If you don't mind a little horn tooting

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Got one of the best letters yet from an irrigation service by remote convert.

Being a modest guy this is difficult for me but I think I'll share anyway.


Hey Peter,

Sorry for the lack of correspondence regarding the hook up of the tail in multi tail situations. As you have experienced I am in the middle of the busy season. I cannot believe I did this before without a Universal Remote. I truly believe it should be one of the first tools. I did a service call today where I could not hook up alligator clips and I was amazed how much time I took walking back and forth from the controller. Valves were farther walk then controller. Both were a long walk. I know that you are well acquainted with this experience, but alas I see the light.



The other advantage is the marketing aspect. It does make you look a lot more professional. You have the tools of the trade. I tried to get a shot of my head turf guy using the remote to show a customer his sprinkler issues, but could not get the camera out fast enough. My guy sold this customer a 6 month grass renovation program to get his lawn up to speed. It was a great picture of him holding the remote pointing out over the area with the customer completely engaged. Then my tech would switch zones with the remote and keep his attention while pointing out the areas that were stressed due to improper nozzles and design. Double sell because we will get the irrigation repairs/adjustments and my maintenance crew will be doing the mowing and fert. I am sure at the end of the six months he will keep us on.

[Kiril]

Honestly, I could have done without it .... given remotes are pushed in almost every thread in this forum.

How about pushing real tools that critical for managing (not maintaining) irrigation systems?

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

We do that as well. ET timers and let me think hmmmmmmm

[Kiril]

We do that as well. ET timers and let me think hmmmmmmm

Not a tool .... and tired of the SL threads too. Prepare yourself .... I'll be fine tuning SL systems this year, and based on some preliminary adjustments, automatic calculations are WAY off.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Not a tool .... and tired of the SL threads too. Prepare yourself .... I'll be fine tuning SL systems this year, and based on some preliminary adjustments, automatic calculations are WAY off.

I don't doubt that. TAMU is doing a study on ET timers and they aren't very impressed I'm gathering. I know from my own that I still manage my ET timer as much as I did my previous controller. Waters too friggin much. The Aquaterr exposes it.

I am cranking it down but the real issue isn't amount as much as no way to auto adjust the frequency. SOIL SENSORS are the way to go. Incorporating them into an ET system is the best inmo. Second best is soil sensors and having the system set to apply .5" water in the most efficient way possible. Set controller to run daily and it will water the zones that need it in a very efficient multi-cycle way.

[Kiril]

I am cranking it down but the real issue isn't amount as much as no way to auto adjust the frequency.

Agreed ... and this could be easily addressed with software. Why they haven't done it is beyond me. It's not like irrigation is some brand new field. :hammerhead:

SOIL SENSORS are the way to go. Incorporating them into an ET system is the best inmo.

Once again, I agree. Soil sense to determine when to water, ET & soil sense to determine how much. ET portion of the calculation auto adjusts based on soil sensor.

[ARGOS]

Once again, I agree. Soil sense to determine when to water, ET & soil sense to determine how much. ET portion of the calculation auto adjusts based on soil sensor.

Great! Where is it? Why don't we have it in a modest residential unit?

[Kiril]

Don't know? Probably will never see it because the money hungry corps don't want to provide that kind of flexibility in a unit targeted at residential/commercial market. Honestly, IMO it wouldn't be that difficult to allow for the use of industry standard sensors with an ET controller using an existing sensor input and the appropriate software adjustments.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

don't know? Probably will never see it because the money hungry corps don't want to provide that kind of flexibility in a unit targeted at residential/commercial market. Honestly, imo it wouldn't be that difficult to allow for the use of industry standard sensors with an et controller using an existing sensor input and the appropriate software adjustments.

don"t just stand there kiril. Get to work. You are the man to do it.:)

Okay we've covered the entire water management topic so lets get back to servicing and remotes.:p

[ARGOS]

As water is rationed and becomes more of a commodity this may become a reality for the residential market.

Not in my market unfortunately.

[Kiril]

Okay we've covered the entire water management topic so lets get back to servicing and remotes.:p

:laugh: Right ................................... :rolleyes:

[Kiril]

Not in my market unfortunately.

What is your market and why not? You foothill folk are stealing water from the rest of us! :laugh:

[Kiril]

don"t just stand there kiril. Get to work. You are the man to do it.:)

Need funding ........ contact me for money transfer details.

