Please select a topic for answers to frequently asked questions about your WeatherTRAK® smart irrigation solution.
Activating Your WeatherTRAK Controller
Once my controller is installed how do I activate it?
Why do I need to activate the controller?Why is the controller beeping?How can I tell if my service is active?
Programming Your WeatherTRAK Controller
How do I program my ETplus Controller?
How does my controller adjust irrigation as the weather changes?
Can I program my existing controller to manage additional landscape areas?
How do I switch my WeatherTRAK controller to Fully Automated program mode?
How do I adjust my schedule to comply with my water agency’s watering restrictions?
How do I reduce my watering by XX% to comply with mandatory reductions?
How do I program my controller in User No ET mode?
Adjusting Your WeatherTRAK Controller
Learn how to program your ETplus WeatherTRAK controller with our online training
Can I manually control my WeatherTRAK controller?What if I discover broken sprinklers and/or valves?
What if my controller is beeping?How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry?
How do I turn off my irrigation?
How do I adjust my schedule to comply with my water agency’s watering restrictions?
How do I reduce my watering by XX% to comply with mandatory reductions?
Seasonal Features of Your WeatherTRAK Controller
Learn how to program your ETplus WeatherTRAK controller with our online training?
What is the Rain Pause feature?Why does my irrigation sometimes come on when it is raining?
How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry?
How do I adjust watering for frost on my lawn?
Additional Information for Contractors
How do I get my client started with a WeatherTRAK® solution?
How often does the WeatherTRAK controller get new ET readings?
Can I connect WeatherTRAK solutions to existing irrigation systems?
Can I manually control the WeatherTRAK controller?
How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry?
How do WeatherTRAK solutions determine evapotranspiration (ET) levels?
How do I switch the WeatherTRAK controller to Fully Automated program mode?
Additional Information for Homeowners
Learn how to program your ETplus WeatherTRAK controller with our online training?
How do I get started with my WeatherTRAK® solution?Why are WeatherTRAK solutions good for my landscape?
How often does the WeatherTRAK controller get new ET readings?
How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry?
Can I connect WeatherTRAK solutions to existing irrigation systems?
Can I manually control my WeatherTRAK controller?
How can I maximize my water savings?
How can I tell if my service is active?
How much does the service cost?
What if my controller is beeping?
Plant and Soil Resources
Glossary
What is the WeatherTRAK® Scheduling Engine?
What is the difference between Real-Time ET and Historical ET?
Why is Real-Time ET data so important?
Activating your WeatherTRAK Controller
Q Once my controller is installed how do I activate it?Once your WeatherTRAK controller is programmed in accordance with the included program worksheet, simply call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere™ service.
Q Why do I need to activate the controller?Activation of your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service enables us to transmit the critical evapotranspiration (ET) information updates that your WeatherTRAK system needs in order to adjust itself based on local weather conditions.
Q Why is the controller beeping?WeatherTRAK controllers beep to alert you to certain system issues. The most common issue is that the controller has not been activated. To stop the beeping, simply call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service.
Q How can I tell if my service is active?Simply turn the largest knob to the “ET” setting. If you see a date and time below the ET value, your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service is active. If there is no date or time or if you see a series of zeroes, call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate your service.
Programming Your WeatherTRAK Controller
| Q How does my controller adjust irrigation as the weather changes? |
| Your WeatherTRAK controller leverages evapotranspiration (ET) information from your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere™ service to automatically increase irrigation during periods of hot, dry weather and decrease irrigation during period of cool, humid weather. |
| Q Can I program my existing controller to manage additional landscape areas? |
| If your existing WeatherTRAK controller has available stations, your landscape professional can simply connect additional valve wires and program the available stations. If all of your stations are already in use, you can upgrade to a WeatherTRAK solution with a larger station count by contacting WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774. |
| Q When programming my controller, how do I determine the appropriate settings for the plant and soil types in my landscape? |
| The Plant and Soil Resources section below provides useful information on the attributes of various common plant and soil types. If you cannot find your plant or soil types in these documents, please email WeatherTRAK Customer Service at support@hydropoint.com. |
| Q How do I switch my WeatherTRAK controller to Fully Automated program mode? |
After your plants are established, switch to Fully Automated program mode by taking the following steps:
For additional information, please see the Quick Reference card inside your controller’s door or call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774. |
| Q How do I adjust my schedule to comply with my water agency’s watering restrictions? |
Program your WeatherTRAK controller to adhere to agency guidelines with these five simple steps:
Addressing Water Conservation Measures
|
| Q How do I reduce my watering by XX% to comply with mandatory reductions? |
| First, check with your local water agency to see if you are exempt from watering restrictions because you have a smart controller. You can adjust your watering from -50% to +25% of normal using the ADJUST feature on your WeatherTRAK controller. To reduce watering by 30% for example: |
- Turn the center knob to ADJUST.
