Rain Master RME EAGLE User Manual page 105

RME EAGLE User Manual
Although historical data is very useful, using historical data by itself means that the controller will
not be able to adjust to real-time conditions such as an overcast day or an exceptionally hot day,
since historical data is averaged data.
8.3 GENERATE THE REFERENCE PROGRAM
Whether you are using the RME EAGLE ET feature or not it is important to enter a program that is
representative of the conditions that are being irrigated. The program should take into consideration
several factors including the weather conditions for that time of year for your location, the
precipitation rate, the rainfall, the plant material that is being irrigated, and site specific information
(i.e. direct sunlight vs. shade, etc).
It is important to have a representative program or "reference" program because the controller will
make adjustments to this program over time. If for example, the initially established reference
program results in over watering by 200%, then the RME EAGLE will make intelligent adjustments
but optimal water savings will never be achieved.
There are three ways to obtain a reference program for your irrigation controller:
1. If you are familiar with the programming of your irrigated area because you have
managed this operation over time, you may best know what each of your station
runtimes and the frequency of irrigation (water days) that best suits your needs.
2. There are software programs that can be utilized to aid you in determining a
reference program. One internet site to aid in scheduling is www.wateright.org.
Select the "Scheduling" option. The Wateright site was developed by the Center
for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno, California, with
significant support from the United States Bureau of Reclamation. This site
prompts you for specific information and then generates a representative
schedule for you.
3. Another option is to seek out an irrigation consultant who has knowledge of
water management and irrigation scheduling. One national organization is the
American Society of Irrigation Consultants. A member list can be obtained at
www.asic.org.
Although you can establish a reference program based upon any month of the year, Rain Master
recommends that you pick the hottest time of the season to determine your reference schedule.
Refer to RMIS Part Number 500048, Historical ET Data Tables to determine the hottest month of
the season, the hottest month will have the highest ET value.
Regardless of today's date, enter your reference program into the RME EAGLE controller, as
described in Table 8 - Program Data Entry.
Page 98
Rain Master Irrigation Systems
Chapter 8 ET Programming