WaterGreat SR-2 Gravity Watering System

WaterGreat SR-2 Watering system for Gravity Feed

Systems

Congratulations on your purchase of the WaterGreat LLC SR-2 watering system for

Gravity Feed Applications. Your kit includes the following:

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Description

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Description

SR-2 Controller Assembly

0.71 inch Elbow fittings

Motorized Gate Valve ½ inch

0.71 inch Tee fittings

Female Garden Hose Adapter to ½ inch

Male Garden Hose Adapter

100

0.71 inch Irrigation Tubing, feet

Female Garden Hose to 0.71inch Adapt

End of Line Plug

Adjustable Spray Bubbler 1/4”

Water Filter Housing, Hose Thread

Stainless Steel Filter, 150 Mesh

WaterGreat LLC

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WaterGreat SR-2 TM Installation

Thank you for purchasing the WaterGreat LLC SR-2 gravity feed watering controller.

1) Attach stake and stainless steel tube to the control assembly as shown and place in

the ground where the sun shines

at least 5 hours a day. Turn knob

to below “1” for no watering (as

shown in picture) until the unit

charges in the sun (up to 24

hours).

2) Place the slender sensor rod in

an area watered by the system,

about 4 inches from a dripper if

using drip irrigation. Push the rod

into the soil, red dot UP at a slight

angle, so that lower tip is about 1

1/2 inches from the surface. Use

undisturbed soil. It is best to

place the sensor in an area that

dries the quickest. GIVE THE

AREA A GOOD WATERING

AFTER INSERTION.

3) Connect the motorized gate valve

to a spigot or hose as shown.

Alternately, you may remove the

hose fittings and directly plumb to

1/2” NPT (gives maximum flow).

Connect the outlet to the drip

irrigation system or other watering

system. Gravity feed systems need

special care to ensure even

watering. Use big tubing and low

flow dripping if irrigating more than a

couple of plants. Use adjustable

drippers and make each dripper

output the same quantity of water. If

only watering one or two plants,

direct water so that each is watered

equally. See the section on

“Watering considerations for Gravity Feed Systems.” If desired, the valve can be directly

installed into PVC pipe or plumbing as well. Note the IN and OUT can be either side. If

sand or debris is present in the water, place a filter in-line prior to the valve.

WaterGreat LLC

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WaterGreat SR-2 Installation

4) The next day make a note of the number of

blinks on the controller. This gives you the

current soil moisture reading. Adjust the knob to

the same number as the blinks to give good

watering. Periodically check and turn up or down

if needed, using the knob. Higher numbers on

the knob provides higher soil moisture. The

system will water if the blinks (moisture reading)

goes BELOW the set value, for the time

determined by the switches on the underside of

the control assembly. (1, 3, 8 or 20 minutes).

The system measures the moisture 3 times a

day, in the morning, 4 hours later and 8 hours

later. The system maintains the last reading

even after watering, until the next measurement 4

hour later.

Need a shorter or longer watering time? Need a longer

cable from the valve to the controller? SEE ADVANCED

INSTRUCTIONS.

What is the basic operation of the system?

The solar panel charges the Lithium Iron Phosphate battery,

and sends a signal to the control module to permit daytime

watering. At daybreak and then every 4 hours, during daylight

hours, two additional soil moisture level measurements are

made. That level is compared with the user set ‘desired’

watering level. If the desired level is higher than the measured

(current) moisture level, a watering cycle begins, turning on the

valve for one, three, eight or twenty minutes, depending on the

SR-2 TM by WaterGreat TM LLC Limited Two Year

switch positions on the underside of the assembly. This

Warranty

amount of water prevents over-watering or water dripping

WaterGreat LLC warrants to its customers that its

through before it can be absorbed. It is possible to increase or

WaterGreat SR series products will be free from

decrease this amount of water if needed using the switches.

defects in materials and workmanship for a period of

The user adjusts the desired moisture level by turning the knob

two years from the date of purchase. We will replace,

at the top of the control assembly to raise or lower the desired

free of charge, the defective part or parts found to be

moisture setting. This is just the same as turning up or down

defective under normal use and service for a period of

the volume on a stereo. Every twenty seconds, the LED (Light

up to two years after purchase (proof of purchase

Emitting Diode) will blink and indicates the ‘Current’ or

required). We reserve the right to inspect the defective

part prior to replacement. WaterGreat LLC will not be

measured moisture level. At any time a watering cycle is

responsible for consequential or incidental cost or

initiated when the knob is turned wetter than the current

damage caused by the product failure. WaterGreat

reading. Watering is stopped manually by turning the knob

LLC liability under this warranty is limited solely to

“down.” All the way down stops all watering. At night (1 blink) or

the replacement or repair of defective parts. To

if the battery is low (2 blinks) the LED flashes briefly once per

exercise your warranty, return the unit to WaterGreat

minute and the controller goes into a special low power mode.

