I see that 2.5 will introduce even more intelligence into the ways to calculate how often to water and how long. But all of these calculations are based on an initial run time for a zone, and then increasing/decreasing it based on some variables.
I’m still a little confused about how the initial standard run time is computed for a zone. For instance, I create a zone, and the Iro determines a certain length of watering time based on the type of sprinkler head, and I assume the amount of sun and type of vegetation. That isn’t a lot of information. I haven’t told you how many heads I have in the zone or the size of the zone.
For example, if I had a zone with one head making a 180 degree arc covering a zone, that zone would get less water per minute than if I had a zone with one head making a 90 degree arc, tossing the same amount of water over half of the area. Also, my Rainbird 5000 rotating heads I guess have a standard max flow rate, but isn’t the flow rate also determined by my water pressure or other factors?
I’m just wondering how I know that the initial recommendation of the zone is accurate? If my zone should be watered 30 minutes, and the Iro recommends 45 minutes, then no matter how many other variables are used as multiplies, it’ll still never be right.
I’m not accusing it of being wrong…I just don’t understand. Could someone please elaborate? Thanks! And I love the product! I just want to learn more about it.