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REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS WITH IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Recent developments in the center pivot sprinkler industry have resulted in contractual arrangements with developers of after-market control and monitoring systems.
Categorical services provided include monitoring, control, communication systems for remote access, and data collection and reports to help summarize irrigation system performance, water and chemical applications, and ancillary data.
Of the five major manufacturers of center pivot and lateral move systems, all provide remote monitoring and control of position, speed of travel, water "on or off status, programmable stop and restart by position, and auxiliary components.
The number of type of auxiliary control items differs by manufacturer.
The benefits of remote monitoring for farmers are that they save time and fuel from driving out to fields where the irrigation systems are operating as expected.
All of the manufacturers provide guidance systems and some level of SS-VRI management.
Manufacturers also have the technical expertise on staff to provide the necessary equipment for remote system access.
Communication via cell phone allows a farmer to monitor multiple center pivots from any location, while RF communication and web-based posting provide the advantage of data overview and may help in making long-term decisions.
Successful implementation of advanced automation for mechanically-moved systems will depend on the integration of real-time automated data collection and hardware control capabilities.
Prices for the equipment vary among manufacturers and according to the amount of upgrades needed to satisfy the unique needs of each farmer and the amount of variability in each field.
Frequently, this equipment and services can be retrofitted onto existing pivot systems, in addition to being purchased for new installations.
Electronic sensors, equipment controls, and communication protocols have been developed to meet the growing
Table 1.
Monitor, control, communication and data reporting capability of center pivot sprinkler control panels.
Center Pivot Sprinkler Manufacturer
Pierce Reinke T-L Valmont Zimmatic
Position in field and travel Y Y Y Y Y
Speed of travel Y Y Y Y Y
Wet or dry operation Y Y Y Y Y
Pipeline pressure Y Y Y Y Y
Pump status Y Y Y Y Y
Auxiliary components Y Y Y Y Y
Stop-in-slot and auto restart Y Y Y Y Y
Wind speed Y Y N Y Y
Start and stop Y Y Y Y Y
Speed of travel Y Y Y Y Y
Auto restart and auto reverse Y Y Y Y Y
End gun operation Y Y Y Y Y
High and low pressure Y Y Y Y Y
High and low voltage N/Y N/Y N/Y Y/Y Y/Y
System stall shutdown Y Y Y Y Y
Auxiliary components Y Y Y Y Y
System guidance Y Y Y Y Y
Maximum control points per 180 3600 180 180 180
Sprinkler application zones 8 2 3 30 No Limit
Cell phone Y Y Y Y Y
Radio Y Y Y Y Y
Computer base station Y Y Y Y Y
Subscription required Y Y Y Y Y
Data Collection and Reports
Soil water content Y Y Y Y N
Precipitation per season Y Y Y Y Y
Application date and depth Y Y Y Y Y
Irrigation events per season Y Y Y Y Y
Chemical application rate N N N N Y
Chemical application per N N N N Y
System position by date Y Y Y Y Y
[a] Y indicates that up to seven auxiliary components can be controlled by the panel.
[b] N/Y indicates no automatic shutdown for high voltage is provided but the panel does provide automatic shutdown for low voltage.
[c] System guidance provided by above ground cable, below ground cable, furrow, or GPS.
[d] Number of positions in a single revolution where speed of travel and other set points may be changed.
[e] Number of sprinkler application zones along the irrigation lateral length where water application depth can be changed.
interest in SS-VRI using center pivot and lateral move sprinkler irrigation systems.
Onboard and field-distributed sensors can collect data necessary for real-time irrigation management decisions and transmit the information to the main control panel or base computer.
However, the need for semi-permanent soil water monitoring sites suitable for row crop production systems has only recently been initiated and will be necessary to gain widespread acceptance.
Manufacturers of center pivot and lateral move systems have long recognized the advantages of remote communication for system monitoring and control.
The major manufacturers offer communication systems such as cell phones, satel-
lite radios, and internet based systems that allow a manager to query the main control panel or base computer from any location at any time.
This technology is largely mature and available to assist managers with operational management decisions by remote monitoring.
Equipment necessary to alter water application depth to meet the management criteria for specific and relatively small management zones is now commercially available from irrigation system manufacturers and after-market suppliers that should support further development of site-specific application of water, nutrients and pesticides.
However, DSS for automatic control of center pivots are largely not commercially available to irrigation managers.
In addition, with the availability of SS-VRI systems for center pivots comes the need of criteria for locating data acquisition systems in the field.
Alteration of the water application depth based on defined management zones will change the soil water balance during the growing season.
Managers of SS-VRI systems will need criteria for deciding whether and when the water management zone map needs to be changed, and remote access and monitoring of irrigation systems will play a vital role in the commercialization of SS-VRI management.
Field Evaluation of Container Nursery Irrigation Systems: Part 1: Measuring Operating Pressures in the Irrigation System
Dorota Z.
Haman and Thomas H.
Yeager2
Performance of sprinkler and microirrigation systems can be evaluated by measuring operating pressures, application rates, and uniformity of water application under nursery conditions.
Knowledge of these factors is important to determine the causes of poor system performance.
This publication will focus on operating pressure and will discuss application rates and uniformity in other publications.
Measuring Operating Pressures in the Irrigation System
It is important to monitor pressures at critical points in an irrigation system.
A well-designed and correctly-installed system will have permanent pressure gauges at the critical points such as pump outlet, both sides of the filtration system , and at the inlet to each irrigation zone.
The gauges should be checked periodically and replaced as needed.
These pressure gauges allow the system manager to monitor the performance of the system and pinpoint any problems as soon as they occur.
For example, a drop in pressure at the inlet to the irrigated zone may indicate a broken pipe, too many zones running at the same time, or excessive discharge from the nozzles.
The difference in pressure between two sides of the filter can indicate the need for filter cleaning.
A significant decrease in pressure through the dirty filter can result in insufficient operating pressures at the irrigation zone.
Periodically, operating
pressures within each zone should be tested to evaluate system performance.
Irrigation nozzles are designed to operate over a specific range of pressures.
The general rule is that the operating pressure of any nozzle in an irrigation system should not deviate by more than 15% from the nozzle pressure specified by the manufacturer.
That also means that the difference between the highest and the lowest pressure in the irrigated zone should not exceed 30%.
If operating
2.
Dorota Z.
Haman, professor emeritus, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and Thomas H.
Yeager, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.
pressures are out of this range, irrigation system uniformity decreases and application rates may not be consistent.
Visual observation of irrigation water distribution during irrigation may give an indication that nozzle pressure is undesirable.
If operating pressure is too high, very small droplets are produced and fogging can be observed.
High pressure also results in irregular nozzle rotation and increased amounts of water applied near the sprinklers.
Conversely, operating pressures that are too low produce a doughnut-shaped water distribution pattern with very little water applied close to the sprinklers.
The pressure can be measured at the sprinkler nozzle using a pitot tube attached to a pressure gauge.
The pitot tube is placed about 1/8-inch from the nozzle and adjusted until the highest constant pressure can be read.
This procedure is illustrated in Figure 2.
A pitot tube can be purchased from an irrigation supply company.
Microirrigation or Low-Volume Irrigation

REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS WITH IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

Recent developments in the center pivot sprinkler industry have resulted in contractual arrangements with developers of after-market control and monitoring systems.

Categorical services provided include monitoring, control, communication systems for remote access, and data collection and reports to help summarize irrigation system performance, water and chemical applications, and ancillary data.

Of the five major manufacturers of center pivot and lateral move systems, all provide remote monitoring and control of position, speed of travel, water "on or off status, programmable stop and restart by position, and auxiliary components.

The number of type of auxiliary control items differs by manufacturer.

The benefits of remote monitoring for farmers are that they save time and fuel from driving out to fields where the irrigation systems are operating as expected.

All of the manufacturers provide guidance systems and some level of SS-VRI management.

Manufacturers also have the technical expertise on staff to provide the necessary equipment for remote system access.

Communication via cell phone allows a farmer to monitor multiple center pivots from any location, while RF communication and web-based posting provide the advantage of data overview and may help in making long-term decisions.

Successful implementation of advanced automation for mechanically-moved systems will depend on the integration of real-time automated data collection and hardware control capabilities.

Prices for the equipment vary among manufacturers and according to the amount of upgrades needed to satisfy the unique needs of each farmer and the amount of variability in each field.

Frequently, this equipment and services can be retrofitted onto existing pivot systems, in addition to being purchased for new installations.

Electronic sensors, equipment controls, and communication protocols have been developed to meet the growing

Table 1.

Monitor, control, communication and data reporting capability of center pivot sprinkler control panels.

Center Pivot Sprinkler Manufacturer

Pierce Reinke T-L Valmont Zimmatic

Position in field and travel Y Y Y Y Y

Speed of travel Y Y Y Y Y

Wet or dry operation Y Y Y Y Y

Pipeline pressure Y Y Y Y Y

Pump status Y Y Y Y Y

Auxiliary components Y Y Y Y Y

Stop-in-slot and auto restart Y Y Y Y Y

Wind speed Y Y N Y Y

Start and stop Y Y Y Y Y

Speed of travel Y Y Y Y Y

Auto restart and auto reverse Y Y Y Y Y

End gun operation Y Y Y Y Y

High and low pressure Y Y Y Y Y

High and low voltage N/Y N/Y N/Y Y/Y Y/Y

System stall shutdown Y Y Y Y Y

Auxiliary components Y Y Y Y Y

System guidance Y Y Y Y Y

Maximum control points per 180 3600 180 180 180

Sprinkler application zones 8 2 3 30 No Limit

Cell phone Y Y Y Y Y

Radio Y Y Y Y Y

Computer base station Y Y Y Y Y

Subscription required Y Y Y Y Y

Data Collection and Reports

Soil water content Y Y Y Y N

Precipitation per season Y Y Y Y Y

Application date and depth Y Y Y Y Y

Irrigation events per season Y Y Y Y Y

Chemical application rate N N N N Y

Chemical application per N N N N Y

System position by date Y Y Y Y Y

[a] Y indicates that up to seven auxiliary components can be controlled by the panel.

