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#161 - Would You Rather Have FLOW or PRESSURE?

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Release Date: 03/29/2024

#181 - Ohio Goes Wireless show art #181 - Ohio Goes Wireless

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Andy introducing wireless sensor technology to Ohio and riffs about the "RHYTHM" of the landscape.

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#180 - Behind The Scenes - Making LoRaWAN Soil Moisture Sensors show art #180 - Behind The Scenes - Making LoRaWAN Soil Moisture Sensors

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

In this episode, Andy shares his process for manufacturing LoRaWAN wireless soil moisture sensors.

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#179 - Project Harmony Advisory Team show art #179 - Project Harmony Advisory Team

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

      What does the future hold for your landscape business?   Well, if you ask nine experts, you’ll get 10 different answers. Some say we’re heading for a lush, thriving growing season; others predict drought conditions. Some insist we’ll get just enough rain this year—and someone else insists it’s never enough. Let’s be honest, nobody really knows...   But now...there is one surefire way to future-proof your business and how you manage high asset value crops:   Harmony Analytica.   Harmony is the FIRST sensor analytics platform made for...

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#178 - Bespoke or A.I. show art #178 - Bespoke or A.I.

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

In this episode of The Sprinkler Nerd Show, host Andy Humphrey starts off with an unapologetically bold greeting to illustrate the power of authenticity and grab listeners’ attention. He gives a personal shout-out to friends, mentors, and colleagues he connected with during the week—highlighting the importance of real human relationships in an increasingly AI-dominated world. From there, Andy explores the rapid growth of AI and how it’s poised to deliver personalized, mass-produced podcast content—comparing it to Walmart’s ability to provide inexpensive, standardized groceries. But...

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#177 - Canada & Project Harmony Update show art #177 - Canada & Project Harmony Update

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Hello, friends! I wanted to take a moment to share a quick update on what’s happening this week. I’ll be traveling to Calgary and Edmonton, Canada, for the SiteOne Landscape Supply One Stop events. On Tuesday, I’ll be at the Calgary event, and then on Thursday, I’ll attend the Edmonton event. After that, I’ll head back to the airport Thursday night and fly home on Friday. I had to adjust my travel plans a bit, departing from Grand Rapids instead of my usual airport because, upon my return, I’ll be meeting up with my daughter. We’re headed straight to a volleyball tournament in...

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#176 - Let's Go Out To Dinner And See a Forecast show art #176 - Let's Go Out To Dinner And See a Forecast

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

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#175 - Apple’s Forgotten Founder: Ronald Wayne’s Secret to Tomorrow’s Money show art #175 - Apple’s Forgotten Founder: Ronald Wayne’s Secret to Tomorrow’s Money

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

In this episode, we uncover a remarkable story hidden in plain sight: Ronald Wayne, the often-overlooked third co-founder of Apple. While Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak achieved legendary status, Wayne’s name is hardly mentioned in the tech world—even though he helped draft Apple’s original partnership agreement and designed its first logo. After just twelve days, he chose to walk away from his 10% stake in Apple for a mere $800, a decision that would come to symbolize both the enormity of risk and the unpredictability of life. I share how my son, Drew, and I stumbled upon Wayne at an...

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#174 - The Sandbox Adventure show art #174 - The Sandbox Adventure

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Today, I’m sharing the story of my six-month recharge. Six months that pulled me out of my comfort zone and into a world of new challenges, new skills, and new possibilities. This wasn’t a vacation—it was six months of diving into the sandbox, experimenting, and solving problems I’d never faced before.   And here’s the thing: If I can do this, you can too. So, join me on this creative adventure as we look ahead to 2025 and all the possibilities waiting for us.   This is the story of my six-month recharge —-- six months that transformed how I think, work, and approach...

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#173 - Field Capacity from Orlando Florida show art #173 - Field Capacity from Orlando Florida

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

Andy Humphrey kicks off the episode with "Little Silver Ring" by The Samples and shares insights from his trip to Orlando for volleyball Nationals, highlighting its economic impact. He then revisits a past episode on field capacity, discussing soil moisture sensors, practical analogies, and their importance in irrigation systems.   (0:00) Andy Humphrey introduces the morning song of the day   (1:31) Andy Humphrey reveals the song: "little silver ring" by The Samples (1:44) Podcast introduction and target audience (2:20) Andy Humphrey talks about being in Orlando for volleyball...

