Hunter MINI-CLIK User manual

a ID I 8
lr1 most installations, the Mini-Ciikacts as a switch to break the circuif tq the ..
sole11oid valves of the irrigation system when' it has rained. This ailovv:s the 1.
to advance as scheduled. but keeps the v8.1ves from opening the water.flow,
Once the Mini-Ciik has dried sufficiently, the sWitch closes again ~o allow for
normal operation. · · ·
The Mini-Ciik has two blue wiresf:Onnected to a 25· toot extension.
For the Model Mini-Ciik-C:This rain sensa:r unit is the same as the standard
model except for the lack of an alurhinum mounting bracket and th.: e.~dition·of
a-
1
12" threaded cap, which allows tot the easy use-of electrical conduit to·t~Jany ,_
enclose the wires. Unless local code states-Otherwise, p-lumbing grade _PVC prpe ·1
can be vsed as well as electrical grade conduit · ·
FOr ilie -MOdel Mini-Ciik-HV: This rain sensor'unjt ·rs desiQned to 'be us~d
with automatic irrigati.on systems oftwo princip1~-de$igns: 1) sing_l8-_$tati9n
electrical timSr (e.g., lntermatic) thatswitches power to a pump,_.ei_th8cd[~ectly··
or through a relay; or 2) single-statio.:~, electrical timer that switch8-_$'-ptffvvar to -a"
solen'oid valve. 't ' - · ··
MOUNTING
Standard Model:
Using the screws provided, mount the Mini·Ciik on any surface where it will be ·
exposed to unobstructed rainfall, but not in the path of sprinkler spray. The
switch-housing portion must be upright (as pictured), but the swivel-bracket can·
be moved for mounting on any angled surface. Loosen the locknut and screW
before swiveling bracket,
and then re-tighten.
For the Conduit Model
Mini-Ciik-C:
The conduit acts as the
mounting support for the
uriit.Therefore, place
and mount the conduit
to allow for the desired
sensor location as
described in the main
instructions tor the
standard model. Be su,re
to support the conduit :
sufficiently along its
various lengths·.
For the High-VOltage:
Moder·Mini-Ciik-HV_;-.
The mout~ting of tliis-'Urllt
is Prim3.rily·mad.e:Qy· ..
sCfeWing the fittiq·g
~nd · ..
into the threaded hOles of·
covers to· rectangular.
junction bpxes .(for_:
olltddor use) or th.e
· cOvers ofr:Ouhd.junctioh
boxes cOmmOnly uSed for
· outdOOr spotlights. Locate
· .the jUnction box so that
with the Mini-Ciik
attached, unobstructed
rainfall will hit the
'.•,
outermost sensirlg end of . _ .. ,_
the unit. If a lo_hger reach is needed, the.:·carton':' ,flexibl_e coflduit pi8c~ can be
substituted With a slightly longer piece (up_ to 81J·J8r:~gth with no.Sup.p6rt or up to
11" with support). ' · ·
Helpful hints for mounting: . _'; _ ·:-. .. . __ ·.-
A. When looking for a sui_table location such'~f.i·Ori!~e; side .~lf a bUildir'lp Qf-PO,st:
the closer the Mini-Ciik is to the cqntro/ler;. t!Je; s_horter the wire rur.. will.be,
This wHI also minimize the chance for wir8 br~"8ks. · . '
B. The ideal location for mounti.rig_is not alWays the tTiosr practic8-l!cica(ion: In
the case where a compromise·rifust-exist. (such as-low· (o.catibn'on' a-Side wall-
rather than the preferred tJiQh locatio~)! ·note thcd the'Min\~Ciik._.~ll[·s(iiJ:#PTk
as it will always receive some rairifa[(.~-it.just will'not be as are~ratet·in its·
gauging as It could be. , · · ~ -r; · •· · •
'·
Mini-Ciik Rain Sensors '1
Installation Instructions ~
C. As described in the "Operation" sl:!cti•Jn of this manual, "reset rate" refers to
the 8.mourrt of lirNe it takes the·Mini-Ciik to dry out sufficiently for the sprinkler
systein to be al!ow,ed to come back 0.1. The mounting location will affect this
rate and should be taktm into consideration should extreme conditions exist. ·
Fq,r exaniple, mounting the Mini-Ciik on a very sunny, southern end of a
. buildin~.,.ruay cause the Mini-Ciik to dry out sooner than desired. Similarly,
mountii'ig .on the northern end of a building with constant shade may keep the
• I Mini-Clik from drying soor:t enough.
_qnce the'Mini-Ciik is mounted, run the wire.to the controller, and fasten it every
'·few feet with wire clips or stapled for best results. If an extension to the wire
provided is needed, use the following table to determine the minimum wire
godge needed:
pi the eXt~nsion needed is:
use: 25-50
ft.
