SENTINEL® A B Alarm Hold Irrigation ENTER Home/Back Manual Watering Scheduled Watering Diagnostics & Alarms Station Settings Option Start Help Stop Satellite Settings
Table of Contents 1 . . . . . . . .Chapter 1: Sentinel Control Module 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .I. Control Module Overview 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Control Module Display 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front LEDs 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Controls 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ports 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II. Programming Overview & Navigation 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Icons Explained 10 . . . .
Chapter 1: Sentinel Control Module I. Overview The Sentinel Control Module is the heart and brains of the Sentinel system. This overview will discuss the LCD screen, the Control Knob, and the buttons.
Control Module Display The Sentinel Controller has a six-line LCD screen. When first powered on, the display will be in its standard mode. 1. Current time (HH:MM), day, week number of schedule (up to six weeks), and date. 2. If running, Actual flow (A#####) and Expected flow (E#####). Actual Flow: 5-digit numeric indicator of current flow through connected flow sensor. Expected Flow: 5-digit numeric indicator of expected flow based on current stations operating and their expected flows. • • 3.
Controls There is one Control Knob and fifteen (15) buttons to operate the Sentinel Controller. Control ENTER Function LEFT / RIGHT Arrows: 1) Move through the different menus on the controller 2) Within a menu line, move through the changeable fields. UP / DOWN Arrows: 1) Navigate through menu items Arrows and ENTER 2) Navigate from one submenu line to another. Note: Holding down an arrow button auto-repeats. ENTER: Press to enter a selected menu or to save a setting.
Button Function Home/Back Returns the user to the previous screen (a “back” button) or to the Home screen. Manual Watering Enter manual irrigation mode and manually start and stop programs. Scheduled Watering Allows the user to program scheduled irrigation programs. Diagnostics & Alarms Access the Diagnostics and Alarms menu system to identify and clear alarms. Station Settings Access the Station Settings menu system. Option For future functionality. Option Start Start station or program.
Ports Top Ports Purpose 1. Serial Port (9-pin connector) Both top and bottom serial ports support communications devices, standard off-the-shelf serial cables, and are optically isolated. 2. Data Retrieval port (9-pin connector) Works with existing Sentinel data retrieval cables and flow/ET/Rain pulse simulator devices. New cables will allow access to 1 additional flow and 1 additional alarm input. Both flow inputs support mixed mode use with flow, ET or Rain pulse devices. 3.
Bottom Ports Purpose 1. Station output ports (15-pin connectors) (up to four) These connect to the circuit boards in the Sentinel satellite, controlling up to 12-stations each for a maximum of 48 stations. 2. AC adapter and the red “power on” light LED flashes if a program is running. The slower the flash, the slower the code is running 3. USB port Allows connecting a thumb drive for “flashing” of the firmware. 4. 2-prong port 24 VAC connection 5.
II. Programming Overview & Navigation The Sentinel Controller is programmed by navigating through a Main Menu which includes seven submenus: Manual Watering, Scheduled Watering, Diagnostics & Alarms, Station Settings, Help, Stop, and Satellite Settings. Each of these submenu options has system configuration options. The menu structure is detailed below. Menu Setting Function Manual Watering • • Manual Start/Stop Program • • Turn individual stations ON or OFF for a specific time.
Menu Setting Function Station Settings • • • • • Plant Factor Stn Days Off Maximum Flows Expected Flows Map Stations • • • • • • Station Type • • Precip Rate • Assign a percentage factor to any zone for the type of plant material. Turn off individual stations for a specified number of days (up to 255). Set the maximum gallons per minute (GPM) for individual stations. Program the expected flow (GPM) for individual stations.
Icons Explained There are several icons used throughout the manual to portray certain functions. Icon Meaning Turn the Control Knob to change values in the currently highlighted field. Press the button / knob pictured under the finger. A line under characters on the LCD screen indicates a field that can be adjusted with the Control Knob.
Chapter 2: Basic Controller Programming This section will provide the information on how to program the basic elements for automatic irrigation to occur. Remember to press ENTER or the Control Knob after making changes or changes will not be saved. I.
ET (4 Fields to set: Maximum and Default X whole and decimal values) Default ET (evapotranspiration) is the minimum ET figure (in millimeters) that is used as the default ET regardless of the weather conditions or if data is missing from the ET gauge or weather station. ET can vary depending on the time of the season and weather. Generally, daily ET can be from 0mm to 13mm. Maximum ET is the maximum ET value that can be accumulated between watering days.
Flow Processing (1 Field to set) Turn Flow Processing ON to monitor the flow of water to make sure flow is within limits determined by the irrigation zones running. If the flow is not within the limits, Sentinel will take user-defined action to identify and label problems. 1 2 3 ENTER - OR - 4 ENTER - OR - Note: For the controller to read and react to flow, a flow meter must be connected to the satellite sensor terminals. Do not turn on flow processing if it is not properly set up.
