EVOLUTION® Series Add-On: 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.
Table of Contents Specifications 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 Install and Calibrate the Sensor 5 6 Soil Sensor Menu 7 Navigating the Menu Interface 7 Getting to the Sensors Menu 7 Menu Settings 8 Moisture Now 8 Low Threshold 8 2 Fine Tuning the Moisture Level 8 Signal Strength 9 Battery Level 9 C
Overview The Precision™ Soil Sensor Add-On works with the EVOLUTION® Smart Connect® receiver. It is possible to add up to three soil sensors per controller.
Installation EVOLUTION® Smart Connect® Precision™ Soil Sensor Battery Installation The 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.
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. That number must be “added” to the controller. ADVANCED 1. Press then to ADD/REMOVE DEVICE. to confirm. → ADVANCED ZONE DETAILS SCHEDULE STARTS SCHEDULE DETAILS SENSORS ADD/REMOVE DEVICE → 2. .
5. The controller will detect the soil sensor. Confirm 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 The Precision™ Soil Sensor interprets soil moisture content on a scale of 0% (extremely dry) to 100% (very wet).
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”). ADD/REMOVE DEVICE CAL SETTING 5 The Soil Sensor Menu The EVOLUTION® controller’s Soil Sensor menu displays sensor information as well as allows the user to modify certain settings. Navigating the Menu Interface • Use or to navigate the menu commands.
3. Press to select the desired soil sensor. C - 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. until the Soil Sensor menu appears.
Fine-tuning the “Low Threshold” Moisture Level Changes to the 50% setting should be made initially in 5% increments in order to see results within a few days. The objective is to find 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. This should result in moisture maintenance level that’s very close to optimum. 1. Press or to increase or decrease the Low Threshold point by 1%. 2.
4. Press to CALIBRATE. to confirm. to START. FREEZE OFF AT Freeze Off is the temperature at which irrigation will be turned off due to cold temperatures. SOIL SENSOR MOISTURE NOW 100% LOW THRESHOLD 50% SIGNAL STRENGTH BATTERY LEVEL GOOD CALIBRATE START START → SOIL SENSOR CALIBRATE CAL SETTING 5 39°F FREEZE OFF AT ID 00 59 52 CURRENT TEMP 81°F 6. If you have not already directed the soil sensor to control a schedule (page 8), please do so now. 10 → → 5. START will turn to CANCEL.
Review Screen The Review screen allows operators to review settings for the various sensors added to the controller. 1. Press the 2. Press Review button. to the SOIL SENSOR. Press 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. .
Appendix B: Site Selection and Earth Installation Site Selection Choosing the right location for the sensor is important for the overall effectiveness of the Precision Soil Sensor system. The below graphic represents a typical residential landscape. ‘X’ indicate good locations for sensor placement.
! 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 This 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.
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 first 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 satisfied with your purchase or have questions, please contact us toll free at 1-877-345-8676.
