I have been looking around but cannot find the answer to this. I might be stupid but what is the High and Low on the sensor?
Those are moisture level
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To run a single zone for x mins I use the spruce controller, not the app. When in the controller you can push the button for a single zone to run for x mins. However what most people miss is that you can change the default single run time from 5 minutes to whatever you like. While in the spruce controller click on the gear and edit the auto shutoff time when zone is turned on manually. Then push the Configure button to send that number to the controller. This will change it for all zones and for if you were to push the zone button at the actual controller.
This default for manual run canāt be set for each individual zone though. That might be something that would need to be added in at the hardware level.
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Overall would you recommend it? Or is it still so new that youāre better off with whatever Toro/Hunter system and a rain sensor?
You could also try a RainMachine or Rachio. Both of those use local weather data to figure out when to add/subtract from your usual schedule based on recent and forecast rainfall. Iāve been maintaining the RainMachine integration with SmartThings, which works pretty well.
Iām happy with my Spruce. Had sensor issues but I have some of the first as I offered to be a guinea pig. They are swapping them out with the newer coated ones and hopefully that will take care of it. Otherwise it works and works well.
Second report.
Got the app working, and LOVE the notion that Iām getting just the right amount of water for the soil conditions. Also love the easy reporting on (a) history and (b) what watering will happen today. ALSO love the fact that it doesnāt water when rain is predicted. Using soil sensors is clearly the way ALL sprinkler systems should work.
Canāt figure out how to set a manual schedule to lightly water two zones three times a day where I have grass seed - but/and still stay with the automated watering schedule otherwise. If anyone knows please share!
One BAD thing that happened. I showed my lawn service my two sensors and asked them to please be careful not to run over them with their large lawnmowers. Second week - bang - I have a sensor with the metal stake completely broken off. Thatās a $60 sensor that lasted two weeks. Iāve written to Spruce about it to see how I can handle this, but havenāt heard back. Not sure what the lesson learned is for those of us who have lawn services though.
I would get the lawn guy to cover it. You made him aware of it. Plus Iāve had mine since the end of last season and these donāt stick up high enough to be hit by a blade so he either ran over it hard(assuming riding mower) or kicked it. I donāt even notice mine mowing, mower just glides over it as it sits just under cut level anyway. Even my neighbors riding mower didnāt affect it last year.
Has anyone had any luck with a new lawn? My lawn (dirt now) is getting hydro-seeded this month so I am wondering if there are settings for newly seeded lawns or something similar.
for new lawn you set lawn type to new plants in the smartappā¦ all that is supposed to do is set the moisture target to 40ā¦ and a few ogther things. also set x per day to max.
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@lightnjac, Thanks. Yes, I can do that. But its one zone at a time, I can select run these 3 zones for that period of time without creating my own app to do this.
Some basic use cases:
Landscaper or myself just puts down fertilizer, Please run zones 2, 4, 5, 6,7,8 and 10 for 8 minutes each. Zones 1, 3, 9 and 11 for 13 minutes each.
Today, with the app there is no way to do this. I would have to manually trigger each zone, and change the app settings.
Use case two: Just put seed down on bare spots, Bare spots are in zone 5 and 9. I want to make sure Iām soaking these areaās in the morning for 5 minutes and then again for 5 minutes around noon. I canāt just set this for a week.
I donāt think these are uncommon requests.
J
Yes we need a way to say setup multiple manual programs. Use. Program new grassā¦ and select times and zones and be able to kick it off. I dont care if it says rain tomorrowā¦ case in point it said that yesterday about todayā¦ and lol and behold no rain today suddenly. For new grass u need to keep it moist regardless.
Have you tried creating new schedules for those use cases? You are not limited by one schedule . So you can create a schedule for fertilizer and enable it when it gets applied. After itās done watering , disable fertilizer schedule until next time . Same can be done for seeding and you can adjust zones for seeding as well. Not ideal but doable
Hello, all! I have just registered but I have been enjoying Smartthings with a host of Multipurpose Sensors for the last 6 months. Five minutes ago, I had just decided to buy a Spruce with 2 sensors, but it seems they do not ship to Spain. Tough luck! Is there any hard reason for that? Or is it just that they only sell Spruce to official Smartthings markets (right now: North America and UK)? Thanks!
I have ordered a Spruce a 2 sensors, now I wait for them to shipā¦hopefully in 2-3 weeks.
Can any long time Spruce user let me know how the experience has been and how longterm usage has been?
Also, any tips or tricks would be great.
waiting too. promised last week then this weekā¦ I need it or will try to return whole kit as we are leaving for the summer and I need the sensors
So I just received 4 of the Spruce sensors (2 I ordered and 2 are RMA replacements). I tried to add them to the network the standard way - pull the battery tab - no go. I keep getting a generic THING in the devices list. So then I open the sensor up and go through the remove/add to network process (as documented by Spruce). This did not work too well. I managed to get the sensors added by some combination of button-presses and blue lights flashing. However I am now noticing that only one of them is actually collecting data.
A quick email to Plaid Systems support tells me that this is a known problem with V1 hubs and they have reported it to ST. Anyone else seeing this?
So I am sitting here looking at 5 sensors - all doing nothing on my desk.
I have my system up and running and have a question.
Is everyone staying with the default moister minimum setting on 20%
Ever since I have install this system my sensors have been over 20% and the system has not run.
I am afraid that not running the system might stress out my lawn if it does not run.
I still do but have questioned it myself. I have had this installed since April and my sprinklers have yet to turn on, However it has been pretty rainy so I rarely see my moisture fall below 40.
Mines been installed for a few weeks and we have had lots of hot days. System has yet to run.
2 sensors say 25% and 2 say 35%
I assume that is why they are not telling the system to turn on.
I have been manually turning on the zones to keep my grass from drying out.
Kinda lost on whatās going on with the system