Base Line BaseStation 3200 User Manual
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Base Line BaseStation 3200 User Manual

Advanced irrigation controller
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BaseStation 3200
Advanced Irrigation
Controller
User Manual
Software Version 11.7.5.15
Contents at a Glance
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Section 11
Section 12
Customer Service 1-866-294-5847
April 17, 2012
Introduction
System Components
Wiring Guidelines
BaseStation 3200 Interface
Configuring Devices
Initial Programming
Flow Management & Monitoring
Manual Operations
System Management
Reports, Messages, Alerts, & Logs
Troubleshooting
Appendix

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Summary of Contents for Base Line BaseStation 3200

  • Page 1 Contents at a Glance April 17, 2012 Section 1 Introduction Section 2 System Components Section 3 Wiring Guidelines Section 4 BaseStation 3200 Interface Section 5 Configuring Devices Section 6 Initial Programming Section 7 Flow Management & Monitoring Section 8 Manual Operations...
  • Page 2 Baseline Inc. www.baselinesystems.com Phone 208-323-1634 FAX 208-323-1834 Toll Free 866-294-5847 ©2012 Baseline Inc. All Rights Reserved. Revision 2...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Total Supported Devices and Limits ....................... 13 Maximum Concurrent Valves ........................14 Maximum Wire Distances for 3200R and 5200R Series biCoders .............. 14 Installing the BaseStation 3200 Enclosure ..................... 14 C-series Wall Mount Cabinets......................... 14 Connecting Power and Ground ........................15 X/XS-series Wall Mount Cabinets ........................
  • Page 4 Wiring a Pause biCoder ..........................30 Wiring a Rain Switch and Other Normally Closed Sensing Devices ..............31 Connecting a Rain Switch to the BaseStation 3200 ..................31 Pause Behavior for the Different Connections ................... 31 Watering Behavior for the Different Ports ....................31 Wireless Rain Sensors .............................
  • Page 5 6 – INITIAL PROGRAMMING ......................42 Power Cycling or Restarting the Controller ....................42 Setting the Controller Date and Time ......................42 Checking the Software Version on Your Controller ..................42 Setting Up Time-Based Watering ........................43 Setting Up a Timed Zone ..........................43 To set up a timed zone ..........................
  • Page 6 Learning the Flow by Program ........................62 Learning the Flow by Zone ......................... 63 Multiple Flow Devices and Mainlines ......................64 To assign mainline numbers to your flow devices and programs..............64 8 – MANUAL OPERATIONS ........................ 65 Manually Running a Program ........................65 Forcing a Program to Start ..........................
  • Page 7 BL-3200-R Hydrozone Worksheet ......................... 88 Existing Irrigation Controller Information ....................... 88 Additional Information for Existing Programs ....................89 Programming Information for the BaseStation 3200 Controller ..............89 Additional Information for New Programs ..................... 90 Glossary of Terms ............................91 Page...
  • Page 8 Page...

  • Page 9: Introduction

    How to Read this Manual For first time users, sections 1 through 6 provide an overview of how to get your new BaseStation 3200 controller up and running quickly, while sections 7 through 10 provide information on advanced functions and troubleshooting.

  • Page 10: Soil Moisture Content

    Unlike other irrigation controllers, the 3200 is specifically designed to make efficient irrigation easy. Before you start setting up and programming your BaseStation 3200, it is helpful to understand the following concepts: •...

  • Page 11: How To Use Soil Moisture Sensors Successfully

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual To understand soil moisture based smart irrigation, you also need to understand the following industry standard terms for soil moisture content. Saturation The soil pores are filled with water and nearly all of the air in the soil has been displaced by water.

  • Page 12: Choosing The Primary Zone For A Scheduling Group

    Has an average or greater sun and wind exposure for the scheduling group IMPORTANT NOTE! The primary zone must be configured in the BaseStation 3200 system at an address with a lower number than the other zones within the same scheduling group. For example, if zones 1 – 50 are in one scheduling group, zone 1 would be the primary zone.

  • Page 13: Choosing The Sensor Location

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Choosing the Sensor Location You will achieve the best results by locating the biSensor in an area that is average for the zone and ideally for the entire scheduling group. Avoid the following areas: •...

