Step-by-Step Guide
Prerequisites
Before setting up mainlines, you must first configure your points of connection. Refer to the points of connection configuration guide for instructions on completing this prerequisite step.
Assigning Water Sources to Mainlines
1. Turn the dial to the Flow dial position.
2. Select Assign Water Sources to Mainline from the menu.
3. Assign each point of connection to a mainline. The BaseStation 3200 provides eight points of connection (P1 through P8) that can be assigned to any of eight separate mainlines. By default, all points of connection are assigned to Mainline 1.
4. Use the Next and Previous keys to navigate between points of connection, and use the Plus and Minus keys to change the mainline assignment for each point of connection.
For example, to assign Point of Connection 2 to Mainline 2:
- Navigate to Point of Connection 2 using the Next key
- Press the Plus key to change the assignment to Mainline 2
When multiple points of connection are assigned to the same mainline, the controller will use water from all assigned points of connection based on their priority and availability. For instance, if both Point of Connection 2 and Point of Connection 3 are assigned to Mainline 2, the controller will draw from both sources when running programs assigned to that mainline.
5. Press the Back key to return to the main menu once you have completed your assignments.
Assigning Programs to Mainlines
Programs must be assigned to mainlines so the controller knows which master valves to turn on and which flow meters to monitor during program execution.
1. From the Flow menu, select Assign Programs to Mainlines.
2. Select the program you want to assign.
3. Press the Next key to highlight the mainline assignment box.
4. Use the Plus or Minus keys to change the mainline assignment. Each program can be assigned to any one of the eight available mainlines.
Configuring Mainline Operating Limits
After assigning programs to mainlines, configure the operating limits for each mainline in the mainline setup screen.
1. Navigate to the Mainline Setup screen from the Flow menu.
2. Select the mainline you want to configure. The selected mainline will be highlighted in blue. Use the Plus or Minus keys to change the selected mainline.
3. Set the Design Flow value. This is the maximum amount of gallons per minute that the controller will allow to be used on this mainline. Use the Plus or Minus keys to adjust this value.
4. Set the Pipe Fill or Stabilization Time. This is a period of time in minutes that the controller will wait before it starts to monitor and manage against its flow settings. Adjust this value using the Plus or Minus keys.
Enabling Concurrent Zones by Flow
The Concurrent Zones by Flow setting allows the controller to automatically turn on as many zones as possible without exceeding the design flow target.
1. Navigate to the Concurrent Zones by Flow setting in the mainline setup screen.
2. Set this option to Yes to enable the feature.
When enabled, the controller will use either the manually set design flow for each zone or the learned flow value from a learn flow cycle. It will then turn on as many zones simultaneously as it can without exceeding the design flow limit set for the mainline.
Setting High Flow Variance
The high flow variance setting allows you to establish an upper threshold for acceptable flow rates, both at the mainline level and the individual zone level.
1. Navigate to the High Flow Variance setting.
2. Set the variance as a percentage using the Plus or Minus keys.
For example, if you set a high flow variance of 10% on a mainline with a 50 gallon per minute design flow, the controller will monitor and ensure that flow does not exceed 55 gallons per minute (50 + 10% = 55).
The controller also applies this high flow variance to individual zones. If a zone has a learned flow value of 20 gallons per minute and the high flow variance is set to 10%, the controller will flag the zone if it detects 22 gallons per minute (20 + 10% = 22). You can configure whether the controller should shut down the zone when this variance is detected.
Setting Low Flow Variance
The low flow variance setting establishes a lower threshold for acceptable flow rates.
1. Navigate to the Low Flow Variance setting.
2. Set the variance as a percentage using the Plus or Minus keys.
The controller will monitor for flow that falls below the design flow or learned flow by this percentage, applying the same logic as the high flow variance setting.
How Flow Fault Detection Works
Understanding how the controller identifies and isolates flow faults helps you anticipate system behavior when variances are detected.
When the controller is running multiple zones simultaneously and detects a flow variance that exceeds the high or low flow variance thresholds, it follows this process:
Initial Detection: If three zones are running and the controller detects a variance outside the acceptable range, it marks all three zones as suspect.
Isolation Testing: The controller turns off all three suspect zones, then turns on one of the suspect zones along with two additional (non-suspect) zones. It monitors the flow again to check for the variance.
Continuation or Flagging: If no problem is detected during the isolation test, the controller continues watering those zones to completion without interruption. It marks the previously suspected zone as okay, then repeats the process with the next suspect zone and two additional zones.
This process allows the controller to identify which specific zone is at fault without causing a major disruption to your watering window or cycle. The system continues to water zones that are functioning properly while systematically testing suspect zones.
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.