I have 2 HS3 systems with Rain8Net irrigation controllers and BLRain8Net plugins. For 3 years, one system has worked fine while the other is plagued with issues. The plagued system has had virtually every component replaced, including the cpu, but to no avail. However, that's not my question here. Many of these problems I could easily deal with except I dont know its a problem until my grass is dying (about 2 weeks in south Texas). And, inevitably, it happens when I'm out of town. I could more easily isolate the problem if I immediately knew the system wasn't really watering, but in real time all HS3 indicators, including the log, show that the event fired and valves were opened; Rain8Net apparently does not report back its actual status so all you know is that Rain8Net was instructed to open, not whether it actually did. Is there anyway to know definitively that a valve opened short of putting a water sensor on the sprinkler head?? Is there an inline water flo-sensor?? Is there an irrigation controller that reports its actual status??
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
HS3 says its watering, but its not...
Collapse
X
-
I put flow sensors on our main water line and also the line used for irrigation. Then I've set up HS to alert when there's flow when there should be none, or when there's no flow when there should be some. I use the DLJ water meters coupled with a mimolite. Fortrezz now has an integrated option too: http://www.fortrezz.com/flow-meter.
Cheers
AlHS 4.2.8.0: 2134 Devices 1252 Events
Z-Wave 3.0.10.0: 133 Nodes on one Z-Net
-
Originally posted by Sheriff View PostRain8Net apparently does not report back its actual status so all you know is that Rain8Net was instructed to open, not whether it actually did. Is there anyway to know definitively that a valve opened short of putting a water sensor on the sprinkler head?? Is there an inline water flo-sensor?? Is there an irrigation controller that reports its actual status??Mike____________________________________________________________ __________________
HS3 Pro Edition 3.0.0.548, NUC i3
HW: Stargate | NX8e | CAV6.6 | Squeezebox | PCS | WGL 800RF | RFXCOM | Vantage Pro | Green-Eye | Edgeport/8 | Way2Call | Ecobee3 | EtherRain | Ubiquiti
Comment
-
Here too used a DLJ water meter. Connected it to a dual 1-wire counter.
Went to the original Rain8Net serial devices (2).
Lines here are 1" copper to RPZ to plastic manifold to PVC zones. (plus an on demand Davey Flow pump).
Did have two Rain8net glitches over 10 years. One was relating to a thunderstorm / lighting thing trigger on solenoid on and not shutting off. Next one was a lightning strike taking out the two Rain8Nets.
I also originally went to using my Rain Tipping bucket then going to a digital water sensor (rain) for the irrigation stuff (along with just reading a csv file generated by the weather station).- Pete
Auto matorHomeseer 3 Pro - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e 64 bit Intel Haswell CPU 16Gb
Homeseer Zee2 (Lite) - 3.0.0.548 (Linux) - Ubuntu 18.04/W7e - CherryTrail x5-Z8350 BeeLink 4Gb BT3 Pro
HS4 Lite - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenovo Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram
HS4 Pro - V4.1.18.1 - Ubuntu 22.04 / Lenova Tiny M900 / 32Gb Ram
HSTouch on Intel tabletop tablets (Jogglers) - Asus AIO - Windows 11X10, UPB, Zigbee, ZWave and Wifi MQTT automation-Tasmota-Espurna. OmniPro 2, Russound zoned audio, Alexa, Cheaper RFID, W800 and Home Assistant
Comment
-
Originally posted by sparkman View PostI put flow sensors on our main water line and also the line used for irrigation. Then I've set up HS to alert when there's flow when there should be none, or when there's no flow when there should be some. I use the DLJ water meters coupled with a mimolite. Fortrezz now has an integrated option too: http://www.fortrezz.com/flow-meter.
Cheers
Al
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Comment
-
Originally posted by aldo View PostMy understanding is that you would need to add the physical meter as well to the existing meter correct? This means I would need also a plumber. Does anyone know if there is a device that can be attached on the meter to read its values without additional hardware? Here I have two meters one for the water and the one for the sewer and still the bill comes around $600 without watering it too much, this year the grass was completely yellow since I can not afford $1000 for three months. This device will definitely help me to figure out how much water I can use or that I have been using in a month period instead of 3 months.
