Rain Bird PC 506 Series Installation guide

PC 506 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
Features & Benefits ............................... 1
Timer Stations ........................................ 2
Controls & Indicators ............................. 3
INSTALL TIMER ............................... 4
Select a Location ................................... 4
Mount Timer ........................................... 5
Install Battery ......................................... 6
Connect Field Wiring ............................. 7
Connect Transformer ........................... 13
PROGRAM TIMER .......................... 15
Set Current Time and Day ................... 16
Basic “Dial” Programming ................... 17
Custom Programming ......................... 23
OPERATING THE TIMER ................ 30
Manual Operation ................................ 30
Manual Cycle ....................................... 30
Other Timer Features ........................... 32
WINTERIZING THE SYSTEM .......... 33
TROUBLESHOOTING ..................... 34

English
Page 1PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing a Rain Bird PC-506 Series
Timer. PC-506 timers provide simple programming
and flexible schedules to meet your watering needs.
This manual describes how to install, program, and
operate your timer. Read this manual carefully and
keep it handy for future reference.
If you have any problems with your PC-506 Timer,
please call the Rain Bird Technical Assistance
hotline at 800-247-3782. You may also find helpful
information on the Rain Bird Web site:
www.rainbird.com.
Features & Benefits
The PC-506 Sprinkler Timer is an electronic clock
that controls when your sprinkler system turns on
and how long the sprinklers run. The PC-506 timer
offers several advanced features, including:
•Separate schedules for each station with just a
turn of the dial
•12 popular schedules to choose from, or set
your own custom schedule
•Ability to water up to six zones
•Exclusive “new lawn” watering cycle for lawn
seed germination or sod
•Large, easy-to-use dials save your schedules
even during power outage
•Automatic watering up to three times per day, up
to three hours per zone (ideal for drip watering)
•Large, easy-to-read LCD screen for setting time
of day, watering start times, and custom
schedules
•“Pause” feature to interrupt watering schedule for
yard activity
•Pump start output standard (pump relays sold
separately)

English
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 2
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. The
PC-506 Timer can control up to six stations.
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, this illustration 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.

English
Page 3PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
Controls & Indicators
This illustration shows the programming controls on
the face of the PC-506 Timer. These controls include:
On/Off button
Pause button
Set Time/Day button
Review Station button
Set Start button
Manual Cycle button
Set Custom button
LCD display
Up/Down arrow buttons
➓Station dials (6 sets, each with a Schedule and a
Duration dial)

English
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 4
INSTALL TIMER
Before installing your PC-506 Timer, make sure you
have the following tools and equipment:
• Two #10 screws and mounting anchors
• Screwdriver
• 9-volt battery
• Color-coded, multi-strand, direct burial wire (18-
gauge for runs of less than 800 feet; 14-gauge for
longer runs)
• Wire strippers
Select a Location
NOTE::
::
:The PC-506 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 6 feet
(1.9 m) of a 120-volt AC electrical outlet. The
mounting location should be completely protected
from moisture, direct sunlight, and freezing
temperatures.

English
Page 5PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
Mount Timer
Before securing your timer to the wall, make sure
that there is enough room on the left side for the
door to swing open.
Screw two #10 screws into the wall 315/16 inches
apart, leaving about ¼ inch of each screw head
protruding from the wall. Use plastic anchors to
secure the screws to plaster or masonry walls.
Hang the timer on the screws using the keyhole
slots on its back.
OPTIONAL: To further secure the timer, remove
the lower access cover by gently prying it out of
the slots on the lower left and right corners. Then
drive screws through the lower three mounting
holes.

English
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 6
Install Battery
During a power outage, the battery preserves your
programmed watering schedules. A newly installed
battery will hold information for up to 24 hours.
If the power is out for more than 24 hours, or if the
battery fails, the timer will revert to the pre-set start
times of 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 12 noon. Stations
set for custom programs A and B will start once a
day in a cycle beginning at 6:00 a.m. The time of
day, all custom start times, and any A or B custom-
program schedules will have to be re-programmed.
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.
When replacing the battery, DO NOT
unplug the transformer or you will lose all
programmed information.

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Page 7PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
To install the battery, remove the timer’s lower
access cover by gently prying it out of the slots
on the bottom corners of the timer.
Place a 9-volt alkaline battery, with the “+” side
facing up, in the slot directly below the fuse. DO
NOT use a rechargeable battery.
Replace the cover, or connect the field wiring as
described in “Connect Field Wiring.”
NOTES::
::
: DO NOT let the battery
contact the timer’s terminal strip.
For your convenience, there is a spare
0.5 amp fuse on the inside of the cover.
Connect Field Wiring
If you have not done so, remove the timer’s lower
access cover. On the bottom right-hand corner of
the timer, near the battery compartment, you will see
a row of small, black switches. These are the
terminals where you will connect the field wires.