Rain Bird RSD-BEx Manual

RSD RAIN SENSOR
Installation & Operating Instructions
RSD RAIN SENSOR
Manuel d’Installation et de Fonctionnement
RSD REGENSENSOR
Anleitung für Installation und Bedienung
EL SENSOR DE LLUVIA RSD
Guía de Instalación y Operación
SENSOR DE CHUVA RSD
Guia da Instalação e da Operação
SENSORE PIOGGIA RSD
Guida all’Installazione e Utilizzazione
RSD REGENVOELER
Instructies voor Installatie en Bediening
© 2001 Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp. 04/01.
All rights reserved.
® Registered trademark of Rain Bird Sprinkler Mfg. Corp.P/N 172182A
Rain Bird Sales, Inc.
Contractor Division
970 West Sierra Madre Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Technical Assistance (USA and Canada only):
800-247-3782
Rain Bird Sales, Inc.
Commercial Division
6640 S. Bonney Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85706 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Specification Hotline (USA and Canada only):
800-458-3005
Rain Bird International, Inc.
145 North Grand Avenue
Glendora, CA 91741 USA
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.rainbird.com
RSD-BEx
RSD-CEx

RSD Rain Sensor 1
RSD Rain Sensor
The RSD Rain Sensor automatically monitors rainfall and
shuts off your sprinklers to prevent unnecessary watering.
NOTE:The RSD Rain Sensor is a low-voltage device
compatible with all 2 volt alternating current (VAC)
control circuits and 2 VAC pump start relay circuits. DO
NOT USE with any 110/250 VAC devices or circuits, such
as direct-acting pump start systems or pump start relays.
The RSD Rain Sensor is rated for use with up to three
Rain Bird 2 VAC, 7VA solenoid valves per station, plus
one master valve.
1. Selecting a Location
Select a mounting location where the rain-sensing head will
receive direct rainfall. Make sure the head extends beyond
the roof line, tree limbs, and any other obstructions. Install
the Rain Sensor in an area that receives as much rain and
sunlight as the grass.
Be sure to mount the sensor above spray from sprinklers.
Avoid mounting locations such as those shown in
Illustration1.
2. Operation
Set Rainfall Setting
The rainfall setting determines the amount of rainfall needed
to prevent your irrigation system from watering. You can
adjust the rainfall setting from 1/8" to 3/ " (5mm to 20mm).
The ideal rainfall setting for your location depends on soil
type, humidity, amount of direct sunlight the sensor receives,
and frequency and amount of rainfall. The table below gives
some guidelines to help determine the appropriate rainfall
setting.
NOTE: At the 1/8" or 5mm setting, a very light rainfall
will activate the sensor and suspend watering. The 1/8" or
5mm rainfall setting is not recommended in areas with
high humidity.
To set the rainfall setting, turn the sensor dial cap until the
desired rainfall setting lines up with the arrow on the sensor
body (A), as shown in Illustration2.
Irrigation site conditions Rainfall setting
 Dry climate / low humidity
 Infrequent, light rains
 Sensor receives long periods of
direct sun
 Clay-type soils
1/8" to 1/ "
(5mm to 10 mm)
 Moist climate / high humidity
 Frequent, heavy rains
 Sensor mounted in a mostly shady
area
 Sandy soils
1/2" to 3/ "
(15mm to 20mm)

RSD Rain Sensor2
Set Vent Ring
The vent ring determines drying time  the length of time
the sensor turns off irrigation after a rainfall. For most
installations, set the vent ring to the fully open position.
For some installations, such as sites where water pools after
rainfall, set the vent ring to a partially open position. This will
shut down the irrigation system a little longer after a rain.
To set the vent ring, turn the vent ring knob below the dial
cap to the desired position, as shown in Illustration 3.
3. Mounting
NOTE: Follow the installation instructions carefully and
install the unit only in full compliance with the National
Electrical Code (NEC) or your local electrical code.
Bracket odel
To install the RSD-BEx Rain Sensor bracket model:
1. Select an appropriate mounting location within 25'
(7,6m) of your controller.
2. Drive two mounting screws through the mounting holes
(A) in the main mounting bracket, as shown in
Illustration 4 (A). Use fasteners appropriate for the
mounting surface (wood, tile, masonry, etc.)
Conduit odel
To install the RSD-CEx Rain Sensor conduit model:
1. Thread the Rain Sensors lead wires through an adaptor
fitting appropriate for your installation and screw the
sensor into the adaptor, as shown in Illustration 5.
2. Make sure the Rain Sensor head is level and extends far
enough beyond the roofline to receive unobstructed
rainfall.
3. Run the extension wires through the conduit (if
necessary, follow the procedure for wiring a Normally
Open controller, as described in Section Rain Sensor
Wiring).
. Secure the adapter fitting to the conduit. Then connect
the Rain Sensor to the controller using the appropriate
procedure, as described in Section .
4. Rain Sensor Wiring
All Rain Bird controllers, and most controllers by other
manufacturers, are installed using a Normally Closed
method. Select the appropriate procedure to install the
RSD Rain Sensor to your controller.

