Lawn Genie L80306P Operating instructions

E!l Lawn Genie.
Multiple Program Electronic
Controller
Installation and Operation Guide
b For Model L80306P
b Please read instructions completely before
attempting to install or operate controller:
m
_____
H Lawn Genie.

This manual explains
how to install your
Lawn Genie sprinkler
controller and program
it for the watering
schedule that’s right
for your garden. The
folllowing sections are
arranged to match the
most efficient instal-
lation sequence.
Refer to them in the
order presented for
best results.
2
Introduction ................................................................ 3
Features ....................................................................... 4
Installation
Installing the controller.................................................. 6
Connecting the valves.. ................................................. 7
Connecting thebattery ’ .................................................. 8
Programming
Setting the current time and day ................................... 9
Setting the run times and daily schedule..................... 10
Setting the start times................................................. 12
Water considerations .................................................. 13
Typical program for lawn & garden.............................. 14
Additional information
Installing a pump-start relay........................................ 15
Special functions.......................................................... 16
Trouble-shooting ......................................................... 19
Warranty .................................................................... 21
Your wateringschedule .............................................. 24
(
Your Lawn Genie sprinkler
controller is the heart of
your automated watering
system. It lets you supply
different parts of your lawn
and garden with precisely
the water they require,
exactly when they require
it. All without any effort on
your part once you’ve pro-
grammed your system.
The Lawn Genie
L80306P
controller gives you four
ways to control how you
distribute water to various
parts of your yard. Here’s
how they work:
Zone control
Lawns, shrubs, flower beds
and other foliage all need
different amounts of water.
You can tailor the water de-
livered to different parts of
your yard by assigning a dif-
ferent day schedule and run
time to one or more sprink-
ler heads controlled by a
single valve. Each valve and
the sprinklers it controls are
called a Zone. The
L80306P
lets you divide your yard
into as many as six Zones.
Programming options
Certain parts of your yard
may need water every
other day. Other parts may
need water twice a week.
Multiple programming lets
you assign each of your
Zones a separate watering
day schedule. You can pro-
gram a combination of spe-
cific days of the week or
day intervals-whichever
best suits your needs. For
example, Zone
1 may water
Mondays only, Zone 3 may
water Tuesdays and
Thursdays only, Zones 4
and 5 may water every
other day, and Zones 2 and
6 may water daily. For
details, see “Setting the
days to water” on page 11.
Start times
You can specify up to four
different times per day for
your system to start water-
ing. Each start time you set
will water in sequence all
Zones programmed for that
day, beginning with the
lowest numbered Zone.
Zones set to water on other
days will start at these
same times on the days for
which they’re programmed.
Watering run time
To deliver the correct
amount of water to the
foliage within each Zone,
you can set each Zone to
shut off after a specified
period of time-from
0 to 12 hours, 59 minutes.
Here’s how the controller connects to your system
Plug-In Controller unit
Automatic Automatic
in-line valve
(some installations)
Sprinkler

Controller display
Shows time of day, day of the week, Zone being watered and watering
run time. Also alerts you to programming errors and short circuits.
Clock key
For preparing clock to accept the current time and day.
CHG Time key
For setting current time of day, as well as start and run times for each Zone.
Start Time key
For setting up to four start times per day.
CHG Day key
For setting current day and watering days for each Zone.
Zone key
For displaying the six Zone settings to allow for programming and
reviewing schedules.
Clear/Rain key
For stopping automatic watering in progress, preventing automatic
watering from starting, or clearing entry errors.
Pause key
For temporarily interrupting a watering cycle in progress.
Manual key
For watering all Zones or a selected Zone manually.
Day/Numbers keys
For setting clock time, watering days and watering run times.
Terminal screws
For connecting transformer, valve wires and optional pump relay to controller.
Battery connector
For installing
9-volt battery for built-in, fail-safe program.
Plug-in transformer
For converting 120-volt household current into safe, low-voltage power.
(250-volt source on 50 Hz units.)
5

