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EVOLUTION® Series Add-On:
LISTED
EVOLUTION® Series Add-On:
Precision™ Soil Sensor
Precision™ Soil Sensor
Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing Toro’s new EVOLUTION®
controller with the Precision™ Soil Sensor add-on. With the
Precision™ Soil Sensor add-on, you will quickly realize savings
in both time and money while keeping your garden healthy
and beautiful.
Specifications
• Power Supply: 4.5 VDC supplied by three size-AA alkaline batteries
• Housing Material: High-impact, UV-resistant ABS
• Moisture Protection: Electronic circuitry encased in solid epoxy;
battery compartment sealed by O-ring
• Signal Quality Indicator: Tri-colored (Red, Yellow, Green) LED
• Stainless steel electrodes
• Built-in installation anchor stakes
• RF reception range: 500’ (152 m) LOS (line of sight)
• Operating Temperature: 14° F – 131° F (-10°C to +55°C)
FCC-ID: OF753851
IC: 3575A-53851
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Table of Contents
Specications 1
Overview 3
Installation 4
EVOLUTION® Smart Connect® 4
Precision™ Soil Sensor 4
Battery Installation 4
Sensor Setup 5
Add the Sensor to the Controller 5
Install and Calibrate the Sensor 6
Soil Sensor Menu 7
Navigating the Menu Interface 7
Getting to the Sensors Menu 7
Menu Settings 8
Moisture Now 8
Low reshold 8
Fine Tuning the Moisture Level 8
Signal Strength 9
Battery Level 9
Calibrate 9
Cal Setting 9
Current Temperature 10
Freeze O 10
ID 10
Review Screen 11
Appendix A: e Low reshold Setting 11
Appendix B: Site Selection and Earth Installation 12
FCC Statement 13
Toro Support 14
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Overview
e Precision™ Soil Sensor Add-On works with the EVOLUTION® Smart Connect® receiver.
It is possible to add up to three soil sensors per controller.
LED Signal
Indicator
(sold separately)
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AA
Installation
EVOLUTION® Smart Connect®
1 2 3 4
Precision™ Soil Sensor
Battery Installation
e Soil Sensor works on three “AA” Alkaline or Lithium
batteries (not included).
1. Remove four Phillips screws securing the sensor
battery compartment cover (Figure 1). Set cover
aside.
2. Install the batteries (Figure 2).
3. Ensure the O-ring is in place then install the battery
compartment cover.
When batteries are initially installed, the LED
signal indicator is red. When the receiver links with
the sensor, the LED changes to green. e LED
will remain on for 30 minutes to facilitate sensor
installation.
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Figure 1
Figure 2
AA
AA
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Sensor Setup
Implement the following two procedures to successfully setup
Toro’s Precision™ Soil Sensor:
1. “Add” the sensor to the controller for successful wireless
communication.
2. Calibrate the sensor for proper irrigation operation.
1. Add the Sensor to the Controller
Every soil sensor has a unique
ID number. at number must
be “added” to the controller.
1. Press ADVANCED
then .
2. to ADD/REMOVE
DEVICE.
to conrm.
3. to SOIL 1. to ADD. to conrm.
ADD/REMOVE DEVICE
WS ADD
SOIL 1 ADD
SOIL 2 ADD
SOIL 3 ADD
→
AUX 2 ADD
ADD
4. e EVOLUTION® controller waits for the identication
signal from the soil sensor.
ADD/REMOVE DEVICE
INSTALL BATTERY OR
WAIT FOR SIGNAL
MAY TAKE 30 MINUTES
CANCEL
ADVANCED
→
ZONE DETAILS
SCHEDULE STARTS
SCHEDULE DETAILS
→
SENSORS
ADD/REMOVE DEVICE
• If the soil sensor has had batteries installed in the last 30
minutes, the controller should detect and add the sensor
immediately.
• If the sensor is out in the eld, it could take up to a half
an hour to detect and add the sensor.
• One can remove and reinstall the soil sensor’s batteries to
achieve immediate sensor detection.
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5. e controller will detect the soil sensor. Conrm that the
sensor ID detected matches the sensor’s SN ID.
ADD/REMOVE DEVICE
SOIL 1
DEVICE ID 05952
CORRECT?
YES
6. If it does match, press and continue to Calibrate the
Sensor.
If it does not match, change YES to NO, press , and
repeat steps 3-5.
2. Install and Calibrate the Sensor
e Precision™ Soil Sensor interprets soil moisture content on
a scale of 0% (extremely dry) to 100% (very wet). e key to
understanding how to calibrate a soil sensor is that the operator
must teach the 100% moisture level to the sensor.
1. After selecting YES from the previous screen, follow the
onscreen instructions below. Install the soil sensor in the
ground.
(See Appendix B: Site Selection and Earth Installation for
complete instructions on good sensor location.)
ADD/REMOVE DEVICE
INSTALL SENSOR
IN GROUND
SIGNAL STRENGTH
CONTINUE
If soil sensor is not installed in the ground within that 30
minute “window”, the controller removes the sensor and
installation will have to be redone.
2. Return to the controller and conrm that the signal
strength (see above graphic) is good. If signal strength is
weak, relocate the sensor to a spot closer to the controller.
3. Press when satised.Use the and to adjust
the calibration setting (default 5: approximately a 1-day
“watch window”). Press .
e “Cal Setting” number adjusts the time it takes to
calibrate the sensor. A Cal Setting of ‘0’ calibrates the
sensor to the current moisture level in the ground. e
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calibration will be set using the next sensor reading
(within 30 minutes).
Additional calibration settings are available. From ‘1’ (~1
day “watch window”) to ‘168’ (~7 day “watch window”).
The Soil Sensor Menu
e EVOLUTION® controller’s Soil Sensor menu displays
sensor information as well as allows the user to modify certain
settings.
ADD/REMOVE DEVICE
CAL SETTING 5
CALIBRATE NOW?
YES
4. Move to the YES eld after CALIBRATE NOW?
Press . Sensor calibration begins.
5. Press to return to the Home screen. A message on the
bottom of the Home screen indicates that the sensor is
calibrating. e message clears when calibration is nished.
HOME
11:18AM
SCHEDULE A
→
NOT WATERING TODAY
SOIL 1 CALIBRATING
TUE
10/29
Navigating the Menu Interface
• Use or to navigate the menu commands.
• To change a value, press or to move to the desired
eld, then press and to adjust the value.
• Press to input the desired value.
Getting to the Sensors Menu
1. Press ADVANCED then .
2. Press to SENSORS. Press .
ADVANCED
ZONE RUNTIMES
→
ZONE DETAILS
SCHEDULE STARTS
SCHEDULE DETAILS
→
SENSORS
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3. Press to select the desired soil sensor.
5. Press until the Soil Sensor menu appears.
SENSORS
A B C
RAIN - WEATHER - - -
- -
SOIL 1
→
SOIL 2 - - -
4. To add a sensor to a schedule:
Press or to select the desired Schedule (A, B, or C).
Press or to make the sensor active for the
selected schedule.
: Sensor is active.
-: Sensor is disabled.
In the screen above, a rain sensor is assigned to schedule B
and a soil sensor to schedule A.
SOIL 1 SENSOR
MOISTURE NOW 100%
LOW THRESHOLD 50%
LOW THRESHOLD
SIGNAL STRENGTH
BATTERY LEVEL GOOD
→
CALIBRATE START
Menu Settings
MOISTURE NOW
is displays the current moisture level, as a percentage, of the
soil. 100% is the soil level set after the rst calibration
(see Calibrate the Sensor, page 6).
LOW THRESHOLD
is is the point at which the soil sensor will let the controller
resume irrigation of the landscape. If you were to compare the
soil to a gas tank, the “low threshold” would be the point at
which you rell the gas tank.
For a detailed explanation of the low threshold setting,
please read Appendix A of this manual.
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Fine-tuning the “Low reshold” Moisture Level
Changes to the 50% setting should be made initially in 5%
increments in order to see results within a few days. e
objective is to nd the moisture setting that results in a mild
stress condition in the lawn, indicated by slight wilting and
dryness. At that point, adjust the setting 5% in the opposite
direction. is should result in moisture maintenance level
that’s very close to optimum.
