California Friendly Landscape Training · furnished with tools to use while scheduling landscapes for which they may be responsible. Participants will receive a certificate denoting

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California Friendly® Landscape Training

Irrigation Course

Controller Programming

Course originally developed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Irrigation Training & Research Center (ITRC)

http://www.mwdh2o.com

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Table of Contents

I. Class 3 - Controller Programming

Course Description...........................................................................................................................1 Presentation Slides ...........................................................................................................................2 MC Plus Quick Reference Programming Guide............................................................................26 Kid's Park Planting Plan ................................................................................................................27 Kid's Park Irrigation Plan...............................................................................................................28 Irritrol Kid's Park Watering Times (July) ......................................................................................29

MC Plus Sample Watering Plan ....................................................................................................30 MC Plus Summary Sheet - Advanced Features ............................................................................31

MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training Course Description

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California Friendly Landscape Training Program Course Description

The course consists of six (4) consecutive classes in landscape water management, each building upon principles presented in the preceding class. The California Friendly Landscape Training Program begins with basic irrigation principles of soil-plant-water relationships, and concludes with irrigation scheduling. Every participant will receive a course handbook. The following is a synopsis of each class. 1. Irrigation Principles, System Adjustment & Repair: A comprehensive workshop addressing the principle factors in landscape irrigation. Concepts presented here are the foundation to sound landscape water management. Topics include plant water needs, soil characteristics, and types of irrigation. Demonstrations illustrate how to determine plant water needs, how to manage irrigation in various types of soil, and also provide a graphic understanding of precipitation rates and how they affect irrigation system uniformity. Participants will learn the importance of regularly adjusting irrigation systems and the value of the early detection and repair of irrigation system problems. Principles shared also emphasize the negative impact of poorly adjusted irrigation systems on water use, plant health, irrigation uniformity, and damage to surrounding property. “Hands-on” demonstrations enable participants to practice these principles by making adjustments and repairs to a portable irrigation system. 2. Irrigation System Troubleshooting: This session focuses on the analytical approach to solving irrigation system failures. Three areas of potential problems are examined: mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical. Workshop participants will receive practical training in the use of electrical troubleshooting equipment, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate these skills during the hands-on portion of the session. 3. Controller Programming: A fully hands-on workshop in which an Irritrol MC Plus irrigation controller will be provided per two class participants. They will learn basic controller features while programming sample cases in the class. Also, participants will be exposed to advanced controller features as they implement schedules which take into consideration temperature/seasonal changes, rain, and landscape activities or demands which limit irrigation times. 4. Irrigation Scheduling: This session focuses on two critical questions: When to irrigate? and How much water to apply? A variety of field techniques and methods are presented as well as technical aspects to be considered while scheduling irrigation. Each class participant will be furnished with tools to use while scheduling landscapes for which they may be responsible. Participants will receive a certificate denoting the classes they attended upon completion of the course. The California Friendly Landscape Training Program course was developed by the Irrigation Training and Research Center at California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo, and is funded and presented by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training Slides

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California Friendly®

Landscape TrainingController Programming

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Landscape TrainingWorkshop 1: Irrigation Principles & System

Adjustment and Repair

Workshop 2: Irrigation System Troubleshooting

Workshop 3: Controller Programming

Workshop 4: Irrigation Scheduling

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Today’s Workshop

• Controller Programming Concepts

• Irritrol MC Plus Controller Programming

• Basic Controller Programming Concepts

• Sample Programming Exercises

• Advanced Controller Programming Concepts

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LA Aqueduct(City of Los Angeles)

Colorado River Aqueduct

(MWD)

Local(Groundwater, Conservation, &

Recycling)

State Water Project

Where Southern Where Southern California Gets WaterCalifornia Gets Water

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Growing PopulationGrowing PopulationIncreased DemandIncreased Demand

PopulationPopulation Development

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Use Water EfficientlyUse Water Efficiently

•• Water is a finite resourceWater is a finite resource

•• Obligation to use it wiselyObligation to use it wisely

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WatershedWatershed

Hydrological Cycle

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RunoffRunoff

Upstream Beginning Downstream End

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Landscape AreasLandscape Areas

• Bermed lawns capture & infiltrate runoff

Photos courtesy of Tree people

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Types of Controllers

Weather Based Irrigation Controllers – WBIC• Automatic Adjustment

Conventional Controllers:• Electromechanical• Solid State• Hybrid

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Water Efficient DevicesWater Efficient Devices

•• Smart Sprinkler ControllersSmart Sprinkler Controllers• Rotating Nozzles

• Synthetic Turf

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WBIC Controllers

• Automatically adjust watering times based on weather

• Uses Real Time or Historical Data

• Water Savings Potential

- 42 gallons per day (gpd) for homeowners

- 545 gpd for commercial landscapes

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Efficient Irrigation

Proper Controller Programming

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100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Irrigation Use

Irrigation Requirement

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100

150

200

250

300

350

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450

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Irrigation Use

Irrigation Requirement

Proper Irrigation Scheduling

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What is a Controller Program?

