How to Program a Rain Bird Sprinkler Timer ESP Modular Controller

[@322816]

Very important to know that the A,B,C program selector switch is for programming purposes only, it does not determine which program will run. If you set unique programs for each they will ALL run regardless of where this switch is set. To fix this I have turned each day "OFF" in the programs you do not want to run. Alternatively, you can reduce each zone time to 0 minutes for the programs you don't want to run (though that defeats the whole purpose of multiple programs). Thanks for posting this video.

[@davisgarage911]

Thanks!!! This comment saved my sanity. I could not find out why it came on twice in the day when I only had it set once. Why would they make it like that?

[@TheBrookerFamily]

Yep, this comment is what I was looking for. I didn't realize this. Thanks!

[@Vennillion]

Thank you! I’m finally able to put different plants on different watering schedules.

[@lornamoon1]

Thank you so much for this video! I am renting a house and programming was wiped after a power outage. In trying to get things set up again, I managed to set it up to water 6 times a day. Your video was just what I needed to get things back the way they should be. My system is old! After power outage, it reverts to 1995, but this was close enough to get me going the right way.

[@tychosnova2896]

thank you for instruction on using Test All Valves (8:51). I needed to know that you choose the area, hit Manual Start, then return switch to Auto, and it will test each station for 2 minutes. I made the mistake of trying this when my sprinklers were actually timed to start (just by coincidence) and things went a bit wonky until I realized it and just turned the switch back to auto. Thanks for this very clear instruction for a 2000 to 2015 year program.

[@rogerrivera4191]

Adam thank you sooo much for this video. I had no idea how to program this box or what that box on the wall was. Just bought this house here in Florida. My grass was dying. I went over and follow all your instructions and everything works just how you said. I almost called a tech to come over and fix ,y sprinkles. Thank you thank you. God bless.

[@cathyobriant7393]

This is a great explanation., I have had this sprinkler for years and never knew how to set it. I turn it on a few days then turn it off a few days. Now I can reset it it with the schedule I need it to run automatically! Wonderful! Thank you! So much!

[@sound-advice]

Fabulous job in this video. He did an excellent job on describing all the features. I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to learn how to use the sprinkler system

[@CFfamVlogs]

So happy to discover this video! Currently renting a house and ever since we moved in we were not taught how to work our Sprinkler control box which is like the one shown in this vdeo. Thanks to this video I was able to learn how to operate my sprinkler system. It was clear and very informative!

[@tommyzapada5806]

Very helpful video. Sprinkler controls can look intimidating but after watching your video I feel confident setting my control box. Thank you! 🍻

[@Shy808]

Thanks for the info on the delay timer! Some landscapers messed ours up and it kept blinking a 7 hour delay. 2 companies told me we might need to replace our timer because it must be broken! I just changed the delay timer myself thanks to your video!

[@gnavarro6969]

Thanks, helpful video. Mine was watering twice a day and I hadn't noticed I had accidentally created two watering events at the same starting time. With your video I realized that was possible and checked, and yes, that was it.

[@cherylcook1988]

I was looking for instructions on how to get the system to run more than once in a day. Your video showed me how to get it done. My newly seeded areas will be getting short amounts of water three times a day.

[@kevinsweeney4106]

Really good video. Thank you! Recently moved into a new home with this beast already installed. I’ve had several controllers in my lifetime but nothing as non intuitive as this one. Could not find manuals online that were the least bit clear. I should have come here first!!!

[@TheTromboneKing13]

You are the best, I just purchased by first home with a sprinkler system and this was hugely helpful.

[@hansmharoldsen]

This is now my go to every spring to remember how to use this thing.

[@michaelsherman7655]

Just moved into a new house- this is very informative thank you!

[@wayradbrad139]

This video helped me find the hidden delay feature, thanks a ton.

[@highsierrabassplayer]

***Also, to reset all your settings and start over...turn dial to "Season Settings" and press Up and Down buttons at the same time til you see "Clear." This resets all your settings back to the first original default.

[@PatJohnston]

...this is an awesome video - one of the best how-to explainers I've come across - thanks!

[@michelep8129]

Hi thanks for the video. We've had this for a couple of years and I still have trouble understanding the program a,b,c button. My understanding from the beginning was the way you described....to be used to set up different schedules and only the one the button was on would run. For example, (A) watering setup for 3 days a week & (B) watering 2 days a week for time of year when there's more rain......and if you leave the switch on (B), it will water 2 days a week. We set it up that way and got an outrageous water bill When I called our installer, he said all the programs that are setup all run. So it was running back to back apparently.

