DIG GQ-AC4 User manual

GQ-AC4, GQ-AC6, GQ-AC8
Indoor Mounting AC Irrigation Controllers
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Features
• Three (3) programs A B C to select
• Watering durations from 1 minute to up to 4 hours in 1-minute
increments
• Three (3) programs with four (4) start times per program with delay
options in weekly mode and one start time per day in cyclical mode
• Auxiliary X program in a weekly mode used for lights and ponds
through the use of a relay
• Custom programming with 7-day calendar or intervals of 1-31 days
in odd/even or every day rotation
• Operate four (4), six (6) or eight (8) stations with master valve or
pump start
• Five (5) buttons with a large dial and large integrated liquid crystal
display (LCD) for easy view and programming
• Off mode option on the dial allows the system to be shut off for an
unlimited time
• Includes testing feature of valve or
zone, making sure that the zone is
operating correctly
• Dedicated sensor terminal allows
operation with rain, freeze or moisture
sensors
• One 9-volt backup battery with battery
icon alert if battery is low and needs to
be replaced
• Reset button is available for a total reset
of the controller; in this option all programs
will be erased
• Full 3-year warranty

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction …………………………………………………………… 3
2. About the GQ-AC controller …………………………………………… 3
3. Mounting the controller………………………………………………… 4
4. Connecting the valve wires to the controller …………………………… 5
5. Connecting a master valve or pump start relay ………………………… 5
6. Connecting a rain sensor ……………………………………………… 6
7. Connecting the backup battery ………………………………………… 7
8. Connecting the transformer wire to the controller ……………………… 8
9. Programing …………………………………………………………… 8
10. Setting current time, day of week and date……………………………… 10
11. Time format (switching between AM/PM and 24 hour)…………………… 10
12. Selecting watering frequency …………………………………… 11-12
13. Setting a start time …………………………………………………… 13
14. Programming water duration…………………………………………… 14
15. Setting budget ………………………………………………………… 15
16. Setting “Rain Off” (shutdown) ………………………………………… 16
17. Manual operation via the program ………………………………… 16-17
18. Mode X support program for pump, lighting and fountains ……………… 18
19. Valve testing ………………………………………………………… 19
20. OFF mode …………………………………………………………… 20
21. RUN mode …………………………………………………………… 20
22. Low battery warning…………………………………………………… 21
23. Trouble-shooting and repair …………………………………………… 22
24. Warranty ……………………………………………………………… 23
25. Technical assistance…………………………………………………… 24

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1. INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing one of DIG’s GQ-AC 4, 6 or 8 station-controllers. This manual describes
how to get the GQ-AC controller up and running quickly. After reading this manual and having
been familiarized with the basic functionality of the controller, the manual can be used as a
reference for less common tasks in the future. If you have any questions, please call our customer
service line at 1-800-322-9146.
2. ABOUT THE GQ-AC CONTROLLER
The new four, six and eight station GQ-AC controllers are the ultimate user-friendly
controllers for residential and light commercial applications. Easy to install and program, the
GQ-AC provides the user with a wide range of irrigation programs and features that meet
today’s irrigation needs.
The controller illustration shows the front with the programming buttons, dials and the
terminals.
1. Dial selector: used to select the desired programming mode includes clock setting mode
2. Switch button: move throughout the various display options to be used
3. Data increment button decreased: lowers the value of the selected parameter
(example, hours selected are changed from 06:00 to 05:00)
4. Data increment button increased: raises the value of the selected parameter
(example, hours selected are changed from 06:00 to 07:00)
5. Arrow button: used to select the parameter to be changed (hour, minute, etc.)
only a blinking parameter can be changed
6. Program button: moves between programs A, B, C and X in repeating order
7. GQ-AC terminal: use to connect the transformer
8. Terminal: to connect the valve stations and rain sensor

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3. MOUNTING THE CONTROLLER
Before installing the controller, make sure you have a Phillips screwdriver, one 9-volt battery
18-gauge color-code, multi-strand, direct burial wire and WATERPROOF SPLICE CONNECTOR.
1. Select an indoor location near a 120 VAC outlet. The location should be protected from
moisture and sunlight.
2. Place the controller slightly below eye level, see example of mounting sketch. Mount the
controller to the wall with #6 or #8 screws (not included).
Note: If installing on drywall, install screw anchors (not included). (see figure 1 – 2)
3. Slide the controller down into position on the screw, then insert two screws on the bottom
corners. (see figure 3)
Note: If the controller is installed outdoors, use a water-resistant cabinet.
DO NOT PLUG THE TRANSFORMER INTO POWER SOURCE UNTIL THE CONTROLLER IS
MOUNTED AND ALL VALVES HAVE BEEN CONNECTED.
3 1/8” 3 1/8”
4 1/2”

