Rain Bird ESP-Me Assembly instructions

Rain+Birdt
ESP-Me enhanced modular controller
Advanced User Manual

1 020
MINUTESHOUR
REMAINING
RUN TIME
STATION

II II Contents
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Questions?
In the USA or Canada call Rain Bird Technical Support at
1-800-724-6247
or visit our web site at www.rainbird.com/controllersupport
Symbols
 CAUTION: Symbol is intended to alert the user to
important instructions or conditions that could
seriously aect irrigation eectivity or controller
operation.
 DIAL: Symbol indicates that the user is required to
turn the dial on the controller to the appropriate
position in order to follow subsequent instructions
as described in that section.
 NOTE: Symbol is intended to alert the user to
important operating functionality, installation or
maintenance instructions.
 REPEAT: Symbol indicates that a repetition of
previous steps or may be required in order to
continue or complete the controller programming
process.
 SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE: Symbol indicates
that a Special Feature is available for the dial
position. For more details see the Special Features
section of the Advanced User Manual.
 WARNING: Symbol alerts the user to the presence
of electricity or electromagnetic energy which may
constitute a risk of electric shock, radiation exposure
or other hazard.
Safety Information
 WARNING: Date and time are retained by a lithium
battery which is to be disposed of in accordance
with local regulations.
 WARNING: Use only Rain Bird approved accessory
devices. Unapproved devices may damage controller
and void warranty. For a list of compatible devices
go to: www.rainbird.com/controllersupport
 WARNING: You must use special precautions when
valve wires (also known as station or solenoid
wires) are located adjacent to or share a conduit
with other wires, such as wires used for landscape
lighting, other“low voltage”systems or other“high
voltage”power. Be sure to separate and insulate all
conductors carefully taking care not to damage wire
insulation during installation. An electrical “short”
(contact) between the valve wires and another
source of power can damage the controller and
create a re hazard.
 NOTE: This appliance is not intended for use by
persons (including children) with reduced physical,
sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience
and knowledge, unless they have been given
supervision or instruction concerning use of the
appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they
do not play with the appliance.
Disposal of Electronic Waste
In compliance with European Directive 2002/96/
CE and EURONORM EN50419:2005, this device
must not be thrown away with houshold
garbage. This device must be the object of an
appropriate, selective removal procedure in order to
recuperate it.

III III Contents
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Contents
Questions? .............................................................II
Check Box Contents............................................ IV
Introduction
Welcome to Rain Bird ...........................................1
The ESP-Me Controller .........................................1
Controller Features.......................................................... 1
Station Expansion Modules ........................................ 2
Module Options............................................................2
Controls and Indicators.................................................2
Programming Overview ......................................3
Controller Definitions.....................................................3
Programming Chart ........................................................ 3
Display Legend .....................................................4
Normal Operation
Auto Run ................................................................5
Off ...........................................................................5
Basic Operation
Set Date..................................................................6
Set Time..................................................................6
Program Select......................................................6
Set Watering Start Times......................................7
Set Station Run Times...........................................7
Select Days to Water
Introduction and Overview.................................8
Watering Options..................................................8
By Day (Custom) ...............................................................8
Advanced Cycles ...................................................9
Odd Days..............................................................................9
Even Days............................................................................. 9
Cyclic Days........................................................................ 10
Advanced Options
Seasonal Adjust ................................................. 11
Delay Watering................................................... 12
Rain Sensor......................................................... 12
Manual Watering Operations........................... 13
Manual Station ............................................................... 13
Manual Program ............................................................ 14
Total Run Time Calculator
By Program ......................................................... 15
Test All Stations.................................................. 15
Special Features
Overview............................................................. 16
List of Special Features ............................................... 16
Delay Between Valves ....................................... 16
Set Master Valve By Station.............................. 17
Permanent Days Off .......................................... 18
Bypass Rain Sensor
For Any Station................................................... 18
Additional Features........................................... 18
Installation
Installation Checklist......................................... 19
Gather Installation Tools................................... 19
Mount Controller ............................................... 19
Choose Location............................................................ 19
Remove Front Panel..................................................... 19
Remove Knock-outs..................................................... 20
Mount Controller........................................................... 20
Connect Power ................................................... 21
Indoor Model .................................................................. 21
Outdoor Model .............................................................. 21
Station Expansion Modules ............................. 22
Module Options............................................................. 22
Install Modules ............................................................... 22
Station Numbering....................................................... 23
Module Configuration............................................ 23
Wiring Connections ........................................... 24
Connect Valves............................................................... 24
Connect Master Valve ................................................. 24
Connect Pump Start Relay........................................ 25
Connect Optional Rain Sensor
(Wired or Wireless)........................................................ 26
Set Rain Sensor to Active
(after installing a rain sensor and removing
jumper wire on backplane) ...................................... 26
Complete Installation........................................ 27
Optional Features
Connect Optional Accessory............................ 28
Remote Programming....................................... 28
Troubleshooting
Battery Life ......................................................... 29
Reset Button ....................................................... 29
Error Detection................................................... 29
Programming Errors (blinking LED) ..................... 29
Electrical Errors (non-blinking LED)...................... 29
Clearing Electrical Error Alerts............................ 29
Frequently Asked Questions............................ 30
Electrical Issues (solid LED illuminated) ......... 31

ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
IV Contents
IV
Check Box Contents
a. ESP-Me Controller (outdoor model shown)
b. User Manual
c. Quick Reference Guide/Programming Chart
(inside controller door)
d. Special Features Card(s) depending on model
e. Mounting Hardware (Wire nuts for outdoor unit only)
f. Grounded 120V Power Supply (indoor model only)
g. Door Keys (outdoor model only)


ESP-Me enhanced modular controller
Rapid Start Manual

English..............................1
Español...........................21
Français..........................41
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
25.5VAC
120V
ESP-Me enhanced modular controller
User Manual

1Introduction
1ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Introduction
Welcome to Rain Bird
Thank you for choosing the ESP-Me Modular Controller
from Rain Bird.
For more than 70 years, the world’s top irrigation
contractors have chosen Rain Bird for the highest quality
products and services available worldwide.
The ESP-Me Controller
Your new Rain Bird controller is designed to provide
many years of advanced irrigation control.
The indoor model comes with a wall plug-in transformer
that can only be used for indoor mounting, while the
outdoor model comes with an internal transformer and
lead wires for direct wiring to your power source. The
outdoor model can be used either outdoor or indoor.
Controller Features
The ESP-Me Controller has a variety of advanced water
management features, including:
 The base unit comes standard with 4 stations and is
expandable up to 22 stations with 3 or 6 station modules.
 The controller supports a master valve or pump start
relay and a rain sensor.

FRI 830
AM
 4 available programs (A,B,C,D) can be set to water on
selected days of the week, odd or even calendar days, or
custom intervals (cyclic) to provide exibility and control
of irrigation schedules.
 NOTE: Only one program can run at a time.
 6 start times for each program allow you to run the same
program several times a day.
 Automatic alarm alerts indicate when problems such as
shorted stations or if incomplete programming exists.
 Seasonal Adjust quickly increases or decreases watering
duration based on seasonal weather conditions. Setting
can be applied to a specic program or to ALL programs.
Range is from 200% down to 5%.
 Delay Watering (Rain Delay) can prevent irrigation for up
to 14 days. After the period expires, it resumes scheduled
programming.
 Manual Water Station or Program allows immediate
watering of an individual station or an entire program.
 Test All Stations veries proper operation of all the valves
in the system.
 Total Run Time Calculator By Program allows you to
know what the watering duration will be by program
for one start time. Add up all program total run times to
determine duration of the entire watering cycle.
 Sensor Bypass by Station allows you to set any station to
ignore the rain sensor.
 Hot swappable modules means you don’t have to
disconnect the power source to install or remove a
module.
The following do not require a
9V battery to maintain:
 Date and Time are maintained up to 10 years by an
internal Lithium battery.
 Programs and Settings are permanently stored in
controllers non-volatile memory.