[@hectorescobar8000]

Awesome video. As you can tell by no “dislikes”, very useful. I had my gardener controlling it all before but in LA, water restrictions are tight. Also good advice on weird areas that only allow to water on certain days. I live in one of those areas, we can only water our lawn Tues, Fri & Sun since my address ends w a odd #.

[@christelbailey4530]

This is the best instructional video I have ever seen !!! THANK YOU !!! One thing I wondered about is when the Alarm light comes on (and the sprinklers are not working) how to find the problem???

[@southsidekarl]

the hidden feature is just what I was looking for. thanks

[@paulcooper8818]

Thanks for the thorough walk through

[@maccanuck2]

Great info. How do I troubleshoot a section that is not working. For example, I have 12 stations. Stations 8, 9, and 10 are not working. Is it a wiring or valve issue? Wasps?

[@moshimoshi52]

So helpful! Have the ESP Modular and there was a 9-hour delay set between sprinkler zones, which was silly. Great overview.

[@virina2105]

Thank you so much this is the best explanation and now I can finally run my sprinkler system!!

[@hawaiianstyle3252]

Great job Adam in your explaination of the Rainbird ESP.. Mahalo

[@jimmaccallum4926]

Very well done. Slow, clear and logical.

[@bnewman2544]

Thank you for this video - after years of procrastinating from reading the manual, you showed me how to set up my rainbird controller in minutes! I still have a question about the program switch - the inside cover of the controller says the program switch is used only for programming and does not determine which program will run, but that's ok - I only use program A anyway.

[@terrancemoran1888]

Most excellent - thank you for posting - answered my questions as I wanted to set it up for 2 times day for the next 20 days as we just aerated and seeded!

[@benjiminus04]

Thank you!! 9 years later!!!

[@co3120]

Same here, just realized through doorbell camera at work that my sprinklers were running through the cycle three times!!! My summer water bill was huge last year and now I know why :(.

[@lauraouellet9854]

Great explanation and easy to understand, thank you!

[@makingitthrough190]

Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@hdnn1229]

thank you good sir. I just bought my first house and the box has no instruction card. It was a bit tricky to search for instructions online because the box doesn't say Rain Bird. It just have a big sticker saying TURFGRO. Most of the functionalities are intuitive, but some are not very clear, so thank you for all the explanations.

[@davidtirado6624]

Thanks for the video, makes a big difference and simpler.

[@Djru4real]

Awesome very informative and very detailed. Thank you!!

[@blakesfurniture8384]

Good job! can't show you how to work your system any easer than this.

[@willsmith1397]

Dude, you killed this. Thanks.

[@fe504]

Great help. Great video. Thanks. You saved me a lotof headaches.

[@TheBrookerFamily]

Programs A, B, and C run at the same time. The selected switch is for programming. If you have a program set up for each A, B, and C, they will all run.

[@msmillie451]

THANKS ! Used this today .

[@greggwallacefi9422]

So I’ve got 1 start time in A switch 2,3 and for are off. Do I look for 1,2,3 and for in B C and make a start time there? Do I do it in B C where it says 2 start Time? Thanks

[@SamFergusonNE]

This is a great video! Does anyone know where the AC power plugs into the unit? We have two Orange and one blue/green electrical cord that we can’t for the life of us find a home for. (Somehow came unplugged over the winter). Thanks!

[@mmoutdoorz9383]

How would you set up a 2 times a day water system with that controller? Thanks

[@royjohnson9043]

just bought a home that has this. Very helpful! I was wondering if there was a way to just turn everything on to make sure everything was working ok? Is that the test all valves knob?

[@Jeebs762]

Yes

[@kathleenmccarthy1692]

Excellent instructional video! Helped a great deal! Thank you!

[@MoodAmbience23]

Very detailed video. Where is the rain sensor video? I couldn't find it in your channel. Thanks

[@elhindiosman6150]

Wow! Great video, thanks Mr. Adam

[@cl8505]

If I change it to cyclic every 3 days when will it sprinkle for the first time? The next time it hits the time I set? So if I set it for 3am will the first time it sprinkles be 3am the next day and then again at 3am three days after that?

[@briasativaaguayo6327]

Thanks for the video! I especially appreciated the explanation of the percentage feature. I actually took a semester of irrigation in college but haven't used it often (and mostly Hunter) and was dreading reading the manual. BTW, only being allowed to water on certain days are for those places that have droughts. We water our lawns with the same water that we drink so have to conserve water. I've experienced over two months of temps in the 100s and 100 days without water (at the same time) in North Texas. Yikes!

