Installation instructions

We hope the installation will be easy and that you will enjoy your Aqvify.

We recommend starting by watching our short installation video.

Then feel free to follow these written installation instructions (slightly more detailed than the movie) and (important!) finish with the app settings described in Step 6 of these instructions.

Examples of previous installations.

Please contact us at hello@aqvify.com or +46 10 3308600 if you need assistance.

Read more about the app.

Some conditions, which are rarely a problem, but still important to check before installation:

• Mobile coverage with “decent” signal. I.e. “1-2 bars” are needed and sufficient. Our SIM card can connect to all the major operators.

• If the borehole has a top/lid, it needs to be lifted at least 4 cm to be able to lower the sensor (Ø 27 mm). Otherwise contact Aqvify for advice.

• The Aqvify box (communication box) needs a 230V socket indoors or outdoors to plug the power adapter into – or alternatively 12 V from e.g. a solar cell or car battery.

• The connection cable (12 Volt) from the well to the Aqvify box needs to be able to be routed without being tripped/run over.

Aqvify consists of these main parts; sensor, drop-in-protection, junction box, connection cable and Aqvify box.

Step 1: Install the sensor in the well

Note that the cable must not be bent too much or kinked as there is a thin air hose inside it to compensate the sensor’s readings against atmospheric pressure.

1. Install the drop-in-protection with two cable ties, about 60-70 cm from the end of the cable (i.e. the end where the colored small cables protrude). This prevents the sensor from being dropped into the well.

2. Loosen and carefully lift the well cover, at least 4 cm. Be careful about hose connections.
For example, place a wooden bar, or something else large enough not to fall into the well hole, under the lid to create temporary space during installation.

3. Ensure that there is a hole through the lid/top that is at least 9 mm in diameter, through which the sensor cable will pass.

If a hole needs to be drilled, either gently pull the lid aside so that the drill cuttings are outside the well, or catch the drill cuttings with e.g. a board or disk.

Lower the sensor into the well until about 100 cm of cable remains. If the sensor comes all the way down to the pump in a drilled well, raise the sensor about 1 m. This is to prevent it from vibrating against the pump.

Be careful not to bend the cable too much. Important! The cable is best rolled out as a “spool of wire” to slide most easily into the drill hole, i.e. hold the cable spool upright in your hands and spin the spool like a spool of wire as you go.

For cable lengths over 30 m, it may be easier to first lay the cable on the ground, make sure it is not twisted, and then lower it down.

5. Thread the end of the cable from below through the hole in the cover and pull it through about 50 cm.

6. Attach the sensor cable using one of the options below:

a) Tighten a cable tie 50 cm from the end. Then slide the black spiral gland over the end of the cable and tighten the nut until the cable is firmly in place. A tape around the ends of the cable can make it easier to insert the cable.
Attach a cable tie above the spiral for extra security.

a) Tighten a cable tie 50 cm from the end. Then slide the black spiral gland over the end of the cable and tighten the nut until the cable is firmly in place. A tape around the ends of the cable can make it easier to insert the cable.
Attach a cable tie above the spiral for extra security.

b) Attach the sensor cable 50 cm from the end with two cable ties to the appropriate hole, pump wire or other suitable means. Be careful not to break the sensor cable.

b) Attach the sensor cable 50 cm from the end with two cable ties to the appropriate hole, pump wire or other suitable means. Be careful not to break the sensor cable.

If for some reason the sensor cannot be lowered all the way down, leaving more than 50 cm above the lid – carefully roll up the cable to “car steering wheel size” without breaking it and tie/fasten appropriately. Then locate the nearest meter marker and compare with the one closest to the sensor (step 4), or measure the remaining length and subtract from the ordered cable length. This is used to set the depth of the sensor in the basic settings of the app, as described later in this document.  

7. Let the remaining part of the cable slide down the well.

8. Carefully lower the manhole cover/top and reinstall it.

Tips!

Step 2: Install the Aqvify box

The Aqvify box can be mounted indoors or outdoors next to an electrical outlet or solar cell. The box should be placed at a “flood-proof” distance from the floor/ground so as not to be submerged in water in the event of e.g. torrential rain.
Use the supplied screws to mount the Aqvify box to a suitable wall.

Wait to plug in the power adapter/power supply.

If an external antenna has been ordered: Carefully unscrew the existing antenna of the box and screw in the connector labeled “LTE MAIN” instead. The other connector is not used.

