Rain Bird ESP-LX Plus Series Guide

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum
Installation, Connection and Settings
120 VAC, 60 Hz Models
ESPLX16STE
ESPLX20STE
ESPLX24STE
ESPLX16STM
ESPLX20STM
ESPLX24STM
230 VAC, 50 Hz Models
IESPLX16ST
IESPLX20ST
IESPLX24ST
IESPLX16SM
IESPLX20SM
IESPLX24SM
240 VAC, 50 Hz Models
AESPLX16ST
AESPLX20ST
AESPLX24ST
AESPLX16SM
AESPLX20SM
AESPLX24SM

Before You Begin:
Please refer to your ESP-LX PLUS Installation,
Programming, & Operation guide for answers to questions
regarding installation and connection (valve wires, etc) of
an ESP-LX PLUS Controller.
NOTE: When Setting the Time and Date on
startup of the ESP-LX PLUS SITE Controller,
the ESP-LX PLUS SITE defaults will be MON
12:00 26 MAY 03. Dates earlier than this can
not be set in this controller. ESP-LX PLUS
Controllers (per the manual) default to SUN
12:00 1 JAN 95.
Installation instructions in this addendum assume conver-
sion of an existing ESP-LX PLUS Controller to an ESP-LX
PLUS SITE Controller using the ESP-LX PLUS SITE
Module Kit. If purchase of a new ESP-LX PLUS SITE
Controller was made, instructions specific to the Module
Kit (transformer replacement, etc) may be ignored.
Warnings:
Important: The ESP-LX PLUS SITE Controller is
designed to operate up to 4 valve stations
plus one Master Valve, simultaneously. It is
necessary that only one Rain Bird valve sole-
noid be connected to each valve station in the
controller.
Important: Before installing the Site Satellite
Maxicom Interface Site Board (MISB) cabinet,
make sure that the area around you is free
from dirt and dust and that your hands and
arms are clean. This will avoid contamination
of the controller’s internal parts.
Warning! Don’t let water or other liquids come
in contact with any part inside the controller
cabinet.
Caution: This controller contains a Lithium bat-
tery. Danger of explosion if battery is incorrect-
ly replaced. Replace only with the same or
equivalent type recommended by the manu-
facturer. Dispose of used battery according to
the manufacturer’s instructions

Overview of the Maxicom Interface
Site Board (MISB)
To convert your ESP-LX PLUS stand-alone controller into
an ESP-LX PLUS SITE Satellite controller, you must install
the Maxicom Interface Site Board Cabinet. Once installed,
the MISB allows your ESP-LX PLUS controller to function
as either an ESP-LX PLUS SITE controller in conjunction
with the Maxicom2® Irrigation System, or as a stand-alone
unit.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 3

INSTALLATION
Select Location
Follow these Guidelines to select a location for the
Maxicom Interface Site Board (MISB) Cabinet.
Note: The MISB Cabinet is the same cabinet as
used for the ESP-LX PLUS Controller. Please
refer to your ESP-LX PLUS Installation,
Programming, & Operation guide for detailed
description of the mounting of the cabinet.
The MISB Cabinet requires a data and power cable con-
necting it to the ESP-LX PLUS Controller. This cable
includes 36" (91,4 cm) length designed to be outside the
two cabinets. Allow enough length for vertical passage
through electrical conduit prior to determining horizontal
length available.
It is recommended that you place the MISB cabinet not
more than 15" (38,1 cm) horizontally from the ESP-LX
PLUS controller cabinet. Allow at least 91⁄2" (24,2 cm) of
horizontal clearance between the two cabinets, so the
hinged cabinet door can swing fully open to the left.
Ensure at least 63⁄4" (17,2 cm) of clearance above the cab-
inet door so the hinge pin can be removed to service the
controller.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum4

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 5
ESP-LX Plus
Controller Cabinet MISB Cabinet
Primary Power
Valve
Wires
Phone Cable/
Sensor Wires
MISB Data and Power Cables
Minimum 9 1/2" (24,2 cm)
Maximum 15" (38,1 cm)
Recommended:
6" (15,2 cm)
Minimum:
6 3/4"
(17,2 cm)
Clearance

