Month later update: my freeze protection for a Flex Daily schedule is working fabulously.
I settled in to setting my freeze protection at 45 degrees F. At this setting, combined with Dallas weather lately (cold)
http://welserver.com/perl/plot/WEL0043/SampledOutsideWeather.png (red line)
my single and fully Flex Daily schedule hasn’t watered since mid-Dec.:
http://welserver.com/perl/plot/WEL0343/Sprinkler2.png (blue line)
At this point some zones are ‘bottomed out’ at the ‘Allowed Depletion’ level and thus I’m actually saving water beyond what the Flex Daily algorithms would call for using at this time of year (.01 - .03 Crop Evapotranspiration per day per zone).
It’s warmed up to the 60s now, here in Dallas, during the days, but, the cold at night is still enough to keep temps below 45 degrees up to 9:15 AM, when my Flex Daily processing occurs to set the schedule for the day.
The key things I really like:
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By using an attached freeze device directly connected to my Iro2 I’m in control of ensuring that absolutely the Iro2 doesn’t water during freezing temps. No mistakes, no surprises, no dependencies on someone else’s weather station. My municipality fines for creating ice on sidewalks and streets. And my sprinkler system requires a fair amount of repair when I run it during freezing temps (obviously). I am now assured of absolutely avoiding both situations now.
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I can continue to use my Iro2 the way it’s advertised (automatic), without having to make any exception for cold Winter months. My desire for the Iro2 is ‘set and forget’ - take advantage of its intended fully automated capabilities. This is the way Flex Daily is supposed to work.
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Moisture integration tracking per zone is maintained continuously updated through freeze periods.
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(And for me using my smart home, I can ‘set the dial’ at something other than 32, 37 or 39 degrees F - in my case I’ve settled in using 45 degrees. At anything less and I’m now assured that it won’t water.)
Best regards,
Bill