Pausing irrigation on WeatherTRAK controllers for events

Event Pause

HydroPoint recommends using the WeatherTRAK Event Pause feature to pause controllers for events. This feature allows users to pause irrigation for a user-defined period. The controller will pause all irrigation operations, including the daily valve test. Event pauses can be set as a one-time event or as a recurring event. Event pauses can be set on a single controller on the Manage page and across multiple WeatherTRAK controllers on the Controllers page.

To Schedule an Event Pause

Multiple WeatherTRAK Controllers:

1. Go to WeatherTRAK.net.
2. From the Smart Irrigation tab select “Controllers”.
3. Select the checkbox next to the controller(s) you want to pause.
4. Under the Advanced bar (next to the green Send Rain Pause button) select “Scheduled Task-Event Pause”.
5. Enter the event name and start and stop dates and times.
6. If this is a recurring event, click the recurring task box.
7. Click Save to send the information to the controller.

Single WeatherTRAK controller

1. Go to WeatherTRAK.net.
2. From the Smart Irrigation tab select the “Manage Controller”.
3. Select the “edit” button next to the Event Pause label
4. Enter the event name and start and stop dates and times. (see figure 1).
5. If this is a recurring event, click the recurring task box.
6. Click Save to send the information to the controller.

Note: Stations in Auto mode will continue to accumulate depletion during the event pause. 

Firmware version required: LC and Pro3 require version 7.2 or later. Pro2 and Pro2 SWM require version 6.6 or later 

Pausing irrigation on WeatherTRAK controllers for rain

If you want to proactively pause the controller, or if the controller is not connected to a rain switch, we recommend using the Rain Pause feature. This feature is available at the controller, on the WeatherTRAK.net website, or through the WeatherTRAK Mobile app. 

User-Defined Rain Pause

The user-defined rain pause feature is designed to allow users to immediately pause WeatherTRAK controllers and keep them paused for a specific number of days. WeatherTRAK controllers will count down the rain pause day at the Program A start time. If you set a 1 day rain pause before the Program A start time, the controller immediately stops all irrigation, but will resume irrigation at the Program A start time. For longer pauses select more days.

To immediately pause irrigation during a rain event

Multiple WeatherTRAK Controllers:

1. Go to WeatherTRAK.net
2. From the Smart Irrigation tab select “Controllers”.
3. Select the checkbox next to the controller(s) you want to pause.
4. Click the green “Send Rain Pause” button at the top right corner of the screen.
5. Enter in the number of days you would like to pause the selected controllers.
6. Select the “Update depletion to 0%” checkbox if desired.
7. Click the “Send Rain Pause” button to send the information to the controller(s). 

Single WeatherTRAK controller:

1. Go to WeatherTRAK.net
2. From the Smart Irrigation tab select “Manage Controller”.
3. Select the “edit” button next to the Rain Pause label.
4. Enter in the number of days you would like to pause your controller.
5. Click the “Update Rain Pause” button to send the information to the controller.

Note: The rain pause value counts down a day at the Program A start-time (in versions before version 7.2 and 6.8 the controller counts down at midnight). 

Firmware Version Required: LC and Pro3 require version 7.2 or later. Pro2 and Pro2 SWM require version 6.6 or later

Pausing irrigation on WeatherTRAK controllers for winter or long non-irrigation periods

Use the Winterized off mode to pause controllers for winter or other long non-irrigation periods. Also, after placing the controller into winterize, users should also set the depletion values to zero. When the controller is in winterize mode, stations in Auto mode will not accumulate depletion. This feature is available at the controller, WeatherTRAK.net and WeatherTRAK Mobile app. 

To set the controller mode

Multiple WeatherTRAK Controllers:

1. Go to WeatherTRAK.net
2. From the Smart Irrigation tab select “Controllers”.
3. Select the checkbox next to the controller(s) you want to Winterize.
4. Under the Advanced bar (next to the green Send Rain Pause button) select “Update Controller Mode”.
5. Choose Winterized.
6. Click the blue “Update Mode” bar to set the selected controllers mode to Winterized.

Single WeatherTRAK controller:

1. Go to WeatherTRAK.net
2. From the Smart Irrigation tab select “Manage Controller”.
3. Select the “edit” button next to the Controller Mode label.
4. Select the Winterized radio button
5. Click the “Update Mode” button to set the controller mode to Winterized.

Note: Winterize requires version 7.2 on LC and Pro3 and version 6.6 on Pro2 and Pro2 SWM.

What is the difference between the different controller off and pause modes?

Each of the different off and pause modes provide different features. The table below describes how the controller acts in each of the different off and pause modes. The Controller Modes Off, Winterize and Shutdown cause the controller to immediately stop current and future irrigation indefinitely. Rain Pause stops irrigation immediately and counts down the user entered rain pause days at the start of Program A. Irrigation will resume when the rain pause days value is zero. Event Pause allows the user to schedule a pause in the future for a user-defined duration.

Note: 

• The Shutdown mode should not be used long term as continuous power to a solenoid may cause premature solenoid failure.
• Firmware Version Required: Off is supported in all firmware versions. Shutdown and Winterize require version 7.2 on LC and Pro3 and version 6.8 on Pro2 and Pro2 SWM.

Should I disconnect to the valve common wire to pause irrigation?

NO. Users should never disconnect the valve common wire on a WeatherTRAK controller. Due to built-in diagnostics which look for a broken or disconnected common-wire the controller still provides power to the valve solenoids and they may operate.