  • Page 14: Turf Grass

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Turf Grass As previously stated, you should bury the sensor 2 inches to 3 inches below the thatch layer, or in the top 1/3 of the root zone of the grass. Newly Seeded Turf Grass or New Sod The default watering strategies for the 3200 are intended to optimize water efficiency for established plants and turf.

  • Page 15: Installing Bisensors With New Trees

    Refer to Setting Up a Timed Zone on page 43. Historical The BaseStation 3200 allows you to set the days between irrigation according to a Historical ET calendar. This watering strategy, unlike typical seasonal adjustments, will promote deeper root growth and healthier plants throughout the season.

  • Page 16: Root Depth And Plant Water Efficiency

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual infrequently and promotes deeper root growth in plants. The controller will water for a specified run time each time it is allowed to water. When you are using this watering strategy, remember to ensure that ½ inch or more of water is applied frequently enough to water sufficiently during the hottest period of the season.

  • Page 17: Understanding Soak Cycling

    “soaks” (timed wait periods for the water applied in the last cycle to infiltrate into the soil before applying more water). The BaseStation 3200 has built-in support for soak cycling and has intelligent watering algorithms that apply cycles in the optimal order to maximize water penetration and minimize evaporation loss.

  • Page 18: Distribution Uniformity

    Baseline’s experience is that high-uniformity systems can be built from nearly any head type, as long as it is properly designed, installed and maintained. IMPORTANT NOTE! The BaseStation 3200 controller can compensate for, but cannot solve, distribution uniformity problems. As you intelligently reduce water applied to any zone, you may notice stressed areas or brown spots in your landscape.

  • Page 19: System Components

    P-series All cabinet dimensions are in inches (in). Remote Communications Options The BaseStation 3200 is compatible with a number of remote communications options to enable remote access and central control using Baseline’s BaseManager system or BaseManager Web service. BaseManager BaseManager is central control software that is used to manage and control numerous BaseStation 3200 controllers.

  • Page 20: Bl Commander

    BL Commander The BL-Commander is a handheld radio for activating valves while away from the BaseStation 3200 controller. The radio receiver is powered from the BL-3200X series controller and can be easily moved between controllers for field service and repair.

  • Page 21: Total Supported Devices And Limits

    Total Supported Devices and Limits The following table lists the total numbers of devices by type that can be connected to a BaseStation 3200. The BaseStation 3200 can communicate with a maximum of 110 devices (device loads) on the two-wire path within the layout and length limits outlined later in this section.

  • Page 22: Maximum Concurrent Valves

    Maximum Wire Distances for 3200R and 5200R Series biCoders Installing the BaseStation 3200 Enclosure This section covers the basic installation of the various enclosures for the BaseStation 3200 controller. C-series Wall Mount Cabinets The C-series wall mount cabinet is designed for outdoor or indoor wall or pole mounting. The cabinet features four screw or bolt mounting holes on tabs above and below the controller chassis as shown below: The screw holes are approximately ¼...

  • Page 23: Connecting Power And Ground

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Connecting Power and Ground All C-series wall mount 3200 controllers ship with a conduit-ready ½ inch male exposed thread connection point as shown in the diagram. Make all AC power connections in an approved electrical connection junction box, in accordance with all local electrical codes.

  • Page 24: Connecting Power And Ground

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Connecting Power and Ground The main AC power connection is via a small built-in electrical box in the lower left of the enclosure. To access the electrical box, remove the screw on the right and the panel. The box has a knockout suitable for direct connection of a ½...

  • Page 25: Remote Connection Modules And Antennas

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Remote Connection Modules and Antennas If installed, antennas for WiFi, Cell Modem, and Mesh Radio communication units mount through the access port on the left side of the pedestal, and include a stainless steel mounting body to protect antenna cabling and raise antennas above the top of the pedestal for best signal strength.

  • Page 26: Wiring Guidelines

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 3 – WIRING GUIDELINES Review this section to find instructions for wiring your BaseStation 3200 irrigation controller and for connecting the standard and optional devices. Conventional Irrigation Wiring Installation BaseStation 3200R controllers and Baseline 5200R Series Powered biCoders connect directly to conventional 24 VAC irrigation wiring, with one wire for each valve plus a common wire.

  • Page 27: Connecting Valve Wires And Moisture Sensors Over Valve Wires

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual BaseStation 3200R systems have built-in biCoders, and each screw terminal has a unique serial number. These serial numbers are listed on the wiring label that is included in the unit as shown in the illustration below.

