Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding and Managing Alerts
Alerts are the most common reason customers contact support about WeatherTRAK systems. These notifications provide valuable information about what is happening in the field and require understanding how to interpret and respond to them effectively.
Alerts appear in multiple formats to ensure you receive timely notifications:
- Text messages
- Email notifications
- In the mobile app
- At the controller display
- Through scheduled reports
Each alert notifies you of something occurring in the field, typically indicating that some sort of action is required by maintenance personnel. Think of alerts as having an irrigation technician on site every time the irrigation system runs—and even when it's not running—constantly monitoring for issues and opportunities to stay ahead of maintenance problems.
To access detailed alert information on WeatherTRAK.net:
1. Log in to WeatherTRAK.net using your username and password.
2. View the alert snapshot on the home screen, which displays a pie graph showing overall alert status and a breakdown of major alerts below it.
3. Navigate to the Alerts tab and select Alert List for a detailed view of all existing alerts.
4. Hover over any alert name (indicated by a dotted underline) to see detailed information including:
- What is happening
- Possible causes
- What the controller did in response
- Ways to resolve and clear the alert
5. Click the embedded video link within the alert details to watch a short (typically 2-5 minute) tutorial on how to resolve that specific alert type.
The resolution steps listed for each alert type will address the issue nine times out of ten or more. While the system identifies the problem rather than fixing it automatically, this identification is the critical first step in resolving field issues. If the provided information doesn't resolve your specific situation, contact customer service for additional assistance.
Setting Up User Access and Permissions
Gaining access to WeatherTRAK controllers requires several steps and proper authorization. WeatherTRAK maintains strict security protocols to ensure only authorized personnel can view and manage controllers.
To set up user access:
1. Create a WeatherTRAK account by calling customer support. This is your first required step before accessing any controllers.
2. Gather the necessary information before contacting support:
- The site name for the controller you need access to
- The serial number of the controller
- Confirmation that you have permission from the controller owner
3. Obtain authorization from the controller owner. The owner must sign off on anyone who will have rights to view or manage their controller—this is a security feature to protect customer assets.
4. Contact customer support at the 800 number with your information. They will process your request and add the appropriate controllers to your account.
5. Log in using your credentials. The same username and password work for both WeatherTRAK.net and the mobile app—you're accessing the same account and pulling information from the same cloud database regardless of which platform you use.
For organizations that need to manage multiple users across their account, WeatherTRAK offers customized administration capabilities. This allows entities like cities or large property management companies to add or remove sites from user accounts, create regional groupings, and manage different permission levels including read-only accounts and mobile-only accounts.
Managing the WeatherTRAK Schedule
One of the most common questions about WeatherTRAK is how to adjust the automated schedule when it's not delivering the desired results. Understanding how WeatherTRAK makes irrigation decisions is essential to managing the system effectively.
WeatherTRAK uses the depletion method to manage irrigation. The system receives weather data daily and makes individual decisions for every station based on that data combined with station-specific parameters you've entered. Think of this as a glass of water underneath every station—weather and irrigation events either add to or take from that glass, and the system manages the irrigation schedule to keep the water level where it needs to be.
The system considers these critical station parameters when making irrigation decisions:
- Sprinkler type
- Soil type
- Plant type
- Slope
- Sun exposure
- Root depth
You can program these parameters either through the web interface or directly from the mobile app. When standing in the field, use the mobile app to quickly verify that all station parameters are correct—this should be your first troubleshooting step when a station isn't performing as expected.
The recommended approach to managing automated schedules:
1. Start by trusting the system. Ensure all station variables are entered correctly, then let WeatherTRAK run and observe whether it keeps your plants healthy.
2. Use the percent adjust feature for fine-tuning. This is the easiest management tool and works intuitively—adding 10% gives you 10% more water, subtracting 5% reduces water by 5%.
3. Only explore advanced settings if you've already adjusted to the extremes (plus 25% or minus 50%) and still need more adjustment. At that point, revisit your station parameters to ensure they accurately reflect field conditions.
The automated schedule is designed to maintain already healthy landscapes and keep green grass green. Most of the time the system will perform as needed with correct station parameters. When adjustments are necessary, the percent adjust feature provides the simplest and most effective management tool.
Understanding WeatherTRAK Weather Data
A common concern among irrigation managers is trusting weather information they don't directly control. WeatherTRAK's weather data system is designed to provide highly accurate, localized information without requiring on-site weather stations.
The system tracks evapotranspiration (ET)—essentially measuring how much plants "sweat" and how much moisture evaporates from the soil. Four key factors determine ET:
- Humidity
- Solar radiation
- Temperature
- Wind
WeatherTRAK calculates and delivers weather data to your controller daily with accuracy to the square kilometer (approximately every 6 miles). This tight resolution accounts for localized weather variations—it can be raining on one side of the street but not the other, and the system will know the difference.
