Gardena MaxControl 1834 User manual

GB
F
GARDENA
®
GB Operating Instructions
Water Computer
F Mode d’emploi
Programmateur d’arrosage
MaxControl
Art. 1834

2
GB
GARDENA Water Computer MaxControl
Translation of the original instructions from German.
Please read these operating instructions carefully and observe the notes given. Use these
instructions to familiarise yourself with the Water Computer and its proper use as well as
the notes on safety.
AFor safety reasons, children and young people under 16 as well as anyone who is not
familiar with these operating instructions should not use the Water Computer. Persons
with reduced physical or mental abilities may use the product only if they are supervised
or instructed by a responsible person. Children must be supervised to ensure that they
do not play with the product. Never operate the product when you are tired, ill or under
the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine.
vPlease keep these operating instructions in a safe place.
1. Where to Use Your GARDENA Water Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3. Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
4. Putting Your Water Computer into Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5. Programming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Water Distributor automatic (optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
7. Putting Your Water Computer out of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
8. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
9. Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Contents

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10. Available Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
11. Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
12. Service / Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
1. Where to Use Your GARDENA Water Computer
The GARDENA Water Computer is intended for private use in
domestic and hobby gardens, exclusively for outdoor use, to
control sprinklers and watering systems. The Water Computer
can be used for automatic watering during holidays.
The GARDENA Water Computer must not be used for
industrial purposes or in conjunction with chemicals,
foodstuffs, easily flammable and explosive materials.
Intended use:
Please note:
2. Safety Instructions
Battery:
To ensure the Water Computer runs safely,
only a 9V alkaline manganese battery
(alkaline) type IEC 6LR61 must be used.
In order to stop the Water Computer from
failing because of a weak battery if you are
away for a long time, the battery must be
replaced when the battery symbol flashes.

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Setting up
The Water Computer may only be set up
vertically with the sleeve nut to the top to
prevent water penetrating into the battery
compartment.
The minimum water output to ensure that
the Water Computer functions correctly is
20
- 30 l/h.
For example, at least 10 to 15 pieces of
2-litre Drip Heads are required to control
the Micro-Drip-System.
At high temperatures (over 60 °C at the
display) the LCD display may extinguish.
This does not affect the program in any
way. When the computer cools down the
LCD display illuminates again.
The max. temperature for the water flow is
40 °C.
vOnly use clear fresh water.
The minimum operating pressure is 0.5 bar,
the maximum operating pressure is 12 bar.
Avoid tensile strain.
vDo not pull the hose connected to the
Water Computer.
If the controller is removed when the valve
is open, the valve remains open until the
controller is fitted again.
3. Function
With the Water Computer, the garden can be watered fully auto-
matically up to 6 times a day at any time of day. Sprinklers, a
sprinkler system or a drip head watering system can be used for
watering.

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The Water Computer carries out watering fully automatically
according to the set programs and can therefore also be used
during holidays. Early in the morning or late in the evening,
evaporation and therefore water consumption is lowest.
The watering programmes are easily entered using the controls.
A watering program comprises the watering duration, cycle and
start time.
Buttons Function
1Man. For switching the water throughput on
On/Off or off manually.
2+-button Changes or moves on the input data.
(If the +-key is held down, the figures
change very quickly.)
3OK Confirms the values set with the +-key.
4Menu Changes to the next program level.
Controls:
Menu
Reset
OK
Reset
OK
+
Man.
On/Off
Man.
On/Off
Start
Man.
On/Off
Man.
On/Off
Menu
Reset
OK
Reset
OK
Time
Error
2nd
3rd Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su
W e
Prog.
% Run Time
Run Time
Prog.
Off
Prog.
Off
S
123456
+
1
2
3
4