  • Page 28: Expanding With Two-Wire

    BL-5200 Series Powered biCoder Wiring Example with One biSensor Expanding with Two-Wire All BaseStation 3200 controllers are capable of communicating with Baseline biCoders and biSensors connected to a two-wire path. Any supported two-wire devices may be connected. Two-Wire Expansion Example...

  • Page 29: Connecting To Bl-5200R Series Wall Mount Bicoders

    Two-wire Path biSensor Valve biCoders You can connect up to 20 5200R Series Powered biCoders to a single BaseStation 3200, which enables you to retrofit a large site with multiple controllers into a single BaseStation 3200 controller. Two-Wire Installation All BaseStation 3200 and 3200R controllers are equipped with a full-function two-wire port capable of connecting to valve biCoders, powered retrofit biCoders, biSensors, flow meters, and other devices.

  • Page 30: Two-Wire Serial Numbers

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Two-Wire Serial Numbers Each Baseline two-wire device has a unique serial number used to identify it. Serial numbers are labeled on all Baseline devices. For devices such as two or four zone biCoders, each output for the biCoder has a unique serial number, even if it only has one serial number listed on its label.

  • Page 31: Wire Layout

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Wire Layout Straight line, star, looped, and combination configurations are supported. The straight line and the star topology are the recommended layouts. To simplify the illustrations, only the last device is shown for most configurations. You can assume that other devices, both sensors and biCoders, are connected along the length of the two-wire path.

  • Page 32: Installing Two-Wire Devices

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Installing Two-Wire Devices Wiring a Valve biCoder Baseline’s valve biCoders are designed for direct burial and are tested to very rigorous standards of durability. Make all connections in valve boxes fully waterproof. The connectors on the two-wire path and on the valve side must conform to the 3M™...

  • Page 33: Wiring Surge Protection And Lightning Arrestors

    Baseline BL-LA01 Surge Arrestor Specification. Notes Each surge arrestor protects a 300 foot radius of the two-wire path or backbone wire on BaseStation 3200 systems. Install a surge arrestor at the end of the two-wire that is the maximum distance from the controller, or in a looped topology, at the point of maximum distance from the controller.

  • Page 34: Wiring A Soil Moisture Sensor (Bisensor™)

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 5. Attach the bare copper to a ground rod or ground plate and follow proper grounding practices. Example of Surge Protection Wiring Wiring a Soil Moisture Sensor (biSensor™) 1. Power off the two-wire when installing devices.

  • Page 35: Wiring A Pump Start Relay

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Wiring a Pump Start Relay 1. Power off the two-wire when installing devices. Leave 24 to 36 inches of slack on the two-wire to allow for easy installation and maintenance. 2. Locate the biCoder near the irrigation pump relay.

  • Page 36: Wiring A Flow Device +Nomv

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 3. Connect the red and black wire from the flow biCoder to the corresponding red and black wires on the two-wire, making sure that you maintain polarity. You must use 3M™ Direct Bury Splice Kit DBR/Y connectors for all two-wire wire path connections.

  • Page 37: Wiring A Water Meter

    1. Use a biasing resistor in any three-wire flow meter voltage line. 2. Use the following formula to calculate the K-value, and then enter these values into the appropriate menu on your BaseStation 3200. Refer to Configuring a Flow Device on page 57. Examples:...

  • Page 38: Pause Devices

    The pause button provides a convenient way to stop watering. You can install this button in any location where easy access to the two-wire can be used for a connection. You can install up to three pause devices on a single BaseStation 3200 or 3200R system to allow convenient access from multiple locations around large sites. Installation Instructions 1.

  • Page 39: Wiring A Rain Switch And Other Normally Closed Sensing Devices

    Wiring a Rain Switch and Other Normally Closed Sensing Devices All BaseStation 3200 controllers are compatible with industry standard normally closed (NC) sensing devices such as rain switches. You can directly connect these devices to the appropriate terminals on the 3200, or you can connect them to the two-wire path using pause biCoders.

  • Page 40: Wireless Rain Sensors

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Wireless Rain Sensors Another popular accessory is a wireless rain sensor. Wireless sensors differ from standard rain sensors because they require external power, typically 24 VAC. The various types of wireless rain sensors have different wiring requirements for their receivers. Consult the user manual for your wireless rain sensor for wiring guidelines.

