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Hunter
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ET
User Manual
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Table of contents
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Hunter ET User Manual

ET System
Evapotranspiration Sensor and Module for Hunter Controllers with SmartPort®
Owner’s Manual and Programming Instructions
TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................................
Additional Tools and Materials ........................................4
Choose the Location .......................................................4
ET Sensor Wiring ............................................................5
Prevailing Wind Compensation .......................................5
Metal Fence Pole .............................................................6
Wooden Post ..................................................................6
Wall or Eave ....................................................................6
ET Module Wiring ...........................................................7
SRC or SRC Plus Controller Connection .........................8
Pro-C Controller Connection ...........................................8
ICC Controller Connection ..............................................8
Remote Control Connection ............................................9
ACC Controller Connection .............................................9
Test ...............................................................................11
Setup Overview .............................................................12
Global % Setting ...........................................................13
Initial Soil Deficit ...........................................................13
International Users – Metric Setting .............................13
Controller Type .............................................................13
Prepare the Controller ...................................................14
Set Time/Date ...............................................................15
Set Daylight Savings .....................................................15
Plant Type .....................................................................15
Maturity ........................................................................16
Type ..............................................................................16
Variety...........................................................................16
Site Info ........................................................................18
Slope ............................................................................18
Soil ...............................................................................18
Sun ...............................................................................19
Sprinkler Type ...............................................................19
Precip ...........................................................................19
Water Days ...................................................................20
Daily Start Time ............................................................21
WiltGard™ .....................................................................22
Rain Setting ..................................................................22
ET Setup .......................................................................23
Automatic .....................................................................24
Watering History ...........................................................25
View Sensor Date ..........................................................26
Reset ............................................................................26
FCC Notice .............................................................Back Cover
INTrOduCTION .......................................................................................................................................
The Hunter ET System allows irrigation programs to be created automatically, based on local climate conditions. These programs are then loaded into a compatible irrigation controller’s Program A (except ACC controllers, see page 14) and run automatically, on water days and at start times set by the system operator. Compatible controllers are Hunter Models SRC/SRC
ET System uses sensors to determine the local “evapotranspiration” (ET) rate of turf and plants. This is a formula which calculates how much wa ter the plants have lost, or consumed, due to local atmospheric conditions. Each ET System can be customized by station (or “zone”) for specific plant, soil, and sprinkler types.
The result is a new, water-efficient irrigation program every water day, based on local weather conditions.
Once installed, the ET-controller zones are programmed from the ET Module, rather than the controller itself. The ET Module will display the new program data for the climate-based irrigation.
The ET System allows manual station starts, and will also permit connection of an ICR or SRR remote control receiver.
This product is intended for turf and landscaping applications only, not intended for agricultural or scientific use.
Plus, Pro-C, ICC, and ACC with SmartPort® technology.
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C.
A.
D.
B.
ET SySTEm COmpONENTS ...................................................................................................................
ET System has two major components, and one optional accessory. All ET System components are low voltage (24 VAC or less).
A. ET Sensor
Sensor platform wired to the ET Module, which senses local
conditions. For external mounting up to 100 ft/33m from the Mod ule. Pole adapters included (requires other hardware for various mounting options).
B. ET Module
Electronic control and user interface for the ET System.
C. ET Wind (Optional)
Optional anemometer which senses wind speed. Provides more
sensitive ET measurement, especially in arid climates.
D. ET/ACC Adapter (Included)
­ For connection with ACC series controllers. The adapter is not
required for use with Hunter ICC, Pro-C, and SRC family
controllers.
SySTEm OvErvIEw ANd ET SySTEm OpErATION .........................................................................
The ET System can be simply and easily installed with any Hunter SmartPort®-equipped irrigation controller. The System consists of the ET Sensor, installed in or near an area typical of the irrigated plants, and the ET Module inter face box, installed next to the irrigation con troller. The ET Sensor measures solar radiation, air temperature, and relative humidity, and calculates the daily Evapotranspiration factor (ET) for the irrigation zones. This represents the amount of water lost by the plants to local climatic conditions, which needs to be replaced by irrigation. The optional ET Wind sensor will add evapotranspiration loss due to wind, along with automatic wind shutdown capability.
The ET Sensor also includes a Rain Gauge, which measures rainfall in either hundredths of an inch, or in millimeters. Rainfall will stop automatic irrigation which may be in progress, and a percentage of the rainfall itself will be added to the soil and subtracted automatically from the automatic irrigation, to prevent waste.
The ET Module receives the data from the ET Sensor, and applies it to the individual zones of irrigation. The ET Module has settings to
customize each zone’s plant, soil, and sprinkler types, so that ET data can be applied intelligently for each unique irrigation requirement. The ET Module is plugged into the controller’s SmartPort and adjusts ir
rigation run times to only replace the amount of water the plants have
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lost, at a rate at which they can absorb it. ET Module works by rewrit ing Program “A” of the local controller on a daily basis except the ACC controller (where it works independently of any programs).
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How ET System Decides to Water: Using the local ET Sensor readings and the ET Module’s database of station information, ET System pre dicts the Management Allowable Depletion of water (MAD) available to each plant type (ideally, a MAD of 30 to 50% is recommended for a healthy landscape).
Each day, ET System looks at the current depletion level, ET rate, plant type (crop coefficient and root zone), and whether the next day is an allowable watering day. Then the system performs a “look ahead” on the allowable watering days, to see if not watering now would take the MAD below 50% by the time a watering day is scheduled.
Finally, the decision to start a specific station is also based upon a minimum irrigation amount, to prevent shallow watering. Deeper watering events encourage healthy root systems and plant growth.
The calculation for minimum sprinkler runtime is based upon the soil type and capacity, where typically the MAD is between 30-50%. For the worst-case scenario, sandy soil with spray heads, the minimum
runtime would then be approximately 7 minutes.
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INSTALLINg ThE ET SENSOr ..............................................................................................................