Flow Factors Meter 1 (4 Fields to set: K and Offset X whole and decimal values) Flow factors are the K and offset for each meter, used to determine the flow rate in gallons per minute or liters per minute from the raw pulse rate of the meter. Flow factors are determined by the pipe size and type. Enter/edit the K factor associated with the flow metering device being used. The K factor may be found in the specification sheet for the flow meter.
Use this menu to inform the controller the number of stations it has. The Sentinel controllers typically have station counts in 12-station increments (12, 24, 36, or 48). 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - ENTER - OR - Unit Code (1 Field to set) Every controller must have a three digit code assigned to it. This is known as the controller’s address. It is possible to select any three digit code from 000 to 999.
Day Change Hour (1 Field to set) It is possible to set the hour the controller advances to the next day. As an example, the day changes from Monday to Tuesday at midnight. It is possible to have the controller wait until 8 AM Tuesday before the controller changes the day label to Tuesday. This way, the controller will have until 8 AM Tuesday to finish all watering cycles from the Monday schedule.
II. Scheduled Watering • • • • • • • Start Times Prog ET Toggle Clear Schedule Schedule Length Run Days Program Clear Rain Off Days • • • • • • • Assigned Sched Water Window Continuous Run Repeat Dly (Delay) Time Repeats Percent Scale Slot-Stn-Time Schedule refers to the days of the week a program is set to run. Up to 16 unique watering day schedules can be defined in the Sentinel Controller. Each schedule has a number assignment from 1 to 16.
Start Times (5 Fields to set: Program number, Station number, hour, minute, and AM/PM) A Start Time initiates the automatic watering cycle. Each program can be assigned to start up eight times within a 24-hour period. Note: All start times must occur within the defined Water Window time frame. (See Water Window, below.) When multiple start times are used, they must be spaced far enough apart to enable the program irrigation cycle to be completed. The controller offers eight start times per program.
Clear Schedule (2 Fields to set: Schedule number, Clear Schedule ON or OFF) Clear any one schedule of all programming information. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - ENTER - OR - Schedule Length (2 Fields to set: Schedule number, Schedule length) Select whether a Schedule (01… 16) is based on a 6-week calendar or a 365-day calendar. 1 2 3 ENTER - OR - IMPORTANT: Changing the schedule length in either direction will clear the selected schedule.
Run Days (9 Fields to set: Schedule number, week number, 7 Day-of-week toggles) Configure the sixteen independent schedules, dictating what days will be water days or not. Control Knob to toggle a non-watering day to a watering day. An “X” symbolizes a water day. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - ENTER - OR - Program Clear (2 Fields to set: Program number, Pogram Clear YES or NO) Set all of the slot/station times within a selected program to zero. This function is helpful when clearing all 16 programs.
Rain Off Days (2 Fields to set: Program number, number of “off” days) Disable programs for the number of days specified (typically in the event of rain). The Hold LED will be on during Rain Off Days. The days will automatically decrement each day at the Day Change Hour until Rain Off Days is zero. The station will then resume normal operation.
Water Window (7 Fields to set: Program number, “FROM” hour, minute, AM/PM, “TO” hour, minute, AM/PM) The Water Window is the period of time in a 24-hour day that automatic watering can occur. Selecting a FROM and TO time defines the Water Window start time and end time. A program that is running at the end of the Water Window is terminated immediately. Use Water Windows to set up continuous run start and stops automatically.
Repeat Delay Time (2 Fields to set: Program number, minute delay) Places a delay period, ranging from 0 to 255 minutes, between program repeats. (See Repeats, below.) Use this menu item to display/edit the repeat delay time for any one of the 16 programs. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - ENTER - OR - Repeats (2 Fields to set: Program number, repeat value) Enables the watering cycle to be repeated from 1 to 250 times per start time.
Percent Scale (2 Fields to set: Program number, percent value) Adjusts the run time of stations assigned to the program by percentage ranging from 0 to 255% (100% = no change).
Visually, the Slots can be represented in a matrix as follows: To program Slot Station Times: 1 2 3 ENTER - OR - 24 4 ENTER - OR -
Chapter 3: Advanced Programming This section covers Menus and Submenus not covered as part of Basic Programming: Manual Watering, Stop Menu, and Diagnostics and Alarms. I. Manual Watering • Manual • Start / Stop Program Manual (2 Fields to set: Station number and duration of manual run) It is possible to manually operate up to six stations at one time. As shown in Step 3, use the Control Knob to select the station to run. Then press ENTER or the Control Knob. The default run time is 30 minutes.
Start / Stop Program (3 Fields to set: Program number, ON or OFF, and station number) 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - ENTER - OR - II. Stop Menu • • Full Shutdown All Manuals Off • All Autos Off Full Shutdown Shuts down all currently active stations.