LLC with a copy of the sales receipt. Contact us first.

We can often solve your issue without returning the

product. YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO US. We

will work with you to provide reduced pricing

for any units under five years.

WaterGreat LLC

https://watergreat.com

Watering considerations for Gravity Feed Systems

Introduction: Nearly every gravity feed system has only a small amount of elevation, making piping

sizing and water flow a challenge. This section provides some background information to provide good

watering for gravity feed and rain barrel systems.

Quick Tips:

1) Your barrel or reservoir must be at least ONE FOOT above the ground – preferably

more. This height will overcome the losses through the valve, filter and piping.

2) If watering multiple plants use a 0.710 tubing (0.62 inch inner diameter) or larger. The

smaller tubing restricts too much.

3) Use drippers what allow for individual adjustment. Adjust drippers (or miniature

sprayers to produce a small trickle out of each outlet. In out gravity feed watering

complete systems, we use an Adjustable Full Circle Stream Spray Bubbler 1/4"

Barbed Inlet This adjustable bubbler works well when turned down as an

adjustable dripper for gravity feed systems.

4) Try to keep the total flow for the 0.710 tubing to about ½ gallon per minute or less to

provide consistent results. The drippers (bubblers) at the end of the lines will have to

be opened slightly more to allow for piping loss.

5) Instead of one long feed line, run a line to a central location and then Tee as needed

from there. This keeps the total feed line distance to a minimum, and the flow

through each pipe at a minimum.

6) Use of a 50 foot quality 5/8” garden hose, or a ¾ inch PVC pipe can extend the line

from the water reservoir to the garden area without harm. A 1 inch PVC pipe can

extend 100 to 150 feet without harm, as long as the total flow is ½ gallon per minute

or less.

7) See http://www.freecalc.com/fricfram.htm to calculate losses for other type piping and

valves. Generally for your flow you must have 0.3 feet of head loss - for the whole

system - or your water will not flow completely through the pipe. This assumes you

have raised your water

source at least 1 foot

above the ground.

By purchasing this100 foot 25

dripper watering system for

gravity feed system all of the

recommendations above are

incorporated to get you up

and watering right away. It

hooks directly to the SR-2, or

you may use PVC or a 5/8”

garden hose to extend the

water to your garden area.

WaterGreat LLC

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Installing the Gravity Feed System

1. Locate your cistern or rain barrel at least ONE FOOT above the ground level – the

higher the better.

2. The outlet can be a conventional spigot, but performance is improved if a ball valve of

¾ inch is used. The outlet should be a ¾ inch Male Hose Thread.

3. Use of screening highly recommended in rain barrel at water outlet. Install the

stainless mesh filter assembly always before the valve. Without screening the pipe

and drippers may plug from debris.

4. PVC may be used to extend the piping from the rain barrel or cistern. Use ¾ inch

schedule 40 or larger. Terminate the PVC with a male garden hose thread fitting. A

high quality 5/8 inch hose may also be used.

5. Use the supplied elbow fittings to install the tubing as your design dictates. Do not

kink the hose! Lay the tubing roll in the sun for a day with each end weighed down to

allow it to straighten out. Often the feed line is buried if not in the garden area. At the

garden use another elbow to bring the tubing above ground, and another elbow to

direct it to your watering area. Hint: You may make small cuts on the end of the

tubing to make insertion easier into the fittings. You may also use hot water to soften

the end prior to insertion to make it easier. Caution: Do not burn yourself with the hot

water.

6. Locate the feed tubing as centrally located as possible, with feed lines to your plant

going from there. Always try to avoid one long run with all of the bubblers / drippers.

This arrangement lowers the pressure drop for each leg to provide the most

consistent watering flow.

7. Locate the SR2 controller in the garden area, so that the sensor may be placed near

the drippers. After the controller is reading the moisture, you may adjust the knob to

a higher setting than the number of blinks. The valve will then open over 5 seconds

and allow for inspection of your installation. As necessary adjust each dripper /

bubbler to provide even watering from all drippers. Your watering area needs to be

level for best results. Turning the knob down stops watering.

