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Understanding and Using AquaControl web Check-In Boost

This article will explain the concept and function of the AquaControl web Check-In Boost feature, and will provide step-by-step instructions for setup and administration.

Overview

The Check-In Boost feature is designed to temporarily increase the frequency with which a valve will check-in with the AquaControl web app for a configured duration of time and then return to it's Regular Check-In Interval. The typical use case is for water utilities that perform service disconnects for customers who are delinquent paying their water bill.  

This feature is primarily intended for valves running exclusively on battery power set to 8 or 12-hour check-in intervals.  This is typical for devices that utilize cellular communications, but can also be used for LoRa Class A devices, if conditions require.

The master settings for check-in boost can be found under Settings > Account Settings, but can only be configured by the Aquana Product Support Team.  Please submit a support request if you would like to change the default settings.

The check-in boost consists of two settings:

  1. Boost Check-In Interval - this is the accelerated check-in value.  One hour boost check-in is our default.  

  2. Boost Duration - this is how long the boost will remain in effect.  The duration must be a multiple of the Regular Check-In Interval.  Example: When the regular check-in interval is 12 hours, we default to a 1 hour boost check-in interval for 36 hours.  This is the optimal setting for maintaining the devices battery warranty.  

Disconnects are done by issuing a CLOSE command to the valve at the target platform location(s), along with the boost command.  This command can be sent to an individual valve by navigating to the valve's Device Details screen and clicking the Valve Control button, or to multiple valves using a batch command by nativigating to Devices, clicking on Batch Control, then clicking on Create a Batch.  The check-in boost checkbox is disabled by default and must be enabled manually during the command configuration if the user wishes for it to be sent..

After the valve closes, causing the end customer to pay their bill, the water service should be reconnected as soon as possible.  This is done by issuing an OPEN command.  When a utility is running on regular check-in intervals, it could take 8-12 hours to reconnect a service (OPEN the valve) after customer payment is received.  The Check-In Boost feature allows for the temporary increase in check-in frequency, resulting in a more timely reconnection of service.  e.g. within 1 hour of the command being created.