RSD Rain Sensor 3
Normally Closed Installation
NOTE: The short lead wire labeled Normally Open is
not used with this installation method.
Controllers With Rain Sensor Terminals
Many modern controllers (such as RainBirds EClass,
ESP-LX+, and ESP-MC) include built-in terminals for rain
sensor lead wires. Dedicated rain sensor terminals are
usually labeled sensor or SN on the controllers terminal
strip.
1. To connect the rain sensor, remove the jumper wire (if
present) from the controllers rain sensor terminals.
2. Connect the lead wires from the rain sensor to the
controllers sensor terminals, as shown in
Illustration 6.
Controllers Without Rain Sensor Terminals
Use the procedure below if your controller does NOT have
dedicated rain sensor terminals.
1. Disconnect the wire from the common terminal (C or
COM) on the controllers terminal strip. Then connect
this wire to either of the Rain Sensors leads.
2. Connect the remaining Rain Sensor lead to the common
(C or COM) terminal on the controllers terminal
strip, as shown in Illustration 7.
Normally Open Installation
Some non-Rain Bird controllers require rain sensors to be
installed Normally Open (N.O.) Use the following
procedure if your controller requires normally open
installation.
1. Cut either of the Rain Sensors colored lead wires and
connect it to the short lead labeled Normally Open.
2. Seal the connection in accordance with the National
Electrical Code (NEC) or your local electrical code.
3. Consult your controller manufacturers manual to
determine the appropriate procedure for connecting the
Rain Sensor to your controller.
5. Testing the System
To make sure the RSD Rain Sensor is properly installed, turn
on any controller irrigation zone and verify that the zone
comes on. Then press the Rain Sensor plunger located in the
top of the dial cap, as shown in Illustration 4 (B).
The irrigation system should stop watering within a few
seconds. If the system does not shut off, check all wiring
connections to make sure the rain sensor system is correctly
installed.

RSD Rain Sensor
For assistance, call Rain Bird Technical Services at
800-247-3782 (USA and Canada only).
. Maintenance
The RSD Rain Sensor operates automatically and usually
requires no regular maintenance.
However, the fibrous disks inside the dial cap sometimes
become contaminated with debris or insects. If this happens,
use the following procedure to clean the Rain Sensor.
1. Turn the dial cap to the 3/ " rainfall setting, as shown in
Illustration 2.
2. Press the tab labeled Press on the side of the sensor
body, as shown in Illustration 8 (A). Then turn the dial
cap about 1¼ turns further to remove the cap from the
sensor body.
3. Remove the plunger and disks from the sensor body, and
wash them in clean water.
. Reinstall the plunger and disks. Then reset the rainfall
setting to the desired position, as shown in
Illustration2.
Declaration of Conformity
Application of Council Directive: 89/336/EEC
Standards To Which
Conformity Is Declared:
Manufacturers Name:
Manufacturers Address:
Equipment Description:
Equipment Class:
Model Name:
EN55022 AS/NZS3548 Class A
EN50082-1:1992
EN61000- -2
EN61000- -3
ENV5020
EN61000- -
EN61000- -6
EN61000- -8
Clemar Manufacturing Inc.
7590 Brittania Court
San Diego, CA 92713 USA
(619) 661- 16
Irrigation Controller
Generic Res, Comm, LI - Class A
Rain Sensor
I the undersigned, hereby declare that the equipment specified ab ve,
c nf rms t the ab ve Directive(s) and Standard(s).
Place:
Tijuana, B.C., México
Signature:
Full Name:
John Rafael Zwick
Position:
General Manager

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