All Manuals Off (Manual Stations Off) Turn off any and all stations that have been turned on manually without having to select each station individually. If more than one manual station is on, the controller will turn off one station at a time every five seconds to prevent the possibility of water hammer. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - All Autos Off (Manual / Auto Programs Off) Turn off any automatic programs (or manually started programs) that may be running.
III. Alarms Menu • • • Show Alarms & Warnings Clear Sat. Alarms Clear Comm. Alarms • • Clear Elec. Alarms Clear Flow Alarms Note: The controller is capable of posting alarms when it detects excessive water flow or excessive current. Show Alarms & Warnings Show any current alarms on the first line and the last time and date there was an alarm. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - Clear Sat. Alarms Clear all Satellite alarms on all stations. Normal program operation will then resume.
Clear Comm. Alarms Clear all communication alarms on all stations. Normal program operation will then resume. 1 3 2 4 ENTER - OR - Clear Elec. Alarms Clear all electrical alarms on all stations. Normal program operation will then resume.
Clear Flow Alarms Clear all flow alarms on all stations. Normal program operation will then resume. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - Show Moisture Data When equipped with an optional Turf Guard receiver module, incoming moisture packets are displayed on screen and recorded to a log file. When connected to the Internet via the Ethernet connection, moisture data is sent to the Turf Guard servers.
IV. Station Settings • • • • Plant Factor Stn Days Off Maximum Flows Expected Flows • • • Map Stations Station Type Precip Rate Plant Factor (2 Fields to set: Station number and percentage) Assign a percentage factor (0 - 255%) to any zone for the type of plant material that the zone is irrigating. For instance, it is possible to assign a bluegrass turf zone a factor of 100% and a ground cover zone that needs less water a 50% factor.
Maximum Flows (2 Fields to set: Station number and max flow in GPM) Specify/enter the maximum flow values in gallons per minute for each individual station. 1 2 3 4 ENTER - OR - ENTER - OR - Expected Flows (2 Fields to set: Station number and expected flow in GPM) Enter/edit the Expected Flow values (in gallons per minute) for individual stations. Expected flow values will be displayed even if there is no flow meter to collect and read actual flow values.
Map Stations (4 Fields to set: Station number, station type codes and parameters) Each station can be mapped to, or associated with, hardware other than the Sentinel controller output board. This setting relates to “Station Type” as set below. The 2.42 Firmware Map Stations menu item is in the form of: SS -> AAA/BBB:CC (See programming chart below.) 1 2 3 ENTER - OR - 4 ENTER - OR - Each station can be mapped to, or associated with, other hardware by way of the 8 numbers to the right of the arrow.
BASELINE Set AAA/BBB:CC = 000/001:xx where xx is decoder address. We set BBB = 001 (address of Baseline gateway connected to Sentinel serial port). CC decoder address maps to a specific physical decoder (serial number) in the Baseline Setup Software. Station Type (2 Fields to set: Station number and station type) The following station types are available: UNIVRSAL – Use this option to turn on outputs locally and on a universal map to (when mapped). (This is the default option.
Precipitation Rate (2 Fields to set: Station number and precipitation rate) This is the amount of water a zone applies in inches per hour. For example, a zone of fixed spray heads may apply the water at the rate of 2” per hour while a rotary sprinkler zone may apply water at the rate of 0.50” per hour. It is possible to determine a zone’s application rate by multiplying its gallons per minute by 96.3 and dividing that figure by the square feet covered by the zone.
Frequently Asked Questions 1. How do I update the firmware and language programming? For complete instructions on how to update the firmware programming and langauges for the Sentinel system, go to the Sentinel support website at: http://www.toro.com/en-us/professional-contractor/irrigation/central-control-systems/Pages/Model.aspx?pid=Sentinel. 2. I have cleared all alarms, but the alarm indicator is still blinking.
Troubleshooting Guide Problem Possible Cause Solution No display. AC power not reaching controller. Blown fuse. 14-pin ribbon-cable connector is not fully connected. Check and fix AC power supply to controller. Check fuses. Determine why blown and replace if necessary. Check ribbon cable connections on bottom of unit. Controller does not irrigate as scheduled. Programming error. Time and date error. Sensor is shutting down system. Station Alarms set.
Toro Warranty and Dedication to Quality The Toro Company and its affiliate, Toro Warranty Company, pursuant to an agreement between them, jointly warrants, to the owner, against defects in material and workmanship for a period of five years from the date of purchase. Neither The Toro Company nor Toro Warranty Company is liable for failure of products not manufactured by them even though such products may be sold or used in conjunction with Toro products.
Notes The Toro Company 5825 Jasmine Street Riverside, CA 92504 © 2013 The Toro Company, Irrigation Division • www.toro.com • 1-877-345-8676 Form Number 373-0759 Rev.