[@dunskyonguyen947]

Can you setup different zone on each day? like Monday only zone 2&4, Tuesday zone-1,3,5, etc.....

[@mjprom]

This is awesome and so thorough! Thank You!

[@odellafarrell6246]

This was great and I learned so much

[@dnham314]

Is there a way to set different valves to run for certain days? For example I want to run valve 1 once a week but I need valve 2 to run 3 days a week.

[@lowcountrygrits]

Does anyone know how to control or adjust an individual sprinkler head within a zone? I have one sprinkler head I no longer need to run since we did a landscaping project and there is no longer grass in that area. I don’t need the entire zone off, just one sprinkler head within that zone.

[@3497318942]

Great Video. Is it possible to have your second station run several times a day without having the station 1 come on with it? I am starting my second station from seed and I need it to stay wet. My grass on station one is already established and don't need to water it so much.

[@RevDavid-kp3vd]

Thanks, Adam, very good review!!

[@blancazamarripa949]

Can you use the WiFi adapter this particular model? Thank you!!

[@ognibzap]

Hi, Your video is very informative. But I didn't get the answer I needed to know, not unless I missed it. Can you set certain zones to only run on even days and others on odd days (For example, zones 1 thru 6 to run only on even days, and zone 7 to run only on odd days)? Please advise. Thanks. Emmanuel.

[@dobroslavtyrkas2423]

Yes, you can do that using the programs A,B,C. Because they are all being executed at the same time, as somebody mentioned previously here, no matter in which position the switch is. So set the program switch to position A, and set all zones from 1-6 to run on even days. Then change the switch to position B and set zone 7 to run on odd days. All settings of each program are unique to that program only. The only constraint, per my understanding, is that two zones can't run at the same time, so make sure the program's start times are not overlapping.

[@StarLite411]

I have a question do you have a video about errors because mine for number one saying error error error error and I don’t know how to fix it I don’t know what it’s for and no one ever have videos about the vows the actual valves are in the ground that are connected to the water pipes do you have anything like that

[@stevetrower9640]

Old video but maybe your still following- my esp modular with 4 zones with hunter solenoid control valves. Everything works perfectly except after the fourth zone cycles- instead of turning off it will just cycle to first zone - and do this over and over until I manually turn the system off.

[@jardinesmonterrey4009]

Thank you for the information about delay

[@robertingram2820]

So. Want to use program "A". Want valve 1 to run every 3rd day so will use advanced cycles, custom. Also, want on same program "A" to have valve #2 to run every 5 days. How do I accomplish this? Valve #1 is for plants, valve #2 is for trees???

[@antoniolightfoot4137]

Hello Adam, although it's been over 6 years since you posted this Instructional video, hopefully you are still monitoring posted messages. Anyway, at the end of the video, you mentioned an Instructional video on the ET Manager sensor device. Do you have the video available? I can't find anything on YT concerning it. BTW, your Rain Bird Sprinkler video was outstanding!!!

[@Eevee_kwh]

Helpful video! Thanks!

[@comblitz]

Great video. I've programmed (custom) 4 cycles for each day because I laid down new sod. But now I want to delete 3 cycles, but I can't figure out how. Any ideas? I shouldn't have to switch the program, I just want to delete a cycle I've set up. Thanks.

[@miguelangelmartinezalejo4909]

Thank you sir this is very helpful video. We. Apreciate it

[@SteveHawk-c9y]

Thank you so much, this was very very helpful!,

[@juliocesaralfaromendoza7141]

hi, i got a problem with the running times, i have 4 valves, set all for 15 minutes, right time and days of the weeks, it does turn on but once the number 4 ends , the number 1 start over again and stay running all 4 all day long, what can i do?

[@tedmiller1745]

Adam, what is the remote option plug for? I thought it may be for a wireless adapter but not the case. Thanks

[@cynthiafiekers2120]

We have an asterisk over the hour symbol so we are having difficulty adjusting the start time???? How can we get it to display an hour and minute time? Thanks, your video has taught us a lot the we did't realize.

[@CozySceneMusic]

Thanks for the video, it was super helpful!

[@ryanrogers3610]

Great video! Is there any way to set the timer to water two zones at the same time?

[@greggwallacefi9422]

My sprinklers will cycle and after it does all zones it runs all zones again. How to fix. I have the same control board as you

[@lourdesvazquez6572]

I lost the key to the RainBird Controller Box model esp-m, where do I buy replacement keys?

[@royjohnson9043]

if you set program to A, will those settings take place?

[@nicolekallenberg9716]

Great video Adam! I have a question, can I program it to run 2 valves at the same time? My