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4. CONNECTING THE VALVE WIRES TO THE CONTROLLER
1. Select and use suitable 16, 18 or
20-gauge direct burial, strand gauge
sprinkler wire between the valve
location and the controller. 18-gauge
direct burial, strand multi-color coded
wire is recommended.
2. Each valve connects to the controller
using two wires, hot wire (color-code)
and common wire (white). The common
wire (white) is shared with all valves.
At the valve, connect the common wire
to either solenoid wire of all valves using waterproof wire splice connectors. Connect
each color code wire to the remaining wire of each valve using waterproof wire splice
connections. (see figure 1)
3. Remove the cover from controller to access the terminal strip area. (see figure 1)
4. Connect the valves common wire to one of the four (4) “COM” common terminals
available. Connect each valve color-code wire to the appropriate station # on the controller
terminal. (see figure 1)
NOTE: Make sure the wires connections to the terminals are tight and firm.
WARNING: Do not connect more then one valve wire to each terminal.
5. CONNECTING A MASTER VALVE OR PUMP START RELAY
24 VAC master valves can be attached at the inlet to the irrigation system. The master valve
will automatically open with the first valves and will close automatically when the last valve
is closed. The master valve is shown on the controller display by the letter: M and on the
connections panel by the letters VM.
MASTER VALVE
a. If master valve is used, connect the common wire to one of the four (4) “COM”
terminals available and the valve color-coded wire to the VM terminal. (see figure 1)
PUMP
a. If pump is used, mount the controller a minimum of 15 feet away from a pump start
relay and the pump.
b. Connect either wire from the pump start relay to the controller terminal “VM” and
connect other wire to one of the four (4) “COM” common terminals available.
NOTE: To operate a pump, a pump start relay must be used. Do not connect controller
directly to pump start, it can damage the controller. Connecting the controller to a
pump is to be performed by a qualified electrician only.
Figure 1

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6. CONNECTING A RAIN SENSOR
An interrupt type normally open rain sensor can be connected to the controller. The sensor
connects directly to the two controller sensor terminals “SNS”.
1. Connect either wire from the sensor to the two sensor terminals on the controller (see
figure below). Follow sensor manufacturer’s instructions for calibrating the sensor.
2. When the sensor is activated, a sensor icon appears on the display. In that mode it
prevents the valves from being opened.
NOTE: The regular mode on the screen for sensor is NC. Connection to the sensor
terminals is blocked by a piece of metal bridge. In order to install the sensor, the
bridge must be removed from the terminal board. In order to re-block the sensor, the
bridge should be re-installed. Should the bridge be lost, the sensor’s exit can be fused
with the aid of regular electric wire.

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7. CONNECTING THE BACKUP BATTERY
• Remove the cover. (see # 1)
• Pull out the 9-volt battery clip wire found on the right side of the controller.
• Insert the 9-volt alkaline battery into the clip. (see # 2)
• Insert the battery into battery compartment and replace the cover. (see # 3-4)
The dial selector is on OFF and the screen display will show OF:F blinking and an AC icon
if the transformer is not plugged into the wall socket.
NOTE: The battery is intended for irrigation program memory backup only. During
electrical outages the program will not be erased, however, valves will not operate.
The controller can be programmed with the use of the battery.

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8. CONNECTING THE TRANSFORMER WIRE TO THE CONTROLLER
WARNING: Do not plug transformer into power source until the controller is mounted.
After connecting all valve wires and installing the battery, you are ready to connect the
transformer. Use only the supplied transformer, or a transformer with 110 VAC power input,
50 Hertz and 24 VAC output.
1. First, connect the transformer wire to the two terminals marked “24V”. (see figure below)
(Polarity does not matter).
2. Plug the transformer to 110 Volt electrical outlets.
Note: If power is
interrupted to the
controller when
irrigation is on, the
valve will close
automatically
and irrigation will
stop, although
the controller will
continue to operate
per the program.
9. PROGRAMMING
General Information
The GQ-AC controller is ready to program. Lift the cover and remove the plastic sheet that
protecting the LCD display. At this stage the user needs to program the controller.
Before programming the controller:
The GQ-AC controller has three irrigation programs, A, B, and C. In addition, it has an
additional support program, program X that can also be activated. The three programs (A,
B, and C) can be used to operate all the valves. In each program, days of watering can be
selected in which all the valves activated by one of the three programs. Start-time is set
only for the first valve on the system, with the irrigation duration being defined for each valve
separately. The valves are opened in sequence per their number as shown on the display
screen. When the first valve shuts down, the second valve opens up and so on. At any one
time only one valve operates. If the three programs are used (A + B + C) with irrigation times
which overlap, program A will open first and only after it shuts down, program B will open,
then program C opens last. Any of the valves can be operated by any of the three programs,
with differing durations under each program.

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PROGRAMMING CONT.
The controller is programmed with the aid of a 10-mode dial selector and
5 buttons.
Dial selector: used to select the desired programming mode - includes clock
setting mode
Switch button: move throughout the various display options to be used
Data increment button decreased: lowers the value of the selected parameter
(example, hours selected are changed from 06:00 to 05:00)
Data increment button increased: raises the value of the selected parameter
(example, hours selected are changed from 06:00 to 07:00)
Arrow button: used to select the parameter to be changed (hour, minute, etc.)
only a blinking parameter can be changed
Program button: moves between programs A, B, C and X in repeating order

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10. SETTING CURRENT TIME, DAY OF THE WEEK AND DATE
To enable the controller to operate the system at the correct times, the current
time and current day of the week must first be set. Steps below explain how to set
the day and time.
Turn the to TIME/DATE mode .
Press the and the hour digits will flash. Press the or to set the current
hour (note: use of AM and PM designations). Press the , minutes digit flash, set
the current minute using or .
Press the , the year, month date appear with the YEAR blinking. Press the
or and set the year. Press the , the month appears with the MONTH digit
blinking. Press the or and set the month. Repeat the steps to and the date
and day of the week. To repeat or review any step, press button.
11. TIME FORMAT (SWITCHING BETWEEN AM/PM
AND 24 HOUR)
The default time format is AM/PM. There is also a 24-hour time format. After the
date and time have been set press several times until appears. Press ,
hour digit will blink. Press the and simultaneously. The clock reading switches
from AM/PM to a 24-hour time display or vice versa.