Why such erratic scheduling when using smart watering?

Why does the Spark controller schedule watering zones so erratically?  I have 7 zones and if it decides that all 7 zones need to be watered on the same day, why wouldn’t it just water in order 1-7.  Instead it might water 1,2,4,7,3,5,6,7?.  Or it might water zone 1-2 on one day, 4,5,6,3 the next day, and then 7,7 the next day.  

Why does it want to water at least one or two zones per day for 4-5 days in a row instead 5-7 zones per day and turn on the system two days in a row?  

Seems like it would place uneccersary wear on valves and other system parts.  

Answer From Netro Inc

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Netro Inc
 Updated at 2021-06-17 06:01:42 UTC

Dear customer, 


For smart schedules, your zones will be watered automatically by Netro with smart schedules. Netro's algorithm allows the moisture level to deplete to a low level (recommended by EPA) before next watering, as your different zones have different settings and different moisture levels, the watering will not be on the same day or in order. 

For example, if the moisture level for zone 1,2 is low at 50% today, for zone 5, 6, 7 at 70% today, Netro will water zone 1-2 today and water 5,6,7 in the following days. Some zones are watered multiple times a day, you probably selected clay, clay loam or loam as the soil type which accepts water slowly, often as little as 1/4 inch per hour and that is why we break the watering into many pieces to avoid water runoff. 


If you think the watering frequency is too high for your zones, you can go to Settings->zones->specific zone number->smart zone-enabled->Mode to choose your preferred mode. 


Thanks, 

Netro Support




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