Owner's Manual

If manual data entry is used (with the first ET source option
selected in Software Configuration) instead of a gauge,
everything works the same way except you must manually enter
values for the day’s ET and rain. Do this on the ET Report and
Rain Report windows for unit specified in Software Configuration.
The ET Report screen is accessed from the Master Control
Panel for each individual unit. It is similar in appearance to the
Rain Report window. You must execute the Receive command
to read existing data in the field unit before the Send command is
enabled. Enter the total ET for the day in the Default ET box and
click the Send command or Close to ensure the value is saved before the Transmit ET time set in AutoComm. AutoComm
will then read the default ET value for this unit from the database and send it, as the ET Today value, to all other units just as
in part 3 of the diagram. In this case, zero (0) Rain Today is sent to each unit. A value for the day’s total rain can be sent from
the Rain Report screen.
If you are using a GroWeather or Campbell Weather station, Sentinel reads the ET values retrieved by the
GroWeatherLink software directly from the GroWeatherLink data file in the central computer or directly from the Campbell
Weather Station. It will also read the last complete day ET totals. This
daily value is then sent to all units in the current system as the ET
Today value in the diagram. The ET Report screen shown is the same
screen as the example but appears slightly different because a
weather station is used. When the ET report is opened, ET values for
Today and Yesterday are immediately read from the
GroWeatherLink database, or directly from the Campbell Weather
Station, for this unit. When the Receive command is clicked, monthly
and daily ET values, and the ET Today are read from the field units.
Separate values are received for each program. After clicking the
Receive command to retrieve current data from the field unit, you can
easily copy the value for Today’s or Yesterday’s ET from the weather
station to the Unit ET Today box and send it to the field unit. Highlight
the number by dragging the mouse across it with the right button
depressed, then press and hold the Ctrl key and press the C key (ctrl
- c) to copy the value. Then click the Unit ET Today box with the
mouse, press and hold the Ctrl key and press V (ctrl - v) to paste the value. Send the new value to the field unit by clicking
the Send button.
Chapter 11 will show you how to set AutoComm to automatically retrieve and send ET data.
Sentinel has several automatic communication features to transfer data
between the central and all field units without redundant operations by the
user. The most powerful is the AutoComm which can be set to perform three
different operations at pre-designated times. They are: polling alarms,
transmitting ET data and transmitting changed programs. AutoComm is a
stand-alone module that can run independently from Sentinel. You can start it
from the Sentinel menu, with the Ctrl-T key combination, the Auto icon, or
from the Windows start menu. It is recommended that you close Sentinel to run
AutoComm to avoid conflicts between your manual operations in Sentinel and
the AutoComm transmissions and database access. At the specified time you
set Autocomm to launch, Sentinel and other Sentinel modules, such as the
Flow Optimizer, will close automatically.
The AutoComm main screen has three large buttons to select the events you
wish to set.
Sentinel AutoComm
Chapter 11 : Automatic Communications
11 - 26
Toro Sentinel Central Software User’s Guide