User's Manual

!
3!
!
Introduction
Congratulations, you have just purchased the
SmartCrop Sensors, one of the most
advanced irrigation management tools
available.
!
Listen to your crop..... It’s talking to you
Your crop is telling you when it is experiencing
heat stress and needs water. The SmartCrop
Sensor is smart technology that uses infrared
(IR) temperature sensing technology coupled
with patented USDA algorithms and
methodology to determine when your crop is
experiencing heat stress brought on by lack of
water. SmartCrop Sensor provides growers
a simple “IRRIGATE / DON’T IRRIGATE”
signal that can be seen on the web or even on
your cell phone. In addition to irrigation
signals, the SmartCrop Sensors provide
temperature and other environmental data via
the CropInsight.com web site.
!
SmartCrop Sensor
The SmartCrop Sensor is a long plastic tube
that contains the electronics used to measure,
collate, and transmit crop canopy data. At the
heart of the Sensor is an industrial infrared (IR)
temperature-sensing device that measures the
actual temperature of the crop canopy.
!
How it works
This temperature data is collected and
processed by a microprocessor in the
SmartCrop Sensor. At 15-minute intervals,
the microprocessor turns on the radio
transmitter and sends the latest set of
temperature data directly to the Base Station.
The Base Station collects the crop canopy data
from each Sensor. Using the crop canopy
temperatures from each Sensor, along with
other localized environmental measurements,
the web server determines if the crop is in
stress or not. This decision process is
performed every 15 minutes throughout the
day.
The CropInsight¥ web site keeps track of how
much stress is accumulating in the crop and
will signal for irrigation when a minimum stress
time has been reached. This stress time, along
with other crop factors is easily programmed
into the web site during setup and these factors
can be changed remotely during the growing
session.
!
Guidebook Conventions
To highlight the most important points – we
have used a set of simple icons, which draw
attention to key information and settings.
Key:
!
The Check Icon indicates a
setting that we recommend you
use or enable.
!
!
The Info Icon highlights important
facts and information about
SmartCrop Sensors, to help you
make better use of the product.
!
The Hazard Icon highlights areas
where potential problems can
arise.
Important Safety Precautions
!
Only Smartfield¥trained and
certified installers are authorized to
install and maintain equipment; non-
certified installations void equipment
warranty.
!
!
!
Important: DO NOT begin
installation until all utility lines have
been located and marked by your
local utility company. Digging
without knowing the location of utility
lines can result in a damaged
system, injury or death.
!
!
This manual contains important
information about the installation,
operation and safe use of this
product. This information should be
given to the owner and / or operator
of this equipment.
!
!
Warning: Before installing this
product, read and follow all warning
notices and instructions, which are
included. Failure to follow safety
warnings and instructions can result
in severe injury or property damage.
!
!