Additional Tools and Materials

2 x 18 AWG/1mm dia. wire, solid or stranded (stranded preferred for flexibility). Provide enough wire to connect the Sensor to the Module (up to 100 ft/30m, green/black).
Shielded Wire: If wire runs absolutely must extend beyond 100 ft./30m, or the wire will be run through electrically noisy (high volt
age) environments, trouble can be minimized by using foil-shielded wire. If shielded wire is to be used, attach the shielding to the black wire on the sensor platform, ONLY. Do not ground the shield at each end, only at the sensor.
There is no benefit in using larger conductor wires. Shielding is of much greater benefit for longer runs of sensor wire. It may be pos
sible to double the recommended distance with shielded wire but this
is not guaranteed. If possible, extend the wire above-ground first and test in the actual location, before proceeding with a permanent instal
lation.
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Choose the Location

ET Sensor should be placed in an area representative of the plants it is designed to irrigate.
The ET Sensor should be
grass area, approximately 6 ft./2m above the grass, with approxi-
mately 6 ft./2m of turf grass surrounding it on all sides. The ET
Sensor weighs approximately 6 lbs./2.5kg.
This may not always be practical, so choose the actual location ac
cording to the following guidelines:
a) ET Sensor must be mounted within 100 ft./30m of the ET Module
and the controller.
b) Avoid positioning ET Sensor over large areas of concrete, asphalt,
roof tile, or shingles. These surfaces will cause the sensors to read much higher levels of ET than plants.
c) Choose a sunny location between 6 and 20 feet (2 and 7m) above
the ground.
post or pole-mounted in a full-sun turf
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15 ft/5m Clearance From Any Structure
ICC Controller
ET Module
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2 x 18 AWG/1mm, 100 ft/30m, Maximum
d) Do not mount the sensor where it will be hit by sprinkler spray or
other irrigation!
e) Do not mount the ET Sensor under a ledge or overhang, and avoid
placing it directly under tree canopies.
blocked sun and rain to function correctly!
f)
Do not mount the ET Sensor within falling distance of power lines! High voltage shocks can injure and kill.
ET Sensor
Minimum
ET Sensor needs un-
6 ft/2m
Above
Turf,
g) Position the ET Sensor where it can be reached for occasional ser-
vice. The rain gauge should be checked and cleaned once a month during the warmer months, to ensure that it is free of debris.
h) Avoid mounting sensor near any high intensity light, heat or infra
red sources as this may add excess ET amounts over time.
The ET Sensor is designed to adapt to steel fence poles (mounting adapters included, requires 2 2" U-bolts), 4x4 (or larger) posts, or eaves or walls.
Metal poles or weather-treated wooden posts are preferred, since
ET measurements will be somewhat less accurate if the sensor is
wall or eave-mounted.
Locate the 6-position screw terminal strip. Connect the two long conductors (18 AWG, green and black) to the appropriately labeled terminals. If an ET Wind Sensor is to be installed, this is also the time to connect the wires.
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Prevailing Wind Compensation

If ET Wind will not be connected, a factor for average prevailing winds in the installation area
Green and Black Wires

ET Sensor Wiring

Before mounting the ET Sensor, connect the 18 AWG wires to the terminal strip. This operation is much easier on the ground, prior to mounting the sensor.
Locate the wiring compartment cover on the bottom of the ET Sensor. This is a trap door, secured with 2 screws. Remove the wiring com
partment door screws and set in a safe place, and remove the wiring compartment door.
Table 1
Avg. Wind 1mph 2mph 3mph 4mph 5mph 6mph 7mph
DIP setting 1.6kph 3.2kph 4.8kph 6.4kph 8kph 9.6kph 11.2kph
SW 1 On Off On Off Off Off On
SW 2 Off On On Off Off On On
SW 3 Off Off Off On Off On On
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White Wire Blue Wire
ON
OFF
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
can be entered while the wiring door is removed. The factory default setting is 5 mph (8 kph). With the wiring cover removed, a DIP switch is visible allowing other prevailing average wind speeds to be set, according to the Table 1 (note that Switch 4 is not used).
If the optional ET Wind sensor is installed, mount the ET Wind sensor according to its instructions, and connect the blue and white conductors from the ET Sensor to the appropriately labeled terminals and secure their screws. Do not reverse the blue and white wire connections from ET Wind…con
nect as shown!
Replace the wiring compartment door and secure with the screws.
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Metal Fence Pole