  • Page 41: -Basestation 3200 Interface

    4 –BASESTATION 3200 INTERFACE Review this section to get familiar with the layout of the BaseStation 3200 interface. This information covers the components of the front panel, the on-screen help, the features of the main screen, as well as the status colors and a brief overview of the on-screen reports.

  • Page 42: On-Screen Help

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual On-Screen Help At the bottom of every screen, there are instructions that describe how to use the buttons to change the functions associated with that screen. The instructions on the screen change depending on the functions and control requirements.

  • Page 43: Status Colors

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Status Colors The following colors display on the Auto Run screen to indicate the status of programs, master valves, flow meters, and zones. Idle (watering done) Active (watering) Waiting to water Soaking Disabled Paused...

  • Page 44: Configuring Devices

    The devices that you can attach to the BaseStation 3200 have serial numbers. The controller identifies an attached device by its serial number. After you have searched for the attached devices, you can assign each serial number to a specific purpose in the controller.

  • Page 45: Searching For Bisensors

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Searching for biSensors 1. Turn the dial to the biSensor Menu position. 2. Press the NEXT or PREV button to select Assign biSensors. 3. Press the ENTR button. 4. Press the + or – button to select Search.

  • Page 46: Assigning Valve Bicoders To Zone Numbers

    (zone number) in the controller. Note: If you are converting an existing irrigation controller to a new BaseStation 3200, Baseline recommends that you use the Hydrozone Worksheet on page 88 to plan the conversion.

  • Page 47: Understanding Zone Statuses

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 2. With the dial in the biCoder Menu position and the biCoder List displayed, press the + or – button until Clear displays in the Assign biCoder field. 3. Press the NEXT or PREV button to highlight the Zone Number that you want to clear.

  • Page 48: Configuring Other Devices

    Moisture Sensor Based Watering on page 51. Configuring Pause Devices You can configure and use up to seven pause devices with the BaseStation 3200. Pause devices are automatically assigned a number from one to seven when they are found during a search operation.

  • Page 49: Configuring Flow Bicoders, Flow Meters, And Flow Sensors

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 8. When the program is selected, press the + or – button to change between Y (yes) and – (no). Note: If you want to turn off the pause biCoder, select the Pause Delay Time field, and then press the CLR button.

  • Page 50: Initial Programming

    After you have configured your devices as described in the previous section, you are ready to start the initial programming on your BaseStation 3200 controller. Review the information in this section to learn how to set up time-based watering for your zones, how to enable the soak cycles, and set up your programs. If you are using a soil moisture sensor, be sure to read the information about setting up soil moisture sensor based watering including the information about the watering strategies.

  • Page 51: Setting Up Time-Based Watering

    Updating the Controller Software on page 73. Setting Up Time-Based Watering The BaseStation 3200 provides the following methods for controlling the amount of water that is applied to a zone: • Watering based on time and schedule •...

  • Page 52: To Modify The Default Settings For A Zone

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Zone Mode – There are three modes for zones in the BaseStation 3200. Timed • The default for newly assigned zones. In this mode, you can program the zone to water in a time-based manner (like other irrigation controllers).

  • Page 53: To Assign A Primary Zone

    Linking Zones (Creating a Scheduling Group) To make programming easier and more structured, the BaseStation 3200 provides a way to group zones that have similar watering requirements. You create a scheduling group by designating the lowest zone number of the group as the primary zone and then configuring each of the following zones in the group as linked.

  • Page 54: Using Soak Cycles

    It is especially important to use appropriate soak cycles when you are watering a slope. The BaseStation 3200 allows you to quickly configure soak-cycle times for your zones. To enable the default soak-cycle settings 1.

  • Page 55: To Change Soak-Cycle Settings For Timed Zones

    In many irrigation controllers, you set up the run times and the watering schedules in the programs, but in the BaseStation 3200, run times are configured for the individual zones, and a program provides the schedule for when the associated zones will water. The schedule has the following components: Start Times –...

  • Page 56: To Set Up The Start Times For A Program

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual To set up the start times for a program 1. Turn the dial to the Start Times position. 2. Press the + or – button to select the program that you want to set up start times for.