Step 3: Connection cable

Connect the sensor and Aqvify box with the connection cable. The connection cable needs to be protected from being stepped on and vehicles, i.e. if necessary, laid in a hose/pipe or other suitable means.

The pre-assembled connector on the connection cable should be plugged into the Aqvify box, so start pulling the cable from there to the junction box at the well. Avoid getting debris into the connector.

Step 4: Connect the connection cable and sensor cable in the junction box.

Connect the connection cable to the sensor cable:

1. Thread the respective cable end through the respective hole in the junction box; small hole (Ø4.5 mm) for connection cable and large (Ø9 mm) for sensor cable.

2. Put a cable tie about 2 cm into the black part of each cable to prevent the cable from being pulled apart.

3. Connect the cable ends from the sensor to the connecting cable using the orange cable clips provided. First open the orange toggle, insert a cable and then close the toggle.

4. Carefully fold the cables into the box and press the lid on.

5. Attach the junction box in a suitable manner, e.g. screw it to the wall or use cable ties.
The box should be located at a “flood-proof” distance from the floor/ground so as not to be submerged in case of e.g. torrential rain.

Step 5: Plug in the power adapter

Connect the Aqvify box with a power adapter to an electrical outlet or solar cell.

The device will now start up and begin sending data within a few minutes.

Step 6: Getting started with the app and entering basic settings

Download the Aqvify app from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Play Store (Android).
Create an account and log in.

Android

Add well

Go to Profile in the app and select Add well. Then follow the guide.

The Aqvify box contains the serial number/PIN and QR code used to connect.

Characteristics of the well

Set the basic settings in the wizard (then found under Profile / Your wells);

• Well diameter – Important to get it right! Incorrect diameter gives misleading consumption and inflow (but levels are still correct).

  For drilled wells, it is best to consult drilling protocols or similar to find the correct diameter. With some luck, the well may also be listed in the SGU well database (Sweden only) or other national register. In some cases, the inner diameter of the well is the same as the outer diameter of the casing sticking out of the ground, but the borehole may also have a smaller diameter. The most common diameters for drilled wells are 115mm, 140mm and 165mm.

For dug wells, the inner diameter of the (usually) concrete pipe is measured.

• Sensor depth – Important to get it right! Normally 50 cm of the cable is left above ground and the cable lengths are therefore 20.5 m, 30.5 m, etc. for the sensor depth to be indicated as 20 m, 30 m, etc.

• Depth of the well – Has no direct significance, except in possible graphic illustrations of the well.

Borders and alarms

• Minimum allowable water level – The lowest level below ground level that you want to use the well for – and where you are likely to want an SMS alert. It is like a virtual bottom om the well. The level should be set equal to or higher than the depth of the sensor. We suggest you start at the same depth as of the sensor, and then correct after a few days based on how your well is normally used.

• Buffer before minimum allowed level – Enter the percentage of buffer required before the minimum allowed level is reached. 20-25% is common.

Exit the guide.

Step 7: Check the values (and share the well with the owner)

Go to Home in the app and check that the volume and level have values. For example, a level of -9 m means that the water level is 9 m below ground level. This can take up to 15 minutes after the electricity supply was connected. You can also look at the Analysis page with the time selector at the top at 1 hour or 24 hours to see the data – even if not much data has come in yet.

Installer’s share to customer

If you installed the well as an installer, it is now time to share the well with the owner/customer. Go to Profile and select Show all wells. There you will find the well under Not transferred wells.

Select the well and click on Share the well to the owner.
You will then be able to share a connection code via email, SMS etc. to the owner of the well.

The owner can then choose whether or not you, the installer, should continue to have access to the well.

Step 8: Activate subscriptions

The well owner activates subscriptions by going to https://app.aqvify.com in their browser and logging in with the same username and password as in the app. In some cases, subscriptions for a certain period of time are included with the initial purchase of Aqvify.

If you already have a subscription, a warning will appear in the app a few days before any manual renewal is needed.

Add more users

Go to Profile and select Well – then click on Users at the top to add more users. An explanation of the different roles can be found in the app. Share the connection code.

The new user downloads the app, creates an account and uses the connection code.

For further information on how to add users, see our instructions.

SMS alerts

Go to Profile / Your account settings to add your mobile number.

Then go to Alarms to enable/disable SMS alerts for Buffer level and Low level (Minimum allowed level). Further instruction can be found here.

The app is now ready for use!

Read more about the app.

Please contact us at hello@aqvify.com or +46 10 3308600 if you need assistance.

Enjoy!