Hortau IRS04183 User Manual

USER

MANUAL

1 IRROLIS SENSE Tx

2 WARNING

3 IMPORTANT NOTICE

FOR SERVICE PLEASE CALL

1-888-5-HORTAU

Irrolis Sense Tx

probes are

4 FEATURES

5 GETTING STARTED

5 GETTING STARTED

6 OPERATION

-

TIPS

6 OPERATIO

N - TIPS

6 OPERATION

-

TIPS

6 OPERATION

-

TIPS

8 STORAGE

9 TROUBLESHOOTING

10 SPECIFICATIONS

7 COMMUNICATION

Filling bottle

Allen Key

IRROLIS SENSE Tx

SOIL AND SUBSTRATE TENSION MEASUREMENT

derived from a classical
tensiometer technology that
allows readings of soil and
substrate tension for
optimized plant growing,
experiment monitoring and
environmental follow-up.

LCD Display

The tension measurement is displayed on the LCD
Display. The LCD Display is always ON when the
device is powered. If the device is equipped with a
temperature sensor (optional), both tension and
temperature measurements are displayed alternatively.

Low Battery Indicator

When the battery level is getting low, an ar row is
displayed next to the Low Battery pictogram.

Units

The IRROLIS SENSE Tx displays soil or substrate
tension in kilopascal (kPa) or centibar (cbar), two
equivalent measurement units. The temperature
(optional) is displayed in ºC (Fahrenheit in USA).

Analog Output Connector

The IRROLIS SENSE Tx is equipped with an Analog
Output Connector. This feature enables connection
with most analog data loggers and control systems.

Dust Cap

The Analog Output Connector and Battery Pack
Connector are equipped with Dust Caps to protect
against dust and debris accumulation. Leave them in
place when connectors are not in use.

INSERTING AND CHANGING BATTERIES

1. Separate the cover from the housing of the Battery Pack.

2. Remove the used batteries (if any).

3. Insert two (2) new AA batteries.

4. Verify that the gasket is well positioned.

5. Put in place the cover on top of the IRROLIS SENSE Tx.

6. Screw back the four (4) screws.

Before using or preparing your IRROLIS SENSE Tx, check that you

have all parts at hand and in good working order.

Handle the IRROLIS SENSE Tx with care at all times.

The Cer amic Tip MUST be in contact with soil or
substrate in order to generate an accurate reading.

Do NOT put the Ceramic Tip in contact with oil, fats or
any contaminant that could affect its wetability.

Never totally immerse the IRROLIS SENSE Tx.

The IRROLIS SENSE Tx is sealed and cannot be
opened except for the Water Inlet and the Ceramic Tip
which can be replaced if broken.

Protect the Ceramic Tip at all times against shocks.

The IRROLIS SENSE Tx should be protected at all
times against frost. Under no circumstances should the
storage temperature be bellow 5 ºC (40 Fahrenheit).

Avoid exposure to magnetic fields.

Do not expose to extreme temperatures.

When powered-on, the IRROLIS SENSE Tx goes through an
initialization routine :

1. Battery voltage displayed.

2. Tension displayed (the IRROLIS SENSE Tx is now ready).

INSTALLING THE ANTENNA

FILLING THE IRROLIS SENSE Tx

1. Unscrew the cap of the Filling Bottle

2. Pour drinking water in the Filling Bottle and screw the cap back.

3. Using the Hexagonal Key, remove completely the Water Set
Screw.

4. Squeeze the Filling Bottle to push water in the IRROLIS SENSE
Tx directly.

IMPORTANT

1. Screw the Antenna on the Antenna Connector.
Make sure the Antenna is tightly screwed. This
will ensure good transmission.

The user manual or instruction manual for an intentional or
unintentional radiator shall caution the user that changes or
modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any
interference, including interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device. To reduce potential radio interference to other
users, the antenna type and its gain should be so cho sen that the
equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) is not more than that
required for successful communication. This equipment has been
tested and found to comply with the limits for Class A digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide re asonable protection against harmful interference when the
equipment is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio freq uency and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instruction manual, m ay cause
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation of this
equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful inte rference
in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at its
own expense. This device has been designed to operate with an
antenna having a maximum gain of 2.2 dB. Antenna having a higher
gain is strictly prohibited per regulations of Industry Canada. The
required antenna impedance is 50 ohms. The ¼ wave antenna
provided with this device has a gain of 2.2 dB and is manufactured by
Antenna Factor (P/N ANT-418-CW-QW).