In an independent study, WeatherTRAK weather information was proven to match on-site weather stations within plus or minus 2% (or 98% accuracy) without requiring any on-site hardware to maintain.
How ET Everywhere works:
1. ET Everywhere collects raw weather data from nearly 100,000 weather stations, primarily from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service.
2. The HydroPoint Climate Center—staffed by professional climatologists—processes all raw weather data and extracts ET values.
3. Weather scientists use modeling to determine what's happening in the areas between ground-based weather stations, calculating ET for every square kilometer across the coverage area.
4. The system delivers the specific ET data for the square kilometer where your controller is located, ensuring highly localized and accurate weather information.
Using User No ET Mode for Overwatering Scenarios
While the ET-based automated schedule is designed to maintain healthy landscapes, certain situations require intentional overwatering beyond what the weather-based schedule would provide. User No ET mode addresses these scenarios.
Common situations requiring User No ET mode include:
- Overseeding projects that need extra water to establish new grass
- New landscape installations requiring frequent watering to establish plants
- New sod that needs multiple short watering cycles per day to stay moist
User No ET mode is essentially a time-based or standalone mode similar to what you're accustomed to with traditional irrigation controllers. This mode allows you to set specific cycles and soak times independent of weather data.
In User No ET mode, you have full control to set:
- How many minutes each station runs
- When stations run
- How many times per day stations run
This gives you the flexibility to create custom watering schedules for establishment periods, such as running new sod stations three times daily for short bursts to keep the root zone consistently moist.
Troubleshooting Communication Issues
Communication problems can manifest as delayed responses, the "spinning wheel" on your mobile device, or complete inability to connect to the controller. Several factors affect communication between your mobile device, the WeatherTRAK server, and the controller.
To diagnose and resolve communication issues:
1. Check your mobile device signal strength by looking at the signal bars in the top corner of your phone. Poor cell signal on your device will cause difficulty communicating with the WeatherTRAK server, which then cannot send commands to the controller.
2. Verify the controller's signal strength by checking the phase integrity reading. Phase integrity is the controller's equivalent of cell phone signal bars—it indicates how much signal strength the controller has. Controller antennas are typically larger and may have better reception than your phone, but the controller still needs adequate signal.
3. Confirm the controller is online by checking the bottom right corner of the lit controller screen. It must display "online" to communicate properly.
4. Report persistent communication issues to customer support. Include specific details about when problems occur, how frequently they happen, and what you were trying to do. This information helps support staff determine whether the issue is temporary network congestion or a problem requiring intervention.
While more than 95% of controllers communicate reliably right out of the box, on-site challenges or controller age can sometimes affect communication quality. WeatherTRAK offers several solutions for problematic situations.
Communication Upgrade Options
When standard communication isn't reliable, several hardware upgrades can improve connectivity. The appropriate solution depends on your specific situation and the controller model you have.
Available upgrade options include:
LTE Upgrade Kit: For older controllers that have been installed for a while, an LTE upgrade kit can improve communication. However, be aware that LTE coverage may not be superior in all locations.
External Antennas: Two types of external antennas address different scenarios:
- Yagi Antenna: A directional antenna that must be pointed toward a cell tower. This works well when you know the tower location and can aim the antenna appropriately.
- Omni Antenna: A non-directional antenna that receives signals from a 360-degree radius. This is the preferred option in most cases because it doesn't require precise aiming.
The Omni antenna is particularly valuable because it's available in varying cable lengths (10 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, or 100 feet). Communication issues are often highly localized due to interference or obstructions right where the controller is mounted. Simply moving the antenna up 10 feet or getting it out of a basement into open air is frequently enough to establish reliable connectivity.
Controllers installed near electrical transformers or other equipment can experience signal interference. Using an external antenna with sufficient cable length to position the antenna away from interference sources often resolves these problems.
Keeping Your System Up to Date
WeatherTRAK regularly releases updates to improve functionality, add features, and enhance performance. Staying current with these updates ensures you have access to the latest capabilities.
To verify and maintain current software versions:
1. Ensure your controller has the communication key installed in the back of the panel. This key enables the controller to receive updates.
2. Check your mobile app version by opening the About screen in the app settings. Most smartphones automatically update apps if you have automatic updates enabled in your phone settings. When WeatherTRAK releases a new app version, it will update automatically if this feature is enabled.
3. Verify your controller firmware version by checking the controller display or through the web interface. Call customer support with your firmware version to ask if a newer version is available. Support can push firmware updates to your controller remotely.