[ARGOS]

What is your market and why not? You foothill folk are stealing water from the rest of us! :laugh:

Funny. I always thought everyone was stealing the water from us.

I am in the residential market. There is an attitude of abundance in the foothills. Conservation is not a topic of discussion.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Need funding ........ contact me for money transfer details.

Get the paperwork, patents, sketches, testing, out of the way and we'll talk.

[ARGOS]

Back to remotes (understanding that they are a maintenance tool and not a management tool)...I am curious how everyone uses their remotes in the field. I am developing little tricks that save a lot of time. Like the simple ones... such as turning the water on from the remote to pop out a rotor nozzle or flush out an 1800. What shortcuts have other irrigation professionals found?

[Kiril]

Funny. I always thought everyone was stealing the water from us.

You know what they say about shiit ... the same applies for water. :laugh:

[Kiril]

Get the paperwork, patents, sketches, testing, out of the way and we'll talk.

At that point I won't need no stinkin funding. :laugh:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

This is one that works 90% of the time but if it doesn't YIKES.

When raising risers behind shrubs in which I want to keep the copper as the top part I'll make sure I have a sch 80 nipple long enough to raise it where I want it. Screw out the copper riser like I was diffusing a bomb. Carefully pull straight up with minimum soil disturbance. Screw on THD cplg and nipple. Remove nozzle. Push back into hole and give the zone quick bursts to flush dirt out of thread area and screw riser piece in. After screwed on the flush and put nozzle on. Make final adjustment. Takes a little practice and you may want to add a short cutoff nipple to ease thread catching. More clay the soil the better it works. Don't do this in sandy soil. Eliminates trying to dig behind shrubs and sweating copper in tight spots. Course you could just be tacky and screw sch 80 nipples on to copper. BLEEEEECH

[Kiril]

This is one that works 90% of the time but if it doesn't YIKES.

When raising risers behind shrubs in which I want to keep the copper as the top part I'll make sure I have a sch 80 nipple long enough to raise it where I want it. Screw out the copper riser like I was diffusing a bomb. Carefully pull straight up with minimum soil disturbance. Screw on THD cplg and nipple. Remove nozzle. Push back into hole and give the zone quick bursts to flush dirt out of thread area and screw riser piece in. After screwed on the flush and put nozzle on. Make final adjustment. Takes a little practice and you may want to add a short cutoff nipple to ease thread catching. More clay the soil the better it works. Don't do this in sandy soil. Eliminates trying to dig behind shrubs and sweating copper in tight spots. Course you could just be tacky and screw sch 80 nipples on to copper. BLEEEEECH

Only nipples? What about sprinklers?

[ARGOS]

Yesterday I got the YIKES it didn't work. But I have tried similar applications.

There is also: spray the other tech in zone 4.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Only nipples? What about sprinklers?

You can do the same thing with popups as well. I rarely dig a hole, just enough to get me channel locks on the head screw out, add extension, screw back in and flush. One thing the remote does that gets missed in a lot of service is FLUSHING. With a remote everything gets flushed. I bet I turn a system on and off 2-3 times more often than a non remote user.

Also in wire troubleshooting the remote can be a GOD send. Also on MV systems just the MV can be activated allowing you to make sure no zones are stuck on.

Toss in being able to measure flow rates on all the zones at the meter very easy. On drip it is indispensable. If I'm hunting for a leak in heavy growth I'll pop it on and off to try and follow the sound. Minimizes flooding the whole area.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

A PM this morning got me thinking and this is what I put together. Unfortunately I bought the wrong size box for my plate but you grt the idea. A nifty way to put in a splice box and pigtail for access. Junction boxes are cheap as well.

[Mike Leary]

A nifty way to put in a splice box and pigtail for access. Junction boxes are cheap as well.

Yup, I like it. :clapping:

[EagleLandscape]

Bingo Peter, thats the ticket!

We are still seeing 50%+ savings on our retrofits for SmartLines. We've got 80 clocks easily that are ready to be put up. Signed contracts and all, just a matter of getting them into the schedule. Clocks range from 10-48 zones.