  • Page 57: To Set Up The Day Intervals For A Program

    To set up historical ET-based watering for a program In the BaseStation 3200, one of the Day Interval modes for a program is Historical ET Calendar. Evapotranspiration (ET) refers to the loss of moisture from the soil by evaporation and by the transpiration of plants. Factors such as air temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind speed affect the rate at which ET occurs.

  • Page 58: Instructions

    To adjust the water budget for programs In order to provide a full range of functionality, the BaseStation 3200 controller software includes an option to increase or decrease the amount of time all zones in a program will water. However, we recommend that you use other methods for adjusting the amount of water that your irrigation system is putting down.

  • Page 59: Associating Zones With A Program

    You can take the guesswork out of your watering decisions by setting up soil moisture sensor based watering. The biSensor measures soil moisture where the plants need it – at the root level. When you have a biSensor installed, the BaseStation 3200 enables you to set up one of the following water strategies: •...

  • Page 60: Prerequisites For Watering With Soil Moisture Sensors

    Prerequisites for Watering with Soil Moisture Sensors • Your biSensors are installed and assigned in the BaseStation 3200. Make sure to assign the correct biSensor to its primary zone. Making an incorrect assignment here will result in unexpected and confusing water behavior.

  • Page 61: Understanding Upper And Lower Limit Watering Strategies

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Understanding Upper and Lower Limit Watering Strategies Lower Limit This water strategy provides an excellent way to achieve healthy, deep-rooted grass. You can either set the lower limit manually or you can have the controller perform a calibration cycle in order to calculate the limit. Set the lower limit at the maximum allowable depletion moisture level, just before the lawn begins to stress or wilt.

  • Page 62: Upper Limit

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Lower Limit Watering Behaviors • It is uncertain which days of the week when watering will occur – use water windows to specify a mow day. • The water run time for a program is fixed, so the end time is predictable to the extent that multiple programs may all be trying to water on the same day.

  • Page 63: Complying With Water Restrictions

    The first step in understanding how to keep the controller from watering when it should not is to identify under what conditions it will allow watering. The BaseStation 3200 controller will start a program when all of the following conditions have been met: •...

  • Page 64: Setting Up Event Days

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Setting Up Event Days The BaseStation 3200 supports eight event days. An event day stops all watering and keeps all programs from starting on that date. You can schedule an event day up to a year in advance.

  • Page 65: Flow Management & Monitoring

    7 – FLOW MANAGEMENT & MONITORING The BaseStation 3200 provides an extensive set of flow monitoring and management capabilities to help understand how water is being used and to reduce the effects of pipeline breaks and sprinkler malfunctions. It can...

  • Page 66: Flow Device Limits And Monthly Budget

    (GPM) for the point of connection (POC) that supplies water through the flow device to the rest of the irrigation system. The BaseStation 3200 uses this value to manage the number of concurrent zones so that the water source is used as efficiently as possible. If you set this value to zero, you cannot use this GPM amount to control zone concurrency.

  • Page 67: To Configure The Flow Device Limits

    11. When you have finished making changes, turn the dial to the Auto Run position. Mainline Setup The BaseStation 3200 supports four mainlines. By default, the mainlines are numbered in the controller from 1 – 4 regardless of whether your system has more than one. All programs and flow devices are automatically assigned to mainline #1, but you can change the settings to match your irrigation system.
  • Page 68 BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual • Design Flow GPM – This field is the flow rating for the mainline in gallons per minute (GPM). This flow is likely different from the design flow of the POC/flow device. When a mainline has multiple POCs of different capacity, the controller uses the constrained design flow to determine the actual available flow for watering.

  • Page 69: To Set Up The Mainline

    11. When you have finished making changes, turn the dial to the Auto Run position. Managing Concurrent Zones In the BaseStation 3200, you manage the number of zones that can run concurrently at the following levels: • Mainline Flow Level – When you set up the design flow for the mainline and then set the Limit by Flow field to Y (yes), the system uses the mainline design flow to determine how many zones can run concurrently.

  • Page 70: Example

    Learning Flow With one or more flow devices, the BaseStation 3200 has the ability to do a learn flow cycle to determine the flow for zones. You can run the learn flow cycle either by program or for individual zones. You can set up the learn flow cycle to be delayed from 15 minutes to 23 hours and 45 minutes.

