® Today Sun CURRENT TIME 1 2 Mon 3 Tue SCHEDULE 5 Thu 6 Fri 7 Sat 8 Skip Days 9 S TA R RD - 1200 RUN TIME LVE S VA 4 Wed T 10 1 TIM 2 ES 3 12 11 OFF RUN or or STOP Manual SET PROGRAMS MANUAL SEMI-AUTO Start A, B, or C Installation and Programming Guide For Models RD-600, RD-900, RD-1200 (Indoor and Outdoor Models)
Table of Contents Contents and Specifications --------------------------------- 3 Key Features - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3 Controller Installation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4 Battery Installation ---------------------------------------- 5 Valve Connection - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 5 Pump Start Relay or Master Valve Connection - - - - - -
Contents and Specifications Congratulations. You have purchased the easiest-to-use landscape control system ® available today. Although it is possible to install and program your Rain Dial controller with little or no instructions, we strongly recommend that you read this guide first.
Controller Installation Selecting the proper installation site for the controller is essential to safe and reliable operation. The controller should be installed on a vertical wall or other sturdy structure near a grounded power source. For easy operation and better view of the display, install the controller so that the display is at, or slightly below, eye level. CAUTION: Do not connect to power until after the valves are connected.
Battery Installation Installing a standard 9-volt alkaline battery will preserve the controller’s time and program in the memory during a power outage. CAUTION: Batteries contain hazardous material. Always handle and discard batteries properly in accordance with the battery manufacturer’s recommendations. Step 1 - Open the door to your controller cabinet and swing open the control module by flexing the release tab to the right.
Pump Start Relay or Master Valve Connection When a pump start relay or a master valve is to be operated by the controller, a compatible device must be used. The master valve must be equipped with a 24 V a.c., 0.2 amps, 5VA solenoid. If using a pump relay, it should have a nominal coil voltage of 24 V a.c. at 0.25 amps maximum. The controller should not be installed within 5' (1.52m) of a pump or pool equipment.
CAUTION: Do not connect the controller to one phase of a 3-phase power system used by a pump or other electrical equipment. Step 1 - Turn off the installation power source at the associated circuit breaker. Verify that power has been turned off by using an appropriate AC voltage meter. Step 2 - Install the conduit and associated fittings. Step 3 - Connect power and ground wires per electrical codes. See Figure 3. Step 4 - Turn the power source on and check for proper controller operation.
Buttons and Switches Functions Program Switch - Used to select from the three different programs (A, B and C) when setting program. It is also used to select which pre-set program (A, B or C) to run for semi-automatic operation. Function Switch - Used to stop a program’s watering cycle and any valves that are currently running if positioned to OFF or STOP. In this mode, all programs are retained and watering will not resume until the switch is returned to RUN or Manual.
How the Multi-Function Dial Works “Valve Run Time” Settings - These settings control how long each valve will water. The valve numbers on the Multi-Function Dial corresponds to the numbers on the controller’s terminal module. The valves run sequentially one at a time. Each valve can be set to run from 1 minute to 5.9 hours. “Start Times” Settings - Up to three different start times (time of day) can be selected for each program. Multiple start times are especially useful for newly seeded lawns.
What the LCD Display Indicate Information Displayed When Programming The LCD will display the following data with the Function Switch in the SET PROGRAMS position, in conjunction with the following dial settings. Valve Run Times - Shows minutes (e.g. 15 MIN) or hour (e.g. 1.5 HOUR). Also displays OFF for unused valves. Start Times - Displays time in AM, PM or OFF for unused start times. Skip Days - Shows days numbered 1–15, or OFF. The words, ONCE EVERY appear to the left. Schedule - Displays ON or OFF.
Watering Considerations Plants, soil and climatological conditions vary from region to region. Consult your local nursery for the watering schedule best suited to your particular requirements. As a general rule, the best time to water is early morning because evaporation, wind drift and temperature are minimal. Evening watering may promote mildew and fungus growth.
Watering Schedule Chart PROGRAMMING WATERING SCHEDULE WATERING TIMES Valve Station A B Program Program C Program Valve / Station Description 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1st 12 Start Times 2nd 3rd Watering Days
Fail Safe Mode If the battery fails during a power interruption, your program will be lost. When power is restored, the Rain Dial controller will automatically default to its fail-safe mode. Upon restoration of power, the fail-safe mode will default to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. and the clock resumes from that point. Unless reprogrammed, the controller will energize each valve for 10 minutes, beginning at 7:00 a.m. (controller clock time) everyday.
Setting Program Schedule Before setting the schedule, decide whether you want to use the controller’s daily schedule option or the interval SKIP DAYS option. The daily option gives you the option of selecting particular days to water in no particular order (for example, water every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday). Daily Schedule Option Step 1 - Position the Program Switch to A. Step 2 - Move Function Switch to SET PROGRAMS. Step 3 - Position the Multi-Function Dial to Sun.
Semi-Auto Operation Semi-Auto operation runs an entire program (A, B or C) whenever you want a supplemental watering. Step 1 - Make sure the Function Switch is in the RUN position and the Multi-Function Dial is pointing to the CURRENT TIME position. Step 2 - Use the Program Switch to select the program (A, B or C) you want to run. Step 3 - Press the SEMI-AUTO Start Button to start the cycle. The controller will resume its regular schedule when the cycle is finished.
How to Check for Valve Shorts The Rain Dial controllers are uniquely able to detect and identify malfunctioning valves caused by electrical shorts in the wiring. Use your controller to check any or all valves for shorts. Step 1 - Make sure the Function Switch is set to RUN. Step 2 - Turn the Multi-Function Dial to the valve number you want to check. Step 3 - Use the +/- Button to enter a run time. Step 4 - Press the Manual Button.
Troubleshooting the System Problem Possible Cause Correction Watering at wrong times. CURRENT TIME of day incorrectly set. Check and reset CURRENT TIME. Blank display. No power. Check circuit breaker panel. Check wiring connections. Check transformer. Check controller terminal board fuse. Program won’t display. Wrong function setting. Function Switch must be in RUN or MANUAL setting. Controller is in watering cycle. Check or change program with Function Switch in Set Programs.
Notes 18
FCC Notice Domestic: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
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