Hunter Solar Sync User manual

Solar Sync®
OWNER'S MANUAL
Solar Sync Sensor
Wired and Wireless Solar Sync Models
Evapotranspiration Sensor
for Compatible Hunter Controllers

2
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
12 Setup and Programming
12 Programming the Controller
12 Making Adjustments
14 Calibration and Setup Period
15 Station Run Times
16 Troubleshooting Guide
18 Notices
18 FCC Notice
19 Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
(ISED) Compliance Notice
19 CE
3 Introduction
3Controller Compatibility
3Key Benets
4 System Overview and Operation
5 System Installation
5Choosing the Sensor Location
6Wireless Solar Sync Sensor Components
6Wireless Solar Sync Receiver Components
7Wired Solar Sync Components
7Installing the Sensor
8Installing the Receiver
8Maintaining the Sensor
9 System and Controller Wiring
9Wiring the Sensor/Receiver to Hunter Controllers
10 Manual Pairing the Wireless Receiver/Sensor
10 Initialize Communication Manually Between Wireless
Receiver and Sensor
11 Validate Receiver/Sensor Communication or Readdress

3
The Solar Sync is a sensor system that, when connected to
a compatible Hunter controller, will automatically adjust
your controller watering schedule based upon changes in
local climate conditions.
Controller Compatibility
The Solar Sync is designed for use with the following
Hunter controllers:
• X-Core®
• Pro-C®
• ICC2
• I-Core®
• ACC
• ACC2
Introduction
Key Benets
1. Wireless Operation: Up to 800' (243 m) line-of-sight.
No wires are required between the rain sensor and
controller (wireless model).
2. EPA WaterSense Approved: Add a Solar Sync sensor
to your Hunter controller to enable smart control using
local weather readings that tailor watering schedules to
actual on-site conditions.
3. Optional Quick Response®: Innovative technology that
turns o the irrigation system immediately rather than
aer detecting a xed amount of rain. No calibration is
required.
4. Freeze Sensor: Designed to keep the irrigation system
from operating when temperatures drop to 37°F (3°C) or
below. When temperatures rise above this temperature,
the sensor will enable automatic watering.
5. Maintenance-Free Design: Provides trouble-free
operation for at least 5 years. There are no batteries
to replace.
EPA WaterSense Approved
Recognized as a responsible water-saving tool
by the U.S. Environmental protection Agency

4
The Solar Sync system is easily installed on any compatible
Hunter irrigation controller (see controller Owner’s Manual
or application guide to verify compatibility). The system
consists of a sensor and receiver. The receiver is only
necessary when accompanied by a wireless sensor. The
sensor must be placed in an area where it can receive full
sun and rain exposure. The receiver is installed next to or
attached to your Hunter controller. The Solar Sync sensor
measures solar radiation and temperature and calculates
the daily evapotranspiration (ET) factor for irrigation. This
represents the amount of water lost by the plants due to
local climatic conditions, which needs to be replaced by
irrigation.
System Overview and Operation
Enter a midsummer watering program in your controller
per the programming instructions in the Owner’s Manual
provided with your controller. The Solar Sync receives
data from the sensor and applies it daily to the controller’s
water schedule by adjusting the controller’s programmed
irrigation run times through the Seasonal Adjustment
feature in the controller.
Wired Solar Sync Wireless Solar Sync
Solar Sync receiver

5
Choosing the Sensor Location
Using the screws provided, mount the Solar Sync sensor on
any surface where it will be exposed to unobstructed sun
and rainfall, but not in the path of sprinkler spray.
The sensor gutter mount can also be used as an optional
mounting method. The gutter mount allows the sensor to
be mounted directly to the edge of a gutter.
Place the Solar Sync sensor where it can
receive full exposure to the sun.
System Installation
PMAM
Note

6
LED light
Vent ring
Vents
Quick Response
System Installation
Wireless Solar Sync Receiver Components
The Solar Sync receiver is designed to be mounted on
the wall next to the controller, or mounted in an available
knockout on the side of the controller.
Wireless Solar Sync Sensor Components
The Wireless Solar Sync includes a downward-facing
antenna that communicates with the receiver.
Wireless antenna

7
System Installation
Wired Solar Sync Components
Solar radiation sensor
Vent ring
Vents
Quick Response
A
C
B
Installing the Sensor
The Solar Sync sensor can be mounted using the wall
bracket, or the gutter mount. To mount the Solar Sync
using the wall bracket (A), use the screws provided to
attach the sensor.
To mount the Solar Sync using the gutter mount (B), tighten
the locking screw over the edge of a rain gutter.
The sensor needs to be oriented upright (C) and the swivel
bracket can be moved for mounting on angled surfaces.
Loosen the locknut and screw to install at the desired angle
and retighten.

