HI 8000 Series
Computerised fertigation control system
Adjustment of fertiliser and acid according to variations in pH and EC values
Simple programming and effective operation are the strengths of the HI 8000 series controllers. One distinctive feature of these models is the ability to control the acidity of irrigation water through continuous pH readings taken by electrodes installed on the fertigation line; another is the ability to dose 4 fertilisers by controlling conductivity values and driving 4 independent solenoid valves.
Correct readings are guaranteed by dual monitoring of the water pH and EC values, both at the inlet and at the outlet. The system offers 10 fertigation programmes, each independent and self-contained in terms of both pH/EC values and the number of sectors it operates on. Each programme can be activated manually, on a timer, by solar radiation or by external trigger.
The fertigation system also allows filter cleaning and fully automatic control of the main pump. All models are fitted with an RS232 communication port for connection to a computer or for remote control over a GSM network.
Features
- Fast installation and commissioning
- Multiple on-line monitoring points, from water inlet through to outlet for irrigation
- Control of the quantity of fertiliser and acid injected, by monitoring pH and EC values at multiple points
- From 8 to 32 independent irrigation sectors
- 10 different irrigation programmes
- Programmes activated on a timer, by external command, by a solar radiation sensor, or manually
- Multiple alarm levels available, to guarantee maximum safety and reliability
- Remote control from a computer
Control panel
- Fertiliser injector indicators
- Pump and alarm indicators
- Irrigation valve indicators
- Waterproof enclosure
- Connection inputs
- Panel for reviewing programmes and setting parameters
- Numeric keypad
- Backlit liquid crystal display
- Fertigation (fertilisation and irrigation) controllers • Time- and volume-based control with up to 10 irrigation programmes for up to 32 sectors
- Dosing control for 4 fertiliser types based on EC, volume or percentage
- Agitator control
- Filter cleaning detection and control
- Up to 2 pH probes and 3 EC probes connected via analogue transmitters
- Temperature compensation of pH and EC readings at the transmitter
- Sensors for solar radiation, wind and temperature
- Backup motor management system (HI 801X model only)
- Control of water entering the mix (HI 804X, HI 805X models)
- Alarms for control parameters, water presence, pH and EC outside limits, and system self-diagnostics • Three-level logging, set by the user
- RS232 connection to PC
Variety and customisation
We offer a wide variety of models to cover every requirement of specific fertigation applications. The HI 8000 series is fully customisable and upgradable at both software and hardware level. HI 8000 series models can be selected according to the type of irrigation and fertilisation control required, along with the additional components suited to the specific application. Some of the most important criteria when selecting a controller type are: the number of irrigated sectors — 8, 16, 24, 32; the type of irrigation control — volume or time; the type of fertiliser control — by EC, volume or radiometric; and the type of pH correction — acid or alkaline; water control with one, two or three water sources; dosing control with motorised solenoid valves or venturi; redundancy of the conductivity or pH probes; and mounting options — panel or wall mounted.
Irrigation control
Irrigation control varies according to its type: water- or time-based, the number of irrigated sectors, and the water sources available — either one or several, with or without reuse of water drained during irrigation. Irrigation is controlled by opening the irrigation valves and starting the main pump. All of these elements are managed by the controller on the basis of the irrigation programme concept.
Irrigation programmes
The user can set up to 10 irrigation programmes with different irrigation parameters: period, control type, sectors, the volume or time allocated to each sector, and the conditions under which irrigation begins — such as time, accumulated solar radiation, low tank levels for hydroponic crops, temperature variations, linkage to another programme, its priority, and the number of repetitions. For the irrigation water, each programme has a defined set of values for pH and EC (where the fertiliser quantity is dosed by conductivity) along with the fertiliser recipe. Agitator control is handled by the programme according to the irrigation periods.
Irrigation water
The quality of the irrigation water is assured by controlling the pH and the quantity of nutrients present.
Fertiliser control
Fertiliser can be dosed during irrigation using venturi tubes or motorised valves. The quantity of fertiliser dosed is controlled using volume meters. The system can dose fertiliser from up to four containers with specific recipes. The fertiliser concentration in the water can be controlled according to conductivity values, proportionally to the irrigation water according to the recipe, or radiometrically, in which case a set quantity of fertiliser is added to the programmed quantity of water.
pH control
pH is controlled to adjust the water pH to the values set within the irrigation programme. pH correction is carried out with an acid or alkaline solution depending on the characteristics of the water entering the system. pH and EC are controlled by PID, PI or proportional control. PID tuning can be carried out manually by the user or automatically through the self-tuning function.
Agitators and filter cleaning
The standard fertigation system provides automatic control of the agitators in the fertiliser tanks and of the filter cleaning system.
To keep the fertiliser concentration constant before and during the irrigation programme, it is mixed in each tank according to the agitator programme. The system can manage up to two filters fitted to protect the probes and the integrated dosing components. Where differential pressure switches are fitted, the filters are monitored and, when necessary, irrigation programmes are automatically suspended and filter cleaning begins. This process clears the deposits and sediment that can build up on the filters and extends the life of the system.
