FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

For installers and end users this enables future proof expansion. Users can start out with just a few zones of irrigation, then add some more and then maybe add some lighting and maybe control the pool pump. For installers there is no longer the embarrassment of telling end user that the system that they installed cannot be easily expanded. With the Easy Automation system installers have repeat business satisfying end user who inevitably want more!

As plants grow, and ideas evolve it will can become apparent that some plants on a particular zone need more or less water than the other plants in the same zone. The problem is that whatever duration is used, some plants will need more water, and some may be overwatered! Then is the time to split this zone and achieve better growth for both types of plants. Perhaps the plants at the front are best serviced with slow drip irrigation with a long duration and the plants at the back (maybe a hedge) need lots of water provided by a shorter duration with bubblers. There are lots of different ways of delivering the required waterings – little drippers, micro sprays, bubblers, pop ups, etc. Not only will some plants need a longer duration than others, but some delicate pants may need more irritation cycles during a day especially in hot weather and particularly if the soil water holding capacity is low. Evapotranspiration will vary all over the landscape. The Easy Automation system allows a practically unlimited number of schedules and can have dozens or more of zones. Installations can start out small and cost effectively expand. Every area irrigated will vary in its needs due to soil texture and water holding capacity. Obviously, a sandy soil will lose water faster than a soil with more clay. Duration will need to be changed in different seasons. Moisture sensors (and other types of sensors- flow, temperature, etc) can be connected to the Easy Automation system for very precise control. Commercial growers and large landscapes may need lots of zones for effective plant growth and water management and benefit significantly with the Easy Automation system.

The system runs from software preloaded on the EasyController. This software is all that is needed to run every part of the system so, unlike some other systems, there is no need to connect to the internet or a router. If the system is connected to a router this software is then available on the local network so any device on the network that has a browser can access the full functionally of the system with a wired or WIFI connection. It is a true multi-user real-time control system, but it can simply be used standalone with one screen and not connected to anything else. Unlike other systems, for access to the Easy Automation system via an internet connection no additional Easy Automation app is required. As long as you can access the router to which the system is connected, you can have full control.

Each EasySwitch device has 2 output “ports” and the user selects (in a simple setup screen) what is connected to each port- irrigation, lighting or a 12volt relay (for controlling mains powered or other control operations). The user can even set that a particular irrigation zone needs a pump to supply it with water and the system will automatically turn that pump on and off (via its pump start relay). You can change the setup at any time. Once setup, you enter how long it should be on- i.e. the duration. You can specify in days, hours, minutes and seconds if needed or you can say when the zone turns off. For example, you can set the driveway lights to turn off at 4 hours after local sunset or at, say, 11pm.

As users provide feedback with their wish lists we add more powerline devices as well as features and improvements. These controller software enhancements are available for every user’s system who gets the software updates just like every other 21st century system. Near futures will see the addition of the EasySensor and EasyPower devices. The EasySensor device is used to connect sensors such as moisture, flow, humidity and other physical quantities. There can be many EasySensors on the system. The EasyPower device provides very simple control of mains powered devices. It looks like a normal power board into which you plug mains devices that you want the system to control. It can replace some single-phase pump start relays, so no electrician is required.

If the system is standalone- nothing! Even if connected to the internet the system will still function and perform all scheduling but, of course, remote internet access will not be possible. Local WIFI and LAN control will not be affected.

Yep! It stops working!

BUT schedules and other data are not lost, and schedules will resume for all future schedules when the power is restored. The system logs every event and this logging feature may interest advanced users. A suitable UPS can be used for critical situations.

If you have a large lawn, it cannot be watered with just one zone- there is not enough water pressure/flow. Therefore, the installer will divide the large lawn into two or more zones. Each zone will therefore water a part of the lawn and the whole lawn is watered when all the zones have run. In conventional systems this is very clumsy to facilitate. In the Easy Automation system, you set up these comprising zones as a “Series” and name it appropriately e.g. “front lawn”. You can then schedule or manually control the composite “zone” called “front lawn” as a single entity (with different zone durations if desired). Furthermore, the comprising zones can be set to slightly overlap. That is, when one zone stops and the next one starts there is a few seconds overlap to prevent “water hammer”. This protects piping from undue forces.