2Introduction
2ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
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FRI 830
AM
Station Expansion Modules
Additional Station Modules can increase the number of
available stations up to 22.
The ESP-Me Controller comes standard with a base module
that supports four stations. If more stations are required, up
to three additional Station Modules (not included) can be
installed.
 NOTE: 6-Station module is compatible only with the
ESP-Me. They are not backwards compatible with the
previous vintage controller.
Module Options
3-STATION
(ESPSM3)
VT MV COM
 
6-STATION
(ESPSM6)
Expansion Modules
(sold separately)
Base Module
(included)
4-STATION
Programming Dial
Rotate the dial to select
programming functions.
Program Select Button
Select Watering Program
A, B, C, or D.
Alarm Indicator
Illuminates solid or
ashes when an alarm
condition exists.
Back/Next Buttons
Select programming
options.
– / + Buttons
Adjust program settings.
(Press and HOLD - or + to
accelerate adjustments).
Hold to Start
Manual irrigation.
ESP-Me Controller Front Panel
Test All Stations
Manual Watering
Rain Sensor
Applies to all programs
but can be set to bypass
individual stations.
Delay Watering
Up to 14 days.
Seasonal Adjust
Adjust value from 5% up
to 200%
Water Day(s) Options
By Day, Odd, Even or
Cyclic.
Water Start Times
Up to 6 per program
Set Station Run Times
1 minute to 6 hours
Controls and Indicators Key operational features of the ESP-Me Controller:

3Introduction
3ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Programming Overview
Controller Definitions
Program
A program is a custom irrigation schedule that controls
watering days, start times and run times for each station.
Four separate programs are available (A, B, C, and D).
Station
A station corresponds to a valve connected to the
controller and is operated according to irrigation
schedules.
Watering Start Time
A Watering“Start Time”is the time of day that a program
begins to water. Up to six Start Times per day are
available.
Station Run Time
A Station“Run Time”is the length of time (for example,
20 minutes) that a station will water. The run times can
range from 1 minute up to a maximum of 6 hours.
Select Days to Water
There are four dierent watering options:
 By Day (Custom)
This is the default program option and also the most
common. Set watering to occur on specic days of the
week by choosing ON or OFF for that day of the week.
Advanced Options
 Odd Days
Set watering to occur on all ODD calendar days, for
example 1, 3, 5...29
 Even Days
Set watering to occur on all even calendar days, for
example 2, 4, 6...30
 Cyclic Days
Set watering to occur at specic intervals, for example,
every 2 days, or every 3 days, etc.
Seasonal Adjust
Increase or decrease watering duration based on
seasonal weather conditions.
Rain Delay
Allows prevention of irrigation up to 14 days.
Rain Sensor
Allows the bypass of the rain sensor by program or by
station.
Manual Program or Station
Allows user to immediately run a specic program or
station.
Valve Test
VT terminal located on base module to be used to
identify station. This terminal is always“ON”.
Programming Chart
Before you begin programming, fill out the
Programming Chart.
Follow the instructions to create irrigation schedules for
each program.

4Introduction
4ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Display Legend
This manual uses USA domestic icons for illustration purposes. The following table lists the dierences between the domestic
and international display screen symbols. Choose your voltage below to determine the LCD symbols for your controller.
Domestic vs. International Display Symbols
120V & 240V 230V English
OFF O
NEXT
Next Watering Day
MO 1 Monday
TU 2 Tuesday
WE 3 Wednesday
TH 4 Thursday
FR 5 Friday
SA 6 Saturday
SU 7 Sunday
DAY DD Day
MONTH MM Month
YEAR YY Year
HOUR HH Hour
MINUTE MM Minute
1 3 5, , ...
ODD
1 3 5, , ...29
1, 3, 5
Odd Days
2 4 6, , ...
EVEN
2 4 6 30, , ...
2, 4, 6
Even Days
STATION Station
START TIME Start Time
RUN TIME Run Time
REMAINING RUN TIME Remaining Run Time
SEASONAL ADJUST % Seasonal Adjust
DELAY Rain Delay
MANUAL Manual Watering
TEST Test All Stations
DELAY DELAY Delay Between Valves