[b] N/Y indicates no automatic shutdown for high voltage is provided but the panel does provide automatic shutdown for low voltage.

[c] System guidance provided by above ground cable, below ground cable, furrow, or GPS.

[d] Number of positions in a single revolution where speed of travel and other set points may be changed.

[e] Number of sprinkler application zones along the irrigation lateral length where water application depth can be changed.

interest in SS-VRI using center pivot and lateral move sprinkler irrigation systems.

Onboard and field-distributed sensors can collect data necessary for real-time irrigation management decisions and transmit the information to the main control panel or base computer.

However, the need for semi-permanent soil water monitoring sites suitable for row crop production systems has only recently been initiated and will be necessary to gain widespread acceptance.

Manufacturers of center pivot and lateral move systems have long recognized the advantages of remote communication for system monitoring and control.

The major manufacturers offer communication systems such as cell phones, satel-

lite radios, and internet based systems that allow a manager to query the main control panel or base computer from any location at any time.

This technology is largely mature and available to assist managers with operational management decisions by remote monitoring.

Equipment necessary to alter water application depth to meet the management criteria for specific and relatively small management zones is now commercially available from irrigation system manufacturers and after-market suppliers that should support further development of site-specific application of water, nutrients and pesticides.

However, DSS for automatic control of center pivots are largely not commercially available to irrigation managers.

In addition, with the availability of SS-VRI systems for center pivots comes the need of criteria for locating data acquisition systems in the field.

Alteration of the water application depth based on defined management zones will change the soil water balance during the growing season.

Managers of SS-VRI systems will need criteria for deciding whether and when the water management zone map needs to be changed, and remote access and monitoring of irrigation systems will play a vital role in the commercialization of SS-VRI management.

Field Evaluation of Container Nursery Irrigation Systems: Part 1: Measuring Operating Pressures in the Irrigation System

Dorota Z.

Haman and Thomas H.

Yeager2

Performance of sprinkler and microirrigation systems can be evaluated by measuring operating pressures, application rates, and uniformity of water application under nursery conditions.

Knowledge of these factors is important to determine the causes of poor system performance.

This publication will focus on operating pressure and will discuss application rates and uniformity in other publications.

Measuring Operating Pressures in the Irrigation System

It is important to monitor pressures at critical points in an irrigation system.

A well-designed and correctly-installed system will have permanent pressure gauges at the critical points such as pump outlet, both sides of the filtration system , and at the inlet to each irrigation zone.

The gauges should be checked periodically and replaced as needed.

These pressure gauges allow the system manager to monitor the performance of the system and pinpoint any problems as soon as they occur.

For example, a drop in pressure at the inlet to the irrigated zone may indicate a broken pipe, too many zones running at the same time, or excessive discharge from the nozzles.

The difference in pressure between two sides of the filter can indicate the need for filter cleaning.

A significant decrease in pressure through the dirty filter can result in insufficient operating pressures at the irrigation zone.

Periodically, operating

pressures within each zone should be tested to evaluate system performance.

Irrigation nozzles are designed to operate over a specific range of pressures.

The general rule is that the operating pressure of any nozzle in an irrigation system should not deviate by more than 15% from the nozzle pressure specified by the manufacturer.

That also means that the difference between the highest and the lowest pressure in the irrigated zone should not exceed 30%.

If operating

2.

Dorota Z.

Haman, professor emeritus, Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering; and Thomas H.

Yeager, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

pressures are out of this range, irrigation system uniformity decreases and application rates may not be consistent.

Visual observation of irrigation water distribution during irrigation may give an indication that nozzle pressure is undesirable.

If operating pressure is too high, very small droplets are produced and fogging can be observed.

High pressure also results in irregular nozzle rotation and increased amounts of water applied near the sprinklers.

Conversely, operating pressures that are too low produce a doughnut-shaped water distribution pattern with very little water applied close to the sprinklers.

The pressure can be measured at the sprinkler nozzle using a pitot tube attached to a pressure gauge.

The pitot tube is placed about 1/8-inch from the nozzle and adjusted until the highest constant pressure can be read.

This procedure is illustrated in Figure 2.

A pitot tube can be purchased from an irrigation supply company.

Microirrigation or Low-Volume Irrigation