Useful for lighting, is the feature of “Groups” whereby comprising zones are treated as one entity (e.g. “back lights”) and are all turned on simultaneously.

Conventional system numbers the zones 1, 2, 3, etc. Obviously, you must remember what each numbered zone is for! For example, zone 2 might be for the roses. In the Easy Automation system, you can choose to display several different columns. One of these columns is “zone” where you can still use your old numbering, but we suggest you also use the column “Port Description” and enter “roses” or whatever is appropriate. Other columns include default duration, remaining time, next scheduled on and device description. This last column can be used to record where you placed the EasySwitch e.g. “Near back gate”.

You can choose what columns you want displayed. For large installations the real time display of all on zones and their remaining times is essential. This real time display will show zones as they are turned on and off either via schedules or by any users of the system.

Essentially the EasyController is a computer on which we have installed a lot of very advanced software. That is why in the price list we indicate that there are options for the EasyController and all are based on same EasyController computer. You can’t install it on your own PC. If you really have a desire for a very special base computer, let us know. Connected to the EasyController computer is a USB device which then connects into the EasyCoupler device (see the Easy Automation web for pictures of the component devices). The EasyUSBCoupler has 2 wires that then connect to the powerline which is powered by the transformer. Connections are very simply and quick. If it is desired that the powerline starts in a different place to the EasyController then the USB device is plugged into a normal power point and an EasyMainsCoupler can be plugged into another power point (on the same electrical phase) anywhere else that is convenient (eg in a garage or garden shed). The transformer is then positioned along with the EasyMainsCoupler and connected as usual to the start of the powerline. All required components (EasyController computer, USB dongle, EasyCoupler (either the EasyUSBCoupler or the EasyMainsCoupler) are included in the price of the EasyController. Installation is flexible. For example, it may be more convenient to connect the transformer in the middle of the powerline cable or branch the cable in multiple direction for a very large installation. Discuss any installation ideas and objectives with the installer or Easy Automation

You can buy directly from our master distributor Easy Irrigation Pty Ltd or, simply by emailing us and we will help you configure your system and discuss any needs you have. You can also buy from your installer – email us for recommended installers in your area. Note that most irrigation suppliers are obligated to sell a limited range of brands only. Selling direct from the web reduces the costs to the purchaser. If you are an installer or landscaper and wish to be part of this 21st century control system, we would be happy to hear from you. For landscapers who are responsible for many sites, this system is a dream!

In the pipeline (end of 2018) is a quad port (4 port “EasySwitch4”) which is an irrigation only EasySwitch. This will be of special interest to installers retrofitting old multicore systems that use manifolds in which there may be 4 or 8 solenoid valves. Of course, the current 2 port EasySwitch2 can also be used for retrofits.

With a cost similar to the EasySwitch2 the EasySwitch4 is double the value for irrigation only use.

In the existing multi-core irrigation cable, you separate the individual little wires into two parts and then continue the expansion with the superior 2 core cable. This way you do not have to replace the existing cable nor dig it up! See the Technical Advantages document for more details.

Accurate to the second!

When the system is first set up, you enter the actual site street address and the system automatically calculates the precise latitude and longitude and hence can calculate local sun events (sunrise, sunset and solar noon) to the second. Scheduling using sun event is very useful. Commercial growers may wish to water before or after solar noon. Lights can be turned on at say 15 minutes before sunset every day. Vignerons, rose grower, etc can start irrigation, for example, one hour after sunrise, or water a set time before sunset, etc. By changing the default durations when needed and with a repeating schedule (eg every second day, one hour after sunrise) commercial growers have much better control that using limited “seasonal files”.

The EasySwitch is a very solid and robust device. The circuitry inside is encased in strong waterproof epoxy which is then encased in an aluminium enclosure. However, a heavy vehicle could damage it! If damaged, simply wire in a replacement and configure the ports as before.

No. Unless you want to control mains powered devices with an electrician installed relay rather than use an EasyPower device. The powerline operates at a safe low voltage of 24VAC.