Irritrol MC-E - Manual (Page 36)


Flow Sensor Setup
Flow Sensor Overview
The flow sensing system in the MC-E is designed to reduce the risk of flood damage and water waste. As previously
described, the controller requires a properly sized flow sensor in the system. Also, (connected to Station #2 which must be
converted to Flow Alarm) a normally-open master valve is required.
In the SETUP procedure all stations must be set to “MV=ON”.
The controller has an adjustable flow delay, with a default length of 1 minute, to allow the flow to “settle” after a valve
opens. After each valve’s delay period, (settable from 1 to 9 minutes) the controller will monitor the sensor reading.
Because of delay times and the length of the automatic flow diagnostic procedure, station times under 3 minutes
are not recommended when using flow sensing.
The controller can “learn” the correct flow for each irrigation zone in the system. Also, the maximum acceptable flow
limit for the main line can also be set. With the above in place, the MC-E can detect an overflow condition for a particular
valve in operation (compared to its learned flow) and shut it off. If the controller can cure the flow problem by turning off
the offending station, it will identify the station with the flow error in its display, illuminate the FLOW ALARM light on
its face panel and beep once every 30 seconds to alert the user. Before moving on to the next station in the program, the
controller will check flow in the main line with all valves off. If no flow, the controller moves on. If flow is detected with
no stations on (catastrophic flow), in addition to the alerts above, the controller will energize and close the normally-open
master valve to shut off the irrigation main line.
While the controller is in AUTO/RUN
, but idle, any detected flow with no valves on will also energize station #2
for shut down. Even if you turn the controller to Rain Off , the MC-E will continue to energize station #2 to keep the
normally-open master valve closed. To clear the flow alert and allow the master valve to open, turn the dial to
FLOW SENSING
and press .
Use either STATION TEST or MANUAL to sequence through the stations or to operate a suspect station as you
visually locate the cause of the over flow or unscheduled flow condition. To allow for searching and testing, flow sensing
is not active in STATION TEST
or MANUAL modes.
CAUTION: Flow sensing is active in the controller’s automatic mode for detecting overflow conditions in
the remote control valves and mainline catastrophic flow. Other water outlets in the irrigation mainline will cause
unscheduled flow and activate mainline shutdown. To operate quick coupler valves, etc. downstream of the flow sensor,
either disable flow sensing or manually turn on an unused station that has no learned flow. During operation of a station
with no learned flow, flow sensing is disabled.
When the controller is in RAIN OFF , flow sensing is disabled.
Enable/Disable MC-E Flow Sensing
Step 1 – Place the Function dial to the FLOW SENSING position.
Step 2 – If Flow Sensing is not Enabled, the controller will prompt
“Enable Flow? Press DAYOFF”. Press the button to activate
flow sensing. The K Value/Size Code screen will be displayed when
flow sensing is successfully enabled:
Step 3 – Deactivate flow sensing by pressing the button.
Offset Value Flow Unit
K Value Size Code