Select the location Wire the valves
A. Choose an indoor location near a standard
1 20-volt dual electrical outlet. (250-volt outlet for 50 Hz
international units.)
A
CAUTION: DO NOT place the con troller
where temperatures may exceed
130”
Fahrenheit (55” Centigrade), on a circuit con-
trolled by a switch, or on the same circuit as
a high power user (refrigerator, air conditioner;
garage door opener; etc.). Malfunctions
may result.
Mount the controller
A. Install a No. 8 screw at eye level in the wall, leaving
l/8” of screw head projecting.
B. Slip the keyhole opening on the back of the controller
over the screw head.
C. Open the controller case and install two screws through
the holes in the wiring compartment at the bottom of the
controller.
NOTE: To install the controller on a plaster or
masonry wall, use plastic or lead anchors to
secure screws.
A. Run valve wiring underground wherever possible. For
Wires to individual controller terminals
line runs less than 800 feet long, use 18-gauge, plastic
jacketed thermostat control wire; over 800 feet, use
14-gauge wire. Your dealer can provide this wire in 2,3,
4, 5,6,7 and 8-wire color-coded strands.
B. Connect a single common wire to one of the wires
from each valve. NOTE: It doesn’t matter which of the
two valve wires you use.
C. Solder or join all splices with wire nuts; then seal
with vinyl or waterproof cement to assure a water-
One wire from each valve connects
to a single common wire running to
resistant connection.
controller
IMPORTANT: The power transformer is protect-
ed by an electronic circuit
breaker: Do not connect
a combination of valves requiring an inrush cur-
rent of more than
1 amp at 24 VAC.
Connect the valve wires to controller
A. Run all valve wires up through the insulated hole in
bottom of controller.
B. Connect the wire from valve number
1 to the terminal
screw marked 1on the controller; the wire from valve
number 2, to the terminal 2, and so on. This allows your
controller to selectively water the Zone controlled by
( each valve.
CONTROLLER
NOTE: On the L80306P terminal designations
are marked on the inside of the wiring
compartment
cover.
C. Connect the common wire to the terminal marked
COMM.
Individual wires Single common
connect valves to wire connects al
separate terminals valves to COMM
terminal
D. If using a water pump or master valve, refer to
page 15 for installation details.

Connect the battery
A battery back-up system is built into your Lawn Genie
controller to maintain your programmed watering sched-
ule in memory in case of temporary power failure.
A. Connect a 9-volt alkaline battery (not supplied) to the
battery connector in the wiring compartment of the con-
troller case.
B. Place the battery in the wiring compartment,
C. Replace the wiring compartment cover.
D. Replace the battery at least once a year. More often
if frequent power failures occur.
!
El
CAUTION: DO NOT allow the battery connector to
touch the controller’s terminal strip (directly above
the wiring compartment). Also, do not connect or
disconnect valve wires whileanyZonesare in
operation.
NOTE: Check local codes to ensure that wiring and
installation meet all requirements.
In the controllers display,
; ,? P represents noon, and I ,z R
represents midnight. When the power is first turned on,
the controller always displays
‘it It fi for Sunday, and a
time of ‘-I I:r 0 P (4:00 PM).
Set the current time and day:
Setting the current time is easy. Here’s how you’d
do it if the time were now 10:03 AM.
A. Press
@ The display’s clock digits will flash.
B. Press the numbered keys to enter current time
of day, then
m or @. Be sure to set both hours and
,,:,
minutes (e.g. 10:03 must be entered as l-O-O-3).
C. Press @. ‘it 1-I fi will begin flashing on the display.
r:,,,g
YW
D. Press the day key corresponding to today. The new
day will flash in the display.
E. Press @. The correct time and day are now set, and
the clock is running.
NOTf: Once you’ve pressed @, @ or CHG/DAY, you
must make a controller entry within 30 seconds
or the display will automatically return to its
original setting.
8

