Installation and User Manual UgMO Technologies• 840 First, Suite 300 • King of Prussia, PA 19406 • www.UgMO.
Installation and User Manual
UgMO™ monitors soil moisture in the root zones of your UgMO wireless sensors have a patented electronic plants, limiting watering by your irrigation controller to moisture sensing circuit and low power radio signal. avoid over-watering. UgMO consists of two components, Two uniquely configured batteries (supplied and the UgMO Wireless Sensor and the UgMO Base Station. installed) provide an operating life of up to 5 years.
Table of Contents I N STA L L AT I O N A N D U S E R M A N UA L Components...................................................................................................................................................... 2 Preparing to Install........................................................................................................................................... 4 Site Assessment............................................................................................................
Assigning More than one Sensor to a Zone................................................................................. 21 Assigning a Sensor to More Than One Zone............................................................................... 21 Pairing Sensors to Base Station: Manual Entry.......................................................................... 22 Setting Moisture Levels.............................................................................................................
Components UgMO Base Station UgMO Wireless Sensor 1. LCD Screen 2. Power Indicator light 13. Tine: Sensor element that measures moisture level and temperature when exposed to soil 3. 4. Lit when irrigation clock is requesting a valve to water Selection button controls entries highlighted on LCD Screen 5. Connections from Base Station to Irrigation Clock 6. Connections from Base Station to valve wires 7. Cover concealing terminal connections 8.
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Preparing to Install Product Verification Check shipped product and confirm that all hardware is present. Required Materials Electrical Connectors: Small supply of assorted electrical connectors and wire nuts. Electrical Tape: Assorted colors Wire Labels: To clearly mark all wires in the irrigation clock. Wire Ties Wire Tacks: to secure any loose wires to mounting structure. Silicone: For water-tight seal of wiring harness strain relief connection to clock. Mounting Screws: To mount brackets to wall.
Site Assessment Site Survey 1. Visually inspect the property, location of clock and placement of the Base Station. 2. Run all valve stations to: 3. 4. 5. • Confirm zone location and sprinkler count per zone. • Identify areas within each zone to place sensors (rule of thumb is to place the sensors between irrigation sprinklers, in an area that tends to be the driest and where you have the best line of sight to the Base Station with the least obstructions.
Installing the Base Station MOUNTING THE BASE STATION 1. 6 Choose the location of the UgMO Base Station following these guide lines: • Base Station needs to be 12-18 inches away from and higher than the irrigation clock. • Base Station should be within 600 feet of any possible sensor location. • Base Station should not be mounted near or on the same plane as large metal objects or high voltage transformers. • When installing two Base Stations, place them at least 10 inches apart. 2.
WIRING A SINGLE BASE STATION IMPORTANT NOTE: Determine if the irrigation system uses a pump or Master Valve. Look at the irrigation wiring, if there is a wire attached to a terminal labeled “P/MV” or “Pump/Master Valve”, the system has one of these present. IMPORTANT NOTE: DO NOT ATTACH THE POWER CONDUCTORS UNTIL ALL OTHER WIRES HAVE BEEN ATTACHED 1. Using wire labels, label all valve stations, common, power and pump master (if present) wires in the irrigation clock. 2.
Installing the Base Station WIRING A SINGLE BASE STATION (CONTINUED) 7. Remove the wire (in the irrigation clock) from the Valve Station #2 terminal and butt connect it to the WHITE wire with a RED STRIPE labeled V2/V8 and crimp it so its attached securely. 8. Identify the PINK wire labeled C2/C8 from the “Clock Bundle” and attach that wire in the irrigation clock’s Valve Station #2 terminal where you removed the wire in step 7 above. 9.
11. Remove the Pump Master wire from the terminal labeled “P/MV” or “Pump Master” and butt connect it to the GRAY wire labeled P/M (V), from the “Valve Bundle”, and crimp it so it’s attached securely. 12. Identify the BROWN wire labeled P/M (C) from the “Clock Bundle” and attach it to the terminal in the irrigation clock labeled “P/MV” or “Pump Master” where you removed the wire in step 11 above. 13.
Installing the Base Station DETERMINING AC POLARITY OF EXISTING IRRIGATION CLOCK 1. Open the wiring compartment of the irrigation clock. 2. Set the Voltmeter to “AC Volts”, sometimes “~V”. Units will be in Volt-AC, often “VAC”. 3. 4. Place the BLACK lead from the voltmeter on the irrigation clock COM terminal. Place the RED lead from the voltmeter on one of the irrigation clock’s AC terminals. 5. If the voltmeter registers 24-30V, this is the (AC +) terminals. 6.
WIRING 2 BASE STATIONS WITH A PUMP/MASTER VALVE TO CONTROL UP TO 12 STATIONS 1. 2. 3. BLUE STRIPE labeled V1/ V7, from the wiring harness Drill two one inch (1”) holes in the irrigation controller to allow easy insertion of the Base Station wiring harness, keeping in mind the two Base Stations should be mounted at least 10 inches apart and 12-18 inches away from and higher than the irrigation clock. 4.
Installing the Base Station WIRING 2 BASE STATIONS WITH A PUMP/MASTER VALVE TO CONTROL UP TO 12 STATIONS 6. Identify the PINK wire labeled C2/C8 from the “Clock Bundle” and attached that wire in the irrigation clock’s Valve Station #2 terminal where you removed the wire in step 5 above. 7. Repeat steps 3 thru 6 above for all valve station wires using the labels on the wires to identify the proper station and valve wires (Refer to Wire Reference Guide on page 8). 8.
10. Remove the Pump Master wire from the terminal (in the irrigation clock) labeled “P/MV” or “Pump Master” and butt connect it to the GRAY wire labeled P/MV (V), from the “Valve Bundle” coming from Base Station #2 (controlling valve stations 7-12). 11. Identify the BROWN wire labeled P/MV (C) from the “Clock Bundle”, coming from Base Station #1 and attached it to the terminal in the irrigation clock labeled “P/MV” or “Pump Master” where you removed the wire in step 10 above. 12.
Base Station User Interface MAIN SCREEN 1. On power-up, you’ll see the Introduction Screen. This times out after 10 seconds, or press the Select Button (#4 on page 2) to display the Main Screen. 2. The Main Screen is divided into six main sections identified as A - F on the figure to the right.
A Auto/Bypass Indicator Indicates that UgMO is controlling the watering Indicates that the UgMO system is being bypassed and the clock controls the watering. This is useful for when you want to turn on a zone manually for maintenance or to water in new plantings.. B Pump/Master Valve Indicator If the irrigation system has a Pump or Master Valve, this symbol will flash to indicate that the Pump or Master Valve is operating when a zone is turned on.
Base Station User Interface MAIN SCREEN (CONTINUED) E Zone Moisture Level Indicator Each column indicates the moisture level for its respective zone relative to the moisture level threshold setting. Indicates that the present moisture level for this zone is within the programed UgMO moisture levels and only the amount of watering required to remain at this moisture level will be allowed.
F Battery and Wireless Strength Indicator The bottom row of each column displays the wireless connection and battery strength of each sensor. This indicates that the zone has not been paired to a sensor. All columns will display these “dashes” when the Base Station is first powered on and no sensors have been paired. The black box indicates that the sensor battery has sufficient charge. The full antenna symbol indicates the Base Station is receiving regular signals from the sensor.
Base Station User Interface MANAGE SENSORS Wireless Sensors need to be linked (paired) to a Base Station and then assigned to one or more irrigation zones. This is an easy process. Pairing sensors to Base Station: Choosing Sensors 18 1. Read the Network Address (NWA) on the Tine Sleeve or bottom of the wireless sensor. This will be the 8 digit numbers and/or letters following “NWA” on the label. (Example: NWA:100002B3). 2. Rotate the [Selection Wheel] down to the [Manage Sensors] page. 3.
IMPORTANT NOTE: THE WIRELESS SENSOR TINE SLEEVE The tine sleeve acts as an “ON/OFF” switch when placed on the sensor. Removing it activates the sensor or turns it on. Every time the sensor is turned off and back on, the sensor goes into a rapid transmission mode. It transmit 10 times at 10 second intervals to support pairing. Then, for 100 minutes, transmissions will be at once per minute to support the installation. Finally, at approximately once per 10 minutes after that during regular operation. 7.
