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Wency Pan


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A single rain day

9
Rob Nelson
Updated at 2023-07-15 11:22:50 UTC
Topic: Netro App
Why can't you skip less than two rain days if today is included? I have tried everything to do just one and have failed. I cannot enter include today and zero days. If I enter include today and one day, today and tomorrow are rain days.

Timer shows watering, but no watering!

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-07-13 05:20:38 UTC

Dear customer,


Please check the wires. Are they loose or disconnected from the slots? Please also check the common wires and the master valve if you have one. If you believe the wires are correctly installed,  please check if there is a main valve/faucet that is turned off manually. 

To test if the controller is working properly, use a multimeter (AC voltage mode) to test the voltage between the common wire and the zone wire when the zone is active. Normally the voltage should be between 24V and 28V.

You might also want to check whether there are shorted zones or open zones. You just need to use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the common wire and each zone (remove the wires from the slots before testing the resistance). The normal reading would be 20-60 Ohms. If the reading is less than 10 Ohms then you might have a shorted circuit in the solenoid and if it is larger than 80 Ohms you might have an open circuit. 

Thanks,

Wency

Netro Support

Controller will not operate valves

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-07-25 03:05:47 UTC

Dear customer,


Is the problem still there? This problem may be caused by insufficient hardware memory. We can help you upgrade your device to the latest version to solve this problem. Could you please send us an email to support@netrohome.com with your Netro account registered email and we can help do the upgrade?

If you have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. 
 
Regards, 

Wency
Netro Support

Need a big red button on the home page of the app that says stop all watering for today.

35
Brian Brun
Updated at 2023-08-02 01:14:30 UTC
Topic: Netro App
Once you have programs setup to do your watering, you hardly ever get into this app unless you need to stop watering, change the program, or test a zone with a broken/fixed head. My biggest complaint about this app is that when I need to stop watering for the day (for various reasons), I have to remember how to do that in the Netro app, and fumble through menu after menu to figure it out, because I do not use it every day. I just want to stop the dang watering for the day. There needs to be a button right on the first page that comes up to stop or suspend all watering schedules for the day. I told Moen if they put that in there app, I will switch in a heart beat. Giving you the opportunity to keep a customer and put into your app. 

Scheduling ( Two Smart watering levels; Smart disabled)

Logo
Netro Support
Updated at 2023-06-09 06:07:25 UTC
Topic: Smart Watering

There are 2 different levels of Netro’s smart watering you can choose (For Netro watering controller, please go to Settings->Zones->Smart Zone; for Netro Pixie timer, please go to Settings->Garden->Smart Zone)


 1. Smart watering: Level advanced

This is the default setting of Netro watering controller's smart watering. In this level, your zones will be watered automatically by Netro with smart schedules.

Netro will do everything for you, you do not need to set up the program/schedule.

Netro will skip smart watering and programs when there is large amount of rain(>0.2inch/ 5.08 mm) or watering regulations and manual restrictions.

You can inspect the Smart schedules in the calendar view. They are with the blue water-drop icons.

 

 

2.Smart watering: Level basic

This is the default setting of Netro Pixie timer's smart watering. In this level, no smart schedule will be generated. You will need to add programs manually (go to Settings->Programs to add programs) and Netro will skip programs when there is large amount of rain(>0.2inch/ 5.08 mm) or watering regulations.

 If you do not want smart zone schedule to override your own programmed schedule, you can set up the Smart Zone level from Advanced to Basic, which only skip rainning days for your programmed schedule.

Please note when smart zone is enabled, your local regulations will automatic override your own program if there is any conflict. So when you set up your own program watering time, please do not conflict with your local Regulations if there is any. To check up regulations, please go to Settings->Regulations.

 

 

3.Smart-zone feature disabled

If you want to create your own programs and turn off smart zone feature and rain delay feature, go to Settings->Zones->Smart Zone (Settings->Garden->Smart Zone for Pixie Timer) and toggle the enable button. When the smart zone is disabled, the system will strictly follow the user program to water the zones. There is no intelligence here. Netro will not skip your schedules when there is rain. Regulation feature will not be in effect as well.


Using Bootlace ferrules.

