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Controllers and Electric Valves
The Edstrom Controllers, which serve as the heart of the system, are recognized as the best in the industry and are the only cooling product on the market to feature Smart Mode technology.
This system allows you to adjust the soaking frequency and set the controller to the air temperature of your choice for when soakings begin. Plus, you can regulate and take control of the volume of water used.
Automated Control of Shower Cooling
The Edstrom controller is a reliable, programmable electronic controller that has the ability to store in its memory two complete operating programs. This permits the operator to program one cooling program to activate at a lower range of temperatures; while a second, more intensive cooling program can be entered to come on at a higher temperature when the cows are being subjected to more heat stress.
The controller could activate in sequence, to permit showering for a 2-minute period of time during a 20-minute cycle followed by 12 minutes with no showering. At the end of this cycle, the controller checks the temperature again, and if the temperature is above the programmed level, the cycle will start all over again.
There should be a continuous flow of air over the backs of the cattle any time the cooling system is in operation. This causes the water to be evaporated, which takes the heat away from the cattle in the process. Fans would be controlled separately from the cooling system, and could be set to operate continuously above a temperature of 70°F. An air velocity of 400 to 600 feet per minute over the cows’ backs is recommended. A 36-inch fan providing 11,000 cfm will move air effectively for 20 to 30 feet, and a 48-inch fan will move air up to 40 feet. Fans should be placed as low as possible, while still allowing clearance for cows and equipment. The fans should be angled downward approximately 30° (aim toward the floor beneath the next fan in line).
Programming of the controllers is easy to do. Time and temperature settings in both LO-Range and HI-Range are easily viewed and adjusted as desired. The shower times and interval times can be set anywhere within the range of 0 – 99 minutes, while the actuation temperature can be set anywhere between 40° – 99°F in either the LO or HI-Range settings. You can also select the number of electric solenoid valves that are to be operated. Once the settings are entered, they are saved automatically, and will not be lost if the electrical power is interrupted.
The Edstrom controller should be located where it will be easy for the operator to view and make program adjustments. The controller and electric valves operate on 24VAC low voltage. An 110VAC step-down transformer is included with the Controller, which plugs into a standard 110VAC outlet. An optional 240VAC step-down transformer is also available. This allows you to choose the system that will best fit your operation. A 50 foot roll of low-voltage wire is supplied with each electric valve to make the electrical connection of the electric valve to the Controller. For holding pens or smaller freestall barns, Edstrom makes the C-110S Controller. The C-110S has all of the same features of the C-440S, except that it controls only a single solenoid valve.
Edstrom offers all the major components needed to economically set up an intermittent showering system in your facility, including soaker nozzles, electric valves, filters, pressure reducers, and controllers. The Edstrom C-440S Controller permits control of up to four electric solenoid valves activated in sequence. This helps reduce the amount of water required at one time by splitting a barn into multiple zones. The electronic Controller allows the user to program the thermostat and time settings. Its Smart Mode™ setting automatically adjusts the length of time between shower cycles (Interval Time) as the temperature changes.
Smart Mode was added after work with dairy cattle at Kansas State University showed a benefit to having at least three different shower time settings as temperatures increased. This feature is just as beneficial in the swine industry, as it reduces wasted water at lower temperatures while keeping ahead of heat stress as temperatures increase. The new C-440S Controller also has the ability to monitor up to four separate temperature sensors, so that multiple rooms can be cooled with a single Controller.