Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the Foundation: Why Proper Setup Matters
Baseline systems are more than just turning valves on and off. While controllers send power to solenoids and sprinklers pop up and down, that's not why clients choose Baseline technology. The goal is to become a power user—achieving "hero status"—by using the technology the way it was engineered and designed to operate. This means going beyond basic installation to properly configure and operate systems so clients see real value and results.
When you operate at hero status, more projects come your way because clients are happier and you're moving the needle with innovative technology. The key is using all the capabilities built into the system, not just the basic functions.
The Five Fundamentals of Successful Installation
These are the "price of admission"—the essential requirements that must be completed correctly to set up any site for success. Getting these right qualifies you for the extended 10-year warranty and prevents the controller messages that make clients question whether the system was installed properly.
1. Install the correct two-wire type for your application.
2. Use the correct wire length and don't exceed maximum wire run distances.
3. Use the correct splices. Splices are critical on two-wire systems and poor wire splices are a common source of controller messages.
4. Implement the correct grounding according to specifications.
5. Maintain the correct device load and don't overload the system.
While these fundamentals won't necessarily make you a hero by themselves, they create the level playing field. Without them, you'll look bad when issues arise. With them, you have zero controller messages and a clean operating system that makes clients happy.
Advanced Installation Practice: Serial Number Tracking
Every Baseline device has a unique serial number, whether it's a BiCoder, soil moisture sensor, or other component. Baseline provides matching stickers with each device specifically for tracking purposes.
1. Place one sticker on a master list that documents what's where (for example, serial number 456 is the northwest corner, 789 is the playing field).
2. Place the matching sticker on your as-built plan in the corresponding location.
This basic installation practice of using the stickers ensures you can always identify which device is which and where it's located, which becomes critical for troubleshooting and maintenance.
Physical Location Documentation for Soil Moisture Sensors
Beyond knowing the serial number, you need to know the physical location of buried sensors. This is essential for protecting devices during maintenance activities like core aeration.
1. Document the physical location before the sensor is buried.
2. Use triangulation as an effective technique: measure and record distances from two fixed reference points (for example, 40 feet from one landmark and 70 feet from another). Where those two arcs intersect is your device location.
Once a sensor is buried and six months have passed, you'll have to work very hard to find it without this documentation. The devices are smart, but they're not yet smart enough to self-locate.
Learning Flow: A Critical Configuration Step
Learning flow is part of the installation process and is essential for enabling the controller to perform its full range of functions. Without learned flow, you're handcuffing the system.
1. Navigate to the Main Lines section in BaseManager.
2. Locate the Design Flow column. If this column is empty, flow has not been learned.
3. Complete the learn flow process. Once completed, the Design Flow column will be populated with all learned flows.
This assumes you have the hardware portion correct (flow sensor installed). Once flow is learned, your controller can start performing advanced flow management functions.
Configuring Master Valve Settings
Proper master valve configuration is critical, especially for normally open master valves. If a site has a normally open master valve, the piping structure is pressurized 24/7, meaning any break or leak would run continuously.
1. Navigate to the Control Point settings in BaseManager.
2. Go to the Devices section and locate your master valve.
3. Verify whether the valve is set as Normally Open or Normally Closed.
4. For normally open master valves, set conditions to close the valve. Configure Unexpected Flow and Potential High Flow limits even before you've completed learn flow.
This configuration can prevent disasters. On high-profile commercial projects, one-gallon-per-minute leaks have been discovered simply because master valves were never assigned and configured, even though the job was considered complete and paid.
Setting Up Flow Management Parameters
The Flow Management section contains settings that help you manage the hydraulics of your system and protect against problems.
1. Navigate to the Flow Management section in the control point settings.
2. Set the Design Flow based on the capacity of your system. This requires research to determine your main line size and control point size.
3. Configure the High Flow Limit based on your system capacity.
4. Set up Unscheduled Flow limits to detect leaks or breaks when irrigation shouldn't be running.
For new installations, you may be able to pull this information from plans. For retrofit projects, you'll need to do field research to gather accurate data. This information is essential for the Managed by Flow feature to work properly.
Showing Value to Clients Through Configuration
Many contractors do a decent job with physical installation—pipe and wire connections—but skip over the "tech computer stuff" because they don't know how it works, are afraid to ask, or don't have time. General contractors and commercial clients don't know about these settings either.
The path to hero status is to embrace these settings, set them up properly, and then show the owner what you've done. Walk through the settings with clients and explain their importance. This demonstrates the value you've added and is how you earn repeat projects. It's not just about setting it up—it's about educating the client on what it is, how it works, and why it matters.
Naming Devices and Zones
Naming all devices and zones makes you more proficient and makes the system more usable for everyone. Names entered in BaseManager carry over to the controller.