How long and how often to water
To accommodate the special watering needs of different
parts of your yard, you can assign each Zone its own sep-
arate watering day schedule. You can set each Zone to
water either on specific days of the week or at
specific intervals between watering days (for example,
every second day).
In addition, your controller gives you a wide range of run
times to provide precisely the right amount of water to
each Zone. Settings may vary from OFF to 12 hours,
59 minutes.
To program a Zone to water on specific days
of the week:
10
A. Press @, ZONE 1 is displayed with a run time
of : I:r ‘E,.
B. Press @$. The run time begins to flash.
C. Press the appropriate numbered keys to set any
watering run time up to 12 hours, 59 minutes.
D. Press
@. All the Zone’s options are displayed, with
‘i, 1-r I7 through
I:, I’l7-flashing.
E. Press the appropriate day keys to set one or more
days you wish to water that Zone every week.
F. Press @. The schedule for Zone 1 is now entered
into the controller’s memory, and ZONE 2 is displayed,
ready for programming.
G. Repeat steps B through
F for each Zone
IMPORTANT- You must set all Zones that are not
connected or that you do not wish to water to OFF:
Do this by pressing
@ until each Zone to be set
appears,then press @ , then Clear/Rain & @
Otherwise controller will automatically shut down
your entire system until properly programmed.
To program a Zone to water at specific day intervals:
A. Press @. ZONE 1 is displayed with a run time of : n 5.
B. Press @. The run time begins to flash.
C. Press the appropriate numbered keys to set any
watering run time up to 12 hours, 59 minutes.
D. PressCHG/Day. All the Zone’s options are displayed, with
‘z, l_i I-! through ‘J Iii-!-flashing.
E. Press the appropriate interval keys in any combination
to set the desired schedule: m, @, @,
4!!!!&~
F. Press @ The schedule for Zone 1 is now entered
into the controllers memory, and ZONE 2 is displayed,
ready for programming.
G. Repeat steps B through
F for each Zone.
NOTE: The day you program an interval schedule
becomes Day 1 of that schedule. For example, if
you press
@ on Monday. that Zone will water
next on Wednesday
IMPORTANT You must set all Zones that are not
connected or you do not wish to water to OFF:
Do this by pressing @ until desired Zone number
appears in the display, then press @ , followed
by @ and @. Otherwise controller will auto-
matically shut down your entire system until
properly programmed.
As each Zone waters, 1; I_: I7 7-l c-if will flash on the
display, accompanied by a minute-by-minute countdown
of watering time remaining. Upon reaching zero, the dis-
play will begin counting down the next Zone to be
watered.
NOTE: The L80306P controller has a preset factory
program which will keep your systern operating in
the event of a power failure, and an inactive battery
This preset program will start a watering cycle every
day beginning at 2:00 AM and will water each Zone
for 5 minutes.
11

You can set your controller to water up to four times a
day. Each start time you set will activate a watering cycle
which will begin at that time in the lowest numbered
Zone and progress sequentially across all other
scheduled Zones.
To water once a day, use START NO.1
only. Add other
start times (up to three) to increase daily watering
frequency.
For example, suppose you schedule Zones
I,2 and 3 to
water every day, and schedule Zones 4.5 and 6 to water
Wednesday and Friday only If you set two start times
of
8:OO AM and 7:00 PM, Zones 1,2 and 3 will begin
watering at those times every day, and Zones 4,5 and 6
will begin watering at those times on Wednesday and
Friday only
To simplify programming, write down your watering
schedule first, using the reference chart on page 24.
Set the start times:
Press @, START NO. 1 is displayed with a time
IJ
- -1-t 1-1 1-t ,-4-t
_‘I_Cl_I n,cc.
Press CHG/Time. The time digits begin to flash.
Press the appropriate numbered keys to set hours,
minutes, and
m or @ for START NO. 1
0. Press @ again. START NO.1 is now entered, and
START NO. 2 is indicated with I:r F F displayed.
E. Repeat steps B, C and D to set additional start times.
IMPORTANT- Program any unused start times to
OFF For each, press @ , followed by @ , @
and @.
Since all Zones on a Program water in sequence, begin-
ning with the lowest numbered Zone, make sure
all Program start times are far enough apart to prevent
watering cycles from overlapping. If overlap occurs, the
controller will automatically delay the next Program start
time to allow completion of the current watering cycle.
A watering cycle that runs past midnight will cancel any
overlapping start times before midnight.
Enter start times in any order. Start times are activated
1 in chronological order, regardless of programming
sequence. For example, START NO.1may actually be
the last watering time of the day.
Watering considerations
If possible, schedule watering cycles in the early morning,
when water pressure is at its highest. This allows
ample time for water to soak in while evaporation and
wind drift are low. Evening watering can leave foliage
damp for too long, leading to mildew under some
circumstances.
Ask your local nursery or garden center for a schedule
suited to the special weather and soil conditions in
your area.
12 13