5. Using the Hexagonal Key, screw the Water Set Screw back,
making sure it is firmly tightened.

6. Your IRROLIS SENSE Tx is now ready to use.

STORING THE IRROLIS SENSE Tx WHILE FILLED

If you do not install the IRROLIS SENSE Tx after filling it, it is
recommended to leave it with the Ceramic Tip in contact with free
water. A convenient tip is to place the IRROLIS SENSE Tx in a
bucket containing two (2) inches of water until it is installed.
Otherwise, the Ceramic Tip will dry and the IRROLIS SENSE Tx will
eventually empty.

The plants (growth stage, size, species, etc.) and the ambient
conditions, as well as the characteristics of the soil or substrate, are
variable parameters. Hence, soil water tension (moisture) varies from
one location to the next. Here is how to choose a location for the
IRROLIS SENSE Tx and determine the number of IRROLIS SENSE
Tx needed in a given situation.

DEFINING IRRIGATION ZONES

If your irrigation system is installed, this exercise must have been
completed during the design stage of the system. Normally, an
irrigation valve controls the watering for a specific zone. Watering in
this zone is relatively uniform; henc e the plants it contains must
normally have similar water needs. If you water manually, define the
zones where plants have similar water needs. Install at least one (1)
IRROLIS SENSE Tx per irrigation zone. Ideally, five (5) IRROLIS
SENSE Tx are needed to manage irrigation and obtain an average
representation of the water needs of plants within a given irrigation
zone. However, three (3) IRROLIS SENSE Tx are often en ough to
ensure proper management within a zone.

Autonomous Mode

The tension measurement can be read directly on the LCD
Display. The display is refreshed on a random average of
five (5) minutes for the Tx-80 model, and every two (2)
minutes for the Tx-07 model.

Analog Mode

The IRROLIS SENSE Tx can be connected to an irrigation
control system or a data logging system by a wire linked to
the Analog Connector. It is necessary to supply power to the
IRROLIS SENSE Tx through the analog connector to get a
voltage output. To transform the output voltage into tension,
use the following equations where “y” is tension in kPa or
cbar and “x” is voltage in Volt:
To-07 and To-07-WL : ( y) = 2,4069 (x) - 0,2537
To-35 and To-35-WL : (y) = 11,9750 (x) - 1,1032

Wireless Mode

The tension and temperature (optional) measurements, as
well as the battery level and the wireless signal quality, are
transmitted to the IRROLIS COM WR (Hortau’s wireless
receiver, P/N 6010). The Irricom WR translates the wireless
signal into a RS-232 signal that can be used by your PC
computer using the Irrolis Software by Hortau (P/N 5001).
For installation and use, please refer to the User Guide of
the IRROLIS COM WR provided with it.

SOIL TENSION IS A VARIABLE PARAMETER BASED ON, AMONG

OTHERS, CLIMATIC CONDITIONS, AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS.

THE IRROLIS SENSE Tx PERFORMS A MEASUREMENT FROM THE

LOCATION WHERE IT HAS BEEN INSTALLED. THIS IN NO WAY

GUARANTEES THAT THE TENSION READING WOULD BE THE

SAME AT ANOTHER LOCATION, EVEN IF IT WERE CLOSE TO THE

INSTRUMENT. THE IRROLIS SENSE TX CANNOT IN ANY CASE

INSERTING THE IRROLIS SENSE Tx INTO THE SOIL OR
SUBSTRATE

1. Determine depth of penetration

For plants growing in a pot or in a grow bag, the penetration depth
must be equal to half the height of the pot or bag. As for fie ld-grown
plants, the penetration depth must be equal to the average rooting
depth of the plants.

When not in use, the IRROLIS SENSE Tx should be stored properly.
This will prevent some damage and extend the shelf life of the device.

STORING THE IRROLIS SENSE Tx

1. Remove the device from the soil or substrate.

2. Wash the aluminium casing and the Ceramic Tip with water.

3. Remove the batteries from the IRROLIS SENSE Tx following the

4. Release the pr essure from the sensor by removing the Water Set

5. Store the IRROLIS SENSE Tx in a d ry place. Storage

THE IRROLIS SENSE TX SHOULD BE PROTECTED AGAINST FROST

REPLACE PERSONAL JUDGEMENT.