Redundancy and the EC and pH probes
For safety, systems can be equipped with two conductivity probes and two pH measuring electrodes in redundancy, so that the system can raise an alarm if differences appear between their readings. A third conductivity probe can be fitted to check and compensate for the conductivity of the water entering the system.
Data logging
Controller logging can be set to one of 3 levels: variations between the values read, statistics of the readings (average EC and pH values), or events (programme starts, valve openings, and so on).
The alarm system
System alarms relate to the measured water quality parameters, such as conductivity and pH: values exceeded, readings differing between probes, conductivity or correction solution overdosed, tanks at minimum level, or no dosing detected. Similar alarms can be raised after the self-diagnostic tests have run.
Sensor connections
pH and EC are temperature compensated at the transmitter.
The outputs from the analogue transmitters can be calibrated at two points for both pH and conductivity. The controller also offers two-point calibration for pH and single-point calibration for conductivity.
User interface and digital connection
The user interface is a 4×20 line LCD, designed for configuration and review. It can be set to several languages. The RS232 connection allows a computer to be connected using dedicated software (HI 800104).
Internal backup system
The internal backup system has one special feature: if external power is lost, the controller stops irrigation and stores the programmes that were not completed. It resumes them when power is restored. Programmes are run according to priority and observing the quotas for water quantity, pH level and fertiliser concentration.
Other options include external power supply control and control of the water source mix (clean water and water recovered from irrigation drainage).
The HI 8001 and HI 8002 models offer up to 10 irrigation programmes covering up to 32 sectors, with control by irrigation time or volume. Each programme has its own set of pH and EC values. The programme start condition, the irrigation sectors, and the time and volume for each sector are all set by the user. The irrigation water pH is corrected under pH control using an acid or alkaline solution, and the system can use up to 4 crop nutrients with a tank for each. Correction of the water time or volume can also be based on accumulated solar radiation, whose values can be entered manually by the user. Agitator control and filter cleaning control are automatic. The instruments take readings from up to 3 EC probes — one to check the values of the water entering the system, and two in redundancy forming the safety system for checking the water in use. The two pH electrodes are mounted in line with redundancy for safety and take readings of the irrigation water. The instruments provide an alarm system and logging at three user-selectable levels.
The HI 8011 fertigation system has 20 preset irrigation programmes covering 8 to 16 sectors using volumetric control. The programme start condition, the irrigation sectors and the volume for each sector are defined by the user. The irrigation water is corrected under pH control using an acid or alkaline solution and can carry plant nutrients from up to 4 fertiliser tanks. These are dosed under volumetric control (the fertiliser quantity is dosed in relation to the volume of irrigation water). Another important option is the ability to manage an external power source. Irrigation programmes can be triggered by temperature variations (for example an anti-frost response), an option specific to this model. Agitator control and filter cleaning control are automatic. The system provides alarms and logging that can be set to three levels according to user preference.
The HI 8021 and HI 8022 fertigation systems offer up to 10 irrigation programmes and can irrigate up to 16 sectors under time or volume control. Each irrigation programme has one set of pH values and one of EC values. The programme start, the sectors, and the time and volume for each sector can be defined by the user. The irrigation water receives pH correction according to the pH control values, using an acid or alkaline solution, and can carry nutrients from up to 4 tanks. These are dosed by volume. In addition, an EC monitoring system with alarm will stop irrigation if conductivity exceeds the maximum level. Agitator control and filter cleaning are automatic. The system can read up to two EC probes, installed in line with redundancy, to measure the EC of the water in use. Two pH electrodes are mounted in the same way for safety, to measure the pH of the irrigation water. The instruments provide an alarm system and logging that can be set to three levels according to user preference.
