“Smart” controller efficiency testing for climate-based controllers

The Irrigation Association has developed an independent third party testing protocol specific to “smart” climatologically-based controllers. Currently the protocol is administered through the Center for Irrigation Technology, an independent testing laboratory, applied research facility and educational resource center based at California State University, Fresno. The objective of this protocol is to evaluate how well current commercial technology has integrated the scientific data into a practical system that meets the agronomic needs of turf and landscape plants.

 

Each product evaluation is conducted by creating a six-zone virtual landscape subjected to real-time climate through monitoring of a selected weather station to evaluate the ability of individual “smart” controllers to adequately and efficiently irrigate that landscape.

 

After initial programming and calibration, the controller is expected to perform without further intervention during the test period. Performance results indicate to what degree the controller maintained root zone moistures within an acceptable range:

  • If moisture levels are maintained without deficit, it can be assumed the level of irrigation will be adequate to maintain the health and beauty of the landscape
  • If moisture levels are maintained without excess, it can be assumed that scheduling maximizes water-use efficiency
     

Note: Central control systems Please read this memo regarding central control systems.

 

List of IA-SWAT performance reports for “smart” controllers

Several “smart” controllers have completed IA-SWAT protocol testing and results have been released by the manufacturer. For individual results, please click on the PDFs below. EPA WaterSense now labels smart controllers.

 

Read the SWAT definition of a smart controller.

Performance Summaries 

 

Technical Reports 

 
04/15/2010 Alex-Tronix Universal Smart Module  04/15/2010 Alex-Tronix Universal Smart Module 

05/17/2007 Alex-Tronix Enercon Plus 

09/04/2007 Alex-Tronix Enercon Plus 

05/17/2007 Alex-Tronix Smart Clock 

 09/04/2007 Alex-Tronix Smart Clock 
09/10/2007 Aqua Conserve Aqua ET-9  09/07/2007 Aqua Conserve Aqua ET-9 
04/11/2007 Calsense ET2000e  09/07/2007 Calsense ET2000e 
04/11/2008 Cyber-Rain XCI  04/11/2008 Cyber-Rain XCI 
06/21/2011 DIG Leit 2 ET  06/21/2011 DIG Leit 2 ET 
09/09/2005 ETwater Smart Controller  03/17/2006 ETwater Smart Controller 
03/22/2011 ETwater Hermit Crab  03/22/2011 ETwater Hermit Crab 
04/11/2007 Hunter ET System  04/11/2007 Hunter ET System 
03/22/2011 Hunter Solar Sync Module  03/22/2011 Hunter Solar Sync Module 
03/22/2011 Hunter Solar Sync Sensor  03/22/2011 Hunter Solar Sync Sensor 
10/08/2007 Hydrosaver ETIC  10/03/2007 Hydrosaver ETIC 
04/20/2011 Irritrol KwikDial Climate Logic  04/20/2011 Irritrol KwikDial Climate Logic 
04/20/2011 Irritrol MC48E Climate Logic  04/20/2011 Irritrol MC48E Climate Logic 
04/20/2011 Irritrol RainDial Climate Logic  04/20/2011 Irritrol RainDial Climate Logic 
01/09/2006 Irritrol Smart Dial  03/17/2006 Irritrol Smart Dial 
04/20/2011 Irritrol Total Control Climate Logic  04/20/2011 Irritrol Total Control Climate Logic 
01/05/2010 NDS Raindrip WeatherSmartPro   01/05/2010 NDS Raindrip WeatherSmartPro  
05/11/2009 Rain Bird ESP-LX with ET Manager Cartridge  05/11/2009 Rain Bird ESP-LX with ET Manager Cartridge 
06/01/2009 Rain Bird ESP-SMT  06/01/2009 Rain Bird ESP-SMT  
06/27/2006 Rain Bird ET Manager  06/27/2006 Rain Bird ET Manager 
04/05/2011 Rain Bird SST Smart Controller  04/05/2011 Rain Bird SST Smart Controller 
04/11/2008 Rain Master RME Eagle  04/11/2008 Rain Master RME Eagle 
06/21/2011 Rain Master RME Eagle Plus  06/21/2011 Rain Master RME Eagle Plus 
07/15/2008 SMG Superior Controls Sterling 8  07/15/2008 SMG Superior Control Sterling 8 
04/05/2011 Toro EC-XTRA w Smart Pod   04/05/2011 Toro EC-XTRA w Smart Pod 
01/09/2006 Toro Intelli-Sense  03/17/2006 Toro Intelli-Sense 
04/20/2011 Toro TMC-212 Climate Logic  04/20/2011 Toro TMC-212 Climate Logic 
04/20/2011 Toro TMC-424E-ID Climate Logic Kit  04/20/2011 Toro TMC-424E-ID Climate Logic Kit 
05/13/2009 Tucor RKS with Tipping Rain Bucket  05/13/2009 Tucor RKS with Tipping Rain Bucket 
05/09/2012 Tucor RKD-WS  05/09/2012 Tucor RKD-WS 
05/11/2009 WaterOptimizer  05/11/2009 WaterOptimizer 
04/11/2007 Weathermatic SL1600  09/04/2007 Weathermatic SL1600 
01/09/2006 WeatherTRAK  03/17/2006 WeatherTRAK