In this insightful episode, Andy and Paul reflect on their recent project, delving into the complexities and vital importance of pressure in irrigation systems, especially pertaining to a vast green rooftop. While the specifics of their project remain confidential, the co-hosts openly discuss the general scope, centered around the deployment of wireless sensors for data analytics, enabling the client to monitor conditions of the landscape more accurately.
They outline the project's challenges, from the discovery of low water pressure on the rooftop to the absence of water meters and pressure gauges, illuminating how their technology provides the client with crucial insights previously obscured. Emphasizing the critical role of monitoring, they illustrate how their wireless sensors and dashboard platform reveal the "vital signs" of water infrastructure, much like a medical check-up reveals the health of a human body.
Paul and Andy share anecdotes from their fieldwork, where they identified a significant leak due to a mainline break, likely caused by inadequate winterization. The revelation of this break underscored the hidden nature of water problems and the need for meticulous observation and the right tools to diagnose and manage such issues effectively.
The episode pivots to a discussion about data collection, particularly the innovative use of wireless technology. They replaced a failing wired system with a more robust wireless one, including soil moisture sensors and water meters with both analog and digital capabilities. This transition from wired to wireless signifies a substantial improvement in monitoring and managing the system, with the potential for real-time insights and rapid problem detection.
Throughout the podcast, the hosts compare an irrigation system's vital signs to human vital signs, with pressure transducers acting like a blood pressure monitor, providing real-time feedback on system health. They argue that knowing the pressure in an irrigation system is paramount, even more crucial than flow rates in some cases, as it can instantly signal issues such as leaks or system malfunctions.
A central theme is the emphasis on the importance of starting diagnostics at the water source rather than the controller and the need for constant pressure monitoring to ensure system integrity. This approach could potentially transform maintenance routines and system diagnostics in the industry.
Key takeaways and insights include:
Andy and Paul's dialogue underscores their commitment to innovation and their continual learning process, as they seek to enhance their understanding and management of irrigation systems. Their hope is to develop tools that will become industry standards, ensuring that businesses can effectively manage their water systems.
As the episode concludes, the sense of partnership and mutual respect between the two is palpable, as they look forward to their next project with anticipation. Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of irrigation systems and the evolving technologies that monitor and manage them.
Key Points:
#030 - Acquiring a Sprinkler Business and Engineering Control Systems
#029 - Soil Moisture Technology - How Does It Work? Wet or Dry, Automation and Data Collection
#028 - Building Automation System using the BACnet Protocol with Todd Hustrulid
#027 - Wireless 2-Wire, Consolidating Controllers and Managing Remote Devices using Baseline SubStation Technology
#026 - Relationships Beat Algorithms, Out Care Your Competition, with George Bryant 2018 Keynote Replay
#025 - Managing Secondary Water Sources, Domestic, Ponds, Rain Water Cisterns, Irrigation Canals, and more.
#024 - Using a 3-Point Test Kit to Verify 2-Wire Ground Resistance at the Lighting Arrestor Locations
#023 - Soil Sensors for Artificial Intelligence Watering with Chris Wright, VP of Sales, for Baseline Control Systems.
#022 - Retrofitting Large Existing Sites - Baseline Tech-Talk Tuesday
#021 - Tracy Shields, Transitioning To The Modern Age of Central Control for Municipalities and Public Agencies
#020.5 - Using Pressure to Control Irrigation, Tanks/Cisterns, and Lake/Pond Level Control - Baseline Tech-Talk Tuesday
#020 - Learn How To Control Athletic Field Lighting, Door Locks, Fountains, And More Using The BaseStation 3200 Control System - Baseline Tech-Talk Tuesday
#019 - IrritechTraining.com with Chris Pine, Irrigation Trainer & Industry Expert
#018 - Irrigation Controller Networking & Communication Options - Baseline Tech-Talk Tuesday
#017 - Search Engine Optimization with Jeff Oxford of 180 Marketing
#016 - Natural & Organic Lawn Care with Tom Kelly of BeeSafe Organic Lawn Care
#015 - 2-Wire Troubleshooting - Baseline Tech-Talk Tuesday, Recorded Live on 3/24/20
#014 - Green Roof Irrigation with Nate Griswold of Inhabitect - Part 2
#013 - Green Roof Fundamentals with Nate Griswold of Inhabitect - Part 1
#012 - Talking Flow Sensors with Norm Bartlett of Creative Sensor Technology
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