The HI 8051 fertigation system offers up to 10 irrigation programmes and can irrigate up to 24 sectors under time or volume control. Each irrigation programme has one set of pH values and one of EC values. The programme start, the sectors, and the time and volume for each sector can be defined by the user. The irrigation water receives pH correction according to the pH control values, using an acid or alkaline solution, and can carry nutrients from up to 4 tanks. These are dosed under EC, volumetric or radiometric control. An important feature is correction of the irrigation water by volume, based on accumulated solar radiation, or by manual setting from the user. Agitator control and filter cleaning are automatic. The system can read up to 3 EC probes — one checking the EC of the water entering the system, and two installed in line with redundancy to measure the EC of the water in use. Two pH electrodes are mounted in the same way for safety, to measure the pH of the irrigation water. The instruments provide an alarm system and logging that can be set to three levels according to user preference. The systems can mix up to 3 irrigation water sources (clean and reused) and all dosing is carried out using monitored valves driven by motors, allowing different flow rates for the fertiliser and for the acid or alkaline solution used for pH correction.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
| FAMILIA | 800X | 80011 | 802X | 8051 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irrigation control | Time/volume control, 10 programmes / 5 priority levels with 99 repetitions | |||
| Irrigation trigger condition | Based on time, solar radiation, 5 minimum tank levels | |||
| Fertilisation control | CE | volume | Volume, EC monitoring | EC; volume; radiometric |
| Fertiliser | Up to 4 valves | Up to 4 monitored valves | ||
| pH control / correction | Acid or alkaline | Acid or alkaline by volume | Acid or alkaline | Acid or alkaline, monitored pump |
| Agitator control | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Filter control / cleaning | 2 differential pressure switches / 2 filter cleaning relays | |||
| Fertiliser tank levels / meter control | level | No | meters | Level and meters |
| Irrigation meter | yes | |||
| Acid / alkali tank / meter control | level | no | meters | Level and meters |
| EC readings | Up to 3, 0.0 – 10 mS/cm | no | Up to 2, 0.0 – 10 mS/cm | Up to 2, 0.0 – 10 mS/cm |
| pH readings | Up to 2, 0.0 – 14.0 pH | no | Up to 2, 0.0 – 14 pH | 1, 0.0 – 14.0 pH |
| Temperature compensation | EC, pH | EC, pH | EC, pH | |
| Solar radiation measurement | 1:0 – 2000 W/m2 | 1:0 – 200 W/m2 | 1:0 – 200 W/m2 | no |
| Temperature | no | 2 | no | 1 |
| Wind speed | no | yes | no | no |
| Motor power reserve | no | yes | no | no |
| Irrigated sectors | Up to 32 | Up to 16 | Up to 16 | Up to 24 |
| Mixing water from different sources | no | no | no | yes, sources |
| Computer connectivity | RS 232 | |||
| Alarms | Yes, level selectable by the user | |||
| Logging | yes, at three levels | |||
| Power supply | 115V/220 ± 10 % 50Hz/60Hz | |||
| Environment | Wall mounted, NEMA 4X specification | |||
| Dimensions | Wall mounted 280x330x165 mm; panel mounted 178x269x116 | |||
| Weight | Wall mounted 4.95 kg; panel mounted 3.4 kg | |||
Ordering information
HI 8001-0100U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 8 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8001-0100D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 8 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8001-0200U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8001-0200D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8001-0300U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8001-0300D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8001-0400U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 32 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8001-0400D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, panel mounted, 32 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8002-0100U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, wall mounted, 8 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8002-0100D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, wall mounted, 8 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8002-0200U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, wall mounted, 16 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8002-0200D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, wall mounted, 16 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8002-0400U Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, wall mounted, 32 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8002-0400D Fertigation controller with pH and EC priority, wall mounted, 32 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8011-0200U Fertigation controller with flow control (irrigation meter), panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8011-0200D Fertigation controller with flow control (irrigation meter), panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8021-0200U Fertigation controller with flow control (irrigation meter), pH dosing and EC monitoring, panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8021-0200D Fertigation controller with flow control (irrigation meter), pH dosing and EC monitoring, panel mounted, 16 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8022-0200U Fertigation controller with flow control (irrigation meter), pH dosing and EC monitoring, wall mounted, 16 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8022-0200D Fertigation controller with flow control (irrigation meter), pH dosing and EC monitoring, wall mounted, 16 sectors, English, 230V.
HI 8051-0300U Acid-based fertigation controller with dual pH control, differential EC control, servomotor control, multiple dosing control and irrigation pumps, panel mounted, 24 sectors, English, 115V.
HI 8051-0300D Acid-based fertigation controller with dual pH control, differential EC control, servomotor control, multiple dosing control and irrigation pumps, panel mounted, 24 sectors, English, 230V.
Required accessories
HI 98143-22 Isolated pH/EC transmitter, 4-20 mA, power supplies
1 transmitter required for a configuration with 1 EC probe and 1 pH probe (without redundancy probes)
2 transmitters required for a configuration with 2 EC probes and 2 pH probes (with redundancy)
3 transmitters required for a configuration with 3 EC probes and 3 pH probes (with redundancy and EC compensation for the water entering the system)
Accessories
HI 1001 “flow-thru” double-junction pH electrode, with BNC connector and 3 m (10’) cable
1 or 2 electrodes required (the second for systems with redundancy)
HI 3001 “flow-thru” EC probe with 4 platinum rings, with built-in temperature sensor and 3 m (10’) cable
1, 2 or 3 probes required (2 for systems with redundancy; 3 for redundancy plus EC compensation of the water entering the system)
HI 60542 Direct pipe-mounted electrode holder
The quantity should match the number of probes ordered
HI 800104 Windows-compatible application
HI 7004L Buffer solution pH 4.01 500 mL
HI 7007L Buffer solution pH 7.01 500 mL
HI 7039L 5.00 mS/cm calibration solution, 500 mL
HI 70300L Electrode storage solution, 500 mL
HI 7061L Electrode storage solution, 500 mL
HI 710005 Adaptor 115 VAC to 12VDC
HI 710006 Adaptor 230 VAC to 12VDC