1. Press or to increase or decrease the Low
reshold point by 1%.
2. Press to input the desired value.
SIGNAL STRENGTH
Indicates signal strength as a series of bars ( ).
BATTERY LEVEL
Indicates the battery strength in the soil sensor.
CALIBRATE
Calibration is required to establish the maximum amount of
usable moisture in the soil. e sensor will then recognize this soil
moisture level as the maximum capacity (100%). From this xed
reference point, the sensor determines when the soil moisture has
dropped enough (to the “Low reshold”) to allow watering.
Manual calibration: At some point, it might be necessary to
recalibrate the sensor (in the event of a sensor relocation for
example).
1. Run an automatic or manual watering operation to
thoroughly irrigate the sensor zone.
2. Go to the Sensor Menu of the soil sensor to calibrate.
3. Press to CAL SETTING. Use to move
to the number eld. Use or to adjust the
calibration number (default 5: approximately a 1-day
“watch window”). Press to conrm.
SOIL SENSOR
LOW THRESHOLD 50%
SIGNAL STRENGTH
BATTERY LEVEL GOOD
CALIBRATE CANCEL
→
CAL SETTING
5
e “Cal Setting” number adjusts the time it takes to
calibrate the sensor. A Cal Setting of ‘0’ calibrates the
sensor to the current moisture level in the ground. e
calibration will be set using the next sensor reading
(within 30 minutes).
Additional calibration settings are available. From ‘1’ (~1
day “watch window”) to ‘168’ (~7 day “watch window”).
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4. Press to CALIBRATE. to START.
to conrm.
FREEZE OFF AT
Freeze O is the temperature at which irrigation will be turned
o due to cold temperatures.
SOIL SENSOR
MOISTURE NOW 100%
LOW THRESHOLD 50%
SIGNAL STRENGTH
BATTERY LEVEL GOOD
→
CALIBRATE START
START
5. START will turn to CANCEL.
Over the specied time period (see note above), the soil sensor
will “learn” the 100% mark and transmit that information
to the controller. At the end of the time period, soil sensor
calibration is done.
6. If you have not already directed the soil sensor to control a
schedule (page 8), please do so now.
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SOIL SENSOR
CALIBRATE
→
CAL SETTING 5
FREEZE OFF AT
ID 00 59 52
→
CURRENT TEMP 81°F
39°F
1. or raises or lowers the temperature value.
2. Press to input the value.
ID
Displays the ID of the selected soil sensor.
CURRENT TEMP
Displays the temperature of the sensor at ground level (not at
“spike” level).
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Review Screen
e Review screen allows operators to review settings for the
various sensors added to the controller.
1. Press the Review button.
2. Press to the SOIL SENSOR. Press .
Appendix A: The Low Threshold Setting
Landscape plants are the heartiest when their roots become established several
inches down where water is stored for the longest period of time. Watering
often, for short periods of time, promotes root growth near the top of the
soil, where the moisture evaporates quickly.
REVIEW
SCHEDULE A
SCHEDULE B
AUX 2
RAIN SENSOR
SOIL SENSOR
3. Use to scroll through the various sensor settings.
REVIEW
SOIL SENSOR
ADJUST --RAIN STATUS WET
SENSOR TEMP 81°F
→
SIGNAL STRENGTH
Waste
100%
Capacity
Optimum
50%
Stress
Permanent Wilt
0%
e key to maintaining healthy plants with minimum water waste is to water
thoroughly–only when it’s needed. e Precision™ Soil Sensor is preset to
restrict watering until the soil moisture level drops to 50% of capacity, or 1/2
of the total moisture that can be retained in the soil. If you were to draw a
comparison to a car’s fuel tank, 50% of the soil moisture capacity would be
similar to using 1/2 of the fuel in the tank before stopping to rell. A 50%
setting restricts the sprinklers from relling the soil to capacity until 1/2 of
the moisture has been lost; causing the roots to go deeper for water. With the
capability to adjust the setting incrementally from 0% to 100%, the Precision
Soil Sensor can be ne-tuned for virtually any soil condition.
