Rain Bird FG100 User manual

Features - Install - Setup - Troubleshooting
FG100 User Guide
Flow Sensing - Redefined
Designed to make water conservation simpler, more aordable, hassle free
©2023 Rain Bird Corporation D42452W

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Introduction � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 3
System Configuration . . . . . . . . . . .4
Feature Overview � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6
Learn Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Mechanical Installation � � � � � � � � � � 8
Pick a Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Retrofit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Recommended Configurations . . . . . . .11
Gather Your Tools . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Before you dig . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Prepare a Section Of Pipe . . . . . . . . 15
Threaded Fiing Install . . . . . . . . . 16
Slip Fiing Install . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Electrical Install � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 21
Wiring the FG100 to the Controller . . . . 21
ESP-ME3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Setup � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 24
ESP-ME3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Turn a flow sensor on or o by station. . . 25
Rain Bird App (ESP-ME3) . . . . . . . . 26
LX controllers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Non- Rain Bird Controllers . . . . . . . . 28
Advanced Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Installation Test Procedure . . . . . . . . 30
Maintenance � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 31
Troubleshooting � � � � � � � � � � � � � 32
ESP-ME3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Appendix� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 34
Operating Specifications . . . . . . . . 35
Contents

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Introduction
This guide provides instructions for installing and operating the FG100 flow
sensor.
Designed for residential and smallercommercial applications, the FG100
monitors irrigation and instantlyidentifies when there is a leak or line break
so it can be addressedearly. This durable flow sensor manages water
eciency, protects homeowners from potential damages and positions you
as a guardian of your customers’ property and landscape—earning you a
stronger reputation over time.
Maximize convenience by combining with the ESP-ME3 controller and an
LNK2 Module, which allows you to monitor flow remotely. This can be done
conveniently via the Rain Bird Mobile App, which is accessible on both
iPhone and Android devices once the LNK2 module is installed.

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
System Configuration
The FG100 Flow Sensor is intended to be installed with the Rain Bird ESP-
ME3 and ESP-LX controllers. Performance has not been confirmed with
non-Rain Bird controllers. Additional functionality can be unlocked by pairing
a compatible controller with the LNK2 WiFi module and the Rain Bird App.
Rain Bird App
LNK2
LNK2
LNK2
ESP-LXME2PRO
LXIVMSEN
ESP-LXIVM
FG100
ESP-ME3/
ESP-2WIRE
LNK2 and Rain Bird App
Connect the FG100 to a controller equipped with the LNK2 WiFi Module
to remotely monitor system health and manage advanced flow seings
through the Rain Bird Mobile App.

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Other Rain Bird Controllers
Other Rain Bird Controllers: The FG100 is compatible with the additional Rain
Bird controllers. For some 2-Wire controllers such as the ESP-LXIVM and
ESP-LXD, a sensor decoder (LXIVMSEN, SD210TURF) is also required. For
detailed instructions, please refer to the specific controller’s documentation.
Third-Party Controllers
The FG100 may be compatble with third-party irrigation controllers that can
be configured using K-factor and oset, or pulses per gallon.

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Feature Overview
The features described here refer to functionality of the ESP-ME3 controller.
Some features require the ESP-ME3 to be connected to the Rain Bird app
using the LNK2. Flow sensing features will vary by controller. Please refer to
the documentation of your specific controller.
Learn Flow
Rain Bird controllers use Learn Flow technology to establish a baseline
expected flow rate for each station. The controller does this by running each
station for several minutes when you first set up the FG100 and recording
the flow data.

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Flow Sensor Detects High Flow
If the FG100 detects a flow exceeding 130% of the Learned Flow, automatic
irrigation is shut o station by station, and an alarm is activated. The
threshold and behavior can be adjusted from within the Rain Bird app.
Flow Sensor Detects Low Flow
If your flow sensor detects flow below 70% of the Learned Flow then
automatic irrigation will be shut o by station, and an alarm will be activated.
The threshold and behavior can be adjusted from within the Rain Bird app.

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Mechanical Installation
Pick a Spot
The flow sensor should be installed between the back-flow prevention
device and the first irrigation valve. The FG100 has no straight pipe
requirement meaning it can be installed immediately aer the master valve
in the same valve box.
Water
Meter
Master
Valve FG100
Irrigation
station valves
Point of
connection
Back-flow
Prevention

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Do I have a Master Valve?
If there is a wire connected to the MV (Master Valve) terminal of your
controller then there is a master valve in your system. The diagram below
shows how this would look in the ESP-ME3.
NOTE
2-Wire controllers (e.g. ESP-LXIVM) use decoders and may not feature a MV terminal.

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1. Introduction - 2. Features - 3. Mechanical Install - 4. Electrical Installation - 5. Setup - 6. Maintenance - 7. Troubleshooting
Retrofit
If you are installing the FG100 into an existing irrigation system then Rain Bird
recommends you start by walking your property and making a rough sketch
of showing the location of the components shown above. This will help you
to determine the ideal location for the flow sensor. This will minimize how
much digging you will need to do.
Keep in mind that you will need to bury the wire that connects the flow
sensor to the controller, so the further the installation location is from the
controller, the more digging you’ll need to do!