SLF-WIRERIDE Installation Instructions

Introduction

The SmartLink Flow WireRide is a communications system that allows a SmartLink SLFSI-T and S Flow Sensor and Master Valve to be retrofitted to an irrigation system using a preexisting zone wire to carry Flow Sensor data and valve voltage to both the SmartLink Flow Aircard, and SmartLine irrigation controller.

The SmartLink Flow WireRide provides a reliable, cost effective method to add cloud-based flow management and control to preexisting irrigations systems. Pavement, hardscape or other landscape features can make the conventional method of installing new wire back to the controller prohibitively expensive and labor intensive. WireRide solves that problem.

Note: WireRide connects to the SmartLine controller and SmartLink Flow Aircard; both should be installed prior to WireRide installation. Both are needed in order for WireRide to function.

Note: The WireRide Controller Module is not designed for outdoor use. It MUST be installed in water proof controller enclosure, pedestal or the NEMA 4 rated WireRide enclosure, SLF-WIRERIDE-ENC.

Note: Disconnect power from the irrigation controller before making any wire connections. Do not reconnect power until both modules of the WireRide system are completely wired as instructed in this manual.

Before You Begin

In order for WireRide to work properly, the integrity of the preexisting host zone wires needs to be tested. Once they pass this test, move forward with the installation. The remaining installation instructions are written based on this test being completed.

READ THROUGH THIS GUIDE BEFORE ANY INSTALLATION OCCURS.

IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE REQUIREMENTS BEFORE INSTALLING the WireRide System, Flow Sensor and Master Valve.

Installation/Test

Step 1: Locating the HOST VALVE (preexisting zone valve)

1. Pick the closest valve to the proposed location of the new Flow Sensor and Master Valve. This zone will act as the “HOST” valve for the WireRide system and will also be the installation location of the Field Module.
2. Make sure it is an active valve and note its STATION NUMBER back at the Controller.

Note: Disconnect power from the irrigation controller before making any wire connections. Do Not reconnect power until both the Field Module and the Controller Module of the WireRide
System are completely wired as instructed in this manual.

Step 2: Installing the Master valve and Flow Sensor

1. Install the SLFSI-T/S Flow Sensor and a heavy-duty Master Valve according to the factory installation guides, your local city code, and best industry practices (10 times the pipe diameter upstream of the flow sensor and 5 times the pipe diameter downstream of the flow sensor). This excludes Hydrometers.
2. After the installation of your new Master Valve and Flow Sensor at the Point of Connection, you will need to run your new power, common and PE-39 or PE-89 (twisted shielded pair) flow sensor communication cables. These will be between the valve boxes of the corresponding hardware (master valve and flow sensor) back to the HOST valves location to be connected to the WireRide Field Module.
3. Connect the Master Valve solenoid wires and the Red and Black Flow Sensor wires to the new wires. The Master Valve and the Flow Sensor should be wired separately of each other and not share wires.
   Be sure to note the wire connections on the Flow Sensor as the polarity of the connections will be important when connecting to the WireRide Field Module

Step 3: Installing the Field Module

The WireRide Field Module is intended for outdoor installation in a valve box. Make ALL SPLICES to the Field Module wire leads with provided WATERTIGHT DBO/B-6 splice kits. The Field Module may be mounted to the inside cover or wall of the valve box by using enclosed fasteners through the mounting tabs on the ends of the Field Module. Locate the Field Module where the LEDs are visible during start up or troubleshooting. The LEDs are located on the top of the Field Module, where the wires enter the unit.

1. Disconnect the two wires that are coming from the Controller’s Station and Common (typically WHITE) terminals that are currently connected to the HOST valve’s solenoid.
2. Take the Field Module and locate the side that is labeled “Network”. You will be connecting the (2) Host zone wires to the Purple wire labeled (L) and the Blue wire labeled (C) on the Field Module.
3. Take the Purple (L) wire of the Field Module and connect it to the station wire that is going back to the controller.
4. Take the Blue (C) wire of the Field Module and connect it to the common wire (typically WHITE) that is connected to zone valves and the controller.
5. Take the Field Module and locate the side that is labeled “Zone Valve”. You will be connecting the two wires that are coming from the Host valve’s solenoid to the Orange wire labeled (L) and the White wire labeled (C) on the Field Module
6. Take the Orange (L) wire of the Field Module and connect it to one of the two solenoid wires coming from the Host valve.
7. Take the White (C) wire of the Field Module and connect it to the remaining solenoid wire coming from the Host valve.

At this point you should only have (4) wires connected to the Field Module.

Step 4: Finishing the Installation of the Field Module

1. Take the Field Module and locate the side that is labeled “Master Valve” you will be connecting the two new wires coming from the master valve to the Brown wire labeled (L) and the White wire labeled (C) on the Field Module.
2. Take the Brown (L) wire of the Field Module and connect it to the power wire of the master valve.
3. Take the White (C) wire of the Field Module and connect it to the common wire of the master valve.
4. Take the Field Module and locate the side that is labeled “Flow Sensor” you will be connecting your new PE-39/PE-89 (shielded twisted pair) communication cable to the Red wire labeled (+) and the Black wire labeled (-) on the Field Module.
5. Take the Red (+) wire of the Field Module and connect it to Positive (+) wire of the Flow Sensor.
6. Take the Black (-) wire of the Field Module and connect it to the Negative (-) wire of the Flow Sensor.