  • Page 71: Learning The Flow By Zone

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual IMPORTANT NOTE! The learn flow cycle does not start until you turn the dial to the Auto Run position. Depending on how many zones a program has, the learn flow cycle could take more than an hour to complete.

  • Page 72: Multiple Flow Devices And Mainlines

    Multiple Flow Devices and Mainlines With the BaseStation 3200, you can independently manage four mainlines separate from each other. A mainline is defined as a primary water delivery pipe that delivers water to a specific set of zones (valves and heads). Mainlines are considered to be different and separate if the water in one mainline cannot be delivered to the zones of another mainline.

  • Page 73: Manual Operations

    8 – MANUAL OPERATIONS The BaseStation 3200 has several options that enable you to manually control your irrigation system. You can force a program to start, stop a program that is actively watering or set the next start date for a program.

  • Page 74: Setting The Next Start Date For A Program

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Setting the Next Start Date for a Program If you are using the Historical ET Calendar interval for multiple programs, you can use this option to set staggered start dates for each program. 1. Turn the dial to the Manual Run Program position.

  • Page 75: Manually Running All Zones

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 5. Press the NEXT button to move to the First Zone Delay field, and then press the + or – button to set the amount of time that you want the system to delay before the zone starts running.

  • Page 76: Manually Running The Zones Of A Program

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Manually Running the Zones of a Program 1. Turn the dial to the Manual Water position. 2. In the first field on the screen, press the + button to change the setting to Run Zones of Program.

  • Page 77: Setting Up A Rain Delay

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Setting Up a Rain Delay This function will stop all water for a specified number of days. Setting the days to 1 will stop watering for the rest of the day and will resume normal watering at midnight.

  • Page 78: System Management

    9 – SYSTEM MANAGEMENT The BaseStation 3200 has a number of features that enable you to manage the controller. You can set up passcodes to grant various levels of remote access to the controller. You can back up your system with a USB drive, and then you can use those backup files to restore your system if it ever goes down.

  • Page 79: Using The Usb Data Functions

    Note: The temperature in the lower right corner is the internal temperature of the controller. Using the USB Data Functions The BaseStation 3200 has a USB port that is used for transferring data and program information. For your convenience, a USB drive is affixed to the inside bottom of the BaseStation enclosure.

  • Page 80: Exporting Log Files

    Exporting Log Files The BaseStation 3200 saves up to two years of log files. The controller records all programming changes, run times, moisture levels, and other internal information in these files. The daily files are saved in folders by month. When you perform an export, all of the files are copied to the USB drive in the controller serial number folder, and in a subfolder called Export.

  • Page 81: Updating The Controller Software

    2. In the Search field on the home page, type software update, and then click the Submit button. 3. In the list of search results, click the link for the BaseStation 3200 Software Update. 4. Navigate to the page where you find the Download button for the latest code version, and then click that button.

  • Page 82: To Update The Software On The Controller

    To update the software on the controller 1. On the BaseStation 3200 controller, plug the USB drive that has the Update folder on it into the USB port. WARNING! To avoid damaging the connector pins, gently push the drive into the port.

  • Page 83: Reports, Messages, Alerts, & Logs

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 10 – REPORTS, MESSAGES, ALERTS, & LOGS The main screen shows information about the operating state of the BaseStation controller. The controller provides the following categories of reports and each category can have multiple reports.

  • Page 84: Program Status

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Next to the time and date, you see the status or state of the following items. • Air Temp – Shows “None” if no air temperature sensor is connected to the system, otherwise shows the current air temperature.

  • Page 85: Moisture Sensor Data

    4. To return to the main screen, press the CLR button. Water Used The BaseStation 3200 provides two types of water used reports. • Report for controllers that do not have a flow sensor In this report, all flow and water used values are estimated from the flow values for each of the zones. The flow is the sum of the individual flow values for each of the zones that are currently watering.

  • Page 86: Pause Conditions

    When one or more pause conditions occur, the Pause Condition reports describe the reasons for the pause conditions. The following pause conditions can occur on the BaseStation 3200. BL-Commander • All programs will be paused while running a zone using the remote handheld radio – all (handheld programs resume when the zone is shut off.

