There are two ways your WaterMate control unit can be configured:
- Online mode
- Offline mode
Note that you can always connect to the Device Control Panel when you are near the device, whichever mode you choose. The benefits of online mode include:
- Remote monitoring and management.
- Receive alerts for high / low temperature.
- Notification that the water tank is low.
| Choose Online mode | Choose Offline mode |
| Control unit is within range of a WiFi network. | Control unit is not in range of a WiFi network. |
| The unit connects to the internet on a regular basis to send information to your Harvst cloud account, where you can view activity. | The unit operates without an internet connection, monitoring sensors and watering as per your settings. |
| Use the Harvst web app to update settings, which are collected by the control unit each time it sends an update. | Use the Device Control Panel on your phone to update settings and view recent activity. |
Setting up : Online mode
Step 1
Turn the control box on while holding the override button down. You are booting the box in offline mode first (it’s faster). Wait for the beeps to stop. The light on the override button will be flashing. It is now transmitting a WiFi signal for you to connect to, so that you can tell the box which network to use.
Step 2
On your phone or tablet, look for the wifi network which starts HARVST (you may have to refresh your wifi on your phone a few times). The next 4 characters are unique to your control box. For example; harvst-AF4C
Connect to this wifi network. You should be automatically redirected to the control unit welcome screen. If not, open a web browser and type 192.168.4.1 into the address bar.
| If the harvst control page doesn't show up or wont connect, try turning off your mobile data (4G/5G). Your phone may also decide to reconnect to your home wifi, if this is the case turn off ‘auto reconnect’ for your home wifi and try again. |
Step 3
From the device control panel, click the green button “Wifi setup”
(or Settings > Wifi setup)
Step 4
Choose your home wifi network from the list. If it’s not found, click “Re-scan” at the top of the screen. You might need to do this a couple of times.
Step 5
Enter your home wifi password, if you have one. Click save. The box will reboot and beep fast while searching for a connection. If a connection is made OK, you’ll hear a “celebration” beep.
If a connection cannot be made, it’s possible you have entered an incorrect password, or the signal is not strong enough: you’ll hear two low beeps. The box will try three times to connect.
After the third time, you can log on to the box wifi network (harvst-xxxx) and try again.
Step 6
Now the device is talking to the Harvst servers, you will be able to find it from the Web App once you have linked the device to your Web Account.
Setting up : Offline mode
To set up offline mode as the permanent mode of operation:
Hold the override button down while you turn on the control unit. When it’s on, you’ll hear a long beep. The device is now set and will always turn on in offline mode.