How the system works.

Any irrigation controller/s that activates the irrigation valve/output into the "on" mode using 24 Volt alternating current (the conventional live and common wire system), can be used.

Each valves/stations output from the irrigation controller/s that is to be radio operated is wired directly into a 24 Volt AC input card. The maximum number of 24 Volt AC inputs on each card is 16. The maximum number of outputs the radio system can control is 128 (8 x 24 Volt AC input cards).

The input card converts the 24 Volt AC signal into a digital signal that is passed through the bus board and into a transmitter interface card. This can also be achieved using serial data from other custom built controllers such as GULF & Galcon equipment.

The transmitter card converts the data into a protocol that is understood by the radio equipment. This data is injected into a standard mobile radio set which transmits a series of codes over the air. The estimated range is ± 2.5 Km.

A small battery operated G3 receiver module capable of controlling a minimum of one and up to four valves or relays is located at the position of the valve/s to be controlled within the irrigation system. Each receiver module is set with its own unique address and will only switch "on" or "off" if this address is detected in the airwaves.

A typical control system layout.

A 24 Volt AC Irrigation controller

± 2.5 Km Max.

Gator G3 2 Line or 4 Line Receiver Modules(Units located at the position of the valves that are to be controlled)

Mast mounted Antennae

A few control examples - #1

A single irrigation controller with a maximum of 16 outputs linked to one 16 Line 24 volt AC input card which is installed on a 4 card bus board. A transmitter interface card is fitted to the last slot on the bus board and is linked in turn to the mobile radio. The radio transmits the coded data over the air.

A few control examples - #2

One or more irrigation controllers with a maximum of 112 outputs linked to seven 16 Line 24 Volt AC input cards which are installed on two 4 card bus boards. A transmitter interface card is fitted to the last slot on the second bus board and is linked in turn to the mobile radio. The radio transmits the coded data over the air.

Introduction

The Gator 2000 irrigation controller is a powerful processor based field computeroffering immense flexibility through a simple user friendly interface and softwareprogram. The Gator 2000 can be used as a stand alone unit or one or more unitscan be linked through a network to a personal computer allowing full programmingand data retrieval from a central location.

Modular plug-in output and input cards allow a diverse range of control options and the ability to custom build every control system economically. This irrigation management tool is ideal for open field, turf, landscaping, nursery and greenhouse applications.

Five totally independent user definable irrigation systems each consisting of: a main water pump, a main valve, up to 10 filters, 2 fertilizer pumps and 32 irrigation outputs

128 user definable outputs and 32 user definable inputs

The activation of output devices such as valves, pumps, filters, etc. Using hard-wire, hydraulics, wireless control or any combination of these format

Application and control of irrigation and fertigation / chemigation on a volumetric or time bases or using any combination thereof

Features

85 available daily start times per system

3 separate water and fertilizer programs for each irrigation valve

Advanced windows software for central control incorporating automatic system scheduling

Scope of Control

One GATOR 2000 field controller is capable of controlling up to five independently operated irrigation systems. Each system is able to control and monitor the following inputs and outputs:

Inputs (back indications) -1 Water Meter1 or 2 Fertiliser / Chemigation Meter1 Rain "Stop" Input1 Flush Start1 Pause Input1 Sequence Start Input1 Emergency Input

Outputs -1 Main Water Pump1 to 2 Fertiliser / Chemigation Pumps / Valves1 System Main Valve1 System Alarm Output1 to 10 Filter Flush Outputs1 to 32 Irrigation Block Valves

Inputs and outputs can be shared between systems (e.g. common pump start output) however allocating an input or output to a system incorrectly can negatively influence the manner in which the controller operates.

The Irri-Gator 5000 control system uses a dedicated standard personal computer pre-loaded with specialized irrigation control software. The PC is interfaced to the Gator wireless irrigation controls allowing system outputs (pumps, filters, valves, etc) to be activated using a wireless signal. The system presently operates on a time basis only however future development will allow for back indication from various metering devices.

Introduction

How the system works.