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-08-07 04:50:15 UTC

Dear customer,


We've noticed that installing ferrules can be challenging, and there's a risk of them coming loose, which could potentially disrupt the functionality. Given these considerations, we would like to advise against using ferrules on the wiring to ensure a smoother user experience.


Thanks,

Netro Support

Sprite-12 will not connect to wi fi

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-08-14 06:16:02 UTC
Dear customer,

Could you tell us the type of the unit and which step went wrong in installing the unit? 

Regards, 
Wency
Netro Support

Calendar View

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-08-14 06:10:03 UTC
Dear customer,

Yes you can tap  schedule icon on the bottom of the home screen to view the calendar view. If you check your schedule tab, the date with blue dot beneath is your watering day. Select the specific watering date, you will find your own programs are marked under program and smart schedules are marked under smart schedules. 

For more information about Netro smart watering, here is an article about Netro three watering modes which might be helpful. https://netrohome.com/forum/posts/111


Regards, 
Wency
Netro Support

Moisture to skip watering

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-08-21 01:11:12 UTC

Dear customer,


The 50% threshold is based on our analysis of the moisture requirements for most plants. If you find that this level is still too high for your preferences, we will certainly take that into consideration. 


Thanks,

Wency

Netro Support

Please issue a good manual.

33
Mark Menzhausen
Updated at 2023-08-27 15:04:55 UTC
Topic: General


Whisperer sensor already in account error

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-08-30 02:07:18 UTC

Dear customer,


Could you please send us email to support@netrohome.com with your Netro account registered email?

We will have our technician look into this issue. Could you please let us know how many sensors you have? We would like to confirm if the sensor you deleted is the same one you are currently using.


Thanks,

Wency

Netro Support

Scheduling Issue

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-09-14 02:15:53 UTC

Dear customer,


I apologize for the inconvenience. This issue was due to a bug on our server and we have fixed this usse. Your scheduling should be functioning correctly now.


Thanks,

Wency

Netro Support

Alexa Skill

33
Louise Brinkman
Updated at 2023-10-13 01:00:17 UTC
Topic: Connected Home
Are there any plans to update the Alexa Skill? ... it's over a year and a half since the skill's been released and does need some urgent attention. One being to be able to run a saved program via Alexa and not just one single zone.  Hugely important.  The other (and quite annoying) is how it is coded into your skill to have Alexa ask "what else can I do for you?" over and over (and it is not Alexa but your skill)..this causes freezing on the Echo Show display so even if one does want Alexa to "do" something it does not respond...again, not Alexa, but your skill. Presently, one has to tell Alexa "goodbye" wait for at least a minute, before using my Show for another purpose...I have follow up turned off on all my devices in my Alexa settings.  No other skill causes Alexa to respond this way - freezing and "what else can I do".  It is unnecessary and needs to be removed for the reasons stated.  Can you advise when the skill will be updated?  Many customers, like myself, purchased your controller because of the Alexa compatibility which presently is very minimal.  Not all of us want to whip out a phone to run a program which is why we have Alexa & Google devices in the first place.  The IOS app has been updated, but the Alexa skill sadly has not.  Thank you in advance and eagerly await your reply,  kind regards 

Good results

40
R C
Updated at 2023-10-24 18:55:29 UTC
Topic: Garden Knowledge

Home Assistant Netro integration

3
Jose Lao
Updated at 2023-11-07 13:27:20 UTC
Topic: Connected Home

Hi new HOME ASSISTANT integration of Netro. install it using HACS.


thanks to the developer kcofoni!!


Alexa Skill and Integration with App

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-08-14 05:40:57 UTC

Dear customer,


I apologize for any inconvenience caused. OurR&D is still looking into it. Thank you for your patience and understanding.


Thanks.
Wency
Netro Support


Smart watering

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-11-10 02:38:48 UTC

Dear customer,


We have noticed that on November 7, 2023, at 13:52, the device was set to StandBy mode, and on November 8, 2023, at 12:00, it was switched to Online mode, so there is no watering in the morning of November 8.


For preference settings, Netro will try to water during your preferred time. However, if watering is required on a particular day and it hasn't occurred within the preferred time, it will still water your zones regardless of you preferred watering time. 


If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to let us know. 


Thanks,

Wency

Netro Support

Pixie & Wisper 2 - How to get them to connect?

