Overview
You can choose to have your pump control in Automation or Manual Mode.
This article explains:
Automation Mode
Our Pump Control solution allows you to automate your pump based on water levels when it is in Automation Mode.
Automation is completely customisable, allowing you to set the water levels that trigger your pump to turn on and off.
For example, you can set your pump to turn on and off based on water levels:
If you're pumping into a tank, the pump might turn on when the level drops to 40 cm and turn off when it reaches 200 cm.
If you're pumping from a source (such as a tank or dam), you can set the pump to only run when there is enough water available.
You can also combine both conditions, so the pump only runs when the destination needs water and the source has enough supply.
Automated Pump Operating Time
And, you may want your pump to turn on daily at specific times like 10pm - 7am during off peak hours to save on energy costs.
Note: To enable Automation, you MUST select a source or destination that has a Farmbot Monitor on it (such as a water tank or dam).
Pausing Automation
While the pump is in Automation Mode, pressing the "STOP" button will pause automation. The pump status will show "Auto Paused".
Pressing the "START" button again will resume automation using your original settings, and the status will return to "Auto Enabled".
When automation is paused, the pump will not start automatically until you press "START" again.
Note: When our system encounters an error while operating in auto mode, it immediately pauses automation to prevent further attempts by the system to turn the pump on and off.
⚠️ WARNING: You must cut off your pump's power supply before conducting any repairs or maintenance on the machinery. |
Manual Mode
When your pump is in Manual Mode, it will only start and stop when you press the button either through the MyFarmbot platform or the Farmbot Pump Control Box.
It will NOT automatically turn on based on any water level data it's linked to.
Changing between Automation and Manual Mode
To change between the Modes, click into the Automation Settings by pressing "Automation" in the control panel. Follow the prompts to select either Auto or Manual.
Note: To change between Automation and Manual Mode, the pump cannot be running or have an error status. If you go to the Automation Settings and find the fields are greyed out, please check that your pump is not running or had an error.
How do I know if my pump is in Automation or Manual Mode?
You can quickly see if your pump is in Automation Mode in several places in MyFarmbot
From the List View
2. In the Control Panel
3. In the Automation Settings
