Touch Screen Programming

Touch screen programming is exclusive to the EPIC controller. A large 7 inch touch screen is the user friendly interface to your modern controller. This 640 x 800 high resolution display is your window to the complete system. This feature has never been offered in an irrigation controller before. Programming, system status, and system diagnostics are all available with the touch of a finger. This innovative design provides complete control without knobs to turn and buttons to push. Whether you are programming a new operation, checking on an old one, manually operating a station, diagnosing a field problem, or running a system test, it is all at your finger tips. All the screens are intuitively obvious, but if you have a question, no need to look for an operator’s manual as each major screen has a help screen programmed into the system software. If a question arises, just touch the “?” in the bottom right corner of the screen, and immediately you have access to system definitions.

Modular Design

One controller meets all your needs. No matter the station count, all your systems have the same features and functionality. When your system needs to grow, an expansion module will add eight additional stations. From a system of 8 stations to a system of 40 stations, it is easily implemented using “plug and play” technology. If a situation dictates such, expansion modules can be moved from position to position within the controller without moving control wires. This modular design minimizes investment and effort. As your needs grow and change, reconfiguration is a breeze. The plug-in design means less maintenance time. A complete inventory of spares is always in stock, without regards to size of system. Order the system with 8 or up to forty stations, factory installed. If you start small, the ability to easily install expansion modules makes this controller a well conceived and executed design that is sure to please the user.

Forty-Eight Independent Programs

Forty eight programs, all stored in non-volatile memory are more than adequate for your most complex irrigation systems, but the unique feature of the EPIC controller is that every program is completely independent. All programs are active 100 % of the time. Programming is easy via the touch screen and there is no worry of interaction of other programs. Any program can control any of the stations, and stations can be controlled by any number of programs. Programs for special events are easily implemented and the event inputs (4) allow you to invoke special programs with the operation of a detector or switch. Programmed actions (both on and off) can be as brief as one second and as long as 24 hours. This is ideal for soaking or misting applications. Misting on and off times are independently set and either can be a minimum of one second. The interval between misting is also independently set to your desired time. Flexibility such as this assures healthy plants with a minimum risk of fungus and disease. Set the cycle to repeat and mist for hours using only one start time. Correct water usage maximizes benefit while reducing cost.

Six Start Times per Program with Repeat Capability

Six independent start times are multiplied in effectiveness by the ability to repeat on a user-defined interval. One start time with a repeat interval of 10 minutes is equivalent to 144 start times per day. Each start time is completely independent of the other five. Start times and run times are not related. Any number of stations can be started at the same time, each with a different run time.

Complete Control of Scheduling

Scheduling is literally at your finger tips. The custom designed software of the EPIC controller allows you to select an irrigation schedule from one day to 31 days. Watering days are your choice, not a predetermined set. You can choose the schedule to best fit your needs. Mix it up, but always match your needs. You can chose a two week schedule, water Monday, Wednesday, Friday, one week, and Sunday, Tuesday, Friday the next. The choice of schedule and watering days is yours and easy to implement. Just touch the days you desire and it will be done.

Graphical Schedule Display

Accessing the schedule of any individual station is an easy task with the EPIC Controller! From the Status screen, pressing the SCHEDULE button for any station will display a twenty-four hour schedule graph for the selected station. The presented graph is for “today” but a touch of the “next day” button advances the screen in 24 hour increments. Reverse scrolling is possible by pressing the “prev. day” button. Knowing the detail schedules means efficiency in work crew assignments.

Flexible Interval Programming for Maximum Soak Control

Soak control has never been better than with an EPIC controller. Each start time can be programmed independently with a given interval. This cycle can be run for a prescribed number of times, or can be programmed to repeat until a programmed stop time. This allows the operator to define the precise amount of water needed, as well as the precise soak time. The right amount of water at the right time maximizes the effectiveness. Multiple Programs for Each Station. Each of the forty-eight independent programs can address any of the stations available in the system no matter the number of stations. Each station can be assigned a different run time. This flexibility provides precisely the correct amount of water to various plants and conditions.