6
Displays Display Description
5If the battery indicator begins to flash, the bat-
tery is almost flat and watering programs will no
longer run. Any valves that are still open are
closed again even if the battery is almost flat.
The battery indicator is reset as soon as you
replace the battery with a new one.
6Prog. Program selected (1 to 6).
7z
SSpecial function: Only for controlling the Water
Distributor automatic Art.-No. 1197.
8% Run- Budget function: the watering time of all watering
Time programs can be reduced centrally in intervals of
10% from 100% to 0%.
9Run-Time Watering time (flashes when in input mode).
0Mo
- Su Current weekday or programmed watering days.
AProg. Watering program inactive
Off (Budget function: 0%)
B(Time / Current time / Watering start time 24-hour display
Start time) (display 13 h = 1 pm; e. g. in USA, Canada).
C3rd, 2nd Watering cycles
(3rd every 3rd day / 2nd every 2nd day).
GB
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Start
Prog.
Time
% Run Time
Run Time
Prog.
Off
Prog.
Off
Error
S
123456
2nd
3rd
F
D
E
C B A 0
65 7
9
8

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DError Error message for the special function
if watering programs overlap.
ETime Flashes when in input mode for the current data
(hours, minutes, day of the week).
FStart Flashes when in input mode for watering
start time.
The four display levels
•Level 1: Normal display
•Level 2: Enter the current time and day of the week
•Level 3: Insert watering programs
•Level 4: % Run-Time / Prog. Off
can be selected one after the other by pressing the Menu-key.
You can change display level at any time, even during program-
ming. All the program data which have been confirmed up to
that point with the OK-key are stored.
Display levels
GB

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Insert battery:
4. Putting Your Water Computer into Operation
The Water Computer must only be operated with a 9 V alkali-
manganese (alkaline) battery type IEC 6LR61.
1. Remove controller Gfrom the
housing of the Water Computer.
2. Insert battery in the battery
compartment H. Observe
correct polarity z
P.
The display shows all the
LCD-symbols for 2 seconds
and then moves to the
time / day of week level.
(see 5. Programming).
3. Install controller Gon the
housing again.
G
z
P
H

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Connect Water Computer:
The Water Computer is fitted with a sleeve nut Kfor taps with
(G 1 " ) (33.3 mm) thread. The adaptor supplied Iallows the
Water Computer to be connected to taps with a (G ³⁄₄ " ) thread
(26.5 mm).
1. Insert the filter Jinto the sleeve nut Kand connect the water
computer to the tap.
2. Screw tap connector Lon to the Water Computer.
I
J
K
L

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Example:
Program Starting time Watering time Watering days / Watering cycles
PROG START TIME RUN TIME Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa So 2nd 3rd
1 7: 30 0 : 30 X X X
219 : 00 0 : 20 X X
322 : 30 1 : 10 X X X
44 : 00 0 : 15 X
5– –
6– –
GB
Before you start entering the watering data in the computer
we recommend that you write the data on one of the watering
plans in the appendix to maintain more of an overview.
Compile watering plan:

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Apart from scheduled watering there is also the option of including
how damp the soil is or rainfall into the watering programme.
Note:
If the soil is damp enough, the programme will be stopped, or
a programme will be prevented from starting. Manual operation
is possible at all times.
1. Remove controller Gfrom the housing of the Water Computer
(see 4. Putting Your Water Computer into Operation “Insert
battery”).
2. Place soil moisture sensor in the watered area – or – place
rain sensor (with extension cable if necessary) outside the
watered area.
3. Run the sensor cable Mthrough the opening of the housing.
4. Disconnect the cover Nand insert the sensor cable Mplug
into the sensor connection Oof the water computer.
It can take up to 1 min. until the status of the sensor is shown
on the display.
An adapter cable may be required to connect older sensors,
which can be purchased from GARDENA Service,
GARDENA Adapter cable Art. No. 1189-00.600.45.
Connect soil moisture
or rain sensor (optional):
NOG
F

