Rain Bird isa 300/400 Installation guide

ISA 300 / 400 SPRINKLER TIMER
Installation, Programming, and Operation Guide
RAIN BIRD IRRIGATION CORPORATION
Technical Services: 800-247-3782 • http://www.rainbird.com

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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .............................. 1
ISA Timer Features and Benefits............. 1
Timer Stations ......................................... 2
ISA Timer Controls and Indicators .......... 3
INSTALL TIMER ............................... 4
Select Location ....................................... 4
Mount Timer ............................................ 5
Install Battery ........................................... 5
Connect Field Wiring............................... 7
Select Proper Wire ............................ 7
Connect Valve Wires to Timer .......... 7
If Using a Master Valve or Pump
Start Relay ........................................ 9
Connect Transformer ............................ 11
PROGRAM TIMER .......................... 13
Set Current Time and Day ..................... 14
Select a Program .................................. 15
Pre-Set Watering Schedules ................. 16
Select a Pre-Set Schedule .................... 17
Modify a Pre-Set Schedule ................... 19
Set Schedule Watering Days
or Watering Interval......................... 19
Set Schedule Start Time(s) .......................... 21
Set Station Watering Duration
(Run Times) ........................................... 23
View Pre-Set Schedule Information....... 24
OPERATING THE TIMER ................ 26
Turn the Timer On and Off ..................... 26
Run a System Test ................................ 27
Manually Run a Program or
Single Station ........................................ 29
Run Program(s) Manually .............. 29
Run Station(s) Manually ................. 30
Adjust Watering Percentage ................. 32
WINTERIZING THE SYSTEM .......... 33
TROUBLESHOOTING ..................... 34

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INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing a Rain Bird ISA 300 / 400
Series Sprinkler Timer. ISA timers provide simple
programming and flexible watering schedules to
meet almost any landscape’s needs. These timers
can be used with any 110 VAC / 60 Hz electrical
outlet (240 VAC / 50 Hz for the international
version).
This manual describes how to install, program, and
operate your timer. Read this manual carefully and
keep it in a handy place for future reference.
If you have any problems with your ISA Sprinkler
Timer, please call the Rain Bird Technical
Assistance hotline at 800-247-3782 before returning
your timer for service. You may also be able to find
information to help solve your problem on the
Rain Bird web site: www.rainbird.com.
ISA Timer Features and
Benefits
The ISA Sprinkler Timer is an electronic clock that
controls when your sprinkler system turns on and
how long the sprinklers run. The ISA timers offer
several advanced features, including:
•Large LCD display and easy-to-use programming
dial and buttons
•Six convenient pre-set watering schedules
•Two independent watering programs (ISA 400
models)
•Up to three watering start times per program
•Ability to control four, six, or eight watering stations
(depending on model)
•Rain-Off feature can suspend watering and retain
all programmed information

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Timer Stations
Most sprinkler systems divide the yard into “stations”
(also called “zones”). You can program each station
to water for a different length of time, so the amount
of water fits the different plant types, soil conditions,
and sunny/shady areas in the yard.
Each station has an irrigation valve that runs several
sprinklers. An electric signal from the timer opens
the first valve, which turns on the sprinklers
connected to it. When these sprinklers have run for
their programmed time, the timer closes the first
valve and opens the second valve.
For example, the illustration below shows that station
1 is currently watering. When station 1 finishes, the
timer will shut it off and start station 2. When station 2
finishes, station 3 begins, and so on.

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ISA Timer Controls and Indicators
This illustration shows the programming controls on
the face of the ISA Sprinkler Timer. These controls
include:
“Manual On” button
“Advance” button
Up/ Down arrow buttons
LCD display
Programming dial
“Program A/B” button

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INSTALL TIMER
Before installing your ISA Sprinkler Timer, make sure
you have the following tools and equipment:
•Phillips screwdriver
•Three #10 screws (1¼'' / 32mm)
•9-volt alkaline battery (not included)
•18-gauge color-coded, multi-strand, direct-burial
wire for wire runs of less than 800 feet. (For runs
longer than 800 feet, use 14-gauge color-coded,
multi-strand, direct-burial wire).
•Watertight wire splice connectors
•Plastic mounting anchors (may be required for
plaster or masonry walls)
Select Location
NOTE::
::
: The ISA Timer is for INDOOR use
only. If you must install it outdoors, use a
water-resistant cabinet, such as the Rain
Bird Model TC-2 Timer Cabinet. The TC-2
is a heavy-duty, weather-resistant plastic
case that lets you convert any indoor-only
timer to outdoor use.
Select a convenient indoor location within six feet
(1,9 m) of a 120-volt AC electrical outlet (240-volt
outlet for international 50 Hz models). The mounting
location should be completely protected from
moisture, direct sunlight, and freezing temperatures.