8
Maintaining the Sensor
The Solar Sync sensor is designed for outdoor use, but
must be kept clean to function correctly. We recommend
wiping the dome covering the solar radiation sensor every
six months. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasives
on the dome.
Installing the Receiver
The Solar Sync receiver (A) can be installed either on the
wall using the mounting bracket (C) provided, or by using
an available knockout in the controller cabinet. Mount
the receiver to the wall using the screws provided near
your controller.
Mount the receiver on the side of your controller using
the extender (B) provided in any available knockout.
System Installation
AC
B

9
Wiring the Sensor/Receiver to Hunter Controllers
Compatible system: SOLAR-SYNC-SEN
1. Make sure power to the controller is turned o
2. Remove the metal jumper plate (if installed) from the
sensor terminals
3. Connect the black wire to the "SEN" terminal location
(it does not matter which "SEN" terminal is used)
4. Connect the green wire to the other "SEN" terminal
location
• I-Core controllers: Connect the black and green
wires to the "S1" terminals only. Turn the dial to the
"Advanced Features" position to complete setup.
• ACC controllers: Connect the black and green wires
to the corresponding black and green "ET" terminals.
Use features at the "Set Sensor Operation" dial position
on ACC to complete setup.
• ACC2 controllers: Connect the black and green wires
to the corresponding black and green "Solar Sync"
terminals. Use "Devices and Sensor Response"
operations on ACC2 to complete setup.
System and Controller Wiring
Additional setup steps required for I-Core, ACC,
and ACC2 controllers.
Note
https://hunter.help/solarsyncsuport
https://hunter.help/acc2support
SCAN
for help
Pro-C
I-Core ACC2
Solar Sync Solar Sync
Solar Sync Solar Sync
X-Core ICC2
ACC

10
System and Controller Wiring
Manual Pairing the Wireless Receiver/Sensor
The Wireless Solar Sync receiver and sensor are already
paired with the same frequency for an easy installation.
When installed, the wireless receiver will automatically go
into a "search" mode looking for the signal from its paired
sensor. However, it is a good idea to initialize communication
manually between the wireless receiver and sensor during
installation to verify correct signal transmission.
Initialize Communication Manually Between Wireless
Receiver and Sensor
1. Aer the receiver's green and black wires are connected
(see "Wiring the Sensor/Receiver to Hunter Controllers"
section), restore power to the controller.
The red LED in the center of the wireless receiver will
turn on and stay solid for 10 seconds, indicating that it
is searching for a signal from a wireless sensor.
2. While the red LED is solid and the wireless receiver is in
search mode, press and hold the spindle on the wireless
sensor. The LED in the wireless receiver will blink four
times and then turn o, indicating that the signal from
the wireless sensor has been acknowledged.

11
In the event of a power outage (or any other
reason when the receiver loses radio contact
with the wireless sensor), the receiver will
automatically go into search mode to
re-establish communication with the sensor
once power is restored. However, when power
is restored the controller will automatically go
into rain shuto mode until communication
with the sensor is re-established, which may
be up to 60 minutes (maximum). Performing
the steps listed above to validate receiver/
sensor communication will remove the
controller from rain shuto mode and restore
the programmed irrigation schedule.
Note
Validate Receiver/Sensor Communication
or Readdress
• Press and hold the spindle on the wireless sensor.
• The LED on the wireless receiver will blink two
times, conrming that the receiver is addressed
to the sensor properly.
System and Controller Wiring