Every wire on the Field Module should be connected at this point. Review the previous instructions if this is not the case.

At this point you should have:

1. Located the Host valve and placed your Field Module.
2. Installed your Flow sensor and Master Valve.
3. Installed your cables from the Flow Sensor and Master Valve to the Field Module back at the Host valve’s box.
4. Host zone’s valve solenoid wires connected to the “Zone Valve” to the WireRide Field Module.
5. Host zone’s valve common and power wires connected to the “Network” on the WireRide Field Module.
6. Master valve’s common and power wires connected to the “Master Valve” on the WireRide Field Module.
7. Flow Sensor’s communication cable connected to the “Flow Sensor” on the WireRide Field Module.

Step 6: Providing Power to the WireRide Controller Module

Note: If the WireRide Controller Module is going to be powered by a separate 24V power supply, call the Weathermatic help desk for support.

DISCONNECT POWER FROM THE CONTROLLER BEFORE PROCEEDING.

ProLine/SmartLine 4800

1. Run a wire form either of the “AUX PWR” posts (left side above the RED ON/OFF switch) inside the controller, out to the “Power” (L) terminal of the WireRide Controller Module.
2. Do not disconnect your existing common wire(s). If you have an unused common terminal in the controller; Run (2) new common wires (A and B) from the open “COM” terminal inside the controller out to the WireRide Controller Module.
3. Locate the “Power” (C) terminal of the WireRide Controller Module and connect the common wire (A) to the (C) terminal.
4. Locate the “Zone Valve” on the Controller Module and connect the common wire (B) to the (C) terminal.

If both terminals have been used; then create a splice in to the common wires and run 2 new wires out to the WireRide Controller Module.

1. Locate the “Power” (C) terminal of the WireRide Controller Module and connect the common wire (A) to the (C) terminal.
2. Locate the “Zone Valve” on the Controller Module and connect the common wire (B) to the (C) terminal.

ProLine/SmartLine 1600

1. Run a wire from the “TEST” post of the terminal block (under the fuse holder) inside the controller, out to the WireRide Controller Module.
2. Locate the “Power” on the Controller Module and connect the new wire to the (L) terminal.
3. Intercept the “Existing” field common (DO NOT DISCONNECT) and create a splice in the controller to run (2) new common wires (A and B) out to the WireRide Controller Module.
4. Locate the “Power” on the Controller Module and connect the common wire (A) to the (C) terminal.
5. Locate the “Zone Valve” on the Controller Module and connect the common wire (B) to the (C) terminal.

Step 7: Providing External Power to the WireRide Controller Module

Connect the wires as listed in Step 5 for the Network, Flow Sensor, Master Valve and Zone Valve.

1. Locate both the “Network” (C) terminal and the “Zone Valve” (C) terminal of the WireRide Controller Module. Cut a jumper wire long enough to loop around the Controller Module (see illustration) to connect to both the “Network” (C) terminal and to the “Zone Valve” (C) terminal.
2. Do not disconnect your existing common wire(s). If you have an unused common terminal in the controller; run a new common wire from the open “COM” terminal inside the controller out to the WireRide Controller Module and connect it to the “Master Valve” (C) terminal. If the terminal has been used; then create a splice in to the common wire(s) and run a new wire out to the WireRide Controller Module and connect it to the “Master Valve” (C) terminal.
3. Connect a 24 VAC power supply (such as a plug-in transformer) to the “Power” terminals of the Controller Module. The power supply must be adequate to operate the zone valve and master valve solenoids with the WireRide circuitry. Power ratings of .75 Amps to 1 Amp will cover most applications. If unsure of the solenoid current draw, check with the valve manufacturer.

Step 8: Verify the “NETWORK” wire connections between the Controller and Field Modules are working.

1. Restore power to the controller, thus powering the WireRide Controller and Field Modules.
2. Once power is applied, the Power, Flow Sensor and Network LEDs on the Controller Module (and Field Module) will blink 3 times. Then the (RED) Power LED and the (GREEN) Network LED will blink continuously
3. Now observe the top of the Field Module. The (GREEN) Network LED should also be continuously blinking just as the Controller Module.

• YES – Congratulations! This indicates that there is Two-Way communication between the WireRide Controller and Field Modules.
• NO – If the (GREEN) Network LED on the Controller Module does not BLINK but remains ON (solid), and the GREEN “Network” LED on the Field Module is OFF or (ON STEADILY), then the WIRE PATH is FAULTY. Check all the new connections first, then troubleshoot the PREEXISTING zone valve wire path for poor splices or damaged insulation. There are scores of reasons that go beyond the scope of this installation manual and are not a result of performance issues with the WireRide.

Step 9: WireRide System operations

1. When the controller activates the Master valve the Red “Master Valve” LED should glow continuously on both Modules and the master valve’s solenoid should be energized.
2. When the Flow Sensor is operating the Red Flow LED should glow continuously on both Modules.
3. When the controller activates the Host zone’s valve the Red “Zone Valve” LED should glow continuously on both Modules and the zone valve’s solenoid should be energized.
4. If the Controller Module’s Green “Network” LED does not BLINK, but remains ON and the Field Module’s Green “Network” LED is OFF, then the Wire Path is faulty.
5. If the Controller Module’s Green “Network” LED is OFF, but the Red “Power” LED is on, then there is a processor failure in the Controller Module.