Welcome to WeatherTRAK!
This subsection of the Hydropoint knowledge base has been created to help you with all things related to the Optiflow XR Smart Irrigation Controller. For more general WeatherTRAK help, you can go to the KnowledgeBase home page here.
About this page
This guide has been created with the intent that users of all experience levels will be able to access information about their controller. Because of this, you may want to skip sections that are irrelevant to you or are about processes that have already been completed (such as installation and activation if you are standing in front of an online controller). We recommend that if you have a specific question about your controller, you search for it in the KnowledgeBase search bar, or check the troubleshooting or programming sections of this subsection.
By enabling controllers to share information in the cloud, OptiFlow XR optimizes how, when and where watering takes place within your water windows. To visit HydropPoint's website and see how OptiFlow fits into our product offerings, click here.
You can either use the categories on the landing page (the page that you went to when scanning the controller's QR code) or use the search bar for specific questions. For now, we recommend following along the process outlined below. Make sure to read this entire article before moving on.
We STRONGLY recommend that you complete a WeatherTRAK training certification before working on an OptiFlow controller.
The OptiFlow XR is WeatherTRAK's most sophisticated controller, and it's most complicated. Our training courses are completely free, and the short amount of time to complete them is always quicker than troubleshooting an improperly set up controller. Once certified, you will be able to use WeatherTRAK controllers to their full potential, which unlocks more job opportunities for you. Click the button below to learn more about our training courses available. We recommend that you begin with levels 1-3 of the “Certified OptiFlow Training" course.
The rest of this guide was created to serve as an overview of the OptiFlow XR commissioning process. It is not recommended to use this guide as your only source of information when installing or setting up an OptiFlow XR controller.
Important note about Account Setup
We recommend that you setup your account before you go to a site, regardless of if the controller has already been installed. This gives you time to get access to a controller or create your account before you are out in the field, saving you time in the sun. Some sites may need you to install and activate a controller, and some may already be fully programmed. Regardless, you will need a WeatherTRAK account and access to the site.
Important note about 2-wire vs conventional systems.
WeatherTRAK sells models of the OptiFlow XR for both conventional and 2-wire irrigation systems. The processes for installing and programming a conventional vs 2-wire OptiFlow XR differ slightly, so make sure to read the installation and programming articles/documents that myour site. For general information about working with a 2-wire irrigation system, we recommend you visit the “2-wire” section of the KnowledgeBase.
If your controller has already been installed and optimized
You will need to program the controller with WeatherTRAK Central. Because of how OptiFlow works, you can only view programming at the controller and all program editing must be done online. For more information on how to use OptiFlow with WeatherTRAK central, we recommend that you reach at least level 3 of the “Certified OptiFlow Training" course. If you are looking for specific articles about how to use OptiFlow with WeatherTRAK Central, you can visit the “OptiFlow” section of the WeatherTRAK Central KnowledgeBase.
The OptiFlow Commissioning Process
The steps to get an OptiFlow controller online fall into three basic workflows.
You begin by assessing the site hydraulics and controller requirements to see if the site is capable of supporting OptiFlow.
Next, you will need to install the OptiFlow XR Controller, upgrade any needed ET PRO 3 Controllers to Optiflow, install accessories, activate the controller, and program it's stations.
Finally, you optimize the controller in WeatherTRAK Central using OptiFlow's systems.
The sections outlined below go over each of these steps in detail. Alternatively, if you would like to view a PDF of the commissioning process, you can click the button below.
OptiFlow Commissioning Process PDF
Account Setup
If you are new to WeatherTRAK, you will need to create an account. This process will have been outlined to you in the welcome email that you should have received when you bought the controller. For more information, you can visit the “Setting up Your WeatherTRAK Account” article in the “Account Setup” subcategory.
Site Assessment
It is crucial that there are no leaks or breaks on the site. This is because when you optimize your site by learning flow, the OptiFlow XR records the flow of each station when they irrigate. If a leak is present, the controller will include the leak in the total flow for that station. For information on how to capture this site assessment, you can visit the “Assess” section of this KnowledgeBase or click here.
Install the OptiFlow XR Controller
All WeatherTRAK controllers must be installed according to their respective installation guides. You can visit the install section of the KnowledgeBase for the OptiFlow XR here or from the landing page. Once you select the installation instructions that relate to your controller model, make sure to follow them thoroughly. Note that the installation instructions include programming instructions as well. We strongly encourage you to take the installation training course for the OptiFlow XR before installing any controllers. You can visit the course here.
Retrofit ET PRO 3 Controllers
ET PRO 3 controllers can be upgraded with an OptiFlow Key to allow OptiFlow functionality. For some sites, you will only need to upgrade existing ET PRO 3 controllers in order to use OptiFlow. For more complicated sites it is likely that you will need to have one or more OptiFlow XR controllers controlling multiple upgraded ET PRO 3s. If you want to learn more about how you can upgrade your site's ET PRO 3s to Optiflow, you can go to the "Upgrading Existing Controllers to OptiFlow" section of this KnowledgeBase or click here.
Install Accessories
OptiFlow is most powerful when combined with a flow sensor and/or master valve. If installation of any of these accessories is included within your scope of work, you can visit the “Flow & Accessories” section of the KnowledgeBase here. Note that this section of the KnowledgeBase is outside of the OptiFlow XR subsection, so you will need to navigate back here for more instructions later.
Activate
Once a your OptiFlow XR controller has been installed, it must be activated. We recommend that you pre-activate your controller at least 48 hours prior to visiting the site. If not, you can call support to activate your controller if you are on-site. You can visit the activate section of the Knowledgebase here or from the landing page.
Program
If you are installing a new OptiFlow XR controller to your site, it must be programmed before being optimized with OptiFlow. We recommend programming your controllers with the WeatherTRAK Mobile App. It is important that your site is accurately programmed before optimization.
For a general overview of the programming process BEFORE optimization, check out the programming section of the Getting Started/Installation guides.
You can view specific articles about how to properly program your OptiFlow XR BEFORE OR AFTER optimization here.
If you want to program a controller AFTER it has been optimized with OptiFlow, we recommend visiting the “OptiFlow” subsection of the “WeatherTRAK Central” Knowledgebase section.
Note that if your controller has already been optimized, you will need to program the controller with WeatherTRAK Central.
Optimize
Once all of your site's controllers have been upgraded to OptiFlow, activated, programmed, and connected to any accessories, you can optimize your system. Optimization syncs all of your controllers with the Cloud, allowing them all to be controlled via WeatherTRAK Central. For information on how to optimize your site, visit the “Optimizing a Site with OptiFlow” section of this KnowledgeBase or click here.
You can find the articles for these sections on the landing page of the Knowledge Base for the OptiFlow XR or by scanning the QR code of your controller. The landing page has additional sub-sections designed to help you with any questions you may have about your OptiFlow XR.
Additional Content
For non-controller specific information about the WeatherTRAK platform, such as using WeatherTRAK mobile or WeatherTRAK Central, you can visit the “Central Management and Communication” section of the KnowledgeBase.
For step-by-step video guides created by industry experts, check out the HydroPoint Data Systems Youtube Channel.
The “Troubleshooting” section has articles for the most commonly seen issues with the OptiFlow XR If you have a less common issue, we recommend you search the KnowledgeBase or go the “Get Help” section.
The “Get Help” section can put you in contact with support if you were unable to find an article that could help you. We recommend searching the KnowledgeBase for your specific question before you call support.