Base Station User Interface MANAGE SENSORS (CONTINUED) Assigning A Common Sensor The system supports the concept of a “Common Sensor” which is designed to ensure the system operates properly even when the wireless signal from a distant sensor is lost. This can be due to a dead battery, temporary interference or reduced range due to heavy rain. With a common sensor assigned, the system will use the data from the Common sensor in the system as a fail-safe until connectivity to the lost sensor is regained.
Assigning a sensor to more than one zone It is possible to assign a Sensor to more than one zone so that both zones are managed by the data from that sensor. This is usually done when two zones are very similar in the amount of sun or shade they are exposed to. Assigning more than one sensor to one zone It is also possible to assign more than one Sensor to a single zone.
Base Station User Interface MANAGE SENSORS (CONTINUED) UgMO allows you to manually pair sensors to a base station. This is particularly helpful if a sensor is already buried in the ground and you are not able to replace the tine sleeve to set it to rapid broadcast. Pairing sensors to Base Station: Manual Entry 1. Choose [Manual Entry] from the [Manage Sensor] page. 2. The first “0” of the NWA will be highlighted. 3.
SETTING MOISTURE LEVELS Once your sensors have been buried in the ground, you will need to enter the moisture level or “threshold” that you determined by the type of soil at the location. This is an easy process. 1. At the Main Screen on the Base Station, rotate the [Selection Wheel] down three clicks to get to the [Set Moisture Settings] page. Press [Select] 2. The Zone 1 setting column will be highlighted. 3. Press [Select] to change this Zone setting.
Base Station User Interface MANAGING SYSTEM SETTINGS (CONTINUED) Setting Global Cold Temperature Override The Cold Temperature Override is set globally and will not allow watering when the soil temperature reaches a preset value regardless of the moisture readings in the soil. 24 1. From the Main Screen rotate the wheel up one click to the [Manage System Settings] page and press the [Select] button. 2. The arrow at the bottom right hand side of the screen will be highlighted.
MANAGE ZONE SETTINGS Zone Bypass Settings There are times when you may need to bypass UgMO for a specific zone but not all of the zones (e.g. establishing new plantings). At other times, you may wish to restrict a zone from watering (e.g. a broken head in a particular zone). These settings are on the [Manage Zone Settings] page. 1. Rotate the [Selection Wheel] until [Manage Zone Settings] is displayed. 2. Press [Select]. 3.
Base Station User Interface MANAGE ZONE SETTINGS (CONTINUED) Multiple Sensors per Zone Settings It is possible to assign more than one sensor to a zone. (See Manage Sensors). UgMO allows you to determine how the sensor data is used by the system to manage the watering. The system default setting is set to average the data coming from all the sensors in the zone. Other options include using the Driest sensor reading or the Wettest sensor reading. 26 1.
VIEW SENSORS Determining Wireless Signal Strength 1. From the Main Screen move the [Selection Wheel] up three clicks until you see [View Sensors] highlighted under Menu and push [Select]. 2. Each screen displays the signal quality, temperature and wetness level of an individual sensor. Press [Select] until the desired sensor is displayed. Be sure to match the NWA number if more than one sensor is assigned to a zone.
Base Station User Interface VIEW SENSORS (CONTINUED) Reading the View Sensor Screen R-RATING Q-RATING Short-Term Signal Quality Indicator: At the bottom of the R Rating: This value represents If there are gaps or the columns the % of expected transmissions vary in height, transmissions screen, a series of dashes and / that have been received from the have been missed. or boxes will appear when a sen- sensor within the last 60 min- sor has been paired to the Base utes.
Activating the Archives The Base Station is capable of recording a detailed history of watering events. This is called an Archive. This is an advanced feature used to diagnose system issues and not suggested for normal operation. 1. From the Main Screen turn the [Selection Wheel] up one click to the [Manage System Settings] page and press [Select] . 2.
Installing Sensors PLACEMENT OF SENSORS Placement of Sensors 1. Place the sensors on top of the ground in the corresponding zones that they represent on the Base Station and remove the tine sleeves. The ideal location in each zone is between sprinkler heads, in the driest part of the zone and with the clearest line of site to the Base Station when at all possible.