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#172 - Eyes Wide Open show art #172 - Eyes Wide Open

The Sprinkler Nerd Show

  TL;DR::::::: Embrace an Open Mindset: Keeping an open mind is crucial for discovering new opportunities and innovations. Importance of New Conversations: Engaging with new people and ideas can lead to significant breakthroughs. Technology and Innovation: Encountering groundbreaking technology that could revolutionize the irrigation industry. Overcoming Initial Bias: It's essential to look beyond initial skepticism or bias towards new ideas and products. Creating Luck: Luck is often the result of continuous effort and openness to opportunities rather than mere chance. ...

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More Episodes

In the episode of the "Sprinkler Nerd Show," host Andy Humphrey and his guest, Paul, embark on a detailed discussion about the technical aspects of irrigation systems, specifically focusing on the importance of flow and pressure monitoring.

Andy begins by recounting his observations of inefficient sprinkler systems at a resort, noting that a vast majority are functioning poorly. He suggests that the resort's irrigation system is so ineffective that it might as well not be in operation. This real-world issue leads him to reflect on the broader implications for the irrigation industry, particularly the innovations in flow and pressure monitoring technologies.

To dive deeper into the topic, Andy introduces a thought experiment based on the game "Would You Rather?" The game is simple: one person poses a dilemma in the form of a question starting with "would you rather," and the other person chooses one of the options. Andy uses this format to pose a significant question to Paul: Given a choice between flow monitoring and pressure monitoring for a commercial irrigation system, which one would you choose?

Paul acknowledges the complexity of the question. Traditionally, the industry relied heavily on flow monitoring, with pressure monitoring being a more recent development. He expresses a preference for both but understands that the question demands a choice.

The conversation shifts to an in-depth analysis of the two monitoring methods. Flow monitoring is essential for understanding water usage and identifying leaks through abnormal flow patterns. It is a vital tool for water conservation and efficient system management. On the other hand, pressure monitoring provides diagnostic insights that are not immediately apparent through flow data alone. For instance, pressure fluctuations can indicate issues with the municipal water supply that could affect irrigation system performance.

Andy and Paul discuss the scenarios where one type of monitoring may be more advantageous than the other. For example, Paul shares an anecdote about a situation in Washington, D.C., where several irrigation systems under his management experienced a drop in performance due to a reduction in municipal water pressure. This incident underscores the value of pressure monitoring, as it can provide early warnings about changes in water supply that are beyond the control of the irrigation system manager.

The discussion delves into the practicalities of managing large-scale irrigation systems. They examine how continuous logging of pressure data can provide insights that intermittent readings cannot. Paul points out that as municipal water systems age, providers often reduce water pressure to extend the lifespan of the infrastructure, impacting irrigation systems connected to the municipal supply. This practice, while beneficial to the municipal system, can have unintended consequences for irrigation, making pressure monitoring an invaluable tool for understanding and adapting to these external changes.

As they further explore the nuances of flow and pressure data, Andy and Paul consider the implications of having one without the other. They agree that while flow sensors are crucial for accounting for water usage, pressure sensors offer a more sensitive diagnostic tool that can help explain why certain anomalies in water usage may occur.

Andy then offers a perspective that connects the physical observations of an irrigation system to the data provided by sensors. Walking around the resort, he notices visible signs of system failure, such as broken infrastructure and poorly performing sprinkler zones. He posits that either a flow sensor or a pressure sensor could indicate such problems, but each does so in a different way. A flow sensor could detect a broken pipe through abnormal water usage, while a pressure sensor could indicate a drop in performance due to pressure changes.

As they wrap up their discussion, both Andy and Paul lean towards the importance of pressure monitoring when forced to choose. They liken pressure sensors to a doctor checking blood pressure—a critical first step in diagnosing a patient's health. They explore the idea that while flow is a measurement of consumption, pressure provides a more immediate reflection of system health.

Paul highlights that from a management standpoint, pressure data is more actionable, especially when monitoring remotely. He also notes that installing pressure sensors can be simpler and less intrusive than installing flow sensors, which often require cutting into the mainline. This ease of installation makes pressure sensors a more attractive option for quickly and cost-effectively assessing system performance.

In conclusion, Andy and Paul's conversation in the "Sprinkler Nerd Show" episode brings to light the strategic importance of choosing the right monitoring tools for irrigation systems. They discuss the trade-offs between flow and pressure monitoring and conclude that while both are essential, pressure monitoring may offer a slight edge in terms of diagnostics and system management, particularly when faced with the constraints of municipal water supplies and the need for remote system oversight. Their dialogue is a testament to the evolving technological landscape of irrigation and the need for professionals in the field to adapt and make informed decisions about the tools they use to manage water resources effectively.