Hunter Soil-Clik Soil Moisture System

Introduction and Installation

• Specifications
• Choosing the Probe Location
• Installing the Soil-Clik Probe
• Connecting the Probe to the Module
• Choosing the Module Location

Connecting the Module to Hunter Controllers

• Overview
• X-Core®
• Pro-C®
• I-Core®
• ACC
• Common Interrupt (Most AC-powered Controllers)
• Using Soil-Clik with Solar Sync®

Programming and Operations

• LCD Screen Callouts
• Operation

Troubleshooting Guide

• Problems, Causes and Solutions

Specifications

Soil-Clik is a soil moisture system that prevents overwatering when the soil is wet. Soil-Clik is designed for use with Hunter controllers that have normally-closed smart sensor inputs, or with any AC powered control system by interrupting the common wire to the valves.

Module Dimensions:

• Height: 4.5" (11.4 cm)
• Width: 3.5" (8.9 cm)
• Depth: 1.25" (3.2 cm)
• Power: 24 VAC, 100 mA max

Probe Dimensions:

• Height: 3.25" (8.25 cm)
• Diameter: 7/8" (2.22 cm)
• Wire to Probe: 1000 ft (300 m) max., 18 AWG (1 mm²) Direct Burial Wire

Choosing the Probe Location

The moisture sensing Soil-Clik probe must be installed within 1000 ft (300 m) of the Soil-Clik module, using 18 AWG (1mm²) Direct Burial (UF) wire.

Choosing the Zone

Install the probe within the last typical zone to irrigate, so that normal irrigation will not interrupt watering prematurely.

NOTE: Choose a zone with full sun exposure that is in the fastest-drying area of the landscape. If necessary, move valve wires, so that this is the last (highest-numbered) station to water.

Diagram: Shows the Soil-Clik module connected to a series of irrigation valves, with the probe placed in one of the zones. An arrow indicates the direction of water flow. The distance of 1000 ft / 300 m is indicated between the module and the probe.

Choosing the Exact Spot

Select an area with full sun exposure that represents the fastest-drying irrigated area.

Diagram: Illustrates a landscape with a sun, trees, and grass. Several locations are marked with a prohibition symbol over a probe, except for one location where the probe is shown correctly placed. Arrows indicate the direction of water flow.

Place in the Root Zone

In turf applications, the probe should be placed in the root zone, approximately 6" (15 cm) deep (adjust for actual turf conditions).

For shrubs or trees, select a deeper depth that matches the root zone. For new plantings, choose a spot halfway down the root ball, adjacent to native soil.

Diagram: Shows cross-sections of soil with probes placed at different depths, illustrating placement in turf and near tree/shrub roots.

Installing the Soil-Clik Probe

1. Soak lower two-thirds of probe for 30 minutes before installing. Do not allow water to cover the top cap where wires are connected.
2. Use 1/2" (12 mm) PVC pipe to make a vertical hole to desired depth in the soil (outside diameter 7/8" (22 mm)).

Diagram: Shows the probe being soaked in water, then a prohibition symbol indicating not to submerge the top, followed by a diagram of using a PVC pipe to create a hole in the soil.

3. Mix a slurry of native soil and water, and pour into the hole.
4. Place sensor in vertical position (do not tilt more than 45°) at bottom of hole.

DO NOT install probe horizontally!

Diagram: Shows mixing soil and water, pouring it into the hole, placing the probe vertically, and a warning symbol against horizontal installation.

5. Pack native soil tightly around probe. Soil must be in full contact with probe.
6. Allow the probe to acclimate for 2 to 3 days and water normally, before proceeding to sensor-based irrigation.

Diagram: Shows hands packing soil around the probe, and a calendar indicating 2-3 days for acclimation.

Connecting the Probe to the Module

Use only 18 AWG (1 mm²) or larger direct burial rated wire, up to 1000 ft (300 m) from the module.

WARNING: Avoid high voltage lines or other sources of electrical interference.

Connect the gray/black probe wires to the 2 gray module wires with waterproof connections (polarity is not important in this system).

Diagram: Shows the Soil-Clik module and probe connected by wires. A close-up shows the wiring connections at the module, with labels for Yellow, White, Soil-Clik Gray, and Soil-Clik Gray/Black wires.

Choosing the Module Location

The Soil-Clik module is designed for outdoor installation when necessary. However, electronics will benefit from a protected location when practical. Mount within 6 ft (2 m) of the host controller.

An indoor location, or inside the controller enclosure (ACC, I-Core) is recommended.

If module must be outdoor, locate away from direct sunlight and sprinkler spray for best results.

Avoid placing module near electrical boxes and sources of electrical interference.

Diagram: Shows the Soil-Clik module mounted near a controller, with a distance of 6 ft (2 m) indicated.

Connecting the Module to Hunter Controllers

Gray Wires: Connection to Soil-Clik Probe.

Yellow Wires: Soil-Clik Module power, requires 24 V AC power (100 mA, max).

White Wires: Module output, to Hunter controller sensor input, or to interrupt 24 V common wiring to field.

Route all wires through low-voltage conduit hole in controller enclosure.

