisture settings for proper balance and correct plant
response.
You can fine tune by:
Adjusting the moisture setting for a wetter or dryer control.
Changing the programmed cycle duration to prevent excessive runoff.
Changing the repeat cycles, or start times, to increase or decrease total irrigation “potential” to meet the
peak consumptive use of the turf or plants.
Once you have established a balanced program, further adjustments become less necessary. All you
need to do is monitor the results, thus eliminating the constant programming of the Controller for
seasonal needs.
A free software program is available to assist you in creating the optimum schedule for your landscape.
You can download our WaterPerfect program by visiting our website at www.IRROMETER.com, go to
“downloads”, select “WaterPerfect”. When prompted, use the word “conserve” for both the user name
and password. If you perform an irrigation audit on your landscape, you will have all the data necessary
to input into the program, which will then generate a recommended schedule to be programmed into
the controller.
After you have mounted the Water Switch module near the irrigation controller, attach the
switch wires to the sensor connections on the controller (may be labeled rain sensor) (Figure 2).
Blue & White = closed switch to irrigate,
Brown & White = open switch to irrigate.
NOTE: The Water Switch, a rain switch and a freeze switch can all be wired in series to the
sensor connections.
The Water Switch is powered by a 9-volt battery that should be changed when indicated.
To replace battery, remove the rubber plug in the bottom to access the 9-volt battery.
Be sure the clip is tight on the new battery terminals. Insert the battery into the
rubber plug. Insert the plug into the housing by placing the battery bottom end in
first, then working the rest of the plug in. A final ‘burp’ of air should be released from the
opposite end when fully in place. Inserting a narrow screwdriver, or other smooth small
diameter object, in the gap at the terminal end when inserting the plug will help to fully seat it
in place. Then pull out the tool once fully inserted.
Figure 2