Expanding Disk Rain Sensor Performance and Potential Irrigation Water Savings
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 134, Issue 1
Abstract
Rain sensors (RSs) appear to be a useful tool for water conservation at a relatively low cost. However, little evidence related to RS performance and/or reliability exists. The objectives of this experiment were to: (1) evaluate two RS types with respect to the following: Accuracy of their set point, number of irrigation cycles bypassed, and duration in bypass mode; (2) quantify the amount of water that RSs could save; and (3) estimate their payback period. Mini-click (MC) and wireless rain-click (WL) rain sensor models were monitored. For the WL treatment, the dry-out ventilation windows were set half open, and for the MC treatments, rainfall set points of 3, 13, and were established. On average, all treatments responded close to their set points with the WL, MC, MC, and MC treatments averaging 1.4, 3.4, 10.0, and , respectively. However, some replicates showed variable behavior. The number of times that these sensors shut off irrigation (81, 43, 30, and 8 times, respectively) was inversely proportional to the magnitude of their set point, with potential water savings following a similar trend. Where water costs exceed $0.53 per cubic meter ($2.00 per thousand gallons), the payback period is less than a year for WL and MCs set at or less.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to thank Engineer Larry Miller for his assistance on this project. This research was supported by the Pinellas-Anclotte Basin Board of the Southwest Water Management District, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Pinellas County Utilities, the Florida Nursery and Landscape Growers Association, and the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. Mention of a trade name, proprietary product, or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the University of Florida and does not imply approval of a product or exclusion of others that may be suitable.
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© 2008 ASCE.
History
Received: Sep 22, 2006
Accepted: Apr 19, 2007
Published online: Feb 1, 2008
Published in print: Feb 2008
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