1. Navigate to Devices and Zones in BaseManager.
2. Name each zone descriptively (for example, "Northwest Turf - MP Rotators" or similar descriptive names that include location and head type).
3. Name every device on the system, including pumps, master valves, and pressure sensors.
4. Name all schedules with clear, descriptive names.
5. Save each name as you enter it.
This administrative task may take two hours or more depending on site size, but it's important to the client and the project. Interestingly, many contractors complete this naming task but skip critical setup like hydraulics, flow sensors, and master valves. While naming is something you can figure out without much instruction, flow setup and limits can be more challenging—which is why training resources are available.
Setting Up Site Maps
Maps provide visual operation and make you look smart when working with property managers or clients.
1. Navigate to the Maps section at the controller level.
2. Add all zones to the map in their physical locations.
3. Add moisture sensors to the map.
4. Add custom markers as needed for reference points or other site features.
5. Adjust the position of markers to accurately fit your site layout.
With a properly configured map, when a property manager says a part of the park isn't looking good, you can click on the map and immediately identify the zone number. The visual reference makes you look very smart and professional.
Configuring Alert Subscriptions
Setting up email and text alerts is essential for getting information out of the system. Once you've configured all your flow limits and other monitoring features, you need alerts set up to receive notifications.
1. Navigate to the Administration section in BaseManager.
2. Go to Alert Subscription settings.
3. Configure email addresses for alert recipients.
4. Configure text message numbers for alert recipients.
5. Select which types of alerts each recipient should receive.
Without this setup, you won't receive critical information from the system, and you'll look bad because you won't know about problems until they become serious. This is a "must-do" configuration step.
Accessing Training Resources
Baseline provides multiple training resources to help you learn how to configure and operate systems properly.
Online Learning Portal: Access baseline.learnupon.com for structured courses. Two certificate courses are available:
- Installation Basics: Covers the five fundamental installation requirements, tracking, and locating serial numbers. This course is relatively short and includes a test and certificate. While Baseline doesn't require the certificate to purchase products, specifiers can require contractors to have this certificate to prove basic knowledge.
- Baseline Fundamentals Online: Covers system setup, operation, and use in more depth.
If you've attended Tech Talk Tuesday sessions, you should have received an invitation to the learning portal with zero fees. If you go directly to the site without an invitation, there's a fee associated with registration. If you haven't received your invitation, contact Baseline to be added.
YouTube Channel: Search for "Baseline Web Training" (all one word) on YouTube. This channel contains short how-to videos, typically three minutes or less, that answer specific questions like "How do I configure a normally open master valve?" or "What does this message mean?" These are perfect for quick reference in the field when you need an immediate answer.
Ask the Trainer: This is a new feature where you can submit questions and receive video answers within the week. These videos are posted on YouTube for everyone to benefit from. There's a playlist specifically for Ask the Trainer questions, and you can submit questions through a link available on the Baseline Web Training YouTube channel.
If you need specific training for your company, municipality, or design firm, contact your regional sales manager or any Baseline representative to schedule customized training sessions.
Achieving Superhero Status: Creative Applications
Beyond hero status is superhero status—achieved by taking Baseline technology and finding new opportunities to use it. Baseline fundamentally believes in always pushing the limits.
Some innovative applications that have come from field users include:
- Filter flush automation
- Tank level sensing
- Other unique use cases that adapt existing products and configurations to brand-new market opportunities
This kind of innovation drives the company forward and can take your business career to superhero status. When you have a unique use case or creative application idea, contact someone at Baseline—your regional sales manager, distributor, or any of the team members from Tech Talk Tuesday. The regional sales manager team works closely together, collaborating and communicating about special use cases. Even if your local RSM doesn't have full understanding of a particular application, the team works together to develop the implementation story and learn how to configure and execute on it.
Spreading the Message
If you're participating in training sessions like Tech Talk Tuesday, you likely already know much of this information and are probably already operating at hero status. The goal is to help spread this knowledge to more people in the industry.
There are only a few people at Baseline, and the company relies on contractors, distributors, and consultants to help spread the message and influence more people to use the technology as engineered. Have these conversations with your customers, clients, and contractors. Remind them how to do things properly even when you assume they already know—because clients don't always know what you know.
Support Baseline in bringing this technology to market properly, and help improve systems across the industry by ensuring everyone is using best practices for installation, configuration, and operation.
Video Walkthrough
Video originally published November 2020.
If you have questions, here are 3 ways to get answers:
1. Search within this Baseline knowledgebase
2. Visit the Baseline support page
3. Call 866-294-5847 or email support@baselinesystems.com, hours are from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern Time or 4:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.