[Kiril]

See, something good came from my snobby comments. :laugh:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Yup, I like it. :clapping:

That is a Female DB15 Mike. Takes the DB 15 Male by DB37 Male for the remotes. Strictly for 12 stations or less.

[Kiril]

We are still seeing 50%+ savings on our retrofits for SmartLines.

How exactly have you determined this? Do have flow meters and data loggers on the irrigation system a year before you installed the SL up until today?

[Kiril]

A PM this morning got me thinking and this is what I put together. Unfortunately I bought the wrong size box for my plate but you grt the idea. A nifty way to put in a splice box and pigtail for access. Junction boxes are cheap as well.

Curious why you didn't choose to go with the plastic verison?

[Mike Leary]

verison?

Umm, what did you say? O.K, that's your cell phone provider?

[Mike Leary]

How exactly have you determined this? Do have flow meters and data loggers on the irrigation system

Wait a frinking minute Kiril, WE have those toys, do you.? Pics? Back off on your pontifications; I'm getting sick of it.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Curious why you didn't choose to go with the plastic verison?

Are you talking about the backshell? Mainly because if it gets tucked in behind the panel it won't cause a short on a circuit board. Has never happened to my knowledge but I try to be proactive in my thinking. Frankly I think it looks better and is not quite a showy.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Curious why you didn't choose to go with the plastic verison?

Okay I think you are talking about the conduit box. I could have. Didn't find a plastic flip cover so I just got the metal version.

[TRILAWNCARE]

Yep, flow meter on your system... A must have.


149026

[Mike Leary]

What does that exactly do?

[TRILAWNCARE]

What does that exactly do?

Gee, what do you think it does? It tells you what your GPM is. If I know what each zone should be running, then if I have a problem (broken line, plugged head) I will see a different reading for that zone. I know I have a problem.


It is also part of a bigger control system that I'm building to complement the Calsense controller....

:::::::::Bells and whistles go off:::::::::

Reminds me of the movie "War Game's" when they close up the mountain..... :laugh:

[Mike Leary]

Gee, what do you think it does? It tells you what your GPM is.

Thanks, genius for the heads up. I was curious how it interfaced with the clock. We only have nine RM clocks with flow sensing.

[ARGOS]

Thanks, genius for the heads up. I was curious how it interfaced with the clock.

Now that was funny.

I was also wondering how it is utilized. Does it keep a log? Can you down load it? Print it? Connect to computer?

[TRILAWNCARE]

Thanks, genius for the heads up. I was curious how it interfaced with the clock. We only have nine RM clocks with flow sensing.

That flow meter doesn't directly interface with the Calsense controller. This one does.

149043

The Signet flow sensor/transmitter that I had pictured goes to a separate control system that I'm building for filling my tanks.

149044

[Mike Leary]

Now that was funny.

I was also wondering how it is utilized. Does it keep a log? Can you down load it? Print it? Connect to computer?

Park motor home next to it; bill hourly.

[unit28]

Park motor home next to it; bill hourly.

getting ready to load the IBM I see.

[Kiril]

Wait a frinking minute Kiril, WE have those toys, do you.? Pics? Back off on your pontifications; I'm getting sick of it.

Valid question given the claim. So how many flow sensors and data loggers do you have on non RM systems?

Go drink some merlot and look up the definition of pontifications.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Not to be on the opposite side on my buddy John Jr. but I need to see hard evidence and not WM propaganda. I'm trying to find it but A&M was doing a study and they weren't finding YEARLY water savings of any great degree. Yes it cuts it back in winter but it REALLY CRANKS IT UP in the summer. What they and I am finding is that the watering needs are adjusted to max plant benefit which is great. But I am finding at my house that the watering still requires frequency adjustments to be truly effective and that is what is lacking the most inmo. When I turn it off it doesn't start accumulating a deficit until I turn it back on again. I believe accurate soil sensors would save a lot more water than an ET controller.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT>>>>An SL is still better than any other controller I've dealt with for affordable residential water management. It's just not perfect.

AND GET RID OF THOSE FRIGGIN SPEAKER WIRE MODULES. GET SOME REAL TERMINALS. idiot engineers.