Multiple Stations for Each Program

Each program and each start time within the program can be assigned to any of the stations within the system independently. Further flexibility allows the operator to assign multiple programs to stations independently. This provision makes programming special events an easy task.

High Power Output

Never need to worry about overloading the controller again! The EPIC contains a high power output source that is capable of providing sufficient power to operate all 40 stations at once. No more staggering of irrigation times to prevent controller overload. All stations can be programmed to supply the precise amount of water needed and at the most beneficial time. The most economical solution to irrigation needs! In many applications this means one EPIC 40 controller can do the job of up to 12 others! Forty-eight independent programs, forty independent stations, and no output restrictions mean that you indeed have the capability to satisfy your most demanding irrigation needs.

Master Valve Designation

As all stations are independently controlled and any program can activate stations without restriction, the designation of a pump control (sometimes called master valve) is the operator’s choice. The station chosen will be denoted with a “P” on the system status display screen as a “friendly reminder” that this station has a special application.

Naming of Programs

No longer is the operator challenged to remember what program controls a specific operation. The operator has the freedom of naming the programs to match your specific layout. Programs can be named to identify functions or locations. Names to match the location, i.e. “Greenhouse #1” or “Front Lawn”, or the name can reflect the function, e.g. “misting”, assuring the operator of the functionality of each program and its intended purpose. All this is done with the touch of the finger. Renaming of programs to match new applications is as easy as a new entry.

Naming of Stations

Naming of the individual stations is an easy option to exercise. Just as programs are named as a record of their purpose, individual stations can be named to remove any operator doubt as to the location or purpose of the station. This list is available from any screen that has a time indicator in the lower right of the screen. Just press on the screen for a full listing of the station names. A press on the list returns the operator to the previous screen. No data is lost in the transaction!

Weather Compensation with Defined Return

Weather compensation is just a finger touch away. Compensation can be applied to any program independently with the adjustment user defined in percentage of programmed value. Compensation can vary from 1% to 99%. The precise amount of water that the situation dictates is the economical solution. No need for the operator to return to the controller to reset the compensation. Upon initial setting, the operator can define the “stop date”. At the end of the prescribed time, the controller returns to the original programmed rates.

Manual Operation of Specific Station

Operation of stations outside of programmed schedules is as simple as pointing your finger. The operator has control of every station independently. Each station can be operated indefinitely or for a prescribed length of time. Using the touch screen, designate the station, then turn it “on” or turn it “off”. It is all done with the touch of the finger.

System Status

System status is easily determined by accessing the status screen. Each station is represented on the screen with a touch button. All active stations are highlighted. If a fault has been detected on a particular station, it is displayed in red. Specific status of each station will be displayed on the left of the screen as each station button is pressed. The controlling program(s) of each station, as well as instantaneous information detailing the present state (on or off) of the designated station, is a part of this information. Detectors within the station circuitry will report either of two fault conditions, defective fuses (plug in replacement), and non-functional loops. This allows for quick location and correction of faults.

Non-volatile Memory

All software is stored in a nonvolatile module. This module is a familiar USB “thumb drive” commonly used by computer system operators. Stored on this module are the operating system software, the proprietary EPIC application software, as well as the operator input data. This device resides in a familiar USB port on the EPIC system output board. Portability of this data to your office computer, to make duplicate copies for other systems, or for backup, is a well known procedure within the computer industry. Each time the application program is changed, a push of a button assures this data is properly stored. Power failure does not destroy the stored data. When power is restored, the central processor of the EPIC controller will download all software and data from this module and operation will resume.

Remote Programming Option

Optional EPIC Partner software installed on the office computer allows complete programming from the comfort of the office. There is no need to carry irrigation system maps to the remote site. Program the entire system, or make changes to match new requirements, plug a thumb drive into a convenient USB connection, and save the entire program to a “thumb drive”. Transport the new program to the EPIC controller, install the “thumb drive” into the USB port located in the controller, and push the reset button. The EPIC controller will download the new program into operating memory and the entire program will begin operation within seconds.