- Turn the Upper Line knob one click to the right (clockwise) for the first station.
- Turn the Lower Line knob to the left (counterclockwise) until “-30% = Less Water” appears.
- Repeat the Upper Line and Lower Line sequence until all stations are at -30%.
- Verify you have done so by turning the center knob to REVIEW.
- As you turn the Upper Line knob to the right, view the “-30%” next to the word “Soak” for each station.
Need help? Call WeatherTRAK Customer Service at 1-800-362-8774.
Adjusting Your WeatherTRAK® Controller
| Q Can I manually control my WeatherTRAK controller? |
| Yes. Simply switch to Manual or User Program mode to override the automated settings of your WeatherTRAK controller. To resume using the automated settings, simply return to Fully Automated mode. |
| Q What if I discover broken sprinklers and/or valves? |
| Please contact your landscape professional to repair or replace broken sprinklers and valves. If you do not currently work with a landscape professional, referrals are available by contacting WeatherTRAK Customer Service at 1-800-362-8774. |
| Q What if my controller is beeping? |
| WeatherTRAK controllers beep to alert you to certain system issues. The most common issue is that the controller has not been activated. To stop the beeping, simply call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere™ service. |
| Q How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry? |
You can fine tune irrigation levels using the Adjust feature by taking the following steps:
|
| Q How do I turn off my irrigation? |
| To turn your WeatherTRAK controller off for an extended period of time, simply turn the center knob to OFF. To turn your WeatherTRAK controller off temporarily, simply select the Rain Pause mode and enter the desired number of off days. Your controller will automatically resume watering once this period is over. If you have any questions, please call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774. |
| Q How do I adjust my schedule to comply with my water agency’s watering restrictions? |
Program your WeatherTRAK controller to adhere to agency guidelines with these five simple steps:
Addressing Water Conservation Measures
|
| Q How do I reduce my watering by XX% to comply with mandatory reductions? |
| First, check with your local water agency to see if you are exempt from watering restrictions because you have a smart controller. You can adjust your watering from -50% to +25% of normal using the ADJUST feature on your WeatherTRAK controller. To reduce watering by 30% for example: |
- Turn the center knob to ADJUST.
- Turn the Upper Line knob one click to the right (clockwise) for the first station.
- Turn the Lower Line knob to the left (counterclockwise) until “-30% = Less Water” appears.
- Repeat the Upper Line and Lower Line sequence until all stations are at -30%.
- Verify you have done so by turning the center knob to REVIEW.
- As you turn the Upper Line knob to the right, view the “-30%” next to the word “Soak” for each station.
Need help? Call WeatherTRAK Customer Service at 1-800-362-8774.