[hoskm01]

Not to be on the opposite side on my buddy John Jr. but I need to see hard evidence and not WM propaganda. I'm trying to find it but A&M was doing a study and they weren't finding YEARLY water savings of any great degree. Yes it cuts it back in winter but it REALLY CRANKS IT UP in the summer. What they and I am finding is that the watering needs are adjusted to max plant benefit which is great. But I am finding at my house that the watering still requires frequency adjustments to be truly effective and that is what is lacking the most inmo. When I turn it off it doesn't start accumulating a deficit until I turn it back on again. I believe accurate soil sensors would save a lot more water than an ET controller.

HAVING SAID ALL THAT>>>>An SL is still better than any other controller I've dealt with for affordable residential water management. It's just not perfect.

AND GET RID OF THOSE FRIGGIN SPEAKER WIRE MODULES. GET SOME REAL TERMINALS. idiot engineers.
I hate the crap terminals theyve got. I still think they overwater also. Weve got an HOA that went cheap on an install 2 years ago, all WM SL. I spend more time tweaking these controllers than any other, and they are supposed to be "self adjusting".

[ARGOS]

Just got a box of the new pigtails from Fimco. Pretty small should be able to fit behind most controller doors. Thanks for covering the rough metal edge with plastic, much easier on my cracked, dirty, tired fingers.

I like the price too. I didn't realize I was getting a free adapter...is that because I bought 500? Oh, I mean 20?

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

I'm trying to get everybody up to speed. Did you get my e-mails? Were you able to open the MAC WORD or did you need to use the PDF?

[Rotor_Tool]

Haven't been on here in months....but I see you are still hashing over the WM SL...said it a over year ago and will say it again. JUNK.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Haven't been on here in months....but I see you are still hashing over the WM SL...said it a over year ago and will say it again. JUNK.

We've got another pro-RB guy here now but we are convinced he is not a rep though...

[Rotor_Tool]

Not a rep then, not a rep now...just sold on the green.

[EagleLandscape]

How exactly have you determined this? Do have flow meters and data loggers on the irrigation system a year before you installed the SL up until today?

Controller programs don't change. Landscapers here don't adjust seasonally. We secure copy of 12-24 months of water bills. Run it through calculations of the past several years of ET on a spreadsheet we have developed, and compare this years ET, to last, and compare water usage.

[EagleLandscape]

Literally? The problem is that most of you all on this site don't deal with large sites like we do. Our commercial properties water bills were $50,000 - $250 a year!

One property we just took over maintenance on was using 3.7 millions of gallons of water per acre a year!!!! UNREAL! Irrigation guys (commercial) here in town can't identify poor coverage, wrong nozzles, so they just dump the run times up and flood irrigate.

I spend $40 a month to water my half acre front yard, including my inside home water usage. that's no accident, I promise you that.

[Mike Leary]

We have both flow meters and data loggers; they are as indispensable as remotes and moisture probes. John Boy is on the right track. :clapping:

[EagleLandscape]

Attached is an image on the water usage of a commercial apartment complex in N. Texas. Previous years are what ET required, the extreme red bars are what was used the previous year. We get extremely close to actual ET loss (can't get perfect since a DU's arent perfect unless Kiril installed the system.

Every single commercial property in N. Texas is watering this way. Even some of the better known high-caliber landscape companies end up with water bills like this...

[Mike Leary]

I like those graphs, that's how I sold a condo complex on a upgrade, also. :clapping:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Not a rep then, not a rep now...just sold on the green.

Wow we've got sensitivity issues here. I guess you missed the poll Dana did on Reps and whether we wanted them on the site. Reps won by a landslide. I was just pointing out to you that another very pro RB guy is on the forum now.

[Mike Leary]

a rep now...just sold on the green.

I always wondered if that would happen to me if the biz failed: become a rep or a counter jockey; seen it.

[EagleLandscape]

.:Me:. bites his tongue...

[Wet_Boots]

I always wondered if that would happen to me if the biz failed: become a rep or a counter jockey; seen it.Well, about now, I'd say that gig with Phil Spector is going to be a non-starter. :gunsfirin

[Mike Leary]

Well, about now, I'd say that gig with Phil Spector is going to be a non-starter. :gunsfirin

Puts the whole "wall of sound" in a new perspective.

[WalkGood]

I spend $40 a month to water my half acre front yard, including my inside home water usage. that's no accident, I promise you that.