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GB
Tip:
Enter watering program:
To secure your Water Computer against theft, you can obtain the
GARDENA Anti-theft device Art. No. 1815-00.791.00 from
GARDENA Service.
1. Tightly screw the clamp Pcomplete with the screw Qinto
the circular groove on the rear of the water computer.
2. Use clamp Pe.g. for fixing a chain.
It is no longer possible to remove the screw after it has been
screwed in.
5. Programming
VProgram the Water Computer with the tap turned off.
In this way you can avoid getting wet.
To set the programme, the controller can be removed and
mobile programming can be carried out (see 4. Putting Your
Water Computer into Operation “Insert battery” ).
Fit anti-theft device
(optional):
P
Q

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1. Press Menu-key
(not necessary if the battery has just been inserted).
The hours display and
time
flash.
2. Set the time in hours with the +-key
(example: 9hours) and confirm with the OK-key.
time
and the minutes display flash.
3. Set the time in minutes with the +-key
(example: 30 minutes) and confirm with the OK-key.
time
and the day of the week display flash.
4. Set the day of the week with the +-key
(example: Sa Saturday) and confirm with the OK-key.
The display moves to the message Insert watering programs
and program memory setting 1 flashes.
Set current time
and day of week:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Time
2nd
3rd
GB
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Time
2nd
3rd
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Time
2nd
3rd
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Time
2nd
3rd

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You must reset your Water Computer before selecting the
special function (see 6. Automatic Water Distributor).
vReset: Keep +-key and OK-key pressed simultaneous
for 2 seconds.
Up to 6 watering programs can be inserted – or –
the special function can be selected.
1. Press Menu-key twice
(not necessary if the current time and day of the week
has been entered).
Program memory setting 1 flashes.
2. Only if the Water Distributor automatic is used:
Select special-function z
Swith the +-key and confirm with
the OK-key (continue with step 4).
Program memory setting 1 is selected automatically,
Start Time and the hours section flash on the display.
3. Select program memory setting with the +-key
(example: Prog. 3 program 3) and confirm with the
OK-key.
Start Time and the hours section flash on the display.
Enter watering programs:
1.
2.
3.
Start
Prog.
Time
Run Time
S
123456
Start
Prog.
Time
Run Time
S
123456123456
Start
Prog.
Time
Run Time
S
12 456312 4563

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4. Set the hours for starting the watering time with the +-key
(example: 6hours) and confirm with the OK-key.
Start Time
and the minutes section flash on the display.
5. Set the minutes for starting the watering time with the +-key
(example: 20 minutes) and confirm with the OK-key.
Run Time and the hours for the watering time flash on the
display.
6. Set the hours for the watering time with the +-key
(example: 0hours) and confirm with the OK-key.
Run Time and minutes for the watering time flash on the
display.
7. Set watering time minutes with the +-key
(example: 10 minutes) and confirm with the OK-key.
Watering cycle 3rd flashes on the display.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Run Time
Prog. S
123456
Start
Time
GB
Start
Prog.
Time
Run Time
S
123456
Start
Prog.
Time
Run Time
S
123456
Start
Prog.
Time
Run Time
S
123456

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8. (a) Select watering cycle with the +-key
(example: 2nd ) and confirm with the OK-key
(2nd/3rd: watering every 2nd day / 3rd day).
The display returns to step 3 and the next highest
program memory setting flashes.
– or –
8. (b) Press +-key twice and select respective watering days
with the +-key (example: Mo, Fr Monday and
Friday) and confirm with the OK-key. Press +-key until
the below Su disappears.
The display returns to step 3 and the next highest
program memory setting flashes.
V If you would like to water your garden every day, press
the OK-key to confirm each day one after another.
When the program has been created for program memory setting 6,
the display moves to the message % Run-Time / Prog. Off.
You must select the Run-Time percentage you wish to activate
before the watering programs can run.
9. Press Menu-key 3 times (not necessary if the program has
just been compiled for program memory setting 6).
8 (a)
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Start
Time
Run Time
2nd
3rd
8. (b)
Activate watering programs:
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Start
Time
Run Time
2nd
3rd