THE NUMBER OF IRROLIS SENSE Tx PER IRRIGATION ZONE IS
GIVEN FOR INDICATION ONLY. EVERY SITUATION INVOLVES

PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED

IN THIS MANUAL. THESE INDICATIONS CANNOT IN ANY WAY

REPLACE PERSONAL JUDGEMENT.

INSERTING AND CHANGING THE BATTERIES instructions of
section 5 - GETTING STARTED of this manual.

Screw using the Hexagonal Key.

temperature must stay between 5 and 30 ºC (40 and 85
Fahrenheit)

AT ALL TIMES. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD THE

STORAGE TEMPERATURE BE BELOW 5 ºC (40 FAHRENHEIT).

2. Preparing the insertion hole

Using a 25 mm ( 1 in.) diameter rod, make an insertion hole in the soil
or substrate where the IRROLIS SE NSE Tx will be installed. Once
inserted in the soil, the entire surface of the Ceramic Tip must remain
in contact with the soil. Therefore, do not insert the rod at a depth
exceeding the penetration depth of the IRROLIS SE NSE Tx to allow
the Ceramic Tip to remain in contact with the soil at the bottom of the
insertion hole. For deep insertion it might be difficult to insert a rod in
the soil. To make the insertion easier, pour water at the surface prior
making the hole, and pour some more water in the ho le as you go
deeper. This will make the soil easier to dig. A 25 m m (1 in.) power­driven drill will make deep installation faster and easier. The blue line
on the metal tube of the IRROLIS SENSE Tx indicates the maximum
insertion depth, this in order to leave the Air Set Screw above soil.

Displaying

1. Normal while the Ceramic Tip is in the water for a

H20 while
the Ceramic
Tip is in the
water

No Display 1. Verify that the batteries are not dead by replacing

Worn or
broken
Ceramic Tip

Displaying
H2O
constantly

long time.

2. Insert the Ceramic Tip into the soil and wait 15
minutes.

them with new ones.

1. The material us ed for the end piece is brittle.
Minute splinters and scratches may appear at its
surface with extended use. These do not hinder
the good operation of the instrument.

2. If the end piece is broken, order a replacement
from your local distributor

1. The IRROLIS SENSE Tx is empty and needs to
be refilled in order to work properly. Just refill it
with water following the FILLING THE IRROLIS
SENSE Tx instructions of section 5 - GETTING
STARTED of this manual

Or

2. The IRROLIS SENSE Tx is in contact with the
water table. Wait for the soil to dry.

3. Inserting the IRROLIS SENSE Tx
Insert the IRROLIS SENSE Tx, the Ceramic Tip first, by pushing
lightly on the Hortimetre Head. Do not exert undue pressure on the
Hortimetre Head. If it does not glide in easily, widen the inser tion hole
by using a 30 mm (1 1/4 in.) diameter metal rod. Try once more. If it
is still not possible to push the IRROLIS SENSE Tx into the insertion
hole, dig another hole at a different place. While inserting the
IRROLIS SENSE Tx, be careful not to unscrew the Ceramic Tip by
rotating the IRROLIS SENSE Tx counter clockwise. Once the
installation is done, replace soil o r subs trate around the Stainless
Steel Tubing to avoid water infiltration along the tube.

4. Wetting the soil

Once installed, it is recommended to pour water at the soil or
substrate surface, around the IRROLIS SENSE Tx, to ensure
adequate contact between the Ceramic Tip and the soil or substrate.

5. Operation / Maintenance

The IRROLIS SENSE Tx is designed to redu ce the maintenance to a
minimum. However, if the soil tension g ets high low or after long use
periods, the IRROLIS SENSE Tx might need to be refilled. In such
cases, the IRROLIS SENSE Tx will display the value H2O. This
display indicates that a refilling is required.

Power Supply

RF Frequency

Tension Range

Analog Data
Output

Analog wires
color code

2.2 to 3.3 Volt DC

418 MHz

0.0 – 7.0 kPa (cbar):
Models Tx-07

0.0 – 80.0 kPa (cbar):
Models Tx-80

0.0 – 3.3 Volt DC

Red wire: Supply (+)
Black wire (twisted with red wire): Ground (-)
White wire: Signal (+)
Black wire (twisted with white wire): Signal (-)

HORTAU INC.

735, rue de l’Eglise
St-Romuald, QC G6W 5M6
CANADA
1-888-5-HORTAU
www.hortau.com