Typical Installation using SR-2 Kit (Color for illustration, actual color is black)

WaterGreat LLC

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WaterGreat SR-1 TM Advanced Instructions

This document covers Setting the Watering Time, Connecting Wiring, and some basic

troubleshooting guides. Contact support@WaterGreat.com if you have inquiries or suggestions for

clarifying these procedures.

Setting the Watering Time

1) Twist the control head counter clockwise until it

hits the stop (a small amount), then separate the

control head from the black support housing. The

unit will separate showing the switches and

terminal strip on the left.

2) Using a fingernail, a pen tip or a small

screwdriver select the switches on the red switch

8 MINUTE WATERING

panel to the watering time you wish – 8 minutes,

1 MINUTE

3 MINUTE

20 minutes or one minute. As shown in the

WATERING

pictures and captions: Switch 1 ON and Switch 2

ON is 3 minutes;Switch 1 ON and Switch 2 OFF is

8 minutes; Switch 2 ON and Switch 1 OFF

provides 20 minutes of watering; both switches

OFF provides one minute of watering. Note: this

is only the watering time that occurs when the

SET point (by the knob) is greater than the

READING. The reading is shown by the blinking

LED that repeats the last measured soil moisture

every 20 seconds.

8 MINUTE

20 MINUTE

WATERING

Normally 3 minutes works well. 20 minutes is

used when a deep watering is desired, or with the

48 plant extender kit with the ½ gallon per hour

drippers or similar. The one minute setting usually

used when the three minutes it too much water,

such as watering small potted plants.

WaterGreat LLC

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WaterGreat SR-1 Advanced Instructions

Removing or Lengthening the Wiring to the Valve

Summary: Consumers will occasionally wish to

re-route their valve wiring, or extend it if the 9 ½

feet length is not adequate. Simple take care in

removing the wiring, and pay particular attention

to keeping the wiring as shown: Red wire (or

attached wire tied to the red wire) on the LEFT

and the White wire on the right.

If by accident you reverse this wiring you will

not harm the system, but the 'ON' and the 'OFF

function of the valve will be reversed. If turning

the moisture knob all of the way down turns the

valve 'ON' you have reversed the wires.

Notice: This terminal strip uses a small opening

Valve Wiring -Red wire on Left

and screwdriver. Take care in making sure you

re-install the wiring in the proper hole, and when

you tighten the wire back make sure that you

have good insertion into the hole. Mistakenly

shorting the two wires together, such as bare

wires of the white touching the red during valve

operation will short out the output transistors in

the controller, and it will fail. Shorting the wiring

is not covered by warranty, so be careful!

Always turn the knob all of the way down before

working on the wiring.

SR-1 TM by WaterGreat TM LLC Support

To extend the wiring, just pay attention to the

We at WaterGreat LLC want you to

color coding and carefully remove the existing

be our customer for life. We will

cable from the drilled hole in the support

only sell you the same quality

product that has proven itself to us

housing. Purchase additional wiring (at least 22

as fellow gardeners. As part of this

gauge, preferably larger. Then use an outdoor

customer relationship, we promise

rated splice to attach the existing cable to your

to provide friendly prompt customer

new cable. If needed, you may enlarge the hole

support by email, and we'll do our

in the support housing to fit the new wire. It is

best to answer back within one

not recommended to enlarge the hole much as

business day or sooner. Please

contact support@watergreat.com for

it may crack the support housing. Most

any questions. We also love to hear

hardware stores sell 22/2 stranded CM plenum

stories of success and enjoy

type cable that will fit into the existing support

pictures of happy gardens with this

housing hole. Do not extend more than 20 feet.

system.

WaterGreat LLC

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Error codes and Conditions:

LED indication

Condition

One brief blink per minute

Low light condition – normal

Two brief blinks per minute

Low battery – move into sun more

or contact support for battery

replacement

Three brief blinks per minute

Hardware failure – contact Support

Continuous blinking

Normal first 15 minutes in the

morning – then indicating a weak

battery if persists. Move into a

sunnier area. If problem persists

after two days, contact support for

a battery replacement.

Poor water flow

Check screen at input to the valve.

If clogged, remove stainless

housing screws and reverse flush

and re-install.

Very low moisture readings

Check that sensor is close to the

(few or no blinks)

irrigation source, and that the soil

appears moist. Reposition the

sensor to firm soil near the water

source or in the sprinkler pattern.

WaterGreat LLC

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