Make all external connections with waterproof connectors.

WARNING: Do not connect the Soil-Clik to high voltage (120/230 VAC) wiring!

X-Core®

1. Yellow power wires to X-Core 24 VAC terminals.
2. White wires to Sensor (SEN), or common interrupt.

Diagram: Shows wiring connections for the X-Core controller, highlighting the 24 VAC and SEN terminals for the Soil-Clik module.

Pro-C®

1. Yellow power wires to Pro-C AC1 and AC2.
2. White wires to Sensor or common interrupt.

Diagram: Shows wiring connections for the Pro-C controller, highlighting the AC1, AC2, and SEN terminals for the Soil-Clik module.

I-Core®

1. Yellow power wires to I-Core AC1 and AC2.
2. White wires to S1, S2 or S3 terminals.

Diagram: Shows wiring connections for the I-Core controller, highlighting the AC1, AC2, S1, S2, and S3 terminals for the Soil-Clik module.

ACC

1. Yellow power wires to 24 VAC terminal and Com terminal.
2. White wires to any sensor S1 through S4.

Diagram: Shows wiring connections for the ACC controller, highlighting the 24 VAC, COM, and S1-S4 terminals for the Soil-Clik module.

Connecting the Module Directly to Valve Wiring (Common)

Common Interrupt (most AC-powered controllers)

1. Connect Yellow power wires to 24 VAC power in the controller.
2. Cut field common wire(s), and splice one Soil-Clik White wire to each end of the common.

Diagram: Illustrates connecting the Soil-Clik module to the common wire of the irrigation valves, showing the Yellow wire connected to 24 VAC and the White wire spliced into the common wire.

Using Soil-Clik with Solar Sync®

Soil-Clik is ideal when installed together with Hunter Solar Sync. Solar Sync adjusts run times for weather conditions, and provides rain and freeze shutdown. Soil-Clik prevents unnecessary watering when soil is still wet.

X-Core, Pro-C, PCC

1. Connect Solar Sync to controller sensor terminal, as usual.
2. Connect Soil-Clik as shown in “Common Interrupt" on page 17. Do not connect to SEN terminals if Solar-Sync is present.

I-Core (version 3.0 and later)

1. Connect Solar Sync to S1.
2. Connect Soil-Clik white wires to S2 (or S3 in larger capacity versions).
3. Set sensor shutdown by station.

ACC (version 5.0 and later)

1. Connect Solar Sync to ET terminals.
2. Connect Soil-Clik to S1, S2, S3, or S4.
3. Set sensor shutdown by program.

Diagram: Shows a Soil-Clik module and a Solar Sync device connected to a Hunter controller, illustrating the integration of both systems.

Programming and Operations

Soil-Clik is used to set a desired moisture level. The level may be changed with the + and - buttons. When the desired moisture has been reached, Soil-Clik will interrupt irrigation either through the controller's sensor input, or by "breaking" the common wire to the field.

LCD Screen

Diagram: Shows the LCD screen of the Soil-Clik module with numbered callouts corresponding to the features listed in the table. Buttons for +, -, and Pause/Override are also visible.

The bar steps in the display represent centibars of soil water tension on a scale of 10 to 100. High numbers indicate dry soil, or soil from which it is very difficult for plants to extract moisture.

The level of the arrows indicates the point at which irrigation will be shut off.

Start with a mid-range setting based on the table or local experience. Observe results, and adjust as needed. Press + to increase, - to decrease.

Diagram: Shows the Soil-Clik display with different moisture levels indicated by bars and arrows. An illustration shows pressing the + and - buttons to adjust the setting.

When the moisture level is reached, Soil-Clik stops the irrigation. This is shown by the II symbol.

The Pause button overrides the Soil-Clik. It will allow the controller to water normally, even if the soil moisture level has been reached. When it is in Pause mode, the Pause symbol is shown and the rest of the screen is blank.

Press the [Measurement] button to update the moisture level reading. The Measurement icon will appear. An updated measurement (bars) will appear within 5 seconds.

Diagram: Shows the Soil-Clik display with the Pause symbol (II) indicating that watering is paused. Another diagram shows the Measurement icon and updated moisture bars appearing on the screen.

WARNING: Pause does not pause watering. It overrides the Soil-Clik, and allows watering.

Press Pause again to return to normal operation.

The Alarm symbol shows an internal malfunction. Replace the Soil-Clik Module if this occurs.

Diagram: Shows the Soil-Clik display with an alarm symbol indicating a malfunction.

Troubleshooting Guide

Certificate of Conformity to European Directives

Hunter Industries declares that the Soil-Clik complies with the applicable standards of the European Directives at the time of manufacture, including EN 61000-6-1 and EN 61000-6-3.

Signature: Michael J. Terry, Senior Regulatory Compliance Engineer

CE Mark

FCC Notice

This equipment generates radio frequency energy and may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules, which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient the receiving antenna
• Move the controller away from the receiver
• Plug the controller into a different outlet so that controller and receiver are on different branch circuits

If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions.

Hunter Industries Incorporated

1940 Diamond Street, San Marcos, California 92078 USA

www.hunterindustries.com