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Appendix B: Site Selection and Earth Installation
Site Selection
Choosing the right location for the sensor is important for the
overall eectiveness of the Precision Soil Sensor system.
e below graphic represents a typical residential landscape. ‘X’
indicate good locations for sensor placement.
Earth Installation
1. Move the sensor to the proposed installation site.
X
= good sensor location
X
For your garden, make sure the site selected is:
• representative of the overall soil type and condition
• the highest elevation
• not over a septic tank or drain eld
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X
X
Relocate Sensor
2. oroughly irrigate the
3. Trim the grass close to ground level where the sensor will
• well within receiver communication range
(500’ line-of-sight)
• at least 4 feet away from a driveway, roof overhang or
downspout
• not in a footpath or recreational area
• not exposed to overspray from nearby watering zones
Signal strength is indicated by the LED color as follows:
Green = Excellent
Yellow = Acceptable
Red = Not Acceptable -
LED Signal
Indicator
sensor location and surrounding landscape area. is step
is crucial to establish the “100%” moisture level for sensor
calibration.
be placed.
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!
For close-cut turf varieties, such as Hybrid Bermuda, the
top of the sensor must be installed at grade level to
prevent damage by mowing equipment.
Tall Fescue Turf
Hybrid Bermuda Turf
4. Applying even, downward pressure on top of the sensor,
insert the sensor probes and retention spikes completely
into the soil.
FCC Statement
is equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. ese
limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. is equipment generates, uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used
in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to
radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference
will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment generates
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment on and o, the user is encouraged to try to correct
the interference by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit dierent from
that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
e user may nd the following booklet prepared by the Federal
Communications Commission helpful: “How To Identify and Resolve
Radio-TV Interference Problems”. is booklet is available from the U.S.
Government Printing Oce, Washington, DC 20402. Stock No. 004000-00345-4.
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Toro Support
Toro Commitment to Quality
Toro is committed to developing and producing the highest quality, best
performing, most dependable products on the market. Because your satisfaction is our rst priority, we have provided the Toro Helpline to assist
you with any questions or problems that may arise. If for some reason
you are not satised with your purchase or have questions, please contact
us toll free at 1-877-345-8676.
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not
apply to you. All implied warranties, including those of merchantability
and tness for use, are limited to the duration of this express warranty.
Some states do not allow limitations of how long an implied warranty
lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. is warranty gives
you specic legal rights and you may have other rights which vary from
state to state.
Warranty
e Toro Company and its aliate, Toro Warranty Company, pursuant
to an agreement between them, jointly warrants, to the owner, against defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date
of purchase. Neither e Toro Company nor Toro Warranty Company
is liable for failure of products not manufactured by them, even though
such products may be sold or used in conjunction with Toro products.
During such warranty period, we will repair or replace, at our option,
any part found to be defective. Return the defective part to the place
of purchase. Our liability is limited solely to the replacement or repair
of defective parts. ere are no other express warranties. is warranty
does not apply where equipment is used, or installation is performed, in
any manner contrary to Toro’s specications and instructions, nor where
equipment is altered or modied. Neither e Toro Company nor Toro
Warranty Company is liable for indirect, incidental or consequential
damages in connection with the use of equipment, including but not
limited to: vegetation loss, the cost of substitute equipment or services
required during periods of malfunction or resulting non-use, property
damage or personal injury resulting from installer’s negligence.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or
©2014 e Toro Company, Irrigation Division • www.toro.com • 1-877-345-8676 (US and Canada)
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evolution@toro.com (international)
Australian Warranty Statement
is product comes with a manufacturer’s guarantee against defects in
material and workmanship when used for its intended purpose. Our
obligation under this guarantee is limited to the repair or replacement
of the product at our discretion for the period stated. In the event of
a claim, you must immediately cease using the product and return the
product, together with your proof of purchase and an explanation of the
fault to the store you purchased it from. All costs associated with the
return of the product are the purchasers’ responsibility. To process the
warranty, the retailer must contact Toro Australia via their representative
or the phone number listed below.
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the
Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for
a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable
loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or
replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does
not amount to a major failure.
Toro Australia Pty Ltd, 53 Howards Road, Beverley SA 5009 1300 130
898, info.au@toro.com
Form Number 373-0807 Rev. B
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