User's Manual
Revised: Version 3
Dated: February 1, 2011
3"
Introduction
Congratulations, you have just purchased the Smartfield
Vertical Sensor, one of the most advanced irrigation
management tools available.
"
Listen to your crop..... It’s talking to you
Your crop is telling you when it is experiencing heat
stress and needs water. The SmartCrop® Sensor is
smart technology that uses infrared (IR) temperature
sensing technology coupled with patented USDA
algorithms and methodology to determine when your
crop is experiencing heat stress brought on by lack of
water. SmartCrop® Sensor provides growers a simple
“IRRIGATE / DON’T IRRIGATE” signal that can be seen
on the web or even on your cell phone. In addition to
irrigation signals, the SmartCrop® Sensors provide
temperature and other environmental data via the
CropInsight.com web site.
"
Vertical Sensor
The Vertical Sensor is a long plastic tube that contains
the electronics used to measure, collate, and transmit
crop canopy data. At the heart of the Sensor is an
industrial infrared (IR) temperature-sensing device that
measures the actual temperature of the crop canopy.
With the Vertical Sensor, Growers can use the same
technology for their tall crops.
"
How it works
This temperature data is collected and processed by a
microprocessor in the SmartCrop® Sensor. At 15-
minute intervals, the microprocessor turns on the radio
transmitter and sends the latest set of temperature data
directly to the Base Station. The Base Station collects
the crop canopy data from each Sensor. Using the crop
canopy temperatures from each Sensor, along with
other localized environmental measurements, the web
server determines if the crop is in stress or not. This
decision process is performed every 15 minutes
throughout the day.
The CropInsight web site keeps track of how much
stress is accumulating in the crop and will signal for
irrigation when a minimum stress time has been
reached. This stress time, along with other crop
factors is easily programmed into the web site during
setup and these factors can be changed remotely
during the growing session.
"
Guidebook Conventions
To highlight the most important points – we have
used a set of simple icons, which draw attention to
key information and settings.
Key:
"
The Check Icon indicates a
setting that we recommend you
use or enable.
"
"
The Info Icon highlights important
facts and information about
SmartCrop® Sensors, to help you
make better use of the product.
"
The Hazard Icon highlights areas
where potential problems can
arise.
Important Safety Precautions
"
Only Smartfieldtrained and certified
installers are authorized to install and
maintain equipment; non-certified
installations void equipment warranty.
"
"
"
Important: DO NOT begin installation
until all utility lines have been located
and marked by your local utility
company. Digging without knowing the
location of utility lines can result in a
damaged system, injury or death.
"
"
This manual contains important
information about the installation,
operation and safe use of this product.
This information should be given to the
owner and / or operator of this
equipment.
"
"
Warning: Before installing this product,
read and follow all warning notices and
instructions, which are included. Failure
to follow safety warnings and instructions
can result in severe injury or property
damage.
"
CAUTION: To comply with FCC RF
exposure compliance requirements, a
separation distance of 20 cm must be
maintained between the antenna of this
device and all persons.
"