• A set of instructions stored in the controller

• Different irrigation schedules• Irrigation days – how often?• Start times – at what time?• Water times – how long?

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Program Example #1

Irrigation DaysEveryday

Start Times2:00 am and 6:00 am

Water TimesStation 1: 10 min.Station 2: 0 min.

The oval represents where Program #1 would apply

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Program Example #2

Irrigation DaysMondays and Thursdays

Start Times4:00 am

Water TimesStation 1: 0 min.Station 2: 45 minutes

The oval represents where Program #2 would apply

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Why Use Multiple Programs?

Type of plant material irrigated

• Program 1 – Lawn (high water need)

• Water days: everyday!• Start times: 2 start times per day

• Program 2 – Planter (low water need)

• Water days: 2 days per week• Start times: 1 start time per day

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Irritrol MC Plus Controller

4 Programs• Programs 1, 2, 3

• 3 Cycle Start• Program 4

• 2 Cycles Start• Looping

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• Controller Calendar• Pre-set 7 days• Adjustable from 1 to

16 days

• Station Placement• Each station can be

in two programs

Irritrol MC Plus (cont.)

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Controller Calendar

• Keep track of the current day

• Adjustable 1 to 16 days

• Pre-set at 7 days• Corresponds to work week

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Current Time and Day

• They apply to all programs(Set once at the beginning)

• No need to change except• Power failure and• No battery

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Irrigation Days

What days of the watering calendar?• Monday, Wednesday, Friday, etc.

• Or Day Number (if not set at 7)

Example: calendar set at 14 days –watering on day 14 only)

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Minutes of Irrigation

• Watering time for each station

• For each watering cycle or start time

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Irrigate at What Time?

On irrigation days:

• Time each water cycle starts

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Watering Cycle

• All stations run in order (1,2,3,etc.)

• For the assigned duration (water time)

• Zero runtime prevents a station

from running

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IrritrolMC Plus

Basic Programming

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Set or Change Current Time

• Select any program

• Key in current time

• Press “PM” if appropriate

• PM indicated by ( ‘ )

Basic

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Set or Change Current Day

• Select any program

• Press no. of current day

• Press “SET TODAY”

Basic

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Remember – Time and Day

• Apply to all programs

• No need to change except• Power failure and• No battery

Basic

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Erase Prior Programs

This function clears all programs and all instructions.

• Except current time and day

Basic

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Erase Prior Programs (cont.)

• Select “CALENDAR/ PROGRAM ERASE”

• Enter 1, 3, 7, 9

• Press “ENTER”• Once enter is pressed,

all program instructions are gone!

Basic

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Steps for Basic Programming

Basic Programming (all controllers):

1. Select days to water2. Set watering duration3. Set start time/s

Basic

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Days to Water

• Select program (1 through 4)

• Press number of day to irrigate

• 1: Sun, 2: Mon, etc.

• Press “DAY ON”

• Or if you need it off

• Press number of day

• Press “DAY OFF”

Basic

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Watering Duration


• Key station number

• Press “WATER TIME”

• Key in runtime

• Press “ENTER”

• All stations must be checked

• Zero time is used to prevent a station from operating

Basic

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Set Start Times


• Press number of cycle start (1,2,3)

• Press “CYCLE START”

• Key in start time


Basic

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PM - Programming Needed

• To set a PM time,

press “PM”

• PM indicated by ( ‘ )

Basic

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Review Schedule Programmed

• Current Time and Day

• Watering Days

• Cycle Start – Start Time

• Watering Time

Basic

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Review Days of Irrigation

Select Program• Press “DAY ON” or• Press “DAY OFF”

• Displays days ON or OFF

Basic

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Review Station Runtimes

Select Program• Press “WATER TIME” once

for total cycle duration

• Press “WATER TIME” again for single station durations (in sequence)

Basic

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Manual Operation (one station)

• Select MANUAL

• Press station number

• Press MANUAL ON/OFF

to activate

• Press MANUAL ON/OFF

to turn off

Basic

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Manual Operation (one program)

• Select Program desired

• Press first Station in

Program

• Press “MANUAL ON/OFF”

• All stations in program will

run for pre-set time.