Al
/II
Here’s an example of how you might use the L80306P to
program a watering schedule for a typical lawn and gar-
den. Please refer to the instructions on the preceding
pages for details on specific keystroke sequences.
To set Zones 1,2and 3 to water on Mondays and
Wednesdays, press:
@ ,@ , m, B
To set Zones 4 and 5 to water every fourth day, press:
To set Zone 6 to OFF, press:
@ , @ , @ , @.
To set all Zones to run for 15 minutes each, press:
@,@,Q.Q.
To set a watering cycle to start at 6:00 AM, press:
To set a second start time at 8:00 PM for watering
twiceaday,press:@,@,m,m,m. -
To connect your controller to a well pump or
master valve:
If your water doesn’t come from the pipes of a standard
public water supply, you may be using an electrically
operated master valve, or a pump to draw directly from
a well, pond, or similar source. In these cases, you’ll need
to make the following wiring connections so your sprink-
ler controller can activate the valve or pump.
A. Bring two wires up through the same hole in the
controller cabinet used for the valve wiring.
B. Connect one wire to the terminal marked PUMP
C. Connect the second wire to the terminal marked COMM.
D. For master valve installations, connect both wires to
a master valve rated at 24 VAC and a current no greater
than 9 VA.
FROM
PUMPSTART
RELAY
E. For pump start relay installations, connect the two
wires to an auxiliary relay with a coil rated at 24 VAC
and a current no greater than 9 VA. Then wire the relay’s
contact to supply voltage to the pump’s contactor. A qual-
ified electrician can make these connections for you. For
best results, use Lawn Genie’s
L3OOOOW Pump Starter to
control a pump up to 2 HP at 240 volts.
NOTE: The controller's pump output will turn
on only when a Zone is watering manually or
au
toma tically
IMPORTANT: The power transformer is protected
by an electronic circuit breaker: Do not connect
a combination of pump relay and valves requiring
an inrush current of more than 1 amp at 24 VAC.
14
15

Clearing Errors
You
can correct a mistake while setting hours, minutes or
watering days, press Clear/Rain to return to the original
setting, then enter in the correct information.
The controller will not accept a run time greater than 12
hours, 59 minutes. Instead, it will respond by flashing
1: 1; E fl:: on the display for 30 seconds. During this time
you must press @ and enter the correct run time, or
the controller will revert to the previous run time settings.
Reviewing your programmed schedule
You can review any start time or Zone data-even while
watering. Cycle through the settings for either function by
repeatedly pressing either
@ or @ If no key is
pressed for 30 seconds, the display returns to the con-
trollers current operating mode.
Manual watering
You can manually water all Zones or a selected Zone at
any time-except when an automatic watering cycle is
already in progress.
To water all Zones (except Zones set to OFF), press @
twice. Each Zone will water in numerical sequence for
its programmed run time.
To water a selected Zone, press MAN once. Then press
@ repeatedly to display the desired Zone. Press @
again to start watering the Zone displayed.
To water a selected Zone for a specific amount of
time, press MAN once. Then
@ repeatedly to
display the desired Zone. Next, press @ and enter
the new run time using the numbered keys. Finally,
press
@ once more to start watering this Zone.
Changing run times in manual mode won’t alter your
original program settings.
Interrupting the watering cycle
You can stop a watering cycle already in progress by
pressing
@ once (PAUSE and RUN TIME messages
will flash). Press @ again to resume watering. If left in
pause mode until midnight, controller will automatically
reset to begin watering at the first programmed start time
of the new day.
Turning off the system/rain shut-off
You can prevent automatic watering from starting by
pressing
@ when no watering is taking place. I; A I fi
will flash on the display. Press @ again to resume
watering.
Pushing
@ when automatic watering is already in
progress will terminate the watering then taking place,
but resume automatic watering at the next start time.
You may still activate manual watering when controller is
in rain mode.
Changing programmed settings
You can enter new program settings for time and day,
start times, and Zones at any time-even while water-
ing is taking place. However if you alter run time or
watering days on a Zone that is currently operating, the
change will not effect the watering then in progress; all
changes take effect with the next watering cycle.
Likewise, changing start time, clock time, or clock day
will not effect watering already in progress.
16 17