20AWG
50-100ft. 100ft.
or more
1BAWG 16AWG
WIRING TO YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Important: The Standard Model Mini-Cflik is sold and designed for hook WP to
/~4 Volt irrigation controllers only. For wirhig to 11 OV or 22ov-irrigation controllers,
please consult your distributor or this faCtory. All wiring must conform to-National
. Electrical Code Or applicable local codeS. ' '
For the Model Mini-Ciik-C: WARNING! This unit is designed to be installed in
conjunction with 24VAC circuits only. Do not use with '11 0 or.220VAC circuits.
For the Model Mini-Ciik-HV: WARNING! This unit must be installed by a
qualified electrician in accOrdance with National Electrical Code and applicable
-local codes. The electrical rating of this device is 125-250VAC at '10.1 amps. Do
not let current pasS through this d~vice that exceeds this rating. Do not install
-,directly in tine with any pump.
Wiring to the Hunter SRC ,-~--,-------------,
The Mini-Ciik connects
·directly to, the SRC.This·
8.11ows you to easily override
by usinQ.the RUN
(BYP~ISS SENSOR) position
dial.
2: ·CQhnect one wire to the
RS terminal and other
to the cterminal (See
Figu·re 1 ).
. 3. Connect the valve common
. to the RS terminal.
Wiring to the Hunter ICC
The Mini-Ciik conriects
directly to the ICC. This
allows you to easily override
the sensor by using the
Sensor switch on the front
panel.
1. Remove the jumper from
the
two "SEN" terminals.
2. ROute the wires from the
rain· sensor up through the
sS:me conduit-operiing
used for valve witing.
\3. Connect one wire to the
terminaiiB.beled "SEN"
and the other wire to the
o;~er "SEN" terminal (See
Figu;e 2).
Mini-Ciik
Figure 1
Mini-Ciik
Hunter ICC
Figure 2_;,- ----'------------
-- -----.~·~····---
Hunter Industries Incorporated •1The Irrigation lnnovatbrs _ -r .. -,,.~--, . ... ,
1940 Diamond Street. San MarcoS, Catifornia·9~069. U.S.A.. TEL: [phone]-~240 e FA?;/(1) 7u6~7.44-74'6i .• Internet: wwwJ-tunterlndustrir
P/N 700802
LIT-315 6/00
>' • • - -> ; __ •• :-:;:.::;_:;;;:i~~_,_,:j.,'-'·~·',. ,' v ~i.;. •

Other Controllers
The two most common
situations are shown below.
For non-standard wiring
situations, please consult
your distributor or request
our "Non-standard"
wiring information packet.
A. 24 Volt Solenoid Valves
Only (No booster pump)
(See Figure 3)
With the two wires from
the Mini-Ciik at the
controller, locate the
"common ground" wire of
the solenoid valves_ If it is
connected to the common
terminal
cin the controller,
disconnect it. Attach one
wire of the Mini-Ciik to the
"common" terminal
{usually marked "C") on
the controller. Attach the
other
Wire of the Mini-Ciik
to the common wire
leading to the valves.
Note: The common wire
· to the Valves does not
have to be interrupted
at the controller. The
Mini-Ciik maybe wired
anywhere along the
commOn wire line.
B. 24 Volt Solenoid Valves
with Booster Pump {See
Figure 4)
Locate the common wire
to the solenoid valves and
the common wire leading
to the coil of the relay that
starts the pump. If these
two wires are connected
to the "common"-terminal
· on the controller,
disconnect both of them.
Twist together these two
wires along with one wire
from the Mini-Ciik, and
secure with a wire nut.
Attach the other wire of
the Mini-Ciik to the
"common"terminal on the
' controller. Note: The pump
circuit output
must be 24
Volts in thi$ situation. Do
not
proce~d if 110V
c. Special Instructions for
Mini-Ciik-HV (See Figures
5 and 6)
The two taped and
stripped wires are the
ones to be used when
following these accompa-
nying diagrams. The third
wire should be terminated
with a wire nut (not sup-
plied). All wire connec-
tions with the Mini-Ciik
should be made with wire
nuts and located in a
junction box.
Where the timer is
controlling a pump, the
relay may be inside the
Mflli-Ciik Contr611er
i
~ L_,_,
LL,...--,=-:-----'--'-'-'+1!1: Valves '
Common Wire to
AU Valves
'.f
,Mini-Ciik Rain Sensors
Installation Instructions
tiriier, external or non-existent. If there is no relay in the circuit, one must be
added:The "wiring for an internal
or external relay is the same: the Mini-C!ik
breaks the· circuit to the coil of the relay only. Either wire of the coil may be
broken.