Surge Protection

Circuitry within the EPIC controller is double protected from external surges. MOV’s (Metal Oxide Varistors) protect the circuitry from high surges of current. Gas Discharge Tubes (GDT’s) protect circuits from external induced high voltage spikes. This double protection provides the maximum protection possible. Output circuits are also protected by fast acting instrument fuses. No other protection method is as fail-safe. When faults occur, the fuse protects the remaining circuitry within the controller.

Self-Diagnostic Station Faults

As described in the System Status description above, circuitry within the EPIC controller detects and reports both defective fuses and non-functional loops. This information leads to quick resolution of field faults resulting is less down time and less maintenance cost.

Self-test

In addition to the self diagnostics of faults described above, the EPIC controller can be exercised in a self-test mode. This self-test will exercise each station. The amount of time the station is active can be selected by the operator (default is one second). This sequence of testing can be stopped and started at any time in the test. The start button becomes the stop button during operation, facilitating an easy “stop-start” manual sequence.

Easy Upgrade and Module Replacement

The EPIC controller is easily expanded up to 40 stations. Expansion of the system requires no action beyond plugging in an expansion module (each expansion module increases the system by eight stations). The system will detect the presence of the expansion module and it will instantaneously become active. No updating of system configuration, just “plug and play”. Module replacement and movement is accomplished with the same ease. No wires to disconnect, no system to upgrade, just install an expansion module and the system is ready to go.

Easy Wiring/Prewiring

Reconfiguration does not require the EPIC controller to be rewired. All external wiring is connected via sturdy terminal blocks that are a permanent part of the controller output board. Movement or replacement of station expansion modules is truly a “plug and play” feature that does not require rewiring positions. This feature also allows prewiring of the EPIC for future expansion.

Weather Sensor Compatible

The EPIC controller provides four inputs that are compatible with most sensors on the market. The controller will accept a “closure” or an “open” on event type sensor. Resumption to programmed schedule will be initiated when the sensor returns to the normal state or the sensor can be manually overridden at any time. While automated sensors provide continual monitoring, an event can be manually initiated by connecting a switch to the EPIC input port. Operating the switch will direct the EPIC to respond in the programmed manner.

Event Suspension

No matter if the event is initiated by an automated sensor or manual input, all activity is directed by a pre-selected program. Up to four independent events can be programmed to deliver specific preprogrammed actions. Just as easily as the EPIC controller is directed to implement a preprogrammed schedule, the suspension time can be implemented to precisely match the event conditions. Suspension time is operator selected and can be for a given time measured in hours/minutes or days. Programming flexibility assures resumption of programmed schedules in a timely matter without further operator intervention.

Optional EPIC Relay Modules

Optional EPIC relay modules allow the EPIC to control any function whose electrical requirements fall within the rated capabilities of the relay module. These can be as simple as switching lights “on” and “off” at a programmed time, switching on circulation pumps for hot water heat, or opening green house shutters! This application feature is limited only by your imagination!

More than Irrigation!

The programming flexibility and capacity of the EPIC controllers, partnered with the control relay described on page 26, make EPIC a natural for many applications that previously were not possible. Office lights, signage, security systems, green house ventilation, area lights, heaters, circulation pumps, are but a few of the electrical applications that can be controlled with ease. Couple this capability with detectors, and “event lights” can be switched on, as well as remote alarms. The uses are limited only by your imagination!

Remote Control Ready

Although EPIC does not manufacture a remote control unit, the EPIC controller is compatible with at least one commercially available remote controller. This optional equipment used with the EPIC becomes a “Plug and Play” feature. Just connect the controller to the remote input terminals and it becomes available instantly. No programming is necessary!

Heavy Duty Metal Enclosure

Housed in a powder-coated aluminum enclosure, or in an optional Stainless Steel enclosure, EPIC controllers are constructed to meet the most severe weather conditions. Whether mounted in a building or in your custom field installation, the metal enclosure assures a well grounded system. Powder coating means the life of your controller is measured in double digit years.

Removable Front Cover for Easy Access

The front cover on this controller is mounted with draw latches allowing access to the touch screen and wiring terminal fields. When installed, the cover is a water resistant protector of the controller. The flat interior of the cover is an ideal place to attach specific information relating to your system.