Cabinet Installation
Mount the MISB Cabinet as described on pages 50 and
51 of the ESP-LX PLUS Installation, Programming, &
Operation guide.
Transformer Replacement
Remove the LX PLUS Door and Face Panel as described
on pages 48 and 49 of the ESP-LX PLUS Installation,
Programming, & Operation guide.
WARNING: To prevent electrical shock, make
sure all supply power is OFF before replacing
the transformer.
Remove the existing power
transformer
You must replace the existing power transformer in the
ESP-LX PLUS controller with the new power transformer
included with the Module Kit. First, you will remove the
existing transformer:
• Disconnect the transformer from the ESP-LX PLUS ter-
minal board.
• With the door and face panel removed, locate the high-
voltage compartment in the lower left corner of the
controller cabinet.
• Remove the screw on the right edge of the compart-
ment cover, then swing the cover open to expose the
transformer’s primary input wires.
• Disconnect the transformer’s primary input wires.
• Locate the nut and washer that secure the existing
transformer.
• Use a hammer and screwdriver to tap on the nut to
loosen it. Once loose, remove the nut and washer from
the power transformer’s nipple. Retain the nut and
washer.
• Push the power transformer’s nipple into the cabinet
until it clears the hole. Lift the power transformer out of
the controller cabinet.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum6

Installing the new transformer
Now you are ready to install the new power transformer.
Place the new power transformer into the same position
as the old transformer and slide the transformer’s nipple
through the hole at the top of the high-voltage compart-
ment.
Thread the washer and the nut on to the new power trans-
former’s nipple. Finger-tighten the nut. Final-tighten the
nut by lightly tapping a screwdriver placed against the
nut.
Connections to the Main Power Source
The three main power input wires for the standard 120-
volt, 60 Hz/ AC transformer are black, white, and green.
The international version 230-volt, 50 Hz wires are brown,
blue, and green and yellow.
To connect the power input wires to the main power
source,
• If you have the standard 120-volt, 60 Hz model, use
wire nuts to connect the black wire to the power source
hot wire, the white wire to the common wire, and the
green wire to the ground wire.
OR
• If you have a 230-volt or 240-volt, 50 Hz model, use
wire nuts to connect the brown wire to the power
source hot wire, and the blue to the power source com-
mon wire. Connect the green and yellow wire to the
ground wire.
• Close the high voltage compartment
Reconnecting the power
Reconnect the controller to the power source.
• Connect the transformer’s three wires (two oranges and
one green) cable to the terminal board
Note: If you have a 240 VAC, 50 Hz model,
your transformer will have only two orange
wires for connection to the terminal board.
There will be no green ground wire.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 7

INSTALLING THE MISB DATA AND
POWER CABLE
The ESP-LX PLUS cabinet has five knockouts for routing
field wires. Three are located on the underside of the cab-
inet and two are located on the back
• The underside of the cabinet has a knockout for a PVC
male adapter sized 3⁄4" (1,9 cm) on the right hand side
of the controller. This is the hole to be used for routing
of the MISB Data and Power Cables from the LX-Plus
Controller. Conduit is recommended between the two
cabinets.
• Run the MISB data (end without the ferrite bead) and
power cables between the two cabinets. There should
be 36” (91.4 cm) of cable available, external to the two
cabinets. Recommended conduit run is 6” (15,2 cm)
vertical under each cabinet. Horizontal distance is
based on cabinet mounting - recommended minimum
distance between cabinets is 91⁄2” (24,1 cm).
In the MISB Cabinet:
• The bottom (center) of the MISB Cabinet has a knock-
out for a PVC male adapter sized 1” (2,5 cm) surround-
ed by a knockout for a 11⁄4” (3,2 cm) adapter. The 1”
(2,5 cm) knockout is what is to be used for routing the
MISB data and power cables into the MISB Cabinet. If
using conduit, you will need a 1⁄2” (1,9 cm) to 1” (2,5
cm) conduit adapter to upsize the conduit to fit the
knockout. Note: the right-hand 3⁄4" (1,9 cm) knockout
will be used for sensor and phone cables.
• Plug the three-wire (black, white, and green) power
cable into the J4 connector on the bottom edge of the
MISB, to the left of the sensor ports. Note: If you have a
240 VAC, 50 Hz controller your power cable will only
have two-wires (black and white).
• Connect the six-wire cable to the J1 connector on the
MISB.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum8

