Step-by-Step Guide

Understanding Start Conditions

Start conditions provide alternative ways to initiate irrigation programs beyond traditional timed starts. While a timed start (such as Tuesday at 7:00 AM or Saturday at 9:00 PM) is one type of start condition, the BaseStation 3200 offers multiple methods to trigger programs based on physical conditions and events.

Two key concepts to understand about start conditions:

• A timed start is just one type of start condition—there are other ways to start programs using temperature, pressure, switches, and soil moisture sensors
• Switches can serve as start conditions, including both BaseStation switches and virtually any dry contact switch from other manufacturers when interfaced with an event biCoder

Using Push Buttons as Start Conditions

The BaseStation coaches button combines two components: a momentary contact switch and an event biCoder board. When pressed, the button sends a signal over the two-wire path that can start a program.

Tennis Court Applications: For clay and turf tennis courts that require manual watering before games, a coaches button allows staff to initiate irrigation on demand. Clay courts need careful timing—they must be watered to maintain moisture content, but not too early, as the water needs time to soak in. The coach can press the button to start a program containing one or multiple zones that will run for their programmed duration.

Field Hockey Applications: International field hockey regulations require fields to be irrigated before games, with specific requirements for water application amount and duration. Rather than giving coaches access to the controller (which can be complicated and potentially problematic), a push button provides a simple, pre-programmed solution. The coach simply presses the button to execute the exact irrigation sequence required.

On-Demand Watering: These buttons work well for any application requiring quick syringing or on-demand irrigation, including baseball fields and other athletic surfaces. Programs triggered by push buttons typically have no scheduled start times and no day-of-week schedule—the button press is the only trigger condition.

Pressure Differential Switches for Filter Management

A pressure differential switch monitors the difference between inlet and outlet pressure and can trigger programs when that difference reaches a specified threshold. This switch connects to an event biCoder, which communicates with the two-wire system.

Filter Flushing Applications: Sand filters, sand separators, and filters on agricultural or nursery applications accumulate debris that clogs the filter and creates back pressure. For example, if water enters at 90 PSI but the outlet pressure drops to 80 PSI due to filter clogging, there's a 10-pound pressure differential. A pressure differential switch can be set to trigger a filter flush program when this differential is reached, automatically clearing the filter and restoring normal pressure.

Both analog and digital versions of pressure differential switches are available from third-party manufacturers. Many filter manufacturers include basic 24-volt switches that connect directly to a solenoid and power source for simple on/off operation. However, connecting the switch through an event biCoder to the BaseStation system provides significant advantages:

• Water windows and time restrictions can be applied to filter flushing
• The system can pause all running irrigation zones during the flush cycle, preventing low-flow alarms
• Program priorities allow the flush program to take precedence, then resume paused programs afterward
• The BaseStation controller serves as the single decision-maker for all water operations

The BaseStation can read up to eight pressure transducers, but it does not perform mathematical calculations between devices (such as differential calculations). The pressure differential switch handles this mechanically by opening or closing a circuit when the set differential is reached.

Event biCoders for Third-Party Switch Integration

The event biCoder serves as an interface that allows any dry contact switch to communicate with the BaseStation system over the two-wire path. This opens up extensive possibilities for creative applications.

Common Applications:

• Controlling landscape lighting systems
• Initiating water feature fills
• Smartening up rain switches (typically used as pause conditions)
• Any application requiring interface with a common dry contact switch

The event biCoder essentially takes a switch that isn't particularly intelligent and allows you to apply BaseStation programming parameters to it, including water windows, program priorities, and other conditions.

Pressure-Based Tank Management

Using a pressure biCoder with a pressure transducer kit allows programs to start based on water pressure readings in tanks or containers.

Keeping Tanks Full: For a potable water storage tank, you can start a fill program when the tank reaches a low level. In a 10-foot tank, full capacity measures 4.3 PSI at the bottom. To maintain the tank at 20% full or higher, set the system to start filling when pressure drops to 0.8 PSI (representing 20% capacity).