55Normal Operations
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Normal Operation
Auto Run
Watering occurs automatically
according to programmed irrigation
schedules.
AUTO RUN is the normal operating mode. Return the
dial to AUTO RUN when programming is complete.
1. Turn the dial to AUTO RUN.
In AUTO RUN Mode:
The display shows the day of the week and
current time of the day.
FRI 830AM
 NOTE: There are cases where the display will not
appear as it does on Figure 1. When Rain Delay is
active or the Sensor Bypass is set to “Bypass”mode
for 1 or more stations.
To Manually Start a Program:
2. Press the Program Select button to select a program.
3. Press and HOLD the Hold to Manually Start button to
immediately run the displayed program.
During Watering:
The display shows a blinking sprinkler symbol, the active
Station number and the remaining Run Time for that
station.
4. Press the Advance Station button to cancel
watering for the active Station and advance to the next
Station in the program.
5. To cancel an active program, turn the controller dial to
OFF and leave it there for at least 3 seconds and then
turn the dial back to AUTO RUN.
Off
Cancel all active watering immediately and
stop future automatic irrigation until the
controller dial position returns to Auto Run.
SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
1. Turn the dial to OFF.
off 830AM
Programmed irrigation schedules and current date and
time remain permanently stored in memory while the
controller is OFF or if there is an unexpected loss of power.
 NOTE: Automatic irrigation will NOT occur if the
controller remains in OFF mode.

66Basic Operation
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Basic Operation
Set Date
Set the current calendar Date.
1. Turn the dial to Set Date.
2. Press or to set the DAY,
then press .
3. Press or to set the MONTH,
then press .
4. Press or to set the YEAR.
04JAN12
DAY MONTH YEAR
Set Time
Set the current Time of day.
1. Turn the dial to Set Time.
2. Press or to set the HOUR
(ensure that the AM/PM setting is
correct), then press .
3. Press or to set the MINUTES.
AM
1200
MINUTESHOUR
 NOTE: The time will switch from AM to PM
automatically. (Press and HOLD or to
accelerate adjustments).
To change the time format (12 hour or 24 hour):
4. With MINUTES blinking, press .
1200
MINUTESHOUR
AM
5. Press or to select the desired time format,
then press to return to the time setting.
12-HR
 NOTE: The time format will default to your region
based upon the electrical current that the controller
detects. You can modify by following the steps
above.
ABCD
Program Select
Select a program to create or modify
irrigation schedules.
1. Press the Program Select button to select the desired
program, A, B, C or D.
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
PGM
A
MINUTESHOUR
RUN TIME
120
 NOTE: Make sure the desired program (A, B, C or D)
is shown on the display during programming.

77Basic Operation
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Set Watering Start Times
Set the time of day that a program
begins to water.
Up to six Start Times (1–6) are available for each program.
1. Turn the dial to
Set Watering Start Times.
2. Press or to set the
1st Start Time (ensuring
that the AM/PM setting is
correct), then press .
PGM
A
START TIME
1200AM 1st
 REPEAT as desired to set an additional Start Times
(2nd, 3rd, etc.) for the selected program.
Each station in the selected program will run in sequence
from 1 up to 22. Each program will run in sequence from A
through D.
If you have the same start time included in more than 1
program, they will stack one upon the other. For example,
if program A runs for 40 minutes and Program B is
scheduled to run for 20 minutes, Program B will not start
until program A has nished.
 NOTE: Program A has a preset default start time
of 8:00 AM. NO default start times are set for other
programs.
Set Station Run Times
Set the duration of time that a station waters.
 SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
Run Times can be set from one minute up to six hours.
After 60 minutes the increments of adjustment will
increase to 10 minute increments.
1. Turn the dial to
Set Station Run Times.
2. Press or to set the
desired Run Time for the
selected Station,
then press .
1 010
PGM
A
MINUTESHOUR
RUN TIME
STATION
 REPEAT to set the Run Time for each remaining
Station in the selected program.
 NOTE: Program A has default Run Times of 10
minutes for stations 1 through 4.

