Rain Bird HP Series User manual

INSTALLATION,
PROGRAMMING
&
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
HP
6
HP 8
HP 12
py

CONGRATULATIONS! Your new, Rain Bird, HP Series controller uses highly
precise, state-of-the-art, solid state technology combined with the user friendliness
of mechanical knobs and switches to create a versatile, yet understandable, hybrid
timer for irrigation control.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction and Description of Features... 3-6
Programming and Operating Instructions `... 7-16
Installation
Instructions
`...
17-21
50 HZ Transformer Connection (International Modell... 22
Lightning/Electrical SECH Information... 23
Watering Tips melee e ne E eee hne RR REAL FA ite p ame e 23

INTRODUCTION
The
Rain
Bird,
HP
Series,
hybrid
controllers
have
some
very
important
features
and
extended
flexibility
you
should
be
aware
of
as
you
begin
programming
your
unit.
Details
on
how
to
implement
these
features
will
be
described
in
the
step-by-step
instructions
on
the
following
pages.
HP Series Features
e
“Instant
Info.
LCD”:
This
full
function,
large
character,
liquid
crystal
display
pro-
vides you with the following information:
Time of day with A.M./P.M. notation
Current day of the week
The day-cycle on which the controller is set
The “on” and "oft" days for both programs
A
“W”
indicator
when
a
program
is
in
water
budget
mode
During Programming it also displays:
start times :
water budget levels
While watering it displays:
the operating station and minutes "to go"
If there is a valve short circuit, it displays:
the station number with the problem

Mechanical
Face
Panel
Switches:
As
well
as
making
the
controller
easy
to
understand
and
giving
the
operator
a
"feel"
for
setting
the
programs,
the
mechanical
switches
also
make
the
rest
of
the
programming
visible,
at-a-glance,
by
indicating:
the watering time set on each station
each station's program assignment
which program is being set
whether the unit is in "OFF" or "AUTO"
Dual
Programming:
Essentially,
with
“A”
and
“B”
programs,
this
feature
makes
an
HP
unit
operate
like
two,
separate
controllers
for
maximum
flexibility.
Variable
Day-Cycle:
2,
3,
5,
and
7-day
cycles
provide
the
operator
with
the
options
of
skip-a-day,
every
third
day,
every
fifth
day,
or
any
day
of
the
week
watering.
6,
8,
or
12-station
models:
The
HP
family
provides
units
for
a
wide
range
of
project
and
system
sizes.
Water
Budgeting:
Each
program
can
be
separately
regulated
for
more
or
less
watering
in
10%
increments
from
program
"oft"
to
200%
of
actual
time
set.
With
this
feature
a
1096
cut
back
in
watering
can
be
programmed
with
the
push
of
a
button.

Multiple
Start
Times:
Eight
(8)
start
times
per
program
allow
for
several
short
cycles
per
day
for
propagating
new
lawns
and
plantings
or
for
avoiding
puddling
and
run-off
on
tight,
clay-like
soils.
Trickle
charging
circuit:
The
HP
Series
is
designed
to
keep
the
rechargeable,
9-volt,
NiCad
battery
you
supply,
in
a
fully-charged
condition.
In
the
case
of
a
pro-
longed
power
outage,
the
battery
will
maintain
your
program
and
keep
the
correct
time
and
day
for
up
to
3
weeks.
The
battery,
however,
cannot
operate
the
system.
Default
Programs:
Program
“A”
and
“B”
each
have
a
default
start
time
if
the
power
outage
outlasts
the
battery
back-up.
When
power
resumes,
the
default
start
times
will
take
over
and
because
the
HP
does
not
forget
your
station
run
times
and
station
programs,
watering
will
take
place
once
a
day
until
you
repro-
gram.
Master
Vaive/Pump
Start
Circuit:
A
master
valve
or
24-volt,
AC
pump
start
relay
can
be
operated
by
HP
Series
units.
Diagnostic,
Automatic
Circuit
Breaker:
As
described
above,
the
LCD
will
con-
tinually
display
a
station
that
has
an
electrical
short
circuit.
The
automatic
circuit
breaker
will
bypass
the
problem
station
and
continue
to
water
all
other
operable
stations.
When
you
have
located
and
fixed
the
problem
with
the
field
wires
or
-valve,
the
HP
controller
will
restart
the
station
on
its
next
scheduled
cycle.
The
Rain
Bird
HP,
High
Performance
hybrid
controller
has
many
other
features
that
will
be
described
in
detail
throughout
this
manual.
5

