This article provides guidance on winterizing irrigation systems with Lumo valves. It will cover:
While Lumo valves are designed to withstand winter conditions, properly winterizing your irrigation system by purging lines of water will reduce risk of damage and help ensure longevity of Lumo hardware.
Lumo valves, relays, and base unit should be kept powered on throughout the winter whenever possible to ensure system stability.
Purging Lines with Lumo Valves
Open Lumo valves manually
Press and hold the control button on each valve for 5 seconds until the valve status LED flashes
Release the button and listen for an audible click, indicating the valve is in an open position
The valve status LED will blink green when the valve is open
Note: Manual Mode has an auto-off feature that closes the valve 6 hours after it’s opened. If more than 6 hours pass, re-open the valve
Purge lines per normal protocol
Once drained, close the Lumo valves by repeating Step 1. The valve status LED will be off when the valve is closed
Providing Additional Protection
To further prevent damage to the valve, we recommend placing a layer of waterproofing over the valve. A couple options to protect the valve from precipitation and mud include:
Wrap the valve in plastic, such as a heavy duty trash bag, and secure the plastic with tape or bungee cords
Cover the valve with a modified 5 gallon bucket or trash can and secure in place
Mitigating Submersion Risk in Flood Zones
If Lumo valves are located in areas that tend to flood in the winter, domes should be removed from the manifold to prevent water intrusion. Lumo valves should not be submerged in water for any period of time. The solar panel and cables should also be removed and stored indoors to prevent corrosion. Please notify Lumo Support if removing valves due to flooding concerns.
Follow this procedure when removing valves in flood zones:
Use tape or a marker to label the dome with the block name for convenient reinstallation
Turn off the dome by pressing the power button once. Verify LEDs turn off
Disconnect the solar panel, antenna cables, and pressure sensor. Carefully disconnect the pressure sensor by using a small screwdriver or hook tool to depress the tab and pull gently
Remove the dome
Remove the solar panel and antenna assembly and neatly wrap cables
Store the dome and solar panel assembly indoors/in a dry area
Notify Lumo Support with a list of block valves that have been removed for winter