The first thing to do is check the hardware is all running OK by doing a manual pump, either using the Device Control Panel (on your phone via the device WiFi) or the button on top of the control unit.
See here for how to access the Device Control Panel.
If manual pumping is working fine on both zones, then have a look at the following reasons which may be preventing automatic pumping.
Low battery
Check the battery level on the Device Control Panel, on the Settings screen. Anything over 14.5V (for solar units) is going to be OK for pumping for at least a short while.
If a low battery is preventing pumping, you will get three beeps when attempting to pump manually. You'll also see a red "Battery too low to pump" warning on the Device Control Panel, and in the system logs you will see "Low battery, not pumping".
Wait for more sunshine, or use a mains trickle charger, available from Harvst.
Read more about battery capacity here.
Critically low, or old battery
If the control unit reboots (and you lose WiFi connection to the device) when trying to pump, the battery may either be critically low (and will recover with a good charge), or it may have reached the end of its life.
If your system is over a year old and has been pushed hard, we recommend replacing the battery.
If your control unit is version 9 or above, and on firmware more recent than 2024050000, then you can tell the overall health of the battery via the Device Control Panel.
Read more about battery lifespan here.
Too cold
By default, the WaterMate is set not to pump when it's below 8 degrees C - plants are not really growing below this temperature, soil is not drying out, and you risk waterlogging the plants. You can change this threshold, either on the Device Control Panel, or the web app. See the "don't water below" setting.
If low temperatures are preventing automatic watering, you will see "Too cold, not turning on" in the logs, accessed via "Settings > View Logs" on the Device Control Panel.
Blockage in pipes (WaterMate Pro only)
The WaterMate Pro pump has a high-pressure cut-off switch fitted to it. If the pressure gets too high, the pump will stop. The pump will attempt to start, however, so you will feel a thunk or a click from the pump.
Pressure can build up in a number of ways:
- Blocked outlet pipes
- Water valves not coming on
- Not enough emitters / sprayers / drippers
For (1) and (2), you will need to remedy the problem manually. For (3) you will get the pump turning on and off by itself during the watering cycle. This is fine, and as designed. Sometimes you will encounter (3) if you are using a soak hose / porous hose.
Bad wiring connection to pump
If the pump is not coming on at all, it's either bad wiring or a faulty pump.
Check the wiring, connectors, and try to pump manually using either the button on the top of the control unit, or the Device Control Panel. Holding the pump body when it starts watering will give an indication if it's trying to start (it will click or shudder). If the pump shows any sign of movement, then the wiring is OK and the pump is likely to be the probem.
Mini pumps
Mini pumps are immersed in water and have a hard life. If your pump is over a year old, it may have failed. A failed mini pump often pulls a high current, and will trigger the control unit's high current fault shutdown (but it will still run for a second or two before triggering that shutdown).
A fully seized mini pump cannot be turned by hand. Remove the black plastic cap on the bottom end of the pump and try to turn the white impeller with the tip of a screwdriver.
Pro pumps
If the Pro pump has got wet, it may have rusted. You can remove the diaphragm mechanism from the top of the pump and try to turn the shaft by hand. If it's seized, you will need a replacement pump.
Bad wiring connection to water valves
When watering starts, hold the valves. You should feel a click as they turn on. No click = failed valve or bad connection. It is very rare for a valve to fail, so check the connections and wiring before reporting a failed valve.
If your control unit is on firmware version 2024052900 or above, the system will check presence of valves when it turns on, and a faulty or missing valve will show as a red message at the top of the Device Control Panel on the Settings page.