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Mount Timer
Screw two #10 screws into the wall 4¾''
(120 mm) apart. Leave
18
'' to ¼'' (3,2 to 6,4 mm)
of each screw head protruding from the wall.
(Use plastic mounting anchors for plaster or
masonry).
Place the two keyhole-shaped slots on the back
of the timer over the screw heads. Then slide the
timer securely down onto the screws.
OPTIONAL: To further secure the timer, remove
the timer’s lower access cover by gently pulling
the cover off using the slots on the left and right
sides of the timer. Then drive a third screw
through the lower middle hole.
Install Battery
During a power outage, the battery preserves your
programmed watering schedules. A newly installed
battery will hold information for up to six hours if
power goes out.
NOTES::
::
: The battery serves as memory
back-up only. You can program the timer
on battery power, but the system will not
water without AC power.
Replace the battery once a year. If power
outages occur frequently, you may need
to change the battery more often.

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NOTE::
::
:When replacing the battery,
DO NOT unplug the transformer or you
will lose all programmed information.
If the battery fails during a power outage, the timer
will revert to its default watering program. The default
program waters each station every day for 10
minutes, starting eight hours after AC power
resumes. The default program will continue until you
reprogram the timer.
To install the battery, remove the timer’s lower
access cover by gently prying out the cover at
the slots on the left and right sides of the timer.
Connect the terminals of a 9-volt alkaline battery
to the timer’s two-wire battery clip. (DO NOT
use a rechargeable battery). The display flashes
“AC OFF” and “8:00 AM.”
Replace the lower access cover, or connect field
wiring as described in “Connect Field Wiring” on
page 7.
CAUTION::
::
: DO NOT allow the battery to
contact the timer’s terminal strip.

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Connect Field Wiring
Select Proper Wire
For wire runs of less than 800 feet, use 18-gauge
color-coded, multi-strand, direct burial wire. For
longer runs, use 14-gauge wire of the same type.
Choose wire that has one strand for each valve in
your system, plus one strand for the common wire.
For example, use five-strand wire if you have four
valves, seven-strand wire for six valves, etc.
Tape off spare wire strands for future system use or
troubleshooting. Wire that is buried underground
must have watertight connections and be code-
approved for underground use. Avoid placing
underground wire in places where it may be
damaged by digging or other activities.
Connect Valve Wires to Timer
Each valve connects to the timer with two wires: a
“hot wire” of its own, and a “common wire” that it
shares with the other valves.
NOTE::
::
: The ISA Series Timers can be
used with most hydroindexing valves.
Please contact the valve manufacturer for
more information.

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Remove the timer’s lower access cover by gently
prying out the cover at the slots on the left and
right sides of the timer.
Splice together one wire from each valve (usually
the white strand) to create a single “common”
wire. Connect the common wire to the terminal
screw labeled “COM.”
NOTE::
::
: Make sure all wire connections
are tight and in firm contact with the
terminal screws. Use watertight splice
connectors to prevent corrosion and
avoid short circuits.
Connect each valve “hot” wire to a numbered
screw on the timer’s terminal strip. Connect the
wire from valve number 1 to terminal screw 1;
connect the wire from valve 2 to terminal screw
2, and so on.
CAUTION::
::
: DO NOT connect more
than one valve wire to each terminal
screw. Wiring more than one valve to
each terminal will damage the timer. Also,
if you are using more than one timer, do
not share “common” wires between them.

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After connecting all valve wires, replace the
timer’s lower access cover.
NOTE::
::
: To save water and money, you
can also install a rain sensor, such as
Rain Bird’s RS-1 Rain Shut Off. The RS-1
measures rainfall and prevents
unnecessary watering.
If Using a Master Valve or Pump
Start Relay
(Optional ISA 400 Series only)
NOTE::
::
: Complete this section only if you
are using a pump start relay or a master
valve (an automatic valve installed on the
mainline pipe upstream from the station
valves). The timer does not provide the
main power for a pump.
ISA 400 Series Timers allow a master valve or pump
start relay to operate whenever a valve is operating.
Pumps are used in some places to draw water from
a well or other source.
If you are activating a pump from the timer, you must
also install a Pump Control Relay, such as
Rain Bird’s PCR-1. The PCR-1 offers solid-state
reliability and can activate most 120- or 240-volt
pump motors up to two horsepower.

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Connect the color-coded “hot” wire from the
master valve or pump start relay to the timer
terminal screw marked “MV.”
Connect the common wire from the master
valve / pump start relay to the common wire
coming from the station valves. This wire
connects to the timer terminal screw marked
“COM.”
NOTE::
::
: Make sure that the total draw of
the master valve or pump start relay plus
the draw of the valve does not exceed
0.650 Amps at 24 VAC, 60 Hz.
To avoid possible pump damage, connect a
short “jumper” wire from any unused station
terminal(s) to the nearest terminal screw in
use. For example, if you have an eight-station
timer with only four stations in use, jumper
stations five through eight to the nearest active
station (four).

