SENTINEL FIELD CONTROLLER User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER 1: SENTINEL CONTROL MODULE................................... 4 I. CONTROL MODULE OVERVIEW ......................................................................... 4 II. USER INTERFACE OVERVIEW (KEYPAD & DISPLAY) ................................. 5 Sentinel Control Module Keypad ......................................................................................................... 5 Sentinel Control Module Display .................................................................
IV. ALARMS MENU ................................................................................................... 26 Master Minimum ................................................................................................................................ 26 Unexpected Flow ................................................................................................................................ 26 Over Flows........................................................................................
CHAPTER 1: SENTINEL CONTROL MODULE I. CONTROL MODULE OVERVIEW Your Sentinel Controller Interface has three main elements to use throughout the programming process. These are: Program Instructions Card Display Keypad The display, keypad and program instructions card are located on the front panel of the satellite control module. Programming as covered in this User’s Guide will be through the keypad and display (not through the central software).
Other visible elements of the satellite control module include the radio antenna connector, the station output ports (up to four 15-pin connectors), and the red “power on” light, all located on the bottom front side of the control module. The back side panel of the control module is where the serial port (9-pin connector), data retrieval port (9-pin connector) and two fuse sockets are located. A red LED light is provided next to the fuse socket to indicate a blown fuse.
CLUSTER / SCHEDULE SELECT Key PROGRAM SELECT Key This button will be described in more detail in later parts of this guide. Used for selecting Clusters (groups of 4 programs) or schedules (run days) when programming. This button will be described in more detail in later pars of this guide. Used for selecting the Program (1-4) associated with a Clusters when programming.
The standard indicators in the display are as follows: TIME + Hours : Minutes (12-hour format) AM PM Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Week 1 (one) of Schedule Week 2 (two) of Schedule Week 3 (three) of Schedule Week 4 (four) of Schedule Week 5 (five) of Schedule Week 6 (six) of Schedule Sensor Activated - Switch sensor is in alternate of its Normal condition. E.g. If Normally Open, then 1 = Sensor Closed.
III. PROGRAMMING OVERVIEW & NAVIGATION The Sentinel Controller is programmed by navigating through a Main Menu which includes seven options: Operations, Utility, Alarms, Flow, Schedule Data, Program Data, and Zone/ET Data. Each of these Main Menu options has a Submenu for entering and changing data. This structure is detailed below as well as being shown on the Program Instructions Card on the control module itself.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Start Times Slot-Station-Time Percent Scale Repeats Repeat Delay time Continuous Run Water Window Assigned Schedule Plant Factor Application Rate Default ET Maximum ET Program ET Toggle Station Type Map Stations The controller normal mode (default) screen looks like: • To enter the Main Menu from this default screen, you need to hit any of the arrow keys on the keypad: , , , or . This will bring up the OPERATIONS option of the Main menu.
CHAPTER 2: BASIC CONTROLLER PROGRAMMING This section will provide the information on how to program the basic elements for automatic irrigation to occur. The following Menus and Submenu items will be used in this programming: Menu Submenu • • • • • UTILITY Time & Day Day Change Hour Unit Code Station Count Master Valve SCHEDULE DATA • Run Days • • • • • • • • PROGRAM DATA Start Times Slot-Station-Time Percent Scale Repeats Repeat Delay Time Continuous Run Water Window Assigned Schedule I.
Hit the Down Arrow ( ), once to access the Utility Submenu and the first submenu option of Time & Day: Hit Enter ( ) to access the Time & Day Edit Mode: You are now in the Edit Mode and can change the Time, Day, and Schedule Week in the controller. As in the example display above, the first digit of the hour should be have the cursor under it, indicating you can change this value. Use the Numeric keys to change the Time.
Hit the Down Arrow ( ), once to access the submenu option of Day Change Hour: IMPORTANT: From this point forward in the User’s Guide, we will not show step-by step the navigation through the Main Menu and the Submenus and into the Edit Mode for each submenu. Navigation, editing, cursor movement, etc, works the same for all functions in controller programming. Note: You must remember to hit ENTER ( changes will not be saved.
Position the cursor using the Right and Left Arrow keys ( , or ) under the digit being edited. Use the numeric keys on the keypad to edit. Press ENTER key ( editing. ) to save after IMPORTANT: The unit code is required for Central Control operations. Even if most of the satellite programming will be from the central software, you need to set the Unit Code. UTILITY → Station Count → Edit Mode Use this menu to inform the controller the number of stations it has.
II. SCHEDULE SETUP • Run Days Schedule refers to the days of the week you want a program to run. Up to 16 unique watering day schedules can be defined in the Sentinel Controller. For identification, each schedule has a number assignment ranging from 1–16. In the Display of the controller, the schedules will be indicated by “S” and then the two-digit schedule Number (01, 02,… 16). For example, Schedule 12 would be shown as “S12.
As example, a Visual Representation of an every other day schedule follows: WK1 WK2 WK3 WK4 WK5 WK6 SU ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF MO OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON TU ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF WE OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON TH ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF FR OFF ON OFF ON OFF ON SA ON OFF ON OFF ON OFF Summary: 16 Schedules: S01, S02,….S16 6 Weeks per Schedule: WK1, WK2, WK3, WK4, WK5, WK6 7 Days per Week: SU, MO, TU, WE, TH, FR, SA If you did not set current week in Time/Day – go back and do it. III.
Use the CLUSTER/SCHEDULE SELECT ( ) and the PROGRAM SELECT ( ) keys to select the desired cluster & program, respectively. Use the Left and Right Arrow keys ( , ) to position the cursor under the field being edited and edit as desired. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys ( ST 8). , ) to select the Start Time to edit (ST 1, ST2,… , ) to toggle to the A (AM) or P (PM). Use the Numeric Keys to set the time. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys ( To eliminate a start time, press the OFF / NO key ( Press ENTER ( ).
Slot-Stn-Time Submenu Edit Mode: The second line of the display indicates as follows: CAP1 = Cluster A, Program 1 01-01-0:10 = Slot 1 - Station 1 – 10 Minutes From the factory, the Slot and Station numbers are set to be the same; i.e., Station 1 is assigned to Slot 1 and will run first. Station 2 will run next in Slot 2, etc. Use the CLUSTER/SCHEDULE SELECT key select the desired cluster program.
PROGRAM DATA → Percent Scale → Edit Mode Percent Scale Adjusts the run time of all stations assigned to the program by percentage ranging from 0 to 255% (100% = no change). Use the CLUSTER SELECT and the PROGRAM SELECT keys to select the desired cluster program. Position the cursor under the field being edited and edit as desired. Press ENTER to save. PROGRAM DATA → Repeats → Edit Mode Repeats enables the watering cycle to be repeated from 1 to 250 times per start time.
PROGRAM DATA → Continuous Run → Edit Mode Selecting Continuous Run will automatically repeat the program cycle continuously for the defined Water Window duration. The controller is capable of running any one or combination of programs continuously. To manually start the desired cluster program, use the same procedure as in Auto Slot/Stn. Use the CLUSTER SELECT and the PROGRAM SELECT keys to select the desired cluster program. Use the ON and OFF keys to turn continuous run on and off. Press ENTER to save.
Use the CLUSTER SELECT and the PROGRAM SELECT keys to select the desired cluster program. Use the Right and Left arrow keys to position the cursor under the field to be edited and edit as desired. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select from schedule 1– 4. Press ENTER after any change to save.
IMPORTANT! At this point, you have completed the required steps for Automatic Irrigation to occur. The remaining instructions in this user guide deal with advanced operations and functionality not yet covered.
CHAPTER 3: ADVANCED PROGRAMMING This section covers Menus and Submenus not covered as part of Basic Programming. I. OPERATIONS MENU • • • • • • Manual Auto Slot / Station Rain Off Days All manuals Off All Autos Off Station Days Off Manual (Manual Station) To manually operate stations, select Manual and press ENTER. Use the Up or Down arrow key to select the desired station number. Use the ON/YES key to turn the station On and the OFF/NO key to turn the station Off.
Rain Off Days This menu item allows you to disable any program for a specific number of days. Select the Rain Off Days menu using the Right and Left arrow key. Use the CLUSTER SELECT and the PROGRAM SELECT keys to select the desired cluster program. Use the Right and Left arrow keys to place the cursor under the digit being changed (the number of days you want to activate rain shut down). Use the number keys on the keypad to edit the digit as desired. Press the ENTER key to save the new rain day value.
Manually clearing the station times in all 16 programs can be time consuming without this option. Wireless Group Function Not Used – Removed in Firmware Version 1.42 Map Unit Precode Function Not Used – Removed in Firmware Version 1.42 Two-Wire / Irritrol Mode The default/standard setting for this option is OFF. Set this option to ON if the Sentinel is connected to an Irritrol MC via RetroLink Card or if connected to a Two-Wire system. Press ENTER to save your selection. III.
Current Flow Selecting this menu item will display the current flow meter reading in gallons per minute. Press ENTER to update the display as often as desired. Expected Flows This menu allows you to enter/edit the Expected Flow values (in gallons per minute) for individual stations. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to select stations and the Right and Left arrow keys to position the cursor under the digit being edited. Edit as desired and press ENTER to save the flow value.
IV. ALARMS MENU • • • • • • • • Master Minimum Unexpected Flow Over Flows Over Currents Clear Flow Alarms Clear Fuse Alarms Clear Map Alarms Clear Power Fail Note: The controller is capable of posting alarms when it detects excessive water flow or excessive current. Master Minimum Selecting this menu item will display the status of the minimum flow alarm. The normal status of this flag is off. It may be toggled on or off by using the Up and Down arrow keys.
Clear the alarm by selecting the desired station and pressing the OFF key. A station may be disabled or eliminated from auto operation by manually turning the alarm status to ON. This is useful if the station is in need of repair or if disabling is desired for a single station. Note: Disabling a station by setting its alarm status to ON does not change the length of time a program runs. The program will still reserve a time slot during operation, but will not energize the station.
V. ZONE / ET DATA MENU • • • • • • • Plant Factor Application Rate Default ET Maximum ET Program ET Toggle Station Type Map Station Note: The controller is capable of running irrigation programs based on ET (evapotranspiration). When the ET functions are activated, the controller automatically adjusts program run times according to the ET data. A weather station or ET gauge needs to be connected to the sensor input terminals of the controller or at the central to provide ET data.
Program ET Toggle Set to ON for any programs you wish to run based on ET values, for time-based watering set to OFF. Station Type The following station types are available: UNIVRSAL – Use this option to turn on outputs locally and on a universal map to (when mapped) (this is the default option) LOCAL – Use this option to turn outputs on locally (out the front of the satellite). BL-FL/PR – Not currently utilized. Baseline Flow & Pressure. BL-SENS2 – Not currently utilized. Baseline Sensor.
Set PPP = 000 Set CCC = unit code of map to universal field unit Set NN = map to universal output number BASELINE: SS corresponds to the Baseline decoder address, mapped in the Baseline setup software to a physical decoder Set PPP = 000 Set CCC = 001 (address of Baseline gateway connected to Sentinel serial port) Set NN = Baseline decoder output number 01-04 TORO-2WD: Set PPP/CCC = 0 + 5 digit decoder address Set NN = decoder output number 01-04 WIRELESS Output: Set PPP/CC to 000/00 The last C digit is the