The irrigation program is setup on a dedicated PC which is linked to a transmitter interface card via the PC’s RS232 serial port. The maximum number of outputs the radio system can control is 256.

The transmitter card converts the data into a protocol that is understood by the radio equipment. This data is injected into a standard mobile radio set which transmits a series of codes over the air. The estimated range is ± 2.5 Km.

A small battery operated G3 receiver module capable of controlling a minimum of one and up to four valves or relays is located at the position of the valve/s to be controlled within the irrigation system. Each receiver module is set with its own unique address and will only switch "on" or "off" if this address is detected in the airwaves.

Unlimited number of irrigation systems per PC

Up to 100 Irrigation valves per system

Up to 4 irrigation pumps per system

Unlimited irrigation sequences per system

Up to 20 irrigation cycles per irrigation sequence

Unlimited number of valves per irrigation cycle

Colour coded user friendly irrigation status screen

A few system features.

Software Screen Shots.

Sequence Programming

Irrigation History

Software Screen Shots.

General Status

Software Screen Shots.

System Status

Software Screen Shots.

Top ViewBottom View

No external antennae

IP65 enclosure rating with electronics fully waterproofed and manufactured from UV stabilized plastics

Integrated Mounting Point

Well marked and numbered

Power Cable and Programming Cable protected in battery housing

Quick connect valve wiring connection points

Features.

Power On and Data Receive LED available during the initial setup period

How the unit works.

The unit is programmed with a system valve number and unique system address using a hand held programmer (HHP). This is carried out by connecting the HHP to the programming leads contained within the battery enclosure of the RX module

Once power is applied to the module it resets all output devices to the off position and after an initial setup period of 4 minutes the unit itself pulses on and off to conserve power.

When data, such as valve number and system ID which is relevant to the unit, is transmitted from the central control point, the unit will react by activating or deactivating a solenoid valve or relay.

If a valve or relay is activated and for one or other reason a refreshing signal is not received with 6 minutes the unit will automatically switch all the outputs off

Technical Detail

Power – The unit is powered by a 3.6 Volt DC 19 A/Hr Lithium Chloride battery. This battery should typically provide two years of life to the module.

Switching – The system uses a two wire pulsed 50msec 12 volt DC signal to activate DC magnetic latching devices. Power is thus consumed only when the device is switched but not before or after this period.

Radio Technology – FM pager front end technology with custom digital protocol.

Maximum number of outputs - 2 or 4 independent (any number in between).

Module Installation Location

Do not –Install the unit in a concrete or metal enclosureInstall the unit beneath water levelMake wire lengths between the module and the solenoid or relay to long

Where Possible –Install the unit above ground open to free air Install the unit only inside plastic or fiber glass enclosures

Pole Mounted Above GroundValve Box

Pole Mounted Fibre GlassEnclosure

Radio controlled irrigation systems offer several advantages over conventional hard wire controlled systems:

Damage to equipment by lightning is less likely to occur.

System installation is cheaper and simpler.

No need to find and repair faulty wires.

Less vandalism and theft of infield wires / equipment.

Ease of system expansion.

Turf Ag Products – South Africa

Agriplas (Pty) Ltd – South Africa

Netafim Inc. – USA

Netafim (Pty) Ltd – South Africa

Galitalia / SICMA – Italy

Wroot Water Systems – United Kingdom

Daily Drip – Netherlands

Automated Irrigation – Zimbabwe

Galcon – Israel

Aqualia – Mauritius

More than 500 irrigation control systems sold to date

More than 6000 receiver modules in operation around the world

Controlling more than 14,000 devices such as valves and pumps

Irrigating more than 10,000 hectares of land with different crops and vegetation

E-mail address: mailto:info@irrigator.co.za

Web site: www.irrigator.co.za

Office phone: +27 21 982 7561

Office fax: +27 21 981 4473

Postal Address: P.O. Box 889Brackenfell, 7561Western Cape ProvinceRep. of South Africa

Physical Address:Unit F9, Fourie Park,William Dabbs Street,Brackenfell, 7560Western Cape ProvinceRep. of South Africa