88Select Days To Water
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Select Days to Water
Introduction and Overview
A program can be scheduled to run on certain days of the
week, specic dates on the calendar, or at regular intervals
such as every third day.
There are four different watering options:
By Day (Custom/Default)
This is the default program option and also the most
common. Set watering to occur on specic days of the
week by choosing ON or OFF for that day of the week.
1, 3, 5...29 Odd Days
Set watering to occur on all ODD calendar days, for
example 1, 3, 5...29
2, 4, 6...30 Even Days
Set watering to occur on all even calendar days, for
example 2, 4, 6...30
Cyclic Days
Set watering to occur at specic intervals, for example,
every 2 days, or every 3 days, etc.
Watering Options
Select the calendar days or intervals that a program is
allowed to water.
By Day (Custom)
This is the default setting for the controller. Set watering
to occur on specic days of the week by choosing ON or
OFF for that day of the week.
To schedule By Day:
1. Turn the dial to Advanced
Watering Cycles.
2. Press the Program Select button to
select the desired program.
3. Press or to select BY DAY.
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
BY DAY
PGM
A
TU WE TH FR SA SUMO
4. Turn the dial to MON.
5. Press or to set the
selected day as either
OFF or ON (default)
for watering, then turn the
dial to the next day of the
week.
mon on
PGM
A
TU WE TH FR SA SUMO
 REPEAT to select additional days as desired for the
selected program.
 NOTE: In the example illustration, Thursday is shown
as o and all other days are on.
5.

99Select Days To Water
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Advanced Cycles
SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
If a user chooses not to set the watering schedule By
Day, the user has 3 additional options.
Option One:
1, 3, 5...29 Odd Days
Set watering to occur on all ODD calendar days, for
example 1, 3, 5...29
 NOTE: Watering doesn’t occur when the last day of
the month is an odd day, say February 29th or the
31st of any month.
To schedule Odd Days:
1. Turn the dial to Advanced
Watering Cycles.
2. Press the Program Select button to
select the desired program.
3. Press or to select ODD.
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
ODD
PGM
1 3 5 , , ...
B
 NOTE: ODD is displayed
when the dial is turned
to any day of the week
position.
ODD
PGM
1 3 5 , , ...
B
Option Two:
2, 4, 6...30 Even Days
Set watering to occur on all even calendar days, for
example 2, 4, 6...30
To schedule Even Days:
1. Turn the dial to Advanced
Watering Cycles.
2. Press the Program Select button to
select the desired program.
3. Press or to select EVEN.
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
EVEN
PGM
2 4 6 , , ...
C
 NOTE: EVEN is displayed
when the dial is turned
to any day of the week
position.
EVEN
PGM
2 4 6 , , ...
C

10
10 Select Days To Water
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Option Three:
Cyclic Days
Set watering to occur at specic intervals, such as
every 2 days, or every 3 days, etc.
To schedule Cyclic Days:
1. Turn the dial to Advanced
Watering Cycles.
2. Press the Program Select button to
select the desired program.
3. Press or to select CYCLIC, then
press .
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
CYCLIC
PGM
D
Day Cycle
The DAY CYCLE can be set from 2 to 31 days. For example,
to water every other day, set the day cycle to“2”. To water
every 3rd day, set the day cycle to“3”, etc.
4. Press or to set the desired DAY CYCLE (between
2-31 days), then press .
PGM
DAY CYCLE DAYS REMAINING
TU
2 0
NEXT
D
Days Remaining
The DAYS REMAINING can be set from 0 to 31 days. For
example, if you want to begin watering tomorrow then
set the DAYS REMAINING to“1”.
5. Press or to set the DAYS REMAINING (between 0-31
days) before the next watering day. The NEXT watering
day updates on the display to indicate when watering
will start.
PGM
DAY CYCLE DAYS REMAINING
3 1
NEXT
WE
D
In the example, watering occurs every 3 days. Since days
remaining is set to 1, watering begins on the next calendar
day (shown in the example as Tuesday).
 NOTE: CYCLIC is displayed
when the dial is turned to
any Select Days to Water
position.
CYCLIC
PGM
D