19
Wency Pan
Updated at 2023-12-11 02:00:48 UTC

Dear Mark,


I think what happened is that when you installed the controller you chose the sensor first and the app thought you have the intension to add some standalone sensors (not assigned to any zones in the controller).


To move the stand alone sensors to a zone, first you have to go to Settings->Sensors->Edit(upper right corner) and then delete the sensor. Next you will have to go to the home page. There is a drop down menu and please select your Pixie, then tap the "+" button on the upper right corner,  go to Add a Product-> Plant sensor and then complete the following procedures to add the sensor. You will need to press the button 6 times on the back of the sensor to change its mode to Setup mode (light blinking slowly).  


Sorry we did not receive your email. Are you sending it to support@netrohome.com?


Thanks,

Wency

Netro Support

Thresholds

6
Shady Trails
Updated at 2023-12-23 16:16:15 UTC
Topic: Connected Home

1. Weather thresholds settings are not working

2. Should have thresholds settings by moisture levels 

Netro does not use the rainfall amount from connected weatherstations

20
Richard
Updated at 2024-01-07 22:48:08 UTC
Topic: Smart Watering

UPDATE 8/1/2024

I can confirm that the system is working well. The system forecast about 25mm of rain for yesterday , but we had 34mm based on Weatherflow. This morning, the system had corrected the amount in Netro. Well done to the dev team for rolling out a fix so quickly, once the problem was identified.

I can now say that Netro is a smart watering system!


UPDATE: 5/1/2024

Netro have been fantastic. They have updated their system already to make Weatherflow work as you would expect. However, I am yet to see the results of this.

Rain is anticipated tomorrow (7/1/2024) and the following day.

I will monitor the system to ensure that the correct rainfall amount is in the database early enough for the schedule to be adjusted by their algorithms.


UPDATE: 4/1/2024

I have been working with the Netro techs to isolate the problem.

The issue is that yesterday's rainfall is not being calculated using the local time zone. Instead, it is using UTC midnight to midnight and an offset of 1 day. This means that the data can be 1.5 days out for someone like me who is GMT+11.

There may also be an issue with the timing of when then the rainfall for yesterday is retrieved. The Weatherflow API needs to be called just after nidnight so that the Netro scheduling can adjust, ready for early morning watering.



ORIGINAL:

I thought I would write an article to explain why Netro is not a smart weatherstation.


I have two Netros and 7 Whisperers, and use them in all aspects of watering - to water lawn, vineyard, fruit trees, vegetables and even to fill our bird baths.


But the most frustrating aspect of Netro is that is does not use the correct amount of rainfall, even when connected to a smart weatherstation such as Weatherflow Tempest or WU (I have my Tempest send data to WU).


Why is this a problem? Because the rainfall estimate provided by the forecasting models do not predict how much rain your specific area will receive. They provide two numbers: a percentage chance of receiving rain, and a minimal amount of rain that you will receive, if your receive rain at all. What does this mean?


If the prediction is that you are 60% likely to receive rain of 10mm, this does not mean that you will receive approximately 6mm of rain. It means that you are 60% likely to receive rain and 40% likely to receive no rain at all. If you receive rain, you are then likely to receive a minimum of 10mm.


Netro mistakenly combines these values to tell the system that you received 6mm of rain. And then might not water. This can lead to plants dying, as was our case, when rainfall was predicted every day for a week and we did not receive a drop. Other areas around us received varying amounts of rain.


The frustration is that Netro has a connection to both Weatherflow and to personal weatherstations via Weather Underground, and therefore has no excuse as to not use the correct value of rainfall.


Their solution is to use the Discover feature to correct yesterday's (and today's) rainfall manually. I would recommend 100% to use this feature.

https://netrohome.com/forum/posts/357


Unfortunately, Netro still applies a percentage to the corrected number which means that the amount of rainfall collected is still less than the actual amount received.


I have solved this problem by automating this process via Home Assistant, which knows yesterday's rainfall from my Weatherflow Tempest and sends the value to Netro via their API. This has resulted in a much more intelligent watering regime.


So, to Netro and their techs, well done on a great system, but it won't be truly great until you implement the most important aspect of any smart watering station - the ability to know how much rainfall fell on a client's land, and therefore how much to water.