12
Setup and Programming
Programming the Controller
Program your Hunter controller as specied in the
Owner’s Manual. When setting station run times, enter
the time that would normally be programmed during the
peak summer watering season. The Solar Sync is designed
to adjust all run times daily based upon on-site weather
conditions. This is done through the Seasonal Adjustment
feature on your controller. We recommend that all
programming be conducted with the controller Seasonal
Adjustment set at 100%.
Making Adjustments
Aer programming the controller to use Solar Sync, we
recommend that you leave it alone for a few days to gather
sun and temperature data. If necessary, there are two ways
to make adjustments:
• If you nd an individual zone is wetter or drier than the
rest of the site, simply increase or decrease the amount
of run time entered in the controller for that station.
• When making adjustments to program run times,
make sure to reset the Seasonal Adjustment valve to
100%. Solar Sync will make the appropriate adjustment
automatically based on measured weather conditions.
• If your landscape is wetter or drier than it should be,
use the controller to increase or decrease run times.
Set station run times for peak summer watering
with Seasonal Adjustment set at 100%.
Note

13
Setup and Programming
Making Adjustments (continued)
Aer Solar Sync has been installed and programmed, we
recommend allowing the system to run for a few days at
the initial setting. Because of the variation in site conditions
(including sensor location, amount of direct sunlight
available to the sensor, reective heat from surrounding
structures, etc.), the initial setting may require adjustment
to achieve the desired performance.
The calibration of the Solar Sync to a particular site can
easily be accomplished by adjusting the Region and/or
Water Adjustment settings. The instructions below outline
this process:
1. Allow system to operate at initial settings for a
minimum of three days.
2. Observe the Seasonal Adjustment on the controller. If
the Seasonal Adjustment amount appears to be lower
or higher than expected for that time of year, the Solar
Sync settings need to be adjusted.
A. Seasonal Adjustment too low: Make sure the
controller dial is in the RUN position. Increase the
value on the Water Adjustment scale (10 is max).
Once the setting is changed, the controller will
immediately be updated with the new Seasonal
Adjustment %. Increase the Water Adjustment
setting until the desired Seasonal Adjustment % is
shown. If you max out the Water Adjustment scale
at 10 and still require more Seasonal Adjustment,
move down to the next lower Region (from Region
4 to 3, for example).
B. Seasonal Adjustment too high: Make sure the
controller dial is in the RUN position. Decrease
the value on the Water Adjustment scale (default
setting is 5). Once the setting is changed, the
controller will immediately be updated with the
new Seasonal Adjustment %. Decrease the Water
Adjustment setting until the desired Seasonal
Adjustment % is shown. If you minimize the Water
Adjustment scale down to 1 and still require a
reduction in Seasonal Adjustment, move up the
next Region (from Region 2 to 3, for example).

14
https://hunter.info/ReferenceMap
https://hunter.info/SeasonalAdjustment
Calibration and Setup Period
The table below will assist you in identifying the region
where you live. There are four basic ET regions, each
with descriptions of the region, along with typical ET and
temperature characteristics. If possible, choose the region
based upon average July ET or peak summer ET.
A B C D
Based upon the ET of your region
using the average July ET or peak
summer ET. This is the preferred
option when selecting your region.
Based upon the temperature for your
region using the average July or the
driest month high temperature (not
the highest temperature for July).
Based upon the general
description of your region.
Region based on
A through C
If the average July* ET is
is 0.17" (4.3 mm) or less per day
If the average temperature for July* is
65°–75°F (18°–24°C)
• U.S. Northern States
• Coastal Regions Region ①
If the average July* ET is
0.18"–0.23" (4.6–5.8 mm) per day
If the average temperature for July* is
75°–85°F (24°–29°C)
• Mountains
• U.S. Northern Inland States Region ②
If the average July* ET is
0.24"–0.29" (6.1–7.4 mm) per day
If the average temperature for July* is
85°–95°F (29°–35°C)
• U.S. Southern States
• Inland and High Deserts Region ③
If the average July* ET is
0.30" (6.7 mm ) or more per day
If the average temperature for July* is
95°–105°F (35°–41°C) • Deserts Region ④
*For Southern Hemisphere locations, use the month of January.

15
Calibration and Setup Period
Station Run Times
It is important to understand that Solar Sync provides a
global Seasonal Adjustment to the controller. This means
that all station run times will be modied by the Seasonal
Adjustment percentage shown. When programming the
controller, the run times should be entered that represent
peak season watering schedules. If the Solar Sync is
adjusting to the appropriate Seasonal Adjustment value but
the run time for a particular station appears to be too long or
short, adjust the station run time in the controller program.
Controller Run Time in Peak Summer
July for Northern Hemisphere
January for Southern Hemisphere
A
Seasonal Adjustment
B
⊖ ⊕