Operation Check to Verify Correct Wiring
Turn on one zone of the irrigation system that is visible while you are in reach
of the Mini-Ciik. Manually depress the spindle at t~e top of the Mini-Ciik until you
hear the swit- ·1 "c:!ick" off. The sprinkler zonr} sho"uld.stop instantaneously. If it
r does _jt.::it, check wiring for correctness. It is hot necessary to "wet" test the Mini-
Cii!<., although it will test the operation fine, if desired.
,,
DJUSiliMENTS .AND OPERATION
I
Figure 3- .!
~=========::; l
The Mini-Ciik can keep the irrigation system from
starting or cof1tinuing after rainf~ll quantities of 1/a'',
1
/4", 1f2", 3/4': 9J1 ":To adjust it to the desired shut-
off quantityi\~~-':the cap on the switch housing
so that the rr~~r~ located in the proper slots (see
Figure 7). Di'd'tiot_ forcibly twist the cap·as this might
break
the pins.
Controller
2 3
Mini-Ciik
'----4>----1,. Solenoid
Va!yes
Une-Q.u~_(to Pump)
Figure 4
Controller
110V
Commoh
WiretoA!I
Valves
110V
L-------• Solenoid
Valves
Figure"t~,
Mini-Ciik-HV
' '
!
I
't L________:____J
The time that it·takes the Mini-C!ik to reset for
norma! sprinkler operation after the rain has
stopped is determined by weather conditions (wind,
-lvent Ring,Vent sunlight, humidity, etc.) These conditions will
determine how fast the hygroscopic discs dry out,
and since the turf is also experiencing the same
conditions, their respective drying rates will rou"ghly parallel each other. So when
t~e turf needs more water, the Mini-Ciik is already reset to allow the sprinkler
system to go at the next scheduled cycle.
There is an adjustment capability on the Mini-Ciik that will slow down the reset
rate. By turning the "vent ring" (see Figun} 7) to completely or partially cover the
ventilation holes, the hygroscopic discs will dry more slowly. This adjustment can
compensate- for an "overly sunny" installa{ion location, or peculiar soil conditions.
Experie~ce will best determine the idea! vent setting.
: .'
..
The Huilter ICC and SRC controllers are :equipped with a built-in bypass that
allows you to override an active sensor. For controllers riot equipped with this
feature, should you desire to bypass the ~be ration of the Mini-Ciik for any reason
{i.e., turn on your system even though thE Mini-CI!k has shut"off" due to rainfall),
there are two simple ways to do this. ThE first is to add our Bypass Switch Box.
This mounts on or next to the controller, and by simply moving the switch, the
Mini~Ciik is bypassed.The second method is to go to the Mini-Ciik and raise the
"cap" a couple of settings higher or completely remove it This takes the pressure
6.ff the switch button, which allows the valve circuit to close again.
Note: Using the "manual"switch on non-Huntercontrollers typically will not
bypass the sensor.
M.AINTEN.ANCE
·There is no required maintenance for the unit. The Mini-Ciik does not have to be
removed or covered for "winterizing" purposes.
Troubleshooting
\;;·/,~=- Follow these simple checks first before assuming the unit is bad and replacing _it.
i System will
not come on at all:
. A. First, check to see that the Mini-Ciik discs are dry and the switch "clicks" on
and off freely by pressing the top of.the spindle.
B. Next, look for breaks in the wire leading to the Mini-Ciik and check all wire
junctions.
C. Finally, if the Mini-Ciik is drY and the wire leading to it is good, check the Mini-
Ctik SWitch by nicking the insulation of the two "outer" wires near the unit to
exf:-cse copper. Turn one sprinkler zone on, and apply a "jumper wire" across
the tw~.. Pxrosed wires. If the sprinkler now comes on, the switch is bad. Wrap
all nicked wirb::: with electrical tape.
System will not shut off even after heavy rainfall:
A. Check wiring for correctness (see "OPeration Check to Verify Correct Wiring").
B. Check sensitivity.setting on Mini-Ciik .- move cap to more sensitive setting.
The Mini~Ciik is -an accurate rain gauge and can be verified by setting up a
· "tube" tyPe rain gauge in the same vicinity and making periodic readings.
Is the!.rainfall actually hitting the Mini-Ciik? Check for obstructions to rainfall
such as overhiinbs, trees or walls.
Manufactured under U.S. Patent No. 3,808,385.
Figure € .
~ .'All Mini·Ciik ~odels are listed by U!!derwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL). Samples of lhese devices have
c----'----:C::~~:C:~t:J.'. ·(\beert evaluated by ULand meet-'l[le_"applit;:able UL standards for safety.
,, ..
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