What does that equate to in gallons? Price is hard to judge...depends on what the cost for water is in a given area. I take it, that $40 is cheap per month for you? Here I might pay $40 for 3 months. Some other area out west might pay $100 for same volume of water.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

What does that equate to in gallons? Price is hard to judge...depends on what the cost for water is in a given area. I take it, that $40 is cheap per month for you? Here I might pay $40 for 3 months. Some other area out west might pay $100 for same volume of water.

40 is cheap for our area. I'll find an old bill and show you are rates. John is in a different city. I'm in Richardson, TX.

Okay here is my bill. FIRE AWAY!

[Kiril]

We have both flow meters and data loggers; they are as indispensable as remotes and moisture probes. John Boy is on the right track. :clapping:

Not really, but at least he is trying.

[Kiril]

Okay here is my bill. FIRE AWAY!

You have a separate meter for irrigation?

[Mike Leary]

Not really, but at least he is trying.

Give him some slack; he's dealing with huge sites with HOAs that don't like to spend money.

[unit28]

You have a separate meter for irrigation?

and they didn't pick up his trash,.... but still charged him:confused:

I've done new installs where I recommended seperate meters...This stuff evaporates pretty quick.

[Kiril]

No chance buddy. Nothing is learned by cutting slack.

[WalkGood]

40 is cheap for our area. I'll find an old bill and show you are rates. John is in a different city. I'm in Richardson, TX.

Okay here is my bill. FIRE AWAY!


I am curious how your water and sewage charges "work". Is your regular water source and your sprinkler source from the same water main in the street? Or is your sprinkler water from a municipal gray water source?

How do they calculate your sewage charges?

Here, I get a reading and bill every 3 months. There is a flat service charge (depending on meter size) just for having a connection. In my case it is $18.23 for 5/8" meter from Jan 17 thru Apr 16.

Then I pay per CCF (hundred cubic feet, 1 CCF = 748 gallons for those who do not know) of water - $1.0921 per CCF.

[TRILAWNCARE]

I am curious how your water and sewage charges "work". Is your regular water source and your sprinkler source from the same water main in the street? Or is your sprinkler water from a municipal gray water source?

How do they calculate your sewage charges?

Here, I get a reading and bill every 3 months. There is a flat service charge (depending on meter size) just for having a connection. In my case it is $18.23 for 5/8" meter from Jan 17 thru Apr 16.

Then I pay per CCF (hundred cubic feet, 1 CCF = 748 gallons for those who do not know) of water - $1.0921 per CCF.

I would imagine that the sewer charge is based solely on the house water charge and not on the sprinkler meter even though the water source is off the same water main line..

Peter, maybe you can get them to reduce the sewage charge if you tell them you pizz in the yard, to save water.... :laugh:

[CAPT Stream Rotar]

did someone say remotes?

i love my hunter remote...and if I was paid more i would have a rain master...

[EagleLandscape]

sewer charged is based of the ### of gallons used in the home. Dont flush the toilet...? Then no sewer charge. Don't take a shower... no sewer charge.

[AI Inc]

That's how most places do it around here. Unless you have a deduct meter they figure whats goes in to the house , comes out as sewage.
There is one anti irrigation town that doesn't allow deduct meters.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

You have a separate meter for irrigation?

I'm a little old school in this area. I'd guess 95% of residential systems go in with the existing meter but when I started you could get Dallas to put in an 1.5" meter for like 250.00. So when I put my house system in I got Richardson to put a new 1" meter in for 550.00. No sewage or minimum charge. I also installed a couple of ball valves in the middle of the front and backyard for various water usages like my spa to avoid sewage. Frankly I'm a little embarrassed at the house use on that bill but the friggin water slob I rent a room to takes ridiculously long showers twice a day. :cry:

[Kiril]

but the friggin water slob I rent a room to takes ridiculously long showers twice a day. :cry:

Twice a day? :dizzy: I'm lucky to get 2 in a week. ;)

[WalkGood]

the friggin water slob I rent a room to takes ridiculously long showers twice a day. :cry:

Buy him some hand lotion and tell him to cut short the extra curricular activities in the shower.

Rig up some mixing valves so that somehow he runs out of hot water 5 minutes into his shower time. Use brass sprinkler valves and a remote and we'll really be impressed.

[Wet_Boots]

Change the hot water heater to a 12 gallon electric, and watch those shower times decrease.