4. Inquire about available system enhancements. Customer support can help identify additional features or capabilities that could improve your water management performance, such as:
- Flow monitoring capabilities
- OptiFlow advanced flow management
- Antenna upgrades for improved communication
These enhancements may already be compatible with your existing hardware and can be activated to provide a higher level of service and water management capability.
Activating New Controllers
When installing a new WeatherTRAK controller, activation connects it to the cloud service and enables all system features. You can complete activation either on-site or before installation using the pre-activation service.
For on-site activation:
1. Locate the serial number and SIM card number on the controller. The serial number appears below the barcode, and the SIM number is located below that.
2. Gather the required information:
- Controller serial number
- SIM card number
- Desired site name
- Site address
3. Call customer support at the 800 number with this information. Support staff will complete the activation process, typically very quickly.
For pre-activation before going to the site:
1. Note that the serial number and SIM card number are printed on the outside of the controller box specifically to enable pre-activation.
2. Visit hydropoint.com and navigate to the Training and Support section.
3. Locate and use the pre-activation tool, entering all required information including serial number, SIM card number, site name, and address.
4. Submit the pre-activation request. Customer service will complete the activation within 24 hours, significantly speeding up the installation process when you arrive on site.
Understanding Subscription and Warranty Coverage
WeatherTRAK operates on a subscription model that covers much more than just cellular connectivity. Understanding what your subscription includes helps clarify the ongoing value of the service.
Your subscription fee covers:
- Cellular service that keeps the controller connected to the cloud
- ET Everywhere weather data and the Climate Center operations that process and deliver accurate, localized weather information daily
- Six-day-per-week bilingual customer service and technical support
- Ongoing system management, monitoring, and optimization
- Continuous development of new features and improvements
- Firmware upgrades and enhancements that competitors would charge separately for
The subscription represents a continued relationship where you vote annually on whether WeatherTRAK delivers value. With a subscription renewal rate exceeding 90%, the vast majority of customers find ongoing value in the service. WeatherTRAK is not just a hardware company—it's a comprehensive hardware, software, and support solution.
Subscription costs vary by controller type:
- LC controllers: $235 per year
- Standard controllers: Mid-range pricing
- 96-station OptiFlow controllers: $470 per year (the most expensive option)
Each controller requires its own subscription, so total subscription costs scale with the number of controllers in your system.
Warranty coverage varies by product:
- LC controllers: 3-year warranty
- Pro HC controllers: 5-year warranty
- XR controllers: 10-year warranty (a strong selling point)
All warranties protect against manufacturing defects from the date of installation. Flow sensors and other accessories have their own specific warranty terms.
Every controller purchase includes a Worry-Free Wireless Warranty that matches the hardware warranty period. This warranty ensures that if cellular communication technology changes or is upgraded during the warranty period, WeatherTRAK will upgrade your controller at no charge. For example, if you purchase a 4G controller and 5G becomes the standard during your warranty period, WeatherTRAK will upgrade your controller to 5G. Extended warranty coverage is also available for purchase.
Managing Alert Notifications and Report Subscriptions
WeatherTRAK sends automated notifications through two primary channels: alert notifications and scheduled reports. Understanding how to manage these notifications ensures you receive relevant information without being overwhelmed by unwanted messages.
To manage alert notifications:
1. Navigate to the Alerts tab in WeatherTRAK.net and select Alert Setup.
2. Review the individual alert types and select which ones you want to receive notifications for. You can choose to receive notifications via text message, email, or both.
3. Set the time frame during which you want to receive notifications. This prevents alerts from disturbing you during off-hours unless you specifically need 24/7 notification for critical alerts.
4. Configure the copy feature if you want to share alert notifications with team members. When you sign up for alert notifications, you can copy colleagues or technicians to receive the same notifications.
5. Be aware that if you're receiving unexpected alerts, you may have been added as a copy recipient on someone else's alert setup. Check with other users who have access to the same controllers.
The alert notification system is designed to deliver the right information to the right person at the right time, making maintenance workflows more efficient by ensuring technicians receive timely notification of issues they can address.
To manage report subscriptions:
1. Go to the Reports page in WeatherTRAK.net.
2. Click the Manage Report Subscriptions icon in the upper right corner of the page.
3. Review all active report subscriptions displayed in the management interface.
4. Delete any report subscriptions you no longer want to receive. Report subscriptions are not permanent—you have full control to add or remove them at any time.
Don't accept that you'll receive a report indefinitely if it's no longer useful. The subscription management tools give you complete flexibility to adjust your notification preferences as your needs change.
Video Walkthrough
Video originally published April 2021.
If you have questions, here are 3 ways to get answers:
1. Search within this HydroPoint knowledgebase
2. Visit the HydroPoint support page
3. Call 800-362-8774 or email support@hydropoint.com, hours are Mon-Fri 3:00 AM – 6:00 PM PT and Sat 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM PT.