Basic

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Example Problem

MC PlusBasic

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Kid’s Park Planting Plan

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Kid’s Park Irrigation Plan

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Irrigation ScheduleWatering Times for JulyWatering Times for July

StatioStatio

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Program 1Program 1 Program 2Program 2 Program Program

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Program 4Program 4 Station Zone DescriptionStation Zone Description

11 339339 Drip Station (Drip Station (HopseedHopseed))

22 2121 Stream Rotor (Cool Season Turf)Stream Rotor (Cool Season Turf)

33 2828 Bubbler (Honey Locust)Bubbler (Honey Locust)

44 3535 Spray (Mixed Plantings)Spray (Mixed Plantings)

55 5050 MicrosprayMicrospray (Firethorn)(Firethorn)

66 3636 Geared Rotor (Cool Season Turf)Geared Rotor (Cool Season Turf)



99

Watering StartsWatering Starts Watering DaysWatering Days

11 22 33 44 11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1010 1111 1212 1313 1414

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33 12pm12pm XX XX

22 3am3am XX

ProgramProgram 11 12am12am 2am2am XX XX XX

SiteSite Kids ParkKids Park DateDate 77--2727--20062006

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IrritrolMC Plus

Sample Programming Exercises

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IrritrolMC Plus

Advanced Controller Features

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Advanced Features

• Water budget

• Delay between stations

• Loop irrigation

• Loop irrigation with delay

Advanced

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Advanced Features (cont.)

• Programmable rain off

• Test station

• Quick programming

Advanced

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Water Budget

• Quick adjustment of Runtime

• Per program

• From 0% to 255%

Advanced

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Water Budget Example

Program 1JulyBase100%

July (hotter)150 %

Aug(less hot)

90%

Sept(less ETo)

80%

Sta. 1 10 min 15 min 9 min 8 min

Sta. 2 20 30 18 16

Sta. 3 30 45 27 24

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Water Budget

• Turn dial to desired program

• Press the “% PM” key

• Key in new percent value

• Press the “ENTER” key

• Controller displays if budget is other than 100%

Advanced

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Water Budget Considerations

• Adjusting water budget seasonally

• Max. Run time• Avoid run off

• Min. Run time• Pressurize the system

• Start time overlap protection

Advanced

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Alternatives to Water Budget

• Schedule Another Start Time

• Increase Irrigation Frequency

Advanced

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Programming Delay

Delay between stations:

• 1 second to 4 minutes

• All stations, all programs

Advanced

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Programming Delay

• Turn dial to any program

• Press “0”


• Key in desired delay time


Advanced

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Removing Delay Time


• Press “0”


• Press “0”


Advanced

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Loop Watering

• Repetition of watering cycle (Program 4)• Loop watering for:

• Preventing runoff• Seed germination• Plant propagation

Advanced

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Set Loop Start Time

• Turn dial to program 4• Press “2” and “CYCLE

START”• Key in desired beginning

time• Press “ENTER”

Advanced

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Set Loop End Time

• Press “0” and “CYCLE START”

• Key in the desired end time• Press “ENTER”

Advanced

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Loop Watering Delay

• Allows you to program a pause time

• Station 88 is used to program delay time

• Delay time from 1 min. to 24 hrs.

Advanced

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Loop Watering Delay (cont.)

• After programming a loop watering,

press “88”


• Key in the delay time


Advanced

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Programmable“Rain Off”

• Turns off the irrigation for a specific number of days

• From 1 to 7 days

• The selector dial MUST be returned to the Auto Run position

Advanced

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Programmable “Rain Off”

• Turn dial to Rain Off position

• Press # of days to stop watering


• Return dial to Auto Run position

• Controller displays “OFF”and the # of off days

Advanced

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Cancel Programmable “Rain Off”

• Turn dial to Rain Off position

• Press “0”


• Return dial to Auto Run position

Advanced

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Testing All Stations

• Each station will turn on for

the desired time

• From 1 to 9 minutes

• Simultaneous fuse circuit test

Advanced

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Testing All Stations

• Turn dial to Station Test position

• Key in a number from 1 to 9 minutes

• Press “Manual On”• 2 minutes default time• Cancellation of current automatic irrigation• Fuse circuit test

Advanced

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Water Time, All Stations

• Quick programming method

• All stations will have the same

water time

Advanced

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Water Time, All Stations


• Key in “99”


• Key in the watering time


Advanced

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Review

• Controller Programming Concepts

• Irritrol MC Plus Controller Programming

• Basic Controller Programming Concepts

• Sample Programming Exercises

• Advanced Controller Programming Concepts

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?Questions?

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Landscape Training

Your hosting water agency would like to thank you for being water conscious and

attending this Workshop

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MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training MC Plus Quick Reference Programming Guide

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MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training Kid’s Park Planting Plan

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MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training Kid’s Park Irrigation Plan

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MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training Irritrol Watering Times - July

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MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training MC Plus Sample Watering Plan

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MWD – California Friendly Landscape Training MC Plus Summary Sheet – Advanced Features

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Documents

California Friendly Landscape Training · furnished with tools to use while scheduling landscapes for which they may be responsible. Participants will receive a certificate denoting