Arrow
Buttons
Station Time Knobs
Instant
Info.
LCD (liquid crystal
display)
A/B Program
Switches
Cycle 1234567
ye A IWIFS Do Wo WES SW
"CD auro
Kee e agms amie e AMES
Program
Programming
Buttons
HIGH PERFORMANCE SERIES
Transformer mae
Nipple (117 VAC)
21 10987652432 1P€
Terminal Strip/
Battery Compartment
Day Cycle
Wall
Mounting
Holes 2
Clip for Terminal
Rechargeable Battery Strip

Before
Programming:
Make
sure
the
controller
is
hooked
up
to
117
Volt
AC
power
and
a
rechargeable,
NiCad
battery
has
been
installed.
HP
SERIES
CONTROLLER
OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
Step
1.
SET
CURRENT
TIME
by
pressing
the
“Hr./Min.”
button
and
then
the
arrow
button
to
set
the
hour.
Then
press
the
"Hr
Min."
button
again
and
then
the
arrow
button
to
set
the
minute
in
the
display.
Step
2.
SET
DAY
CYCLE
with
dip
switches
behind
the
front
panel
access
door.
A.
7-Day
Cycle
=
all
switches
down
(any
day
can
water)
*B.
5-Day
Cycle
=
righthand
switch
only
up
(skip
4
days)
*C.
3-Day
Cycle
=
middle
switch
only
up
(skip
2
days)
*D.
2-Day
Cycle
=
lefthand
switch
only
up
(skip
1
day)
DIP
Switch
Position
Display
Shows
aw (TCI
IL Hu
7 Day Cycle A1) All Down
5
Day
Cycle
AAT
Right
Switch
Up

3 Day Cycle Middle Switch Up
2 Day Cycle Left Switch Up
"NOTE: If you are using one of these fixed, 2, 3, or 5-day cycles, both programs "A"
and “B” will run on the last day of the cycle. A “2”, “3”, or “5” will be continually
displayed to indicate the fixed day cycle that has been selected. Because your cycle
is now fixed, skip step #3 below (Set Water Days) and do step #4 next (Set Start
Times).
Step 3. SETTING WATER DAYS (For 7-Day Mode):
Use the “A/B Program" switch to indicate the program for which water days are
being set. As indicated by the letters to the right of the display, the top row of dashes
represents the seven days for Program “A” and the lower row represents Program
"B". In the 7-day mode, “A” and "B" programs can operate on the same day or dif-
fering days.

3.A SET WATER DAYS, in the 7-day mode only, by tapping the “Today” button to
move the triangle in the display to each day's position (Sunday through Saturday),
and then press "Water Days” to turn that day "on" (dash displayed) or “off” (blank).
If you are setting both programs, move the ‘‘A/B Program” switch to the other pro-
gram and repeat Step #3.A above.
Programming Example, 7-Day Mode
AM ¢ FU
OL "HD
een RON ED GED UE ED A
mm u we B
Today
Cycle 1234567
SMTWTFS
"A" Programmed to Water Every Day, “B”
Programmed to Water Monday, Wednesday, Friday.
Step 4. SET START TIMES for each program by moving the “A/B Program” switch
to the program you want and touching the “Start Times” button.
^ ffe
Program
tn} Ger
Controlls for Setting
Start Times

“A” Program has a default start time of 8:00 a.m. and “B” has a 6:00 p.m. default.
These start times are backup start times that operate if your programming is ever
lost following a prolonged power outage that outlives your battery. You will be chang-
ing these defaults to the start times you wish.
Use the “Hr./Min.” button and the arrow buttons to set the hour and minute for the
start time as desired. Each program has eight (8) start times available. Touch “Start
Times" to access these extra start times and use the ‘‘Hr./Min.”’ and arrow buttons
to set them. By pressing "Start Times" repeatedly, you can display each of the eight
possible start times for the program you are setting. Four dashes in the upper portion
of the display means no start time has been set.
No Start Time, or Start Time Eliminated
Multiple start times are good for scheduling short watering cycles repeated several
times per day for such applications as propagating new lawns or establishing new
plant material.
TO ELIMINATE A START TIME press the ‘‘Start Times" button repeatedly as you
approach the unwanted start time and then press and hold "Start Times” for about 3
seconds at the time you are cancelling until it goes blank in the display.
10

NOTE: With a total of 16 start times possible per day, be careful not to schedule pro-
grams that will overlap. If you have inadvertently scheduled a program to start before
another in operation is finished, the HP controller will cancel what is in progress and
obey the latest start command.
Step 5. SET EACH STATION to the “A” or "B" program with the “A/B” slide switch
under each station knob.
2 2
45 10
30 5915
Du £
Station 5, Set for 2 Minutes
on "A" Program
Step 6. SET STATION RUN TIMES with the knob for each station. Normal timing
range is from 2 minutes to 2 hours per station. Zero is the "station off” position.
Using the Water Budget key to change the timing range will be discussed later.
11