  • Page 87: To Display The Pause Conditions Report

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Pause Switch • An open jumper or wired switch pauses all watering on the controller. • Pressing CLR does not reset the pause condition until the jumper or switch has closed the circuit. Then pressing CLR resets the pause condition before the delay time has elapsed.

  • Page 88: Viewing Exported Log Files

    9. When the Safe to Remove Hardware message displays, unplug the USB drive from the computer. Saving Exported Log Files to a Computer If you have BaseStation 3200 log files on a USB drive, you can copy them to a Microsoft Windows-based computer for permanent storage.
  • Page 89 BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 3. When Windows prompts, click the option to open the folder and view the files. A Windows Explorer window opens and displays the contents of the USB drive. If you want to copy all of the exported log files, ...

  • Page 90: Troubleshooting

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual 11 – TROUBLESHOOTING The BaseStation 3200 has built-in features for testing zones, valves, biCoders and biSensors. These tests help you isolate and identify components and devices that are not working properly so you know what needs to be repaired.

  • Page 91: Testing Soil Moisture Sensors (Bisensors)

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Testing Soil Moisture Sensors (biSensors) When you test a soil moisture sensor (biSensor), the controller verifies the communication between the controller and the biSensor and returns the following readings: • The current soil moisture percentage value •...

  • Page 92: Testing All Devices

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual page 52) Ground is too • biSensor not being watered by its primary zone – change the assignment or move dry with high the biSensor to the correct location biSensor • biSensor is buried too deep – rebury the biSensor to be only 3 inches deep...

  • Page 93: Repairing Device Assignments And Addresses

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual For problems that fall into the second category, find out what has changed because these factors might provide some insight or a place to start looking for solutions. Repairing Device Assignments and Addresses This process searches for and verifies communication with each of the devices on the two-wire.

  • Page 94: Troubleshooting: Lost Devices | No Response

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Is there the possibility of lightning damage?  Any recent work done on the site that could have damaged the buried wire?  • If there is no apparent damage to the two-wire, start disconnecting devices, one at a time, from the shorted segment until the problem goes away.

  • Page 95: Appendix

    12 – APPENDIX Warranty Baseline warrants to the original consumer purchaser that new BaseStation 3200 Series controller as well as the 12 and 24 valve biCoders will be free from defects in material and workmanship for the Standard One Year Warranty Period.

  • Page 96: Bl-3200-R Hydrozone Worksheet

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual BL-3200-R Hydrozone Worksheet 1. Record your programming information from your old irrigation controller. Use the table below to make this process easier. 2. Identify the hydrozones in your landscape. A hydrozone is a grouping of zones that can be watered similarly, such as zones that share the same slope, sun exposure, and plant type.

  • Page 97: Additional Information For Existing Programs

    You will set up the watering strategy for the scheduling group based on the readings from that sensor. In the BaseStation 3200 controller, you will designate this zone as the primary zone. Refer to Assigning a Primary Zone on page 44 of the BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual.

  • Page 98: Additional Information For New Programs

    BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual Connector biCoder biSensor Zone # on Old Zone # Hydrozone Program Run Time BaseStation VB00005 VB00006 VB00007 VB00008 VB00009 B-10 VB000010 B-11 VB000011 B-12 VB000012 VE00001 VE00002 Additional Information for New Programs Program Watering Days...

  • Page 99: Glossary Of Terms

    Glossary of Terms address When a device is connected to the two-wire, the device is given an address that identifies it to the BaseStation 3200 controller. The controller refers to an address as a “zone number.” air temperature A sensor that functions like thermometer to measure the temperature of the air and...
  • Page 100 BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual field capacity This is the maximum water holding capacity of the soil, in other words, the level of soil moisture left in the soil after drainage of the gravitational water. Irrigation to levels above field capacity will result in runoff or drainage as gravitational water.
  • Page 101 A program is a controller programming concept used to organize watering events. Each program can have different schedules, water days, watering strategies, master valves, etc. The BaseStation 3200 supports up to 20 programs. pump start A relay or relay-type device that initiates turn on of a pump, typically a high horsepower electrical or motor driven pump.
  • Page 102 BaseStation 3200 Advanced Irrigation Controller Manual water budget In the BaseStation 3200 controller, the water budget functionality enables you to define and track the total flow for each Flow biCoder per month. You can configure the target flow value in GPM for the Flow biCoder and how the system will react when this number is reached.

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