Step-by-Step Guide
Prerequisites Before Enabling Weather-Based Watering
Before you begin enabling weather-based watering on your BaseStation 3200 controller, you must complete two important setup tasks:
- Add a weather station to your BaseManager Plus account, then add that weather station to the controller
- Set up the zone properties for each zone so the system has the best possible information to calculate accurate ET-based runtimes
Both of these prerequisite steps are covered in separate videos and articles.
Accessing the Program Editor
1. Click on the Programs tab.
2. Select the program you want to edit.
3. Click the Edit button in the lower right-hand corner to start editing the program.
Understanding Zone Watering Strategies
The BaseStation 3200 gives you extensive control over the zones within a program. Each zone can be individually assigned a watering strategy, including:
- Soil moisture sensor-based
- Time-based
- Weather-based
Enabling Weather-Based Watering for the Primary Zone
1. Locate the zone you want to enable weather-based watering for (typically Zone 1 if it's set as the primary zone).
2. Check the Enable weather-based watering box for that zone.
Once weather-based watering is enabled, you'll notice two changes:
- A weather icon appears next to the zone runtime
- The zone's runtime is no longer editable (the system calculates it automatically)
Applying Suggested Cycle and Soak Times
Based on the zone properties you entered during setup, the system calculates a suggested cycle and soak time for the zone.
1. Click the button next to the zone to pull the suggested cycle and soak time into the zone for use.
2. If needed, modify the cycle and soak time after it has been applied.
Understanding Primary and Linked Zones
When a zone is set up as a primary zone, other zones in the program can be linked to it. Zones linked to the primary zone will use the same settings as the primary zone by default. For more information about primary and linked zones and all of the other powerful programming features of the BaseStation 3200, check the HydroPoint website.
Enabling Weather-Based Watering for Individual Zones
If a zone is set to Timed rather than linked to the primary zone, you can independently decide whether to enable weather-based watering for that specific zone.
1. Change the zone setting to Timed.
2. Check or uncheck the Enable weather-based watering box based on your preference.
3. If you uncheck the box, you'll need to manually set the runtime and cycle and soak times for that zone.
4. If you check the box, the weather icon will appear next to the zone runtime and the runtime will no longer be editable.
Combining Multiple Smart Irrigation Modes
The BaseStation 3200 allows you to use multiple smart irrigation modes simultaneously within a single program. For example, you can configure a program where:
- The primary zone's runtime is calculated based on weather information
- Zones linked to the primary zone also have their runtimes calculated based on weather information
- The zones will only start if a soil moisture sensor has fallen below a specified threshold (such as 22.2%)
All other program settings in the program remain the same as standard configurations.
Saving Your Changes
1. When you have finished configuring weather-based watering for your zones, click the Save button in the lower right-hand corner to save your changes.
Video Walkthrough
If you have questions, here are 3 ways to get answers:
1. Search within this HydroPoint knowledgebase
2. Visit the HydroPoint support page
3. Call 800-362-8774 or email support@hydropoint.com, hours are Mon-Fri 3:00 AM – 6:00 PM PT and Sat 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT.