Installation Guide – Aquaflex Sensor (SI
Contents
1. Irrigation Management Made Easy Aquaflex Soil Moisture Sensor Model SI 99 User Manual The AQUAFLEX Sensor part SI 99 uses the unique AQUAFLEX measurement technique using a 3m 10 long flexible tape to measure a volume of 6 litres 370 cubic inches of soil The Aquaflex Sensor has multiple outputs of soil moisture in volumetric percent and soil temperature Frequency for connection to pulse inputs eg a flow meter input in an irrigation controller Only soil moisture can be accessed from this sensor output 4to 20mA two separate outputs for soil moisture and soil temperature For connection to irrigation controllers telemetry systems etc These signals may be used separately or simultaneously at any time without any changes to the sensor Sensor Installation Recommendations for sensor installation are given below Your local AQUAFLEX Distributor will be pleased to give advice about the most suitable method of installation for your application lt is important that the sensor serial number and the location of the sensor are recorded There are two main methods for installing the sensors the choice of which to use depends on the required installation depth for the sensor For shallow installation eg turf applications the sensor can be simply slit into the turf For deeper installations a trench must be dug for the sensor Installation Hints Always unroll the data cable Pulling2. te ae i y Wi Ps Gs Ze e layers sor being installed to 25mm a g i d t the deep end Top sen Revision Date 28 March 2014 5 Documentation i AQUAFLEX Records Sensor 1 S no Sensor 2 S no sensor 1 Depth 50 to mm Sensor 2 Depth mm Sensor Cable Length m Top sensor installed to depth mm Topsoil depth mm Topsoil Type Topsoil Stone size mm Topsoil Stone Subsoil Type Subsoil Stone size mm Subsoil Stone Upper Sensor _ to mm Data Cable m Lower Sensor 500 mm Please draw an Arrow to show North on the diagram Note the upper and lower can be installed in either direction AF079 07 Revision Date 28 March 2014 Converting the Signal to Soil Moisture or Temperature 4 20mA Outputs For sand silt and sandy and silty loams Moisture 3 75 x C 15 For clay and clay loams Moisture 14 2 87 x C 0 214 x C 0 0086 x C For temperature Temp TC 3 75 x C 25 Where C is the output current in mA Aquaflex 4 20mA Sensor Calibration Graph j Sand Silt Clay Temperature Volumetric Soil Moisture Temperature C Sensor Output mA When a 1250 Resistor is Used to Convert the 4 20mA Signal to a 0 5 to 2 5 volt Signal For sand silt and sandy and silty loams Moisture 30x V 15 For clay and clay loam soils Moisture 144 23xV 13 7xV 4 4 x V For temperature Temp C 30x V 25 Where V is the output
3. Make sure you apply the right layer of soil and stones in the appropriate place Stones are to be replaced in the trench as best as possible directly beside or on the sensor is not advised due to air gaps and possible sensor damage place the stones in the trench where they will not cause damage to the sensor with compaction This is most important if you want you Aquaflex Sensor to work properly and accurately as soon as possible Fill in the trench slowly making sure the soil from each level is replaced as it was removed Pack tightly with either your feet or post hole rammer depending on the surrounding soil profile you want the soil to return to its original density as best as possible Make sure that you don t ram or stand on the Aquaflex as it may bend over or damage it Once the Aquaflex trench has been filled complete filling the cable trench and replace the turf Replace the turf and ram or roll the top of all the trenches with the digger tracks as long as no risk of over compaction is present Advise the land owner of the maintenance that is necessary to gain accurate data it is easiest to give them a copy of the maintenance guidelines which include heavy rolling installing an outrigger etc etc Helpful Pictures ie iY PS a i E On ONN S a i gig v te 7 TESA apf i n a alia wie ee f ee a7 m k bd D gt 5 h so y S SE ar T x 4 f i 4 Vs Eoi TA t oft we 2 Dr
4. cables off the side of a roll results in the cable coiling which makes it difficult to install in the trench Install the data cable in a metal or plastic conduit if there is risk of damage from spiking etc NOTE The flat sensor cable must not be similarly protected Ensure that the sensor cable is at least 150mm away from any foreign objects Make sure you install in a place that will give readings that are representative for the whole irrigation area If you have any questions please call Nicole Scannell on 021 811 411 or the office see footer below Aquaflex NZ a division of Streat Instruments Limited 4a Expo Place PO Box 24071 Christchurch New Zealand Phone 64 3 384 8900 Fax 64 3 384 8901 info aquaflex co nz www aquaflex co nz Shallow Installations e g Turf 1 Select and mark the position of the sensor with a string line Position the sensor where it can be easily located in future e g on a marker line on a sports field or in a position on a golf green marked by sight markers e g between two known points Note If the soil is sandy it is easier to install the sensor when the soil is wet because it holds together better With a turf cutter or sharp flat blade carefully cut a slit in the turf Carefully insert the sensor into the slit to the desired depth Note The sensor must be installed on its edge For the electronics block at the end of the sensor carefully peel back sufficient turf to
5. create a slightly larger and deeper cavity in which to bury the block Fold the turf back Gently push from behind each side of the slit to close it Pack from the sides to recreate original density and remove air pockets Repair and smooth as necessary Apply a liberal amount of irrigation water to allow the sensor to bed in and remove air pockets Run the data cable in a slit or trench to the desired location e g an Adcon Telemetry add IT 720 Wireless Sensor Interface Note ensure that the cable is buried deep enough to avoid damage during maintenance AF079 07 7 7 y Completed Installation Revision Date 28 March 2014 2 Deeper Installations e g Agriculture or Vineyard If you have any questions please call Nicole Scannell on 021 811 411 or the office Make sure you install in a place that will give readings that are representative for the whole irrigation area Please note that we now recommend that the Aquaflex data cable is installed 90 degrees from the fence line and the Aquaflex sensor runs parallel with the fence See Figure 1 0 below Aquacom Unit attached to post a Upper Aquaflex Sensor Fenceline Aquaflex Data Cable 3 NN to 20m Lower Aquaflex Sensor Figure 1 0 Aquaflex Installation Diagram Installing the data cable 1 Dig a data cable trench 400 500 mm deep from the base of the post out into the paddock This trench may be 3 metres 10 meters or 20 metres long depending on the
6. length of data cable supplied with the Aquaflex Remove the turf and place on one side of the trench and the soil on the opposite side 2 Plug the sensor s into the telemetry unit and lay the data cable in the bottom of the trench and cover it with soil Compact down with feet as you go so that the cable is flat and straight along the bottom of the trench 3 Use the cable ties to keep the data cable against the post so that cows or other animals don t chew it 4 Near the AQUAFLEX end leave the ditch open as it is easier to install the AQUAFLEX with flexibility in the data cable Installing the Upper Aquaflex Sensor Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the trench for the Upper Sensor When digging the data cable trench take note of how deep the topsoil is and where the majority of the roots are The top sensor should only be installed within the majority of the root zone and within the topsoil as a general rule we install the sensor to 300 mm at the deepest This removes the effect that a sub soil with different water holding capacity can have on the moisture measurement as the Aquaflex takes an average over the whole sensor 1 Lay aplastic sheet or similar alongside the area where the trench is being dug Dig out the turf and lay on the opposite side from the plastic sheet If soil is falling from the turf then it would be advisable to lay the turf onto the plastic sheet AF079 07 Revision Date 28 March 2014 3 2 Start at the
7. shallow box end Dig down to 50mm The box contains the thermometer so needs to sit at 100 mm depth to give a standard temperature reading 3 Remembering to remove and place the soil in its natural layers horizons on the plastic sheet dig a sloping trench down to the bottom of the topsoil across the 3 metre length of the Aquaflex Sensor Single Sensor Installation Ground Surface 50mm 100mm Nominated depth 4 Once the trench has been dug make sure that the bottom of the ditch is on an even slope 5 Lay the Aquaflex Sensor down in the middle of the trench One person holding the box end and the other laying the Aquaflex Sensor down to the far end The Aquaflex Sensor is installed on the edge so that water cannot sit on the top of the sensor 6 Make sure you apply the right layer of soil and stones in the appropriate place Move the soil around before packing it down to ensure any air gaps have been filled in by loose aggregates 7 Pack tightly with either your feet or post hole rammer depending on the surrounding soil profile you want the soil to return to its original density as best as possible Make sure that you don t ram or stand on the Aquaflex as it may bend over or damage it 8 Stones are to be replaced in the trench as best as possible directly beside or on the sensor is not advised due to air gaps and possible sensor damage place the stones in the trench where they will not cause damage to the senso
8. voltage Frequency Output Standard Configuration For Sand silt and sandy and silty loams Moisture 0 5 x pom 10 For Clay and clay loams Moisture 4 9 0 51 x pom 0 0026 x ppm 0 0000205 x pom Where ppm pulses per minute AF079 07 Revision Date 28 March 2014 7 Electrical Connections Red o Sensor power ve 6 0 to 26 Volts sensor ground 0 Volts Moisture output frequency Moisture output frequency 0 5 Volt Moisture output mA Moisture output 4 20 mA Moisture output mA Brown Temperature output mA Temperature output 4 20mA Orange Temperature output mA Yellow Factory only do not connect Note The Sensor Ground and mA cores are connected internally within the sensor therefore this sensor is not suitable for situations that require fully isolated outputs Specifications Power supply voltage 6 0 to 26 Volts DC Power supply current 10mA average 150mA peak for 60 milliseconds during measurement plus two current loops of up to 20mA each 4 20mA outputs Moisture Output 4 20mA representing the moisture range 0 60 Temperature Output 4 20mA representing the temperature range 10 to 50 C Maximum load resistance 2509 with 9 Volts supply 1kQ with 24 Volts supply The 4 20mA signals may be converted to voltage signals by connecting external resistors across the 4 20mA outputs Using a 125Q resistor results in a 0 5 to 2 5V range Frequency out
9. put signal O to 5 volts logic signal Soil Moisture Only 10 pulses per minute 0 Volumetric Soil Moisture Content 130 pulses per minute 60 Volumetric Soil Moisture Content Special frequency ranges are available on request 0 8 seconds after power supplied typical 1 second maximum Time between measurements 1 minute if power applied constantly Operating Temperature 10 to 40 C 14 to 104 F Soil Moisture Measurement Range O to 60 volumetric moisture content Precision Repeatability 0 5 volumetric moisture content Accuracy 2 volumetric moisture content Soil Temperature Measurement The temperature is measured at the body of the sensor not along the moisture sensing cable Range 10 to 50 C 14 to 122 F Accuracy 0 5 C 0 9 F AF079 07 Revision Date 28 March 2014 8 Sensor Fault Indicators If a fault occurs the sensor outputs special signals as follows Signal V across 125Q load Fault condition OV 0 ppm A broken wire or possible failure in the sensor Check the wiring and repair Contact your distributor if wires are intact 1 mA 0 125V 2 5ppm Moisture reading out of expected range If this output continues contact your distributor Note sensors will often give this output when in air before burial this is normal 2 mA 0 250 V 5 0ppm Low battery or supply voltage Replace the batteries or check power supply 3 mA 0 375 V 7 5ppm Critical sensor settings have been lost Contac
10. r with compaction 9 Insert a paver at each end of the Aquaflex sensor put 200 mm further out than the real end Also Streat Instruments insert a sticker diagram of where the sensor is on the inside the radio telemetry box so that the farmer can easily identify where the sensor is Installing the lower sensor If one has been purchased Refer to Figure 1 for the location of the trench for the Lower Sensor in the opposite direction to where the Upper Sensor is installed from the end of the data cable trench 1 Lay aplastic sheet or similar alongside the area where the trench is being dug Dig out the turf and lay on the opposite side from the plastic sheet If soil is falling from the turf then it would be advisable to lay the turf onto the plastic sheet 2 Dig the trench to a depth which is below the root zone this is most often 500mm in a grass pasture Again the soil needs to be removed in its layers and placed onto a plastic sheet Ensure you remove the soil in layers at least three soil layers would be advisable 3 The lower sensor usually gets installed horizontally at one depth i e not on a slope lay the bottom sensor on its edge at the bottom of the trench and place the correct AF079 07 Revision Date 28 March 2014 4 AF079 07 Soil removed and placed in thre layer of soil stones around it Place the soil around the sensor to and move the soil around to ensure any large air gaps are filled in by loose soil
11. t your distributor Conditions of Use Aquaflex must be installed as specified Use of Aquaflex data is entirely at the discretion of the user and should therefore be subject to current best practice principles of soil moisture management and agronomic management Neither Streat Instruments nor its Distributors shall be liable whether in contract tort or otherwise for any loss including but not limited to loss of profits and consequential loss of any kind whatever arising out of any published material or in connection with the performance or use of Aquaflex The serial number marked on each Aquaflex Sensor must be recorded and quoted for warranty claims STREAT INSTRUMENTS Streat Instruments UK Office 4A Expo Place Garnett Group PO Box 24071 Unit 6 Great Russell Court Christchurch Fieldhead Business Centre New Zealand Bradford BD7 1JZ United Kingdom Ph 64 3 384 8900 Ph 44 1274 733 145 Fax 64 3 384 8901 Fax 44 mail streatsahead com mail streatsahead com www streatsahead com www streatsahead com AF079 07 Revision Date 28 March 2014 9
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