16
Problem Cause Solution
Controller shows
“NO SS” in display
• Wires not properly connected
to controller terminals. Sensor
may not be installed.
Check the connection between sensor/receiver and controller.
Seasonal Adjustment
too low
• Region is too high
• Water Adjustment setting
is too low
• Location of sensor does not
allow for full sun
Make sure the controller dial is in the RUN position. Increase the
value on the Water Adjustment scale (10 is maximum). Once the
setting is changed, the controller will immediately be updated with
the new Seasonal Adjustment %. Increase the Water Adjustment
setting until the desired Seasonal Adjustment % is shown. If you max
out the Water Adjustment scale at 10 and still require more Seasonal
Adjustment, move down to the next lower Region (from Region 4 to 3,
for example).
Seasonal Adjustment
too high
• Region is too low
• Water Adjustment setting
is too high
Make sure the controller dial is in the RUN position. Decrease the
value on the Water Adjustment scale (default setting is 5). Once the
setting is changed, the controller will immediately be updated with
the new Seasonal Adjustment %. Decrease the Water Adjustment
setting until the desired Seasonal Adjustment % is shown. If you
minimize the Water Adjustment scale down to 1 and still require a
reduction in Seasonal Adjustment, move up the next Region (from
Region 2 to 3, for example).
Controller’s Seasonal
Adjustment is reset
to 10% and does not
change
• If using a wireless Solar Sync
model, the communication has
been lost between the sensor
and receiver.
Follow steps to readdress wireless sensor on page 13. Once
communication between wireless sensor and wireless receiver is
re-established, the percentage (%) will increase for normal operation.
Troubleshooting Guide

17
Problem Cause Solution
Rain or Freeze shuto
not activating
• Rain Sensor Bypass Switch on
the Controller is set to "Bypass"
• Remove jumper plate that is
bridging the two SEN terminals
on the controller
Set the Controller Bypass Switch in the “Active” position. Remove
the jumper plate.
Run times for a
particular station are
too short/too long
• Program Run Time
too long/too short
Solar Sync provides a global Seasonal Adjustment to the controller.
If a particular station has run times too long or too short, make the
appropriate adjustment to the program in the controller.
Solar Sync still
adjusting run times
with sensor switch
in bypass.
• Solar Sync’s automated
Seasonal Adjustment cannot
be deactivated by the Bypass
switch. The Bypass switch
only controls the Rain/ Freeze
shuto function of the
Solar Sync
Use controller delay feature. To access the Solar Sync Delay setting:
Step 1: Place the dial in the RUN position. Then press and hold the
+ button. Next, rotate the dial to the Solar Sync position.
Finally, release the + button.
The following screen will be presented: d:00 (where d indicates days
and 00 indicates the number of days to be delayed).
Step 2: Press the + or - buttons to increase/decrease the number
of days the delay should run.
Step 3: Once the desired number of days is displayed, move the
dial back to the RUN position to activate the delay.
NOTE: Number of total days depends on controller model.
Troubleshooting Guide

18
FCC Notice
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. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment o and on, you are
encouraged to try to correct the interference by taking one
or more of the following measures:
• Reorient the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment
and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
dierent from that of which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV
technician for help.
Changes or modications not expressly approved by Hunter
Industries could void the user’s authority to operate this
device. If necessary, consult a representative of Hunter
Industries Inc. or an experienced radio/television technician
for additional suggestions.
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation
is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may
not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, including interference that
may cause undesired operation.”
Notices

19
Notices
Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada (ISED) Compliance Notice
This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/
receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and
Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt RSS(s).
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference.
2. This device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of
the device.
Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie
Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence.
L'exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :
1. L'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et
2. L'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage
radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est
susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.
CE
Hereby, Hunter Industries declares that the radio equipment
type model WSS-SEN (comprised of WSSTR and WSSR) is in
compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU.
The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available
at the following internet address:
http://subsite.hunterindustries.com/compliance
http://hunter.info/compliance

LIT-690-OM-EN C 3/21
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HUNTER INDUSTRIES |Built on Innovation®
1940 Diamond Street, San Marcos, CA 92078 USA
hunterindustries.com
Helping our customers succeed is what drives us. While our passion for innovation and engineering
is built into everything we do, it is our commitment to exceptional support that we hope will keep you
in the Hunter family of customers for years to come.
Gene Smith, President,
Landscape Irrigation and Outdoor Lighting