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 9

Grounding Connections
The MISB has built-in electrical surge protection. For the
system to work, the MISB's earth ground terminal (E1)
must be connected to a ground rod that is driven into the
earth.
Important: Use a #10 (6 mm) or #8 (10 mm)
bare wire to connect the controller to the
ground rod or grounding grid.
To connect the ground wire,
1. Feed the ground wire through the large hole at the
bottom of the cabinet.
2. Place the ground wire into the copper earth ground
terminal. Tighten the screw to secure the wire.
In the LX PLUS Controller Cabinet:
• Install the ESP-LX Plus SITE front panel on the LX PLUS
controller. Connect the ribbon cable and two-wire har-
ness from the face panel to the controller’s circuit
board as shown on page 48 of the ESP-LX PLUS
Installation, Programming, & Operation guide.
• Insert the battery into the battery holder on the back of
the faceplate and attach the recharging clip to the
battery.
• Route the six-wire data cable (end with ferrite bead)
through the cable guides on the back of the face panel
to the Remote/Comm connection port.
• Plug the six-wire cable (ferrite bead close to the con-
nector) into the Remote/Comm connector.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum10

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 11
REMOTE
STAND
ALONE CENTRAL CONTROL

MAXICOM INTERFACE SITE
BOARD
Central Controller Connection
There are two ways of connecting the ESP-LX PLUS SITE
to the computer data path: the phone or serial port
(RS232).
•Phone: Connect one side of a RJ-11 telephone cable
into J4 (1a) and the other end to an RJ-11 telephone
jack (or cellular phone interface, if applicable). Set
switch S2 to the “PHONE” position. This is the factory
default setting. Run the telephone cable from the MISB
Cabinet using the knockout for a PVC male adapter
sized 3⁄4" (1,9 cm) on the right hand side of the cabinet.
This same hole will be used to run sensor wires to the
MISB. Conduit is recommended for both phone and
sensor cables/wires.”
•Serial Port (RS-232): Connect the “cable assembly,
modem-site” into the DB-9 Connector and the opposite
end to the modem. Set S2 to “RS-232” position.
Important: Do not set switch S2 in the center
position; it must always be set fully left or right.
If your controller is connected directly to the computer, or
if you are using a short-haul modem (point to point), set
the S1 switch to the DCE position.
If your communication line is connected to one of the non-
hardwire or multi-drop short-haul modem options set the
S1 switch to the DTE position.
Verify that the black, two-pronged W1 jumper is inserted
in the “DSR” position. The W1 jumper in the “CTS” posi-
tion is only necessary for trunk radio communication.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum12

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 13
DTE/DCE
Switch
Phone/ RS232
Switch
J1 Data
Connector
CCU PROM
Chip
Sensor
Ports
Serial
Connector
Ground
Terminal
Phone
Connector
E
W1 Jumper
R
J4 Power
Connector
S

Device Connections
The ESP-LX PLUS SITE has a maximum of 2 sensor
inputs. The ESP-LX PLUS SITE works with any open or
closed switch sensor or pulse-type devices.
Note: The information from this sensor system
feeds back information to the central control
system (Maxicom2®).
Important: The wires you use to connect the
controller to the sensor must be approved for
underground use. See the Rain Bird Catalog
for exact wire specifications.
Important: The sensor wires should be installed
in a conduit other than the one that contains
the wires to the LX PLUS Controller main
power source.
To connect the sensor’s wires to the controller,
•Strip 1⁄2” (1,3 cm) from the end of the sensor wires. Insert
one wire to each of the sensor terminal holes on the
MISB. If the wire does not enter securely into the hole,
press down on the lever as you insert the wire.
• Route the wires through the knockout for a PVC male
adapter sized 3⁄4" (1,9 cm) on the right hand side of the
cabinet. This same hole will be used to run phone
cable to the MISB. Conduit is recommended for both
phone and sensor cables/wires
• Connect the other end of the wires to the sensor’s com-
mon terminals or wires.
• Follow the sensor’s directions for placing and connect-
ing the sensor’s probes and for setting the shutoff level,
if appropriate.
ESP-LX PLUS SITE OPERATION
Central Control / Stand-Alone Switch
On the back of the face plate of the LX Plus SITE con-
troller is a switch labeled “Central Control – Stand-Alone
Switch”. This switch must be placed in the “Central
Control” position for the controller to work as a Site-
Satellite. If left in Stand-Alone, the controller will function
as a Stand Alone ESP-LX PLUS.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum14

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 15
REMOTE
STAND
ALONE CENTRAL CONTROL

