System Components
Gate Retrofit Assembly
- UPGRADED WT-50 Solar powered gate actuator system in UPGRADED NEMA 4 enclosure
- 100 mW 900 MHz spread spectrum radio w/on-board microprocessor
- 304 Stainless Steel “A”- frame actuator platform and gate blade
- 12-Volt linear actuator w/ internal position sensor and limit switch
- Manual Up/Down switch
The AutoFlood retrofit slips right into a standard “pipe” delivery frame once the old blade is removed. The new AutoFlood blade with its attached “A”-frame actuator platform assembly is ready to automate flood irrigation as soon as the frame is bolted to the canal and a battery is installed in the WT-50 enclosure. It will be able to “talk” to its Controller, open fully or partially as needed by the system, and collect and report its station data.
Product Features
Any number of gates
Water Present Sensor
- All weather potted water sensor probe
- 100 mW 900 MHz spread spectrum radio
- Dual “C” sized lithium-ion batteries
- External sensor status, reset, communication buttons
- Schedule 40 UV protected PVC enclosure
Sensors are deployed down-field from the canal at a user-defined location. They detect irrigation flow as it goes down the field and transmits that data to the hub. The hub then calculates the unique transit time from the canal to the water-present sensor for that specific watering. The unique transit time is converted into a finish time to complete watering from the sensor to the drainage ditch.
Field Controller (Hub)
- Micro-controller manages operations for any number of gates
- 100 mW 900 MHz spread spectrum radio
- UPGRADED NEMA 4X enclosure
- Bigger box with 5Amp-hour GSM battery
- Lockable box
- Box is positioned flat for easier access
- Upgraded 2 1/2-Watt solar panel with 360-degree turning capability to optimize solar exposure
The hub is the brain of the on-farm AutoFlood system. It manages communication to all gates and sensors, while controlling gate position, Check gate position, and on-farm canal level, collects and transmits data to the internet including battery voltage, and station data. It performs calculations for water flow transit times, and much more. The hub also generates system alarms that are communicated to end users via cell-modem, text or email, or can also be picked up locally through the 900 MHz radio network. Irrigators will define their irrigation sequence preferences and generally customize how AutoFlood will work for them by changing AutoFlood setpoints in the Controller.
Automated Check Gates for On-Farm Canals
- Medium-Duty Watch Technologies slide gate
- 304 Stainless Steel blade and frame
- UHMW blade guides and Neoprene sill seal
- Heavy-duty 12-Volt linear actuator w/ internal position sensor and limit switches
- WT-50 Solar powered gate actuator system in
- NEMA 4 enclosure
- 100 mW 900 MHz spread spectrum radio w/on-board microprocessor
- Manual Up/Down switch
Check-gates are used in on-farm canals to manage proper water level (head) at pipe gates. Typically, Check-gates divide an on-farm canal into sections and are closed and opened as irrigation operations move downstream along the canal to assure sufficient head at the most upstream pipe openings of each segment. AutoFlood also can use the Checks to manage canal level against system intolerable extremes of water level.