Emptying Gray Water Tanks: For tanks holding gray water that needs discharge to a dissipation field or drip system, you can start a discharge program when the tank gets too full. Using the same 10-foot tank example, set the system to start the discharge program when pressure reaches 3.9 PSI (representing 90% capacity).

Cistern and Stormwater Management: For cistern applications designed to prevent stormwater from entering sanitary sewer systems, pressure-based starts allow you to discharge water into the landscape through drip irrigation. You might program the system to never allow the tank to exceed 50% capacity, ensuring space is available for incoming rain events. The system can discharge water 24 hours a day if needed, using drip irrigation that doesn't have time-of-day restrictions.

Available Hardware Tools

Five primary hardware devices enable start conditions:

• BaseStation Air Temperature Sensor: Monitors ambient air temperature
• BaseStation Pressure Transducer and Pressure biCoder: Reads water pressure and communicates with the system
• BaseStation Coaches Button: Combines an event biCoder with a push-button contact switch
• BaseStation Soil Moisture Sensor: Contains both a soil moisture sensor and a soil temperature sensor potted into the device, plus an event biCoder
• Event biCoder: Interfaces with virtually any third-party dry contact switch

The event biCoder and the 4-to-20 milliamp biCoder (used with pressure transducers) provide the most flexibility for connecting third-party devices and creating custom applications.

Programming Tools and Capabilities

The hardware devices work in conjunction with BaseStation programming features:

• 99 Available Programs: Allows dedicated programs for specific start conditions
• Water Windows: Restricts when condition-based programs can run
• Program Priorities: Determines which programs take precedence when multiple conditions are met

These programming tools combined with the hardware devices enable creative solutions for site-specific needs that fall outside traditional irrigation scheduling.

Configuring Start Conditions in BaseManager

1. Navigate to the program you want to configure and locate the Start Stop Pause Conditions section.

2. Note that traditional timed starts (such as 7:00 AM with specific days of the week) appear in this same section—these are one type of start condition.

3. Click Add a Condition to create an alternative start method. 

You'll see four options:

• Moisture: For soil moisture sensor-based starts
• Event Switch: For coaches buttons, event biCoders connected to switches, or any switch-based trigger
• Temperature: For both air temperature sensors and soil temperature sensors
• Pressure: For pressure transducer-based starts

4. If you're adding a condition-based start and want to eliminate the timed start, delete or X out the existing start time. Programs can have multiple start conditions, but this is often unintentional—verify that your program has only the start conditions you intend.

5. Configure the specific parameters for your chosen condition (pressure thresholds, temperature values, etc.).

Advanced Integration: Home Automation Devices

Third-party Z-Wave devices can bridge the gap between BaseStation systems and home automation platforms. Z-Wave is a wireless communication protocol used in smart home systems.

A Z-Wave switch device communicates with a Z-Wave hub connected to WiFi in the home. This device can then connect to an event biCoder, providing remote control capability from a smartphone or integration with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home. For example, you could say "Alexa, start BaseStation" to activate whatever program the event biCoder is assigned to control.

This approach enables integration with Internet of Things (IoT) and home automation ecosystems while maintaining full BaseStation programming capability.

Creative Use Case: Temperature-Controlled Fish Feeders

Start conditions can control non-irrigation equipment when that equipment is connected through switches. For example, fish feeders can be turned off when pond temperature falls below optimal feeding temperatures.

Using BaseStation Soil Moisture Sensors: A BaseStation soil moisture sensor can be submerged in water to read temperature. When the temperature reaches a specified level, it can activate a switch to turn off the fish feeder. However, BaseStation soil moisture sensors do not read below approximately 39°F, which may not be suitable for all applications.

Using Third-Party Temperature Switches: If you need to trigger at temperatures below the BaseStation sensor range (such as 32°F or 36°F), use a third-party temperature switch connected to an event biCoder. The switch would be lowered into the pond and wired to the event biCoder.

Important Programming Note: Event biCoders control programs, not individual zones. The fish feeder power source would need to be wired to a valve or relay controlled by a BaseStation program. Create a dedicated program for the fish feeder operation, then use the temperature condition to start or stop that program. With 99 available programs, dedicating one program to this unique application is not a limitation.

Video Walkthrough

Video originally published November 2020.

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