Maxicom Communications Status
When the “Central Control – Stand-Alone Switch” switch is
in the “Central Control” position, the LX PLUS Controller
display indicates the status of central control
communications:
Note: “NO COMM” or “LINKED” indications are
only visible if the rotary switch is in the “Auto”
position.
Status Light
The status light on the MISB is an indicator that the
ESP-LX PLUS SITE is functioning correctly. The status
light should always be blinking at one-second intervals.
Refer to the troubleshooting section (Page 3) if the status
light is not lit or is not blinking.
Reset Button
In addition to canceling active schedules at the ESP-LX
PLUS SITE, you can use the reset button to initialize the call
handle of an ESP-LX PLUS SITE when using a direct-con-
nect communication method. Refer to your MAXICOM
guide to operations for further information.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum16
Indication
NO COMM
LINKED
CENTRAL CONTROL
*blink*
CHAN XX
*blink*
STA XX
Meaning
Ready, but not linked up with
the Central Control System
Linked to Maxicom2®, but no
stations running
Linked to Maxicom2® and under
central control. Channel XX,
Station XX running.

ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 17
DTE/DCE
Switch
Phone/ RS232
Switch
CCU PROM
Chip
ESP-SAT
(MIB) Chip
W1 Jumper
Reset Button
Status Light

CHANGING THE CCU’S
PROM CHIP
Important
• Before working with the circuit board, turn off
all power to the Control Unit Board.
• Before working with the circuit board, make
sure you are grounded and are working in a
static-free environment. Static charges can
damage the chips.
•Do not perform any operations on the circuit
board unless advised to do so by an
Authorized Rain Bird Service technician.
• The PROM chip is located in the upper center of the
Control Unit Board. It typically is labeled with a large
white sticker.
• The PROM chip rests inside a plastic cradle. Using the
tabs at either end of PROM chip, gently wiggle the chip
and lift it straight up until it comes free.
• After removing the chip, notice that one end of chip
has one vertical tab, while the other end has two verti-
cal tabs. These tabs fit into corresponding grooves in
the cradle.
• To replace the PROM chip with a new chip, align the
vertical tabs with the grooves in the cradle. The chip
will not fit in the cradle if the chip is turned the wrong
direction.
•Gently press the chip into place.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum18

Controller ESP-LX+ ESP-LX+SITE
Indication
during test
(if Triac
defective)
“FAIL X”
“LDP xxx” then “LDN
xxx” then “LDD xxx”
then “LDM xxx” then
“LDT xxx” then “SCR X”
At the end
of the test
(if Triac
defective)
“CHECK” then
“FAIL X” “CHECK” then “SCR X”
TROUBLESHOOTING
Problem:
The ESP-LX PLUS SITE “locks up” (The STATUS light
doesn’t blink, won’t light up, or stays on all the time).
Solution:
Press the RESET button.
The STATUS light should start blinking, if the STATUS light
still does not begin blinking in one-second intervals, see
your Authorized Rain Bird MAXICOM Distributor.
Problem:
A MAXICOM feature appears to operate correctly at the
computer but will not function when it is sent to the
ESP-LX PLUS SITE.
Solution:
Verify channel assignment on ESP-LX PLUS
SITE matches maximum PC channel assign-
ments.
The ESP-LX PLUS SITE has a maximum number of
6-channel assignments; you should not exceed this limit
on the MAXICOM channel assignment.
ESP-LX Plus Site Satellite Controller Addendum 19
Raster Test of the ESP-LX+SITE
The Raster Test on the ESP-LX+SITE has a different indi-
cation than the ESP-LX+ in the event of a defective Triac:
The “LDP xxx”, etc, messages that are displayed during
the test of the ESP-LX+SITE relate to the internal values
that are being checked to validate the failure. These val-
ues are meant to aid Rain Bird Engineers during technical
troubleshooting. For the ESP-LX+SITE, if you encounter a
“SCR X” message, please contact Rain Bird Technical
Services.

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 reason-
able protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation.
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio fre-
quency 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 the equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the
equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to cor-
rect the interference by the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit differ-
ent from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Rain
Bird Corporation, could void the user’s authority to operate
the equipment.
This product was FCC certified under test conditions that
included the use of shielded I/O cables and connectors
between system components. To be in compliance with FCC
regulations, the user must use shielded cables and connec-
tors and install them properly.
Rain Bird Corporation
Contractor Division
970 West Sierra Madre Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Rain Bird Corporation
Commercial Division
6991 East Southpoint Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Rain Bird International, Inc.
145 North Grand Avenue
Glendora, CA 91741
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
® Registered trademark of Rain Bird Corporation
© 2003 Rain Bird Corporation 12/03 P/N 636051-1
Rain Bird Technical Service
[phone] (U.S. and Canada only)
www.rainbird.com
[email protected]