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Controllers
 

What makes the FertiGator unique is its ability to precisely control how much fertilizer goes out to each zone.

There are three types of controllers distinguished by the number of zones and injectors it can control.

Name
# of Zones
# of Injectors
AR-1
8 zones
1 injector
AR-2
8 zones
2 injectors
AR-3
40 zones
3 injectors


Increasing the Number of Zones
If you have more than 8 zones on your property you can easily link additional controllers to handle 16, 24 or 32 zones. All you need to do is purchase an additional controller of the right type which includes a connector to link them together.


The FertiGator AR-3 Controller
For complex properties we recommend using the FertiGator AR-3 Controller. The AR-3 controller is the most exciting innovation in the entire field of non-agricultural fertigation. The FertiGator AR-3 is a 40-zone controller that independently controls three different injectors. It can be used with any combination of three M or Pro Series single or double injectors.

There is nothing that the AR-3 Can't do! The AR-3 can deliver turf fertilizer only to the turf zones, flower food only to the garden zones and other specialty lawn care products to where they are needed most.

Using three double injectors working in tandem, the AR-3 can deliver up to six times the fertilizer that the M1 Kit can deliver. By linking more than one AR-3 there is virtually no limit to the size or complexity of property you can manage.

How Controllers Work
The controller is wired into the sprinkler system controller and is usually mounted beside it. When a sprinkler zone activates, the FertiGator reads this and causes the injector to pulse which sends fertilizer out into the line.

The FertiGator injects just one milliliter (one cubic centimeter) per pulse. Injection rates may vary from as high as 19 pulses every two minutes to one pulse every eight minutes. A zone can also be programmed at 0 pulses if necessary.

  • The top row of green lights on the controller represents the zones. They are also used to program the pulse period.
  • The bottom row of lights are used for setting the pulse rates for each zone. The settings range from 0 to 19 for each zone.

The FertiGator injector delivers the number of milliliters of fertilizer displayed evenly spaced during the pulse period. The pulse period is the amount of time it takes to deliver the specified number of pulses. For example, if the zone is set at 10 pulses and the pulse period is set at 3, the FertiGator will pulse 10 times every 3 minutes that the zone is open, every time you water.


How to Program a FertiGator Controller

The FertiGator controller has two program modes. You can control the quantity of fertilizer delivered (pulse rate) and the frequency of its application (pulse period). Controllers come set at a default pulse period of 5 minutes.

For example, if you have a pulse period 3 minutes and a pulse rate of 9, as long as the zone is being watered the FertiGator will send nine milliliters of fertilizer out into the zone every three minutes that the zone is on.

The FertiGator Controller has non-volatile memory, which insures that your settings will not be lost if you lose power or unplug the system, even for the entire winter. There are no batteries required.

Step 1: Determine Controller Settings

1) Easiest Method:
Initially set all pulse rates at 19 then adjust based on the needs of each zone

2) More Precise Method:
Set the pulse rate to equal the gallons per minute for that zone. For example, if zone one has four corner heads that each deliver 2.5 gpm and a central 360 that delivers 4 gpm, that zone has a gpm of 14. The front garden may have six pop-up spray heads at 1.5 gpms each. That zone has a gpm of 9. If you designed the system so that all of the zones have the same gpms, set all of the zones to that number.

3) Most Precise Method:
Use the pulse calculation spreadsheet which is included with each FertiGator purchase to determine precise pulse period and settings. You will need to know the following information:

· The square footage of your property
· Number of zones in your system
· Gallons per minute flow rate for each zone
· Watering duration for each zone
· Number of waterings per week

Step 2: Program the Controller

To enter into the Controller's program mode momentarily press Pulse and Zone keys simultaneously. When the run light is off and the program light has come on you are in program mode. Press the Pulse and Zone keys together to leave program mode.

  • A Quick Press (hold keys for one second - the program, zone and pulse rate lights will come on) allows you to change pulse rate in the different zones.
  • A Long Press (hold keys until only the zone and program lights come on - about 15 seconds) allows you to change the pulse period.

Once you are in the appropriate program mode:

Setting Pulse Rate:

  • Press Zone key to change between zones.
  • Press the Pulse button to change the pulse setting for that zone.
  • When leaving the program mode push and hold the Zone key then push the Pulse key momentarily to exit to avoid changing the setting upon exit.

Setting Pulse Period:

In this mode, the zone light represents the pulse period. There will be no pulse lights on. For example, if Zone 5 is lit, it means that the FertiGator will pulse at the pulse rate you set every five minutes that each zone is operating.

  • Press the Zone key until the ZONE light is lit for the proper Pulse Period
  • When leaving program mode push and hold the Pulse key then push the Zone key momentarily to exit to avoid changing the setting upon exit.

The controller is now programmed and ready to go. You can easily change your settings based on your preferences or when you change watering times or waterings per week.

 



AR1 Controller





Linked Controllers



AR3 Controller

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