Seasonal Features of Your WeatherTRAK Controller
Additional Information for Contractors
| Q How do I get my client started with a WeatherTRAK® solution? |
| You should begin by collecting the information required on the program worksheet included with each WeatherTRAK solution. Once a controller is programmed in accordance with its worksheet, simply call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate the WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere™ service. |
| Q When programming the controller, how do I determine the appropriate settings for the plant and soil types in my landscape? |
| The Plant and Soil Resources section below provides useful information on the attributes of various common plant and soil types. If you cannot find the appropriate plant or soil types in these documents, please email WeatherTRAK Customer Service at support@hydropoint.com. |
| Q Q. How often does the WeatherTRAK controller get new ET readings? |
| The WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service provides evapotranspiration (ET) information updates on a daily basis. |
| Q Can I connect WeatherTRAK solutions to existing irrigation systems? |
| Yes. The WeatherTRAK controller will simply replace the existing irrigation clock. The wiring is similar to an ordinary timer. No additional wiring should be necessary. |
| Q Can I manually control the WeatherTRAK controller? |
| Yes. Simply switch to Manual or User Program mode to override the automated settings of the WeatherTRAK controller. To resume using the automated settings, simply return to Fully Automated mode. |
| Q How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry? |
You can fine tune irrigation levels using the Adjust feature by taking the following steps:
For additional information, please see the Quick Reference card inside the controller’s door or call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1- 800-362-8774 . |
| Q How do WeatherTRAK solutions determine evapotranspiration (ET) levels? |
| WeatherTRAK solutions determine evapotranspiration (ET) levels by analyzing local weather conditions, including solar radiation, temperature, wind and relative humidity, and calculating the amount of irrigation needed to replace the water lost by plants and soil due to these conditions. WeatherTRAK solutions leverage the Penman-Monteith equation, the worldwide standard for estimating plant water use established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. |
| Q How do I switch the WeatherTRAK controller to Fully Automated program mode? |
After plants are established, switch to Fully Automated program mode by taking the following steps:
|
Additional Information for Homeowners
| Q How do I get started with my WeatherTRAK® solution? |
| WeatherTRAK solutions connect to your irrigation station valve wires just like any other controller. We recommend that you contract with a certified WeatherTRAK solution installer to set up your system. If you do not currently work with a landscape professional, referrals are available by contacting WeatherTRAK Customer Service at 1-800-362-8774.Your existing landscape professional can also become a certified WeatherTRAK solution installer by completing the WeatherTRAK Authorized Contractor Education (ACE) program. This program is available online and requires approximately 30 minutes to complete. Additional information on certification and training is available by calling WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774. |
| Q Why are WeatherTRAK solutions good for my landscape? |
| Ordinary irrigation systems cannot adjust to changing weather conditions. They generally overwater your landscape, leaving you with high water bills and expensive property damage. WeatherTRAK smart irrigation systems help you save water, money and time by eliminating overwatering. Enjoy luscious landscapes and tremendous savings while protecting the environment and your property investment. |
| Q How often does the WeatherTRAK controller get new ET readings? |
| The WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere™ service provides evapotranspiration (ET) information updates on a daily basis. |
| Q How do I adjust watering if a zone is too wet or too dry? |
You can fine tune irrigation levels using the Adjust feature by taking the following steps:
For additional information, please see the Quick Reference card inside the controller’s door or call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1- 800-362-8774 . |
| Q Can I connect WeatherTRAK solutions to existing irrigation systems? |
| Yes. The WeatherTRAK controller will simply replace the existing irrigation clock. The wiring is similar to an ordinary timer. No additional wiring should be necessary. |
| Q Can I manually control my WeatherTRAK controller? |
| Yes. Simply switch to Manual or User Program mode to override the automated settings of your WeatherTRAK controller. To resume using the automated settings, simply return to Fully Automated mode. |
| Q How much water will I save? |
| While your savings will depend on the size of your landscape and current irrigation practices, WeatherTRAK solutions are proven to reduce water use by up to 59% and irrigation runoff and pollution by up to 71% in both commercial and residential properties. For specific examples, we invite you to read these testimonials from our customers. |
| Q How can I maximize my water savings? |
| To maximize your savings, be sure that your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service is activated and your WeatherTRAK controller is operating in the Fully Automated program mode. If you are unsure about the status of your service or controller, please call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774. |
| Q How can I tell if my service is active? |
| Simply turn the largest knob to the “ET” setting. If you see a date and time below the ET value, your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service is active. If there is no date or time or if you see a series of zeroes, call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate your service. |
| Q How much does the service cost? |
| WeatherTRAK solutions offer superior ROI compared with other water-saving devices, typically paying for themselves in a matter of months. Your cost will depend on the WeatherTRAK solution you choose, the length of your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service subscription and the rebates available in your area. Volume discounts are available. See our product comparison table for additional information. |
| Q What if my controller is beeping? |
| WeatherTRAK controllers beep to alert you to certain system issues. The most common issue is that the controller has not been activated. To stop the beeping, simply call WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774 to activate your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service. |
| Q How do I renew my service? |
| You can renew your WeatherTRAK ET Everywhere service online or by calling WeatherTRAK Customer Service toll free at 1-800-362-8774. |
Plant and Soil Resources
The documents below provide useful information on the attributes of various common plant and soil types:
If you cannot find your plant or soil types in these documents, please email WeatherTRAK® Customer Service at support@hydropoint.com. |