Step 7. SET THE CURRENT DAY with the “Today” button by moving the triangle
in the display to today's position. For the 7-day, weekly cycle, Sunday through Satur-
day are abbreviated below the display.
The
numbers
below
the
display
are
for
the
fixed
day
cycles.
The
controller
will
water
both
programs
on the
last
day
of
a
fixed
day
cycle
(where
the
two
dashes
appear).
You can make today any day number you wish. For example, if you have established
a 3-day cycle, but you want tomorrow to be the first watering day, set the triangle in
the display at day 42. Watering will begin tomorrow, the last day of a 3-day cycle.
Step 8. Set "OFF/AUTO'"' switch to “AUTO” and touch "MONITOR" once or twice
to display current time. Programming is complete.
12
POETS e e
A

OTHER
FUNCTIONS
SYSTEM OFF
Set
the
"OFF/AUTO"'
switch
to
"OFF".
In
the
“OFF”
position,
the
controller
will
continue
through
its
normal,
automatic
pro-
grams,
however,
there
will
be
no
electrical
output
to
the
control
valves
in
the
system.
The
“OFF”
setting
is
good
for
system
shutdown
during
rainy
weather,
for
seasonal
shutdown
when
watering
is
not
necessary
and
for
shutdown
during
system
main-
tenance.
WATER
BUDGETING
The
HP
series
controller
has
separate
Water
Budgeting
for
each
program.
Set
the
“Program”
switch
to
the
desired
program
and
press
"Water
Budg."
“100”
in
display
means
'*1009^
of
actual
time
set."
Use
the
arrow
buttons
to
change
the
percent
of
time
for
all
stations
on
that
program,
in
10%
steps,
anywhere
from
''000"
(program
off)
to
“200”
(200%
of
actual
time
set).
mamma A
B
Today
Program
“A”
Water
Budgeted
to
15096
13

A “W” will be displayed continually to indicate that a program is in the water budget
mode. The operator of the controller can check the water budget level for a program
at any time by simply moving the ‘‘A/B Program” switch to the ‘‘budgeted’’ program
and pressing the “Water Budo." button.
Water Budgeting operates in the automatic and "Manual Cycle” modes only. In the
manual single station mode of operation, described below, the operator will get the
actual time set on the station knob.
MANUAL STATION
To manually start a station, first touch "Monitor!" to display ''00.000"', which means
no other operation is in progress, then press ‘‘Man.Sta.”’.
Then, using the arrow/up button, tap repeatedly to advance toward the desired sta-
tion and then hold the button down for three seconds at that station. When that sta-
tion's run time appears in the display, you have manually started the station and may
release the arrow/up button.
Station 2, 10 Minutes Watering “To Go"
14

The
manuallly-started
station
will
run
for
the
actual
time
set
on
its
knob
and
then
shut
off.
The
controller
will
then
reset
itself
in
the
auto
mode
and
await
its
next
scheduled
automatic
start.
To
CANCEL
A
MANUALLY-STARTED
STATION,
simply
press
"Man
Stam
The
controller
will
return
to
displaying
the
current
time.
By
pressing
''Monitor"
you
can
See
the
zeros
that
indicate
nothing
is
now
operating.
Pressing
“Monitor”
again
returns
the
display
to
the
time
of
day.
MANUAL CYCLE
To
manually
start
a
program,
set
the
“Program”
switch
to
“A”
or
"B",
press
"Monitor"
to
display
‘00.000”
and
then
press
‘“‘Man.Cycle”
to
activate
watering.
The
number
and
running
time
for
the
first
station
on
that
program
will
appear
in
the
display
indicating
the
cycle
has
started.
The
controller
will
operate,
in
Sequence,
each
station
assigned
to
the
manually-
Started
program
and
then
return
to
the
auto
mode
and
await
its
next
scheduled
auto-
matic
start.
15

“F” DISPLAY
The HP series controllers are provided with a new, automatic, "diagnostic circuit
breaker" system. With conventional, mechanical circuit breakers or fuses, a short
circuit in a field wire or a valve solenoid will shut down the entire irrigation system.
The electrical overload protection system in the HP unit only shuts down the station
with the electrical problem.
Station 4, Electrical Fault Display
A station number and an "EI" in the display means that station has a short circuit or
overload trying to feed back into the controller through the field wires.
The controller will continue to water with all other operable stations and bypass the
problem one. Locate and fix the problem and the controller will return to norma!
operation of that station at the next cycle.
16

