Check Your Data. Don’t Jump to Replace Your System
Understanding your irrigation system and the effects of making changes, or not! can be a complex subject.
Our support team are often contacted when a PC-based system is not performing as expected, assuming the problem is the controller hardware or the software running it. Users often perceive the controller and the software running it, as the sophisticated and intelligent means to deliver fail proof performance.
It can be, but like many things it must be set up correctly and programmed with the information relating to each station on your site. So apart from obvious issues like cable breaks or damaged heads, in 9 out of 10 cases we find that the data entered in the system is the cause of the issue.
If you understand some basic principles, it will go a long way to help you maintain your system and deliver your expectations.
Each station in the software contains information (data) relevant to that station such as, the head types, nozzle sets, arcs, flow and spacings. If that information was either not entered correctly when the system was installed, or has changed over time, then your data is out of line and you will experience performance issues. This could be over watering, under watering or water going to the wrong place.
So, if your irrigation system is underperforming ask yourself if any of the station data itemised above has changed over time or maybe you inherited the system and don’t know. If the answer is yes, or you are unsure, contact Bailoy for advice before considering spending thousands of pounds commissioning consultants to re-design and replace systems that could well be substantially improved with a few days’ work.
Bailoy have designed and manufactured irrigation systems for over 40 years and as such have the experience and knowledge on how all the key aspects of an irrigation system interact with each other so we can deliver hardware, software, support and advice to bring you performance and reliability.