Often, at Dramm, we work with customers that understand the benefits of installing an irrigation system but do not want to automate. They see that proper nozzles or drippers will provide more even water to their plants. However, they see automatic irrigation as giving up control of when to water and how much water to provide to the plants.
While an automated system does cede some control of the process, it can be set up in a way that gives more control to the grower. Dramm offers several different types of controllers. Our MistTime automates misting for propagation or cooling. Our ii ri single-valve controller allows for either misting or irrigation to be run from one valve and programmed via a bluetooth connection to a smart phone. Our ProLine is a standard irrigation controller, but with some advanced features.
Typically, when helping growers design an irrigation system, some are hesitant to install solenoid valves and a controller because they would like to make the decision when to water the plants. Often, these growers request hand valves only so that they can turn the valve on and off. Unfortunately, this often leads to several problems.
The first issue is labor. Someone must be tasked to turn on and off those valves, often in a sequence over time, and keep track of the time. This prevents them from performing other tasks that are too intensive.
The next problem is that those customers do get caught up in other tasks, allowing a valve to run too long, overwatering their plants and greenhouse.
The final issue is that someone must be present to water on days off.
In these instances, Dramm recommends our ProLine controller. With the ProLine, valves or zones can be assigned to one of three programs on the ProLine and programmed with preset watering durations. Each of the programs governs the time and frequency of watering. To most growers, this sounds like giving up control. If programmed normally, that would typically mean that the controller would activate a series of valves in a sequence for a specific amount of time each day without anyone telling it to do so.
However, it is possible to assign valves to a program and not dictate start times. The ProLine includes a manual start feature that allows the grower to simply activate one valve or one program, activating a sequence of valves to run. Using this feature, the grower gets to select when plants are watered but does not have to stand around turning on and off valves.
The ProLine also includes a Water Budget feature. This allows the user to increase or decrease all valve durations in increments of 10%. For example, if all of the hanging basket drip zone valves are programmed to water for 10 minutes each but it is a hot, dry day, the grower can increase all valves by 20% by pressing the up-button twice. This will make the valves programmed at 10 minutes all run for 12 minutes. Conversely, on a cold, dark & rainy day, the irrigation amounts can be decreased by pressing the down button. The Water Budget feature allows the grower to have control of how much water is used.
For the growers that prefers to decide when to water, Dramm recommends that solenoids and the ProLine be installed and programmed to allow the grower to manually activate the valves on normal business days, using the Water Budget to adjust watering amounts as they like. The final problem of weekends is solved by programing the ProLine to automatically start on Saturdays and Sundays, allowing growers to stay home.
An upgrade to the ProLine can allow you to access the controller from anywhere in the world with a smart phone app or web browser. With the SmartLink upgrade, growers can monitor or modify their watering with easy, from anywhere. This connectivity allows for watering to take place whenever you want.
Dramm can help automate your irrigation to whatever degree you prefer. Let us design your next irrigation system and improve your watering.