Electronic circuit breaker operation
If the controller detects a short circuit, it will automatically
turn off power to the shorted Zone’s automatic valve.
The display will alternately flash I’
I_! ‘i, and E I; I? U R ,
while showing the shorted Zone’s number. The controller
will continue to automatically water all other Zones under
the programmed watering cycles, while the display con-
tinues flashing the Zone number with the short circuit.
To return the controller and display to normal operating
mode after repairing the short, press CLEAR/RAIN.
Battery back-up
In the event of a power failure, a battery back-up system
will maintain your programmed watering schedule in
memory for up to 24 hours. It will not operate the clock
to keep the correct time of day.
Voltage Specifications
Input
120 VAC
60 HERTZ
15 WATTS
output
24 VAC
1 AMP
International Units
250 VAC
50 HERTZ
15 WATTS
Malfunctions aren’t common, but when they
occur, they’re often due to one of these
frequently overlooked causes.
Problem
Possible Cause
18
19
One or more valves
do not water
F I_: 5 and a Zone number
are alternately flashing
on display
Clock won’t keep correct time
and/or controller won ‘t retain
programming
Zones turn on when they’re
NOT programmed
to start
Clock has correct time but
no valves will turn on
One Zone won’t shut off
electrically
All Zones programmed for a
certain day water more than
once that day
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
1
2
3
1
2
1
Faulty solenoid
Poor wire connection/common
Possible break in wire
Valve flow stem screwed down too far
Faulty solenoid
Poor or shorted wire connection
All unconnected Zones are not
programmed to OFF mode.
No battery
Weak or bad battery
Controller on circuit controlled by a switch
Controller on same circuit as high power user
(refrigerator, air conditioner, garage door opener, etc.)
Total combined run times have overlapped
with another start time
Controller is in RAIN mode
The common wire is not connected
Valve flow stem is screwed down too far
Faulty valve
Particles of dirt or debris are stuck in valve
More than one start time is programmed
WARNING: 00 not link two or more
controllers using a common transformer
or common wire.
For additional assistance call our Customer Service Hot-line [phone].

LIMITED WARRANTY
Lawn Genie warrants to the purchaser of its products for
a period of two (2) years from the date of original purchase
that any defective product proved to be caused by faulty
workmanship or faulty materials, when installed per instruc-
tions and used in a normal manner, will be repaired
or replaced at Lawn Genie’s option at no charge, providing
the product is received at the Lawn Genie factory, or autho-
rized factory service center, with all transportation charges
prepaid within two years of the date of original purchase.
This warranty does not apply to damages or malfunctions
resulting from accidents, misuse or neglect. Lawn Genie will
not pay labor or other costs of removal or reinstallation of
any so-called defective products.
NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO) FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
WHERE APPLICABLE, AND MERCHANTABILITY SHALL
EXTEND BEYOND THE PERIOD OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY
DESCRIBED ABOVE. IN NO EVENT SHALL LAWN GENIE
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES TO PROPERTY WHICH MAY ARISE FROM OR
RELATE TO THE PURCHASE OF ANY LAWN GENIE PRODUCT.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long
an implied warranty lasts or the exclusion or limitation of
incidental or consequential damages, so one or both of the
above limitations may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you
may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
To exercise your warranty, send unit, with photocopy
of dated receipt, postage prepaid to*:
9455 Railroad Drive
El Paso, TX 79924
[phone]
[phone]
20

Zone
Watering Days Run Time
location
I
6
Start Times
1-A
!
1-B
I
2-A
I
2-B I
q Hardie Irrigation
--
A James Htrdte Company
21
559001
Rev. 10-92