Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the Alert Message
The Water Source Empty Pressure Sensor alert indicates that a cistern or tank has reached its minimum water level threshold and the system has automatically shut down watering operations for that water source.
The alert message includes several key pieces of information:
- Water Source: The specific water source number that has been shut down (e.g., Water Source 3)
- Date and Time: When the empty condition was detected
- Priority: Typically marked as Medium
- Device: The pressure sensor device ID (e.g., C000262)
- Limit versus Value: Shows the configured empty threshold compared to the current pressure reading (e.g., 8.6 psi limit versus 0.4 psi actual)
What Happens When This Alert Triggers
When the pressure sensor detects that the cistern has reached the empty threshold, the system takes immediate protective action. The cistern for the affected water source is empty, as indicated by the pressure limit being reached. All watering through that water source stops automatically, and any zones supplied by that water source will not receive water until the cistern refills.
The impact is isolated to only the zones downstream of the affected water source. Other water sources and their associated zones continue to operate normally and are not impacted by the empty condition.
Common Causes and Configuration
This alert occurs when a pressure transducer has been intentionally installed to monitor cistern water level and an empty condition has been enabled for the water source. This is a deliberate configuration designed to protect the system from running dry.
The empty condition configuration can be viewed on the Flow tab under the specific water source.
The settings include:
- Pressure Sensor: The device ID of the pressure transducer monitoring the tank
- Pressure-to-Water Level Relationship: Each foot of water in the tank generates 0.433 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure
- Full Tank Pressure: Calculated based on tank height (e.g., a 20-foot tall tank has 8.66 psi when completely full)
- Empty Level Threshold: The pressure value that triggers the empty condition (e.g., 0.4 psi equals approximately one foot of water)
- Wait Time: The interval before the system rechecks the water level (e.g., 60 minutes)
How the Wait Time Works
Once the pressure drops below the empty threshold, the system will wait for the configured wait time before checking the level again. This allows the cistern time to refill before the system attempts to resume watering operations. For example, with a 60-minute wait time, the system will check the pressure level again after 60 minutes to determine if the cistern has filled back up sufficiently to resume operations.
Troubleshooting the Empty Condition
1. Start by asking whether the empty condition was intended. This is the most important first question when addressing this alert.
2. If you intentionally configured the system to stop using the water source when the pressure or water level is too low, no immediate troubleshooting is required. The system is functioning as designed to protect itself from damage.
3. Wait at least 60 minutes (or whatever wait time you programmed) to allow the cistern to refill. The system will automatically recheck the water level after this interval and resume operations if sufficient water is available.
Using an Alternate Water Source
If you need to maintain watering operations while the primary cistern refills, you can connect to an alternate water source. The system supports water source priorities that allow automatic switching to a backup water source when the primary source becomes unavailable. This ensures continuous irrigation coverage even when one water source is temporarily out of service due to low water levels.
Video Walkthrough
Video originally published June 2021.
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.