IMPORTANT NOTE: SENSOR NOT CONNECTING If any sensors are not communicating (“XX” on the main screen is not being replaced by a full “antenna”) after 12 minutes, refer to the trouble shooting guide for solutions.
Installing Sensors PLACEMENT OF SENSORS (CONTINUED) Placement of Sensors 1. Using a 1.5” putty knife or something similar, create a vertical slit in the soil, so the center of the slit is 1.5” to 1.75” below the top of the soil and within the root zone of the plant. 2. Take some dirt from the hole and perform a field test to identify the soil’s physical properties which will be used later for setting the zone Wetness Settings (Field test instructions can be found in in Appendix B). 3.
7. Bury the sensor and whisker, making sure to pack the soil firmly as you fill the hole and place the turf cap back on. 8. Repeat steps 6-9 for all sensors. Repeat the field soil test only if you are dealing with different types of soils for the different zones (flower beds, turf areas, mounds, valleys, etc.) 9. Once all sensors are buried return to the Base Station and restart it. Wait to see if all the sensors can communicate to the Base Station from their buried positions like in step 2.
Completing the Installation COMPLETION CHECKLIST Take all tine sleeves, be sure the zone number is written on the label and bundle them together with a wire tie and attach to the irrigation clock, Base Station or to a structure nearby. Make sure all zones are being received by the Base Station and are communicating (use [View Sensors] page to do this). Make sure that the Base Station is set to “Auto”. Make sure the irrigation clock is set to “Auto”. Make sure all Wetness Levels are set.
ugMO ProHome Sensor Location reference Guide Zone/nWA reference 1 Measurement reference 2 Measurement 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 35
Appendix A: Troubleshooting Guide PROBLEM CAUSES An unburied sensor is not 1) Sensor is out of Range 1) Move sensor to a location closer to the Base Station communicating with the Base 2) Wireless signal is obstructed. 2) Orientate it to remove or limit obstructions from line of site.
PROBLEM Valve is stuck on and continues to CAUSES 1) Phantom power surge SOLUTIONS 1) U se volt meter to check if valve is on because it is receiving voltage - Red lead on zone number on To Valve side of Base Station and the water after irrigation cycle ends. Black lead on the clock COM to see if there is any voltage. If yes, the clock is still powering the zone. If no, go to the next solution.
Appendix B: Soil Property Field Test It is very important to determine the type of soil the sensors are being placed into in order to set an initial moisture setting on the base station.
The process includes a few steps as follows using the soil tester illustrated below: Step 1: Take a handful of soil from the depth where the sensor will be placed and fill the inside cup of the soil tester. Be sure that the soil is firmly placed in the cup by pressing on it with your palm.
Appendix B: Soil Property Field Test Step 2: Saturate the soil with water slowly so that the water absorbs through the entire soil sample. This takes about a minute for most soils.
Step 3: Squeeze the soil tester shut as firmly as possible to force soil and water to the holes at the bottom of the tool.
Appendix B: Soil Property Field Test Step 4: Determine the reaction of the soil and water at the holes on the bottom side of the tool. Use the scale to determine what soil type and setting should be used: 42 Type 1: Indicated by semi-clear water exiting the holes. Type 2: Indicated by moisture with soil sediment in it. Very few or no sand/soil particles present. This sediment may come out in larger pieces but not Inital setting =3 formed like clay.
Type 3: Indicated by formed soil extensions exiting the holes. Initial setting = 7 Type 4: Indicated by very dark muck-like water from organic deposits in soil. Some very fine non-gritty material may squeeze.
Appendix C: Watering Guidelines Setting the Irrigation Controller for UgMO Setting the Irrigation Controller for UgMO Loam, Clay and High Organic Soil Types: Ideally, the best irrigation program is one that has available water in the soil for plant uptake for the longest period of time. Lighter, more porous soils like sands saturate quickly but drain just as quickly in many cases.
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Customer Service: Please visit UgMO.com or call 877-500-UgMO for customer service. This product should not be used for anything other than what is described in this document. This product should only be serviced by trained and authorized personnel. FCC Notice: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
