Baseline Systems BaseStation 3200 - Manual (Page 38)

C h a p t e r 2 – B a s i c P r o g r a m m i n g
Page 36
Baseline 3200
Even within a group of zones there will be a need to have different run times. This is
accomplished by changing the tracking ratio of the linked zone. When the water time tracking
ratio of a likned zone is set to 75% of the primary, it will run for that percent of the run time of
the primary zone (75% of one hour will be 45 minutes). Changing the run time for the primary
zone will then get set for each linked zone, by their individual tracking ratio values.
Using Soak-Cycles
The use of soak-cycles is very important to get the full benefit of the sprinkler run time. Each
type of soil has a different rate at which it can absorb water. Applying water at 0.4” per hour,
when the soil has a high clay content and can only absorb water at 0.2” per hour will result is
run-off. The water being applied to an area
isn’t getting into the soil at that area. This is
run-off becomes even more of an issue if there
is a slope.
Soak cycle settings can be set quickly by
pressing the CLR key once the dial has been
set to the Soak Cycle position. If there are no
soak-cycle values, this action will set the cycle
time to 1/3
rd
the zone run time and the soak
time to twice the cycle time. These values can
be seen on the screen shot to the right for a 60
minute zone run time. The soak and cycle
times can be changed as needed based on the zone conditions (soil type and slope).

Setting the soak-cycle times for a primary zone will set this for all linked
zones The cycle time of linked zones will be the tracking ratio of the
primary zone cycle time. The soak times will be the same as that of the
primary zone.
In this example, zone 1 will water for 20 minutes and then go into a soak cycle, allowing other
zones to run. After the 40 minutes soak cycle time, zone 1 will be allowed to run another 20
minutes when any running zones either finish their cycle or run times. Zone 1 will then run an
additional 20 minutes, and then move into its soaking time. Zone 1 will complete its 1 hour of
watering in three 20 minute segments, with at least a 40 minute soak time between them. With
many zones in a program, zones will be cycled and soaked until all have been completed. Zones
that have completed their soak cycles are prioritized higher that zones that are still waiting to
water so the first zones to start watering will be the first to complete.
Programs
The BaseStation 3200 supports twenty
programs. A program provides a schedule when
zones will water, or when they may be allowed
to water. There are three key programming
areas for each program: start times, water
windows, and day intervals.
Start Times
Each program can have up to eight start times in
a 24 hour period. Start times are set in 15