Moisture Indicator Reference Book - Irrometer Home

1 Moisture Indicator Reference book ContentsChecking in Shipments .. 2 Preparing IRROMETERS for Installation .. 2 Selecting Locations for Installation .. 4 Installation .. 6 Irrometer Charts .. 7 Taking Readings .. 8 Field Servicing .. 8 Hand Vacuum Pump .. 9 Protection of IRROMETERS .. 10 Starting Irrigations .. 10 Accuracy of IRROMETERS .. 11 Interpreting Irrometer Readings .. 11 Irrigating with IRROMETERS .. 12 Discontinuing Irrigations .. 12 Waterlogged Soils .. 12 Increasing Profits .. 12 Saving Water/Energy .. 13 Common Questions.

2 14 Storage of IRROMETERS .. 15 Care of Ceramic Tips .. 16 Vacuum Gauges .. 16 Factory Service .. 17 Warranty .. 18 Registration .. INSIDE AND OUTSIDE BACK COVER1 IRROMETERS aremanufactured of the highestquality materials andworkmanship. Whether youare using IRROMETERS inresearch, in the turf andlandscape or on the farm,adherence to the suggestionsgiven on the following pageswill assure you years oftrouble-free, accurate andreliable service from you have questions that arenot answered in this booklet,our staff is ready to assistyou.

3 Please call on us at have made an investment with your Irrometer , which willrepay its cost many times over. This Reference book will give youinformation that will insure the maximum benefit from yourinvestment. Hermetically Sealed Vacuum GaugeIRROMETER Co, Palmyrita , CA 92507-1600 PHONE 951-682-9505 FAX 951-682-9501E-MAIL OUR WEBSITE PAT. IndicatorCap AssemblyReservoir#0 Neoprene Stopper(PARTOFCAPASSEMBLY)HermeticallySe aled VacuumGauge Body TubeCeramic TipAir Free GaugeChamber2 Checking In ShipmentsShipments should be unpacked carefully and checked in immediately upon arrival.

4 Do not remove theplastic tip covering until preparing for are shipped dry and must be prepared for installation according to the instructions IRROMETERS for InstallationWhen instruments are received, it is necessary to prepare them forinstallation as outlined in steps 1 through 6 the plastic wrappers off the tips and fill IRROMETERS with clean water. Do not handle the ceramic theinstrument cap OFF and place the tip of the Irrometer in cleanwater overnight (use clean non-rusting glass jar, plastic bucket orbasin).

5 Water in the instrument will drain through the tip and thisoperation may be repeated as often as time permits. After soakingand you are ready to install, protect the tip from air drying with wetpaper towels, the plastic tip bag or insert into a bucket of wet sandwhile transporting to the installation Irrometer Field Solution as directed on the bottlelabel (a scant capful of concentrated Irrometer Fluid toone gallon of clean, de-aired water, such as distilled, rainwater, boiledwater that has cooled or tap water that has been allowed to sit).

6 3 Remove the filler cap and fill the instrument, includingreservoir, with Irrometer FieldSolution or distilled water. If the tube doesnot completely fill, it may be due to an airlock which has formed at the tube fillerhole at the bottom of the reservoir. Ta pthe top of the reservoir with the palm ofyour hand to break this air lock andfacilitate complete filling of the tube. a plastic squeeze bottlemakes filling easier as you can aim theflow of water into the body tube of theinstrument.

7 See a strong vacuum to theIRROMETER with the handvacuum pump. With the filler capremoved and the tip submerged in water or the bucket of wet sand, placethe suction cup over the reservoir and pump vigorously until a reading of 80-85 shows on the gauge, usually 5 or 6 quick pulls. (See page 9 -- HandVacuum Pump.) At higher elevations, maximum vacuum will be lower ( at 4000' above sea level). Release the vacuum slowly, using thefinger release valve on the suction cup, to avoid gauge damage. Repeat theabove procedure to remove all air from the gauge, usually 2-3 times issufficient.

8 Replace filler cap by tightening until the neoprene stopper makesSoaking TipsFilling InstrumentBreaking the air lockFilling Instrument3contact with reservoir bottom, then turn the cap 1/4 turn. Do NOT overtighten, this can damage the Irrometer gauge or the plastic tip cover on the instrument, or 0removefrom the bucket of sand, and install the Irrometer in theprepared hole. See section INSTALLATION page the Irrometer as illustrated each day for 3 to 6 daysor until no further air bubbles appear. Tapping the side of theinstrument with cap assembly will facilitate air release.

9 Refill thereservoir as necessary and replace filler cap. A well de-airedinstrument increases sensitivity and reduces water use inmaintaining reading. NOTE: Small champagne type bubbles of air which appearduring de-airing are not of de-airing is more conveniently accomplished before installation,place the instruments in a large plastic container half filled with waterand follow the above steps. Be sure to protect the tip from air dryingwhen transporting IRROMETERS to installation site. See Note for LT & MLT with models LT and MLT carefully pulla vacuum to a reading of 30 to 35 on the gauge and be careful tobleed vacuum slowly.

10 These gauges are very sensitive and can bedamaged by a rapid release of vacuum or over-pumping. The MLTuses a syringe style vacuum pump, refer to supplemental MLT FILL & AIR REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS cap, tip protector and plastic bag covering tip. 2. Place tip inclean water and soak overnight you doNOT need to fill the instrument. Step 5below will complete the filling process. Irrometer field solution byadding one drop of Irrometer fluid to acup of clean water. 4. Fill syringe half fullwith Irrometer field solution.