Build a System Now with an Eye Toward Central Control in the Future

You’re working on a large project today that has the potential for benefiting from central control…but the money just isn’t there to pay for the cost of such a system. What type of products should you install now—and what other steps should you take—to plan for central control down the road?

Selecting the Proper Products

Hunter offers a selection of controllers that are ideal for a system “growing into” the future use of central control. The ICC and Pro-C controllers, as well as the new ACC, include the SmartPort® connection, which is an essential feature for integration into Hunter’s Irrigation Management and Monitoring System™. The IMMS™ is Hunter’s affordable water management tool that can operate a network of irrigation systems from a single location.

Selecting the Proper Location

Types of Communication. IMMS systems are comprised of one or more Sites. Each Site may have one or more controllers. The IMMS central computer can reach Sites with hardwire, dial-up telephone, or even cellular communications. Once on a given Site, you can then connect additional controllers with hardwire or UHF radio.

Each controller that will become part of your central network will need to add an interface unit that will allow the individual controllers to communicate, so plan on space and AC power for another weatherproof cabinet within 6 ft. (2m) of your initial controller. A site interface (SI) will serve as the “hub” that will manage the communications on a particular Site, and will communicate with the main computer. The SI can also enable communications with the first controller.

The most popular alternative to reach long range Sites is dial-up telephone service, using a standard computer modem. You’ll need to check the proximity of existing landline telephone service to your controller location. It can be costly to install or extend landline if it doesn’t exist, so that may well influence your decision.

Which brings us to cellular. If you are considering this option, by all means check out the reception in your proposed locations. If you are having problems getting a signal with a “regular” cellular phone using a qualified cellular provider, there is no reason to think that things will be any different when you put central control there.

Try to pick practical locations for placement of your communications or, at the very least, position the units in a spot where you will be able to elevate the antennas. A higher elevation in your landscape is preferred to a lower location on the site.

Connecting Other Controllers. Once your irrigation control is extended to a Site, you may want to connect other controllers in the area to the SI. This allows “clusters” of local controllers to share a single point of connection back to the central computer, which can yield considerable cost savings. Each additional controller on a given site will require a Controller Interface (CI), which is connected back to the SI via hardwire cable, or use UHF radio links as “invisible cable” for longer distances or to cross obstacles such as roads, railroad tracks, and rivers.

It is important to place your controller today in a location most suitable to adding IMMS later. You will want to position the unit in a spot that can clearly communicate with the spot for a future SI placement. For example, for a wall mount, you’ll want to choose the side of the building that would face the SI.

If you are choosing radio, be aware that all UHF systems in the United States must have an FCC license (in Canada, the license is required from Industry Canada, and most other countries have similar requirements). Hunter Certified Wireless IMMS distributors are trained to assist with the FCC licensing process, as well as perform vital Site Surveys for wireless installation.

Of course, it is also essential to determine your point of connection to the water supply. But keep in mind, the ability for your system to communicate is the key factor–where your system is going to go is determined by more than simply where your valves are, it is the result of where your communications are.

The bottom line? Don’t let the cost of central control keep you from planning for the future. Start today with the right products and build up as you can afford to.