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10. Select the percentage (see Budget Function) for the pro-
grammed watering time using the +-key (e.g. 60 % Run-Time)
and then confirm your selection by pressing the OK-key.
The display moves to the normal display.
Programming the Water Computer has now been completed,
i.e. the built-in valve opens / closes entirely automatically and
thus undertakes watering at the programmed times.
Budget-Function (% Run-Time):
The times of all stored watering durations can be reduced centrally
in intervals of 10%, from 100% down to 10%, without having to
change each interval programme. This is ideal if you wish to water
your garden less in the Autumn than in the Summer.
Note: If you change the watering time percentage, your Water
Computer will still display the watering time you originally pro-
grammed for the individual watering programs.
GB
Prog. S
123456
% Run Time
10.
100 % Run-Time = Programmed watering duration
10
- 90 % Run-Time = Percentage watering duration
(% Run Time remain on the display)
0 Prog. Off = Watering program inactive
Prog.
S
123456
% Run Time
Prog. S
123456
Prog.
Off
Prog.
Off
Programmed watering duration
Watering program deactivated

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If a program has already been set on one of the 6 program
memory settings, this can be modified without having to compile
it from the beginning again.
1. Press Menu-key twice.
Program memory setting 1 flashes.
2. Press +-key to move to the next program step
– or –
modify program data with the +-key and confirm
with the OK-key.
The valve can be opened or closed manually at any time.
A program-controlled open valve can also be closed early with-
out changing the program data (start time, watering duration
and watering days).
1. Press man. On/Off-key to open the valve manually
(or to close an open valve).
Run-Time
and the watering time in minutes (set to
30
minutes
in the works) flash for 5 seconds on the display.
2. Whilst the watering time in minutes is flashing, the watering
duration can be modified with the +-key (between 0:00
and 0:59 ) (example: 10 minutes).
The valve is opened.
3. Press man. On/Off-key to close the valve early.
The valve is closed.
Read / modify
watering programs:
Manual operation:
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Time
Run Time
2nd
3rd
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Time
Run Time
2nd
3rd

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The amended manual opening period is stored, i.e. each time
the valve is opened manually in future the modified opening
period is preset. If the manual opening period is amended to
0:00, the valve is closed and also remains closed after the
man. On/Off-key is pressed (child lock).
If the valve has been opened manually and a programmed start
of a watering period overlaps the manual opening period, the
programmed starting time is suppressed.
Example: The valve is opened at 9.00 a.m. manually, the
opening period is 30 minutes. A program with a start time
(Start Time) between 9.00 and 9.30 a.m. will not be under-
taken in this case.
The factory settings are restored.
vPress +-key and OK-key simultaneously for 2 seconds.
All the LCD symbols are displayed for 2 seconds and the
display moves to the normal display.
•All the program data are set to zero.
•The manual watering period is set to 0:30 again.
•The time and day of the week are retained.
If no entry is made during programming for a period of more
than 60 seconds, the normal display reappears.
GB
Reset
Important notes:
Mo Tu Th Fr Sa Su W e
Start
Prog.
Time pm
% Run Time
Run Time
Prog.
Off
Prog.
Off
Error
S
123456
2nd
3rd

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GB
With overlapping programs and identical watering days, the
1st watering starting time has priority and other programs are
not initiated.
The first program is run on Monday, the 2nd program is cancelled.
6. Water Distributor automatic (optional)
Connecting the GARDENA Water Distributor automatic
Art. No. 1197 (or predecessor Art. 1198) allows you to control
up to 6 watering lines with the Water Computer MaxControl.
Each of the 6 watering lines can only be actuated once a day.
This is ideal where there is an insufficient amount of water or
where individual areas of the garden have varying water require-
ments. It allows all watering lines to be operated one after
another.
Using the special function, your Water Computer MaxControl is
able to take into account the special requirements of the Water
Distributor automatic, when programming.
Program Starting time Watering time Watering days / Watering cycles
PROG START TIME RUN TIME Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa So 2nd 3rd
1 4 : 00 0: 40 X X
24 : 30 1 : 00 X
Example:
Function
Programming