NETRO SPRITE Smart Watering Controller User Guide

: June 5, 2024
: NETRO

Table of Contents

NETRO SPRITE Smart Watering Controller
Installation
Wiring
Weather Data
Smart Zone
The LED Light
The Reset Button
Troubleshooting
FAQ
Specifications
Support
Limited Waranty
Retun Policy
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

NETRO SPRITE Smart Watering Controller

ContentsPreparation

Test the functionality of your irrigation system with your current controller first. If it does not work, please make sure it is repaired before installing the Sprite . Note: If you are not sure about the condition of your sprinkler system, you might want to check whether there are shorted zones or open zones. You just need to use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the common wire and each zone. The normal reading would be 20-60 Ohms. If the reading is less than 10 Ohms then you might have a shorted circuit in the solenoid and if it is larger than 80 Ohms you might have an open circuit. Please contact us or irrigation professionals for additional support.
Unplug the power of your current controller.
Take a photo of the wiring in your old controller. When you are wiring Sprite, this photo can be the reference.
Remove your current controller.

Installation

Check the strength of the WiFi signal at the location where your Sprite will be installed. We recommend a signal of at least 2 bars on your phone note: Sprite is unable to connect to Wireless-B(11Mbps) routers. Sprite only supports the newer standards, namely Wireless-N, Wireless-G and Wireless-AC. Sprite is incompatible with 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks.
Also, please make sure the SSID (name of your home Wi-Fi) and the password do not contain special characters like spaces or quotation marks.
Remove the front cover from the base.
Install the Sprite base to the wall using the two screws included. Use the air bubble to position horizontally.

Wiring

Reconnect the wires to the slots on the base

Tips

Use the picture of the wires on your old controller to help you remember.
The slot named “M” is for the master valve or the pump. In some controllers, it is named as “PMV” or “P/MV”. lf yOu do not have a master valve or a pump, you can leave this “M” slot unconnected.
If the old controller has only one common wire, you can connect it to either one of the “C” slots and the other “C” slot will sit empty.
If you want to use your old power adapter which has a ground wire, you can leave the ground wire open.
If the old controller is connected to a rain sensor, you do not need to connect the sensor wires because your Sprite obtains weather information from the WiFi network.

Setup

Put the front cover back on the base.
Plug in the power. Wait for 1-2 minutes, the light will be blinking slowly (once every second).If the light is stable or blinking fast (twice every second), press the RST button.
The network of your Sprite will be in its HOST mode (you will see a WiFi network named “Netro_JRC_xxx’). Please do not connect your phone to this Netro_IRC_xxx network right now. You will be asked to do so in step
Download the free Netro app and start to configure. Tip: Search for “Netro sprite watering on Google Play and App Store.

Weather Data

Once your Sprite is added to your account through the Netro app, the Netro cloud server automatically acquires the local weather data for adjusting the watering schedules.

Change providers

By default, your Sprite is connected to DarkSky for weather data. You can change it to a different weather source in the Netro app-> Settings

Controller -> Weather Provider.

Smart Zone

Your Sprite optimizes the watering schedules based on weather conditions and watering regulations. You can select the Smart level for each zone in the Netro app -> Settings -> Zones -> Smart Zone.

Advanced: Your Sprite automatically creates smart watering schedules based on moisture level and watering regulations. User programs will be skipped based on local weather conditions.
Basic: No smart watering schedules will be created and you need to setup user programs in Settings->Programs. Your Sprite skips user programs based on local weather conditions and watering regulations.

The LED Light

The LED light on your Sprite has three possible statuses

Blinking slowly (on for a second and off for a second): this means the unit is in its HOST mode. This happens when you first plug in your Sprite or reset it, and indicates that it needs to go through the setup steps in the app to connect to a home WiFi network.
Solid: this means the unit is connected to your home wifi.
Blinking quickly (on for 0.5 seconds and off for 0.5 seconds) : This happens when you first set up your unit and did not enter the correct password, or whenever it loses its connection to the Netro cloud server.

The Reset Button

The reset button is located underneath the cover and is next to the AC adapter wiring slots. It is marked Rsl. You will need a pin or long, thin object to press the buttorn.

Short press: to reset your Sprite to its HOST mode, simply press the button once for less than 1 second. YOur Sprite should start blinking slowly in a few seconds.
Long press: to reset the unit to factory settings, hold down on the button for 6-8 seconds. Wait for 1-2 minutes, the light on your Sprite should start blinking slowly.

Troubleshooting

Sprite is unable to connect to my home Wi-Fi even if the correct password is entered.

