What is freeWire™?

 

freeWire™ is a wireless, battery opearted, irrigation control system that adapts the watering schedule to account for actual moisture levels and current weather conditions for each hydrozone in a landscape.

In other words:

• No need to route control wires to each valve and sensor in an irrigation system.
• No need to trace and repair broken control wires in hardscapes and landscapes.
• No sprints thru the rain, or hikes in the sweltering heat, to adjust controller schedules due to rain.
• No water pollution from excessive watering and run-off.

Will I save money with freeWire™?

 

Yes, on average, the system pays for itself in 18 months. The major cost-savings come from no installation or maintenance of wire for the entire irrigation system. In addition, you can reduce your landscape irragation water consumption by an average of 30%.

What does the freeWire™ system consist of?

 

Information about system specifications and components is under the How It Works section.

Does the freeWire system support Flow Sensors?

 

Future versions of the freeWire system will be able to support flow sensors.

How is the freeWire™ Moisture Probe different from other moisture sensors?

 

Unlike traditional Moisture Probes the freeWire Moisture Probe can wirelessly send soil moisture information back to the controller avoiding the need to manually take moisture readings. In addition, the freeWire Moisture Probe can be used for multiple seasons since the probe has a no-contact design that will not corrode. Furthermore, since the Moisture Probe is constantly measuring soil moisture, it doubles as a Rain Sensor.

Does freeWire work with sprinkler and drip irrigation systems?

 

Yes. The freeWire system controls irrigation by actuating the irrigation valves which control the flow of water to the sprinkler head and drip emitters.

Does the freeWire™ system account for soil type?

 

Yes. During setup, our easy to use guide will show you how to enter basic zone information for your landscape, such as location, sprinkler type, soil type (clay, sandy, or loam, etc), and watering time preference (nighttime only, etc).

Will the freeWire™ wireless radios work in my country?

 

Yes. The freeWire™ system operates in the internationally reserved Industrial, Scientific and Medical radio bands.

Is the freeWire system weather-proof?

 

Yes.  The freeWire™ Base Station, Valve Radio and Moisture Sensor are designed with NEMA Type 4 enclosures. A NEMA Type 4 enclosure will protect your irrigation equipment from dirt, rain, sleet, snow, windblown dust, splashing water and hose-directed water.

Can the freeWire™ controller be accessed remotely?

 

Yes. The freeWire™ system can be accessed both onsite, in the field and offsite. Access in the field is provided via the handheld BoS. If the system is connected to the internet with a  modern router that supports either 1) dynamic DNS and port forwarding, or 2) static IPs,  then it is possible to access the system remotely with a modern internet browser. Contact one of our specialists to review internet connectivity requirements and options.

How does freeWire™ connect to the Internet?

 

The freeWire™ basestation was built to accommodate a wide range of modern internet connectivity methods. Below are the most common methods

• A wireless/WiFi connection
• A 3G wireless connection from one of the nationwide cellular phone companies.
• A traditional wired Ethernet connection.

Other Internet configurations are available. In addition we can assist you in setting up internet access at remote locations. Please contact us to discuss your specific site requirements.

What is the expected battery life of freeWire™ devices?

 

Under normal conditions, the expected battery life for a freeWire™ Valve Radio or freeWire™ Moisture Probe is 5 years.

What is the warranty on the freeWire™ system?

 

1 year warranty on all parts of the system.

Where can I purchase the freeWire™ system?

 

The freeWire™ system is sold through our distributors. Contact us to find a distributor near you.