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTONS
Location
The
plastic,
weather
resistant,
cabinet
of
your
HP
Series
controller
is
suitable
for
wall
mounting
outdoors
as
well
as
indoors.
Preferably
select
a
sheltered
location
when
installing
outdoors
and
always
give
consideration
to
the
accessibility
to
electrical
power
(117
VAC,
60Hz).
Choose
a
wall
location
which
allows
94"
of
clearance
on
the
lefthand
side
of
the
controller
so
the
controller's
door
is
free
to
swing
to
the
fully
open
position
for
com-
plete
access
by
the
operator.
Mounting
Your
HP
controller
is
designed
to
be
wall
mounted
without
requiring
the
removal
of
the
controller's
internals.
A
“keyhole”
slot
has
been
provided
in
the
top
center
of
the
back
of
the
controller's
case.
Drive
a
screw
or
appropriate
fastener
into
the
wall
(preferably
at
about
eye
level)
where
you
plan
to
mount
the
controller.
Leave
approx-
imately
1/4"
of
the
fastener's
shaft
showing
between
its
head
and
the
wall
surface.
Prior
to
hanging
the
controller
on
the
fastener,
snap
out
the
“knock
out"
disk
or
disks
in
the
bottom
of
the
controller
case
to
the
opening
size
you
think
you
will
need
for
the
incoming
valve
wires.
17

Hang the controller by its “keyhole” on the fastener. Open the controller's access
door in the lower righthand corner of the face panel to reveal the other mounting
holes. Drive an appropriate fastener into each of the righthand and lefthand holes if
you are mounting the controller to a flat surface. If you are mounting the controller to
an explosed wall stud or narrow post, use the two lefthand holes to secure the
cabinet.
Rechargeable Battery Connections ...
Connect a 9-volt NiCad rechargeable battery to the battery clip in the lefthand sec-
tion of the terminal compartment and lay the battery in the lower lefthand corner.
1211109 87654232 1P€C
Day Cycle
DIP Switches
Terminal
Strip
Wall
Mounting
Holes
Clip for
Rechargeable Battery
18

Wiring
Low
Voltage
Connection
(26.5
volts,
AC)
—
The
HP
controller's
terminal
compart-
ment
has
a
terminal
strip
with
an
attaching
screw
for
each
station/valve
wire,
the
valve
common
wire
and
the
pump
start/master
valve
wire.
The
righthand
terminal,
marked
“C”
on
the
access
door,
is
for
the
“valve
common"
wire
which
runs
from
its
screw
connéction
out
to
the
valve
locations
and
connects
to
one
lead
each
on
all
the
valves
served
by
the
controller.
The
next
terminal
screw
to
the
left,
marked
“P”
is
for
connection
of
a
wire
toa
24-volt
pump
start
relay
or
to
one
lead
on
a
master
valve
(a
valve
upstream
of
all
the
other
valves,
that
shuts.
off
the
mainline
between
controller
operations).
The
other
low
voltage
wire
from
either
type
of
device
is
to
be
connected
to
valve
common
(CC
terminal).
The
“P”
terminal
will
provide
power
when
the
first
station
in
a
cycle
turns
on
and
continue
until
the
last
station
in
the
cycle
shuts
off.
The
rest
of
the
numbered
terminals
are
for
the
individual
station
power
wires.
One
power
wire
is
to
be
connected
to
the
remaining
lead
on
each
valve
(or
valves)
that
is
assigned
to
that
station
number.
The
HP
Series
controller
is
designed
to
handle
up
to
2
valves
per
station
in
addition
to
powering
a
master
valve.
Most
normal
applications,
however,
call
for
one
valve
per
station
for
finer,
individual
control
of
the
irrigation
project's
zones.
19

NOTE: Rain Bird electric, remote control valves are very energy efficient and create
a low electrical draw while in operation. The HP Series controllers are designed to
operate all standard, 24-volt AC electric valves. Some individual valves or brands of
valves on the market have much higher electrical power requirements. In the case of
less electrically efficient valves, you cannot operate as many per station as with the
Rain Bird units. An overload of valves on a particular station will activate the
diagnostic circuit breaker.
NOTE! Make sure all wire from the controller to the valves is code-approved for
underground, low-voltage use. Also, use only code-approved, water-tight wire con-
nectors for connection to the valve leads and any wire splices in the field.
45
| Controller
Transformer
Black Wire
20