Steel adapters are supplied for most popular sizes
of galvanized steel fence posts, 2" diameter and
smaller.
Additional materials (not supplied): 2 x 2" galva-
nized or stainless steel U-bolts, 3" long or greater
4 nuts and washers for U-bolts
90 lb. bag of concrete
If pole is new construction for specific purpose of mounting ET Sensor, dig approximately 12" x 12" hole and fill with approximately one 90 lb. bag of concrete, or place as required by local code. Insert pole, check with level and straighten, and brace until concrete is firmly set.
Insert U-bolts around pole through steel pole adaptors, and through mating holes in ET Sensor back plane. Add washers, thread nuts onto U-bolt,
and tighten. Do not overtighten.
Route ET Sensor wire (2 x 18 AWG conductors) to
ground surface or burial trench, and run back to ET Module.
External mounting in outdoor low voltage conduit (for the above-
ground exposed portion of the wire run) is recom mended for protection from the elements.

Wooden Post

Additional materials (not supplied): 4x4" pres-
sure-treated, outdoor, direct-burial grade 4x4" or larger post.
4 x ¼" dia. x 1½" long galvanized or stainless steel lag bolts and washers
Nut driver for lag bolts
90 lb. bag of concrete
Dig approximately 12" x 12" hole (or greater, as lo
cal code dictates) and fill with approximately one 90 lb.
bag of concrete. Insert post, check with level and straighten,
and brace until concrete is firmly set.
Level, mark, and drill pilot holes for 4 lag screws through back of ET Sensor holes. Insert lag bolts and washers through mounting hole in backplane of ET Sensor and tighten. Do not overtighten.
Route ET Sensor wire (2 x 18 AWG conductors) to ground sur face or burial trench, and run back to ET Module.
External mounting in outdoor low voltage conduit (for the above­ground exposed portion of the wire run) is recommended for protec
tion from the elements.

Wall or Eave

Additional materials (not supplied): 4 x ¼" dia. x 1.5" long galvanized
or stainless steel lag bolts and washers.
Nut driver for lag bolts.
Level, mark, and drill pilot holes for 4 lag screws through back of ET Sensor holes. Insert lag bolts and washers through mounting hole in backplane of ET Sensor and tighten. Do not overtighten.
Route ET Sensor wire (2 x 18 AWG conductors) to ground sur face or burial trench, and run back to ET Module.
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Orange, or Blue-And-White-Striped
in some versions
Controller Connections
(ET System Only)
Blue: REM
White: AC2
Red: AC1
To ET Sensor
Green
Black
External mounting in outdoor low voltage conduit (for the above­ground exposed portion of the wire run) is recommended for protec
tion from the elements.
INSTALLINg ThE ET mOduLE ..............................................................................................................
The ET Module is designed to be wall-mounted, either in or outdoor, immediately next (6 ft./2m) to the Hunter SmartPort-equipped irriga
tion controller (including models SRC, Pro-C, ICC, and ACC). The ET
Module is low-voltage only and does not require a separate high-volt
age power connection.
The ET Module is connected to the ET Sensor via the two 18 AWG con
ductors (up to 100 ft./30m away), and then wired into the SmartPort wiring terminals inside the controller.
To wall mount the ET Module, choose a location within 6 ft./2m of the controller. Avoid direct sunlight when possible (to enhance visibility of the LCD display). Verify that the wallboard construction is of sufficient strength to securely mount the small, lightweight enclosure.
The 6-conductor umbilical cord extends through the shielded hole in the bottom of the enclosure. Verify that it remains clear and accessible when securing the enclosure to the wall.
Use two anchors or self-tapping screws of minimum #12 (5.5mm) diameter to secure the ET Module enclosure to the wall.
Turn off AC power to the irrigation controller, before connecting the
ET Module to the controller! The ET System receives its power from
the SmartPort connection to the Hunter controller. Do not connect the ET Module to the controller while AC power is turned on.

ET Module Wiring

The 6-conductor umbilical cord from the ET Module is color-coded to simplify connections.
Do NOT connect 110/230V high-voltage power to the ET System!
Make all wiring connections with approved butt splices or wire
nuts for 18 AWG/1mm wire, and place the splices in a suitable
junction box. Conduit is recommended for both indoor and
outdoor installations.
In all cases, ensure that any exposed wire loop from the ET Sensor to
the wire routing conduit does not swing freely in the wind, as this will
­shorten its life.
Install CR2032 backup battery for date/time backup in event of power
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failure (battery included with mounting hardware). Battery must be installed with + visible, facing toward the installer.
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If connecting the ET System to an ACC series controller, see ACC section for special installation instructions.
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ICC, Pro-C, and SRC controllers (ACC special instructions in next section): Connect the green and black 18 AWG/1mm wires from the
Install CR2032 lithium battery (included)
under cover for time/date backup.
Inst all CR 2032 bat ter y
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