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Connect Transformer
After installing the battery and connecting the field
wires, you are ready to connect the timer’s
transformer.
CAUTION::
::
: DO NOT plug in the
transformer until you have completed and
checked all wiring connections. Also, do
not attempt to link two or more timers
together with a single transformer.
Remove the timer’s lower access cover by
gently pulling the lower access cover off using
the slots on the left and right sides of the timer.
Turn the dial to RAIN / OFF.
Plug the pigtail connector (located on the end of
the transformer wire) into the two-prong
connector to the left of the battery compartment.

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Plug the transformer into an electrical outlet. The
display flashes the hour digits and “OFF.”
NOTE::
::
:If the display does not come on,
verify that the battery is new and securely
connected.
Turn the dial to AUTO / RUN.
This completes the installation and wiring process.
You are now ready to program your timer.

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PROGRAM TIMER
Programming is the process of telling the timer when
and how long you want to water. The timer opens
and closes the irrigation valves according to the
program you set.
Each program contains:
•Watering days — the specific days of the
week on which watering takes place (for
example, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a
“Custom” schedule), or a watering interval (for
example, every third day).
•Start time — the time(s) of day that the
program begins. This is the time that the first
station in the program begins watering; all other
stations then follow in sequence.
•Watering duration (run time) — the
number of minutes that each station runs.
When programming, you can only change the field
that is flashing in the LCD display. If you want to
change something that is not flashing, press
V
until
the desired field flashes. Then change it by pressing
the
V
or
V
buttons.
NOTE::
::
: For normal timer operation, turn
the dial to the AUTO / RUN position. If
the dial is left in any other position,
schedules will not water as programmed.

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Set Current Time and Day
You must set the current time and day the first time
you program the timer, and after any power
interruption.
Turn the dial to TIME & DAY. The hour and
minute digits flash in the display.
Press
V
and the day of the week will flash.
Press
V
or
V
until the correct day of the week
appears in the display.
Press
V
and the hour will flash.
Press
V
or
V
until the current hour appears in
the display.
Make sure the correct AM / PM time indicator
appears in the right-hand side of the display.
Press
V
and the minute digits will flash.
Press
V
or
V
until the current minute appears in
the display.
¡The display should now show the correct time
and day.

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Select a Program
(ISA Models 406 & 408 Only)
ISA Timer models 406 and 408 have two programs, A
and B. Each program can have its own watering
schedule and start times. For example, Program A
could run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while
Program B could run on Tuesday, Thursday, and
Saturday.
You can assign any station to Program A, Program B,
or both. If you only plan to use one program, use
Program A.
The currently selected program appears in the
left-hand side of the LCD display. The display will
show either “PGM A” or “PGM B.”
To select a program, press the Program A/B
button until the program you want appears in the
display. Pressing the Program A/B button
switches back and forth between the two
programs.
NOTE::
::
: It is easier to select one program
(A or B) and program it completely before
moving to the second program.

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For your convenience, the ISA Sprinkler Timer has
six pre-set watering schedules (“C” and 1 – 5). The
pre-set schedules are already programmed into the
timer and are shown in the table to the right.
The watering schedule you choose determines:
•What days watering occurs
•What time(s) watering starts (up to three
different start times per day)
•How long the sprinklers on each station run
(duration)
Once you’ve selected a pre-set schedule, you can
either use that schedule’s default watering days and
times, or modify the schedule to suit your own
watering needs.
NOTE::
::
: Even if you want to create your
own “Custom” watering schedule, you
must select one of the pre-set schedules
first. Then modify it to fit your needs.
Pre-Set Watering Schedules
If you want to water on specific days of the week
(e.g., Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), select pre-
set schedule “C.”
If you want to water on a fixed interval (e.g., every
day, every third day, etc.), select a pre-set schedule,
1 through 5.
Schedule Watering Days
Start
Times
Watering
Duration
CEvery day 8:00 am 10 minutes
1Every day 8:00 am 10 minutes
2 Every day 6:00 am,
10:00 am,
&
2:00 pm
5 minutes
3Every other day 6:00 am 10 minutes
4 Every third day 6:00 am 10 minutes
5Every fourth day 6:00 am 15 minutes

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Select a Pre-Set Schedule
Turn the dial to PRE-SET SCHEDULES.
“C” flashes in the display.
Press
V
or
V
to display the pre-set schedule
you want.
When the schedule you want appears, press
O
to select it.
The schedule number flashes, and a box
appears around “SCHED” in the display. This
shows that you have “locked-in” the schedule.
The display also shows the watering days and
the schedule’s first start time.