It is possible that your WiFi router is too far away. We recommend a signal of at least 2 bars on your phone. It is also possible that your router is an old one and runs on Wireless-B (11Mbps). Sprite only supports the newer standards, namely Wireless-N, Wireless-G, and Wireless-AC.
In the app, select WEP mode below the password field if your router is using WEP encryption.
Double check the password. You should enter the password of your home WiFi, not the password of your Metro account.
Make sure your router has access to the internet and it is not blocking port 1883 which is reserved for MQTT. Rebooting the modem might help.
Sometimes, rebooting your router can resolve some connection issues.

During the Wi-Fi setup, after I input the password, Sprite starts to blink quickly
That means your Sprite is unable to contact the Netro server. It will disconnect from your router and change back to its host mode in a few seconds. Please see the above question for solution.

During the Wi-Fi setup, my phone cannot find the Wi-Fi network “Netro_|Rc_XXX” hosted by Sprite
Please press the RST button for less than 1 second, make sure Sprite is in host mode and the LED is blinking slowly(once per second)

During the Wi-Fi setup, my home Wi-Fi cannot be discovered
Please make sure your router is turned on and has a signal of at least 2 bars on your phone at the location where your device is installed. Sprite only connects to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. You might also try to reboot your router.

The app says Sprite is watering but it is not opening the valves
Please check the wires. Are they loose or disconnected from the slots? Please also check the common wires and the master valve if you have one. If you believe the wires are correctly installed, you might want to check whether there are shorted zones or open zones. You just need to use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the common wire and each zone. Ihe normal reading would be 20-60 Ohms. If the reading is less than 10 Ohms then you might have a shorted circuit in the solenoid and if it is larger than 80 Ohms you might have an open circuit.

The light on Sprite is blinking fast (twice per second)
If your app shows the device is offline, your Sprite is unable to connect to your home WiFi (possible causes: 1. your router is down; 2. Wi-Fi signal is weak, 3. the SSID/password is changed) or the router has no access to the internet. If your app shows the device is online, you do not need to do anything. There was a network glitch when the device tried to get the watering schedules from the cloud server. The light will be back to steady when it updates the schedules successfully in an hour. Reboot your sprite (unplug and replug the power) if it does not.

FAQ

How do I test the sprinkler system with Sprite?
There are two ways to test your sprinklers after installing Sprite: You can create an account and connect Sprite to your home Wi-Fi, then you can use the ‘remote control’ feature on the Netro app to turn on and off the zones instantly. If you just moved into a house and possibly have not installed the router, the “Test run mode might work well for you: download the Netro app and use the Test run a feature on the login page. In this way you do not need to have a home Wi-Fi or create a Netro account. Your phone is directly connecting to the Wi-Fi network nosted by the Sprite. This mode allows you to turn on and off the zones without involving the Netro cloud server.

Does Sprite work with rain sensors?
Sprite is not designed to support the traditional rain sensors because those rain sensors do not forecast rainfall. For example, you usually do not need to water your lawn if the rain is coming tomorrow but your rain sensors will not tell you that. Netro has more advanced technology including rea-time weather information to be aware of the rainfall in the past and also in the future. For even more accurate watering schedules, Netro offers wireless moisture sensors which measure exactly how much water your plants need. We believe these innovations that Netro is built with are changing the way of home irrigation.

What if I have more than 6(12) zones?
Consider adding another Sprite. The Netro app is capable of managing multiple controllers. You can link two controllers together, You will need to have at least two “common wires so that each controller gets one. If there is only one “common” wire, it needs to be connected to both controllers by using a wire splitter.

Will Sprite re-connect to the Wi-Fi automatically after a power outage?
Sprite will re-connect to the Wi-Fi automatically after a power outage. Also, all the zone settings and watering schedules are saved on the cloud server, so you will not lose anything.

What happens if the Wi-Fi connection is lost, for example, the router or the internet service is down?
Sprite will continue to execute the pre-loaded schedules for up to one month. Can I use Sprite when I am away from my home Wi-Fi, for example on vacation? Yes, as long as your phone/tablet has access to the internet, you can control and monitor your Sprite.

Specifications

Mechanical Specifications

Dimensions| 5.7X5.7X1.2 (1nches)
Weight| 8.2 oz I 230 g
Output| 6 (12) zones + 1 master valve
Electrical Specifications

Support

support@netrohome.com

FCC Compliance:
Notice and other legal information: visit netrohome.com

Limited Waranty

Netro Inc., Portland, Oregon USA, warrants to the owner of the enclosed product that the product contained in the box will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the date of delivery following the original retail purchase. If the Product fails to conform to this Limited Warranty during the Warranty Period, Netro Inc. will repair or replace any defective product or component.

Retun Policy

If you are the original purchaser of the product and you are not satisfied with this product for any reason, you may return it in its original condition within thirty (30) days of the original purchase and receive a full refund.