Overview
Once a site has been fully programmed and assessed it is ready to be optimized. The optimization process will lock all controllers' existing programming functions, so it is crucial that they are properly programmed before optimization occurs. The optimization process syncs all controllers together in the cloud, meaning that they will need to be setup via WeatherTRAK Central.
Warning!
You must ensure that a site does not have any leaks and is functioning correctly prior to optimizing your controller. When an OptiFlow controller undergoes the “Learned Flow” process during optimization it will record the water flow rates when each station is irrigating. If the station is leaking during this process, the controller will assume this is it's normal flow rate. If you are unable to fix a station in time, you can manually enter the flow rate by calculating the expected flow for each station, but this is a much more labor-intensive process.
Verify Readiness
Before starting the optimization stage, be sure that the OptiFlow Site Assessment is complete and all new, and existing controllers being upgraded, are working well.
1. Verify all existing controllers are compatible with OptiFlow.
• WeatherTRAK OptiFlow XR
• WeatherTRAK OptiFlow XR 2-Wire
• WeatherTRAK ET Pro3
• WeatherTRAK ET Pro3 2-Wire
2. Check alerts.
• No electrical alerts
• No flow alerts
• No hardware alerts
• No comm or subscription alerts. Make sure that the controllers are online and activated with a valid WeatherTRAK Central subscription
3. Verify that every active station has a valid flow rate.
4. Verify all stations are properly programmed.
Note
After an existing controller is upgraded to OptiFlow, changes to settings must be made using WeatherTRAK Central or the WeatherTRAK Mobile app. OptiFlow requires the latest WeatherTRAK Mobile app to perform certain field functions. Please download the latest app or upgrade your existing Mobile app.
Install the OptiFlow Key
Installing the OptiFlow Key on an existing OptiFlow compatible WeatherTRAK controller will enable the OptiFlow functionality on the controller and in WeatherTRAK Central. Note that you must install separate OptiFlow keys for each controller. Do not remove OptiFlow keys once they have been installed. Follow the installation instructions included with the OptiFlow Key. Once installed, do not remove the OptiFlow Key.
Configure Site
After the new OptiFlow XR controllers are installed, the OptiFlow Key is inserted in any existing ET Pro3, ET Pro3 2-Wire controllers, and all controllers are synchronized with WeatherTRAK Central; the next step is to use WeatherTRAK.net to configure the site. See detailed instructions in the OptiFlow
User Manual.
Check Optimization
Checking Pressure
After the site is configured, check station coverage at design capacity:
1. Determine the stations with the lowest pressure, such as those furthest from the POC, stations at the highest part of the site or stations with known low pressure issues.
2. Manually open those valves one at a time, using the internal valve bleed to achieve the system-wide design capacity flow rate.
3. Verify that the pressure meets the manufacturer’s sprinkler head design guidelines and that the overall coverage of the heads is appropriate for those station.
4. Visually verify that each of the station coverage and design capacity matches when irrigating independently.