At the time of installation, how does the system know the pre-existing soil moisture level? Does it have to be manipulated at the time of programming?
We assume zones have zero moisture.
So, how does Rachio know it is full and stops watering?
it either estimates or measures several numbers, then adds/subtracts them together, keeping a sort of a balance sheet. Day start balance + precipitation + irrigation - evapotranspiration = day end balance.
When that drops below the target (based on allowed depletion, water availability, root depth, etc) it waters and adds that to the balance sheet as irrigation.
Hope this helps.
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