Cheers
AlHS 4.2.8.0: 2134 Devices 1252 Events
Z-Wave 3.0.10.0: 133 Nodes on one Z-Net
Comment
-
No Mike, Rain8Net does not report its status. I can watch it: HS sends a command, but R8N does not light up the zone and relay to the valve. Nevertheless, HS device and log shows the instruction as successful. New question: what device will tell me if a 12 volt circuit is hot? Instead of screwing with the plumbing, I could put that device on the wiring for the first zone and see that it turned on.HS4Pro on Windows 10
One install with 2 Ethernet Z-nets
2nd install with 1 Ethernet Z-net
300 devices, 250 events, 8 scripts
6 CT-100 tstats
Serial IT-100 interface to DSC Panel with 8 wired zones
18 Fortrezz water sensors & two valve controls
Comment
-
Aren't your valves 24VAC? Simplest would be to hook up a relay meant for that voltage and then use something that can take a dry contact to signal HS. Mimolite is an option, X10 DS10, etc. I went with the flow meter because I had a valve once that got stuck in the open position which flooded part of the back yard and wasted a lot of water. Now I can detect it and also when the valves don't open when they should.HS 4.2.8.0: 2134 Devices 1252 Events
Z-Wave 3.0.10.0: 133 Nodes on one Z-Net
Comment
-
Hey Al,
Yes to 24V, I wasn't thinking. And thanks for the mimolite suggestion; that's what I was looking for. I've seen references to be mimolite on the board, but never knew what it was; that will work great. Thank you.HS4Pro on Windows 10
One install with 2 Ethernet Z-nets
2nd install with 1 Ethernet Z-net
300 devices, 250 events, 8 scripts
6 CT-100 tstats
Serial IT-100 interface to DSC Panel with 8 wired zones
18 Fortrezz water sensors & two valve controls
Comment
-
Originally posted by sparkman View PostYes, the DLJ meters are an addition. Should only be about an hour of labor to install. It may be possible to use our existing meter. Post a picture of it and do some googling as there may be info on the net on how to do that.
Cheers
Al
This is my meter
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Comment
-
Looks like it should be possible. Hold a compass close to it when water is flowing and if the compass needle moves on occasion, then it will work. Take a look here for some ideas: http://www.instructables.com/id/Moni...-reading-muni/. You may be able to use a reed switch which would be simpler.
Cheers
Al
PS For your second meter, put a volt meter across the two terminals when water is flowing. You should see a periodic change.HS 4.2.8.0: 2134 Devices 1252 Events
Z-Wave 3.0.10.0: 133 Nodes on one Z-Net
Comment
-
Originally posted by sparkman View PostLooks like it should be possible. Hold a compass close to it when water is flowing and if the compass needle moves on occasion, then it will work. Take a look here for some ideas: http://www.instructables.com/id/Moni...-reading-muni/. You may be able to use a reed switch which would be simpler.
Cheers
Al
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Comment
-
Originally posted by aldo View PostThanks, I'm trying to figure out what technology they use to read it from outside, then would be perhaps easy to use the same technique?HS 4.2.8.0: 2134 Devices 1252 Events
Z-Wave 3.0.10.0: 133 Nodes on one Z-Net
Comment
-
Originally posted by Sheriff View PostNo Mike, Rain8Net does not report its status. I can watch it: HS sends a command, but R8N does not light up the zone and relay to the valve. Nevertheless, HS device and log shows the instruction as successful.Mike____________________________________________________________ __________________
HS3 Pro Edition 3.0.0.548, NUC i3
HW: Stargate | NX8e | CAV6.6 | Squeezebox | PCS | WGL 800RF | RFXCOM | Vantage Pro | Green-Eye | Edgeport/8 | Way2Call | Ecobee3 | EtherRain | Ubiquiti
Comment
Comment