11
11 Advanced Options
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Advanced Options
For Basic Setup, see the Quick Reference Guide located
inside the controller door.
Seasonal Adjust
Increase or decrease watering duration based
on seasonal weather conditions.
SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
Run Times for all stations can be adjusted within a program
by modifying seasonal adjust value.
The default setting will display all programs ABCD, the
adjustment made will be applied to all programs. If you
wish to apply a dierent adjustment % per program, press
the program select button to choose your program and
then increase or decrease the %.
 NOTE: The Seasonal Adjust value ranges from 5% to
200%. For example, a 150% adjustment means a Run
Time of 10 minutes will become 15 minutes.
 NOTE: Seasonal Adjust will display all program icons
on the display. To apply the seasonal adjust to all
programs increase or decrease the percentage to
the desired amount. If you only want to apply the
adjustment to a specic program, press the program
select button and choose the desired program and
then make the adjustment.
Seasonal Adjust
1. Turn the dial to
Seasonal Adjust %.
2. Press or to increase or
decrease the Seasonal Adjust
percentage setting. (5 - 200%)
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
100 ALL
SEASONAL ADJ
PGM
AB
CD
3. If adjustment will not be applied to all programs, press
the Program Select button to select the desired
program.
 NOTE: Displayed run times are inclusive of any
seasonal adjustment made. Example: Station 1 has
a run time set for 10 minutes. The program Seasonal
Adjusted value is now set to 150%. The new actual
run time is 10 minutes x 150 % = 15 minutes.
1 015
SEASONAL ADJ
PGM
A
HOUR
RUN TIME
STATION MINUTES
 NOTE: The Seasonal Adjust symbol will show on the
display in AUTO RUN.
 NOTE: Running a Manual Station or Program will use
the Seasonal Adjusted value.

12
12 Advanced Options
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Delay Watering
Delay watering if irrigation is not
required due to rain, yard repairs,
planned party, or any other reason you
want to delay watering.
Automatic irrigation can be suspended for a period of up to
14 days even if no optional rain sensor is installed. After the
delay expires, automatic irrigation resumes as scheduled.
 NOTE: Delay Watering will not aect any station
that is set to ignore a rain sensor (refer to Bypass
Rain Sensor For Any Station in the Special Features
section).
1. Turn the dial to Delay
Watering.
2. Press or to set the
DAYS REMAINING. The next
watering days remaining
will update on the display to
indicate when watering will
resume.
3
DAYS REMAINING
WE
NEXT
In the example above, irrigation will be delayed for 3 days.
Normally scheduled watering will resume on Wednesday.
 NOTE: Delay Watering settings will show on the
display in AUTO RUN.
Rain Sensor
Set the controller to obey or ignore a rain
sensor.
 SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
If an optional rain sensor is installed, automatic irrigation
will suspend if the sensor detects rainfall. When Rain Sensor
is set to BYPASS all programs will ignore the rain sensor.
The sensor bypass setting applies to all programs and is
not program specic. However, you can set any station to
Bypass (Ignore) the sensor. Those stations set to ignore
will not be aected by the rain sensor. This is common
for areas that require watering regardless of rain fall. An
example is plant material located under a covered area. For
more details, see Bypass Rain Sensor For Any Station in the
Special Features section.
 NOTE: The ESP-Me Controller is not compatible with
a Normally Open rain sensor. It is designed for use
with a Normally Closed rain sensor.
1. Turn the dial to Rain Sensor.
2. Press or to select
ACTIVE or BYPASS.
BYPASS
 NOTE: The SENSOR BYPASS symbol will show on the
display in AUTO RUN when BYPASS is selected.

13
13 Advanced Options
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Manual Watering Operations
Start watering immediately for any station or program.
 NOTE: All manual watering operations include the
Seasonal Adjust value.
For manual watering, either by station or by program, two
options exist to start watering:
1. After setting the desired watering time, press and HOLD
the Hold to Manually Start button to begin watering
immediately.
OR
2. After setting the desired watering time, turn the dial to
the AUTO RUN position to begin watering immediately.
Manual Station
Start watering immediately for any station.
Automatic irrigation events will be queued when manual
watering is in progress.
 NOTE: All manual watering operations include the
Seasonal Adjust value.
1. Turn the dial to Manual
Station.
2. Press or to select the
desired Station.
3. Press or to set the time
REMAINING.
4. Press and HOLD the Hold to Manually Start button
to begin watering, or you may return the dial position
to the Auto Run position and irrigation will begin
immediately.
5. Irrigation will begin and “STARTED”will appear on the
display.
STARTED
STATIONMANUAL
During Manual Watering:
In AUTO RUN mode, the display shows a blinking sprinkler
symbol, the active Station Number and the remaining Run
Time.
1 020
MINUTESHOUR
REMAINING
RUN TIME
STATIONMANUAL
6. To cancel manual watering, turn the
controller dial to OFF for three seconds
and then back to AUTO RUN.

14
14 Advanced Options
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Manual Program
Start watering immediately for any program.
Automatic irrigation events for the same program will not
run when manual program run is in progress.
 NOTE: All manual watering operations include the
Seasonal Adjust value.
1. Turn the dial to
Manual Program.
2. Press the Program Select
button to select the desired
program; the total run time
for the program is displayed.
3. Press and HOLD the Hold to Manually Start button to
begin watering.
 REPEAT as desired to queue additional programs to
run manually.
 NOTE: A maximum of 38 stations can be queued
across all four programs.
4. Irrigation will begin and “STARTED”will appear on the
display.
STARTED
STATIONMANUAL
 NOTE: You can also run a manual program with
the dial position set to Auto Run by pressing the
Program Select button to select a program and
then pressing the Hold to Manually Start button.
Refer to Auto Run in the Normal Operation section
for details.
During Manual Watering:
In AUTO RUN mode, the display shows a blinking sprinkler
symbol, the active Station number and the remaining Run
Time.
5. Press the Advance Station button to advance to the
next station if desired.
6. To cancel manual watering, turn the
controller dial to OFF for three seconds
and then back to AUTO RUN.

15
15 Advanced Options
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Total Run Time Calculator
By Program
View the Total Run Time for an entire program.
The controller can determine the Total Run Time of a
program by adding up all the Run Times for each station in
that program.
To Determine Total Run Time By Program:
1. Turn the dial to
Manual Program.
2. The Total Run Time for
PGM A is displayed.
PROGRAM
SELECT
ABCD
MANUAL
PGM
A
MINUTESHOUR
RUN TIME
120
3. Press the Program Select button to view the Total Run
Time for the next program.
 REPEAT Step 3 to view Total Run Times for remaining
programs.
 NOTE: The run time displayed for each program is
the seasonally adjusted run time and only includes
one start time.
Test All Stations
Verify operation of valves in the system.
SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
Start a sequential test of every station that has a
programmed Run Time.
 NOTE: Any station that has a programmed Run Time
of 0 minutes will not be tested.
1. Turn the dial to Test All Stations.
2. Press or to set the desired Run Time.
MINUTES
TEST 02
3. Press and HOLD the Hold to Manually
Start button to begin watering.
4. Turn the dial to AUTO RUN after the display
shows TESTING.
During Testing:
In AUTO RUN mode, the display shows a blinking sprinkler
symbol, the active Station number and the remaining Run
Time.
5. Press the Advance Station button to advance to the
next station if desired.
6. To cancel the test, turn the controller dial
to OFF for three seconds and then back
to AUTO RUN.

16
16 Special Features
ESP-Me Advanced User Manual
Special Features
Overview
The ESP-Me controller has some additional, or “Special
Features” that offer enhanced irrigation control.
List of Special Features
Feature Dial Position
 Delay Between Valves OFF
 Set Master Valve By
Station
Set Station Run Times
 Permanent Days O “Day”position (Mon, Tue, etc.)
 Bypass Rain Sensor For
Any Station
Rain Sensor
 Reset to Factory Defaults Seasonal Adjust
 Save Programs Test All Stations
 Restore Saved Programs Advanced Cycles
Dial positions that are used to access an additional Special
Feature are indicated throughout this manual with a note
as shown below:
 SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
Special Features are accessed by pressing and HOLDING
both and at the same time for at least 3 seconds, as
shown in the illustration below.

1
STATION
Delay Between Valves
Set a delay between stations for all programs.
 SPECIAL FEATURE AVAILABLE
After a station has completed watering, the start of the
next station can be delayed for a set period of time ranging
from 2 seconds to 9 hours (the default value is 0 seconds).
This ensures that a valve has completely closed before the
next one opens.
 NOTE: Some valves may take a long time to
mechanically close. Opening a valve before another
valve has completely closed could cause a loss in
hydraulic pressure in the system. The Master Valve
(MV) output obeys the inter-station delay as well.
1. Turn the dial to OFF.
2. Press and HOLD both and until the
Station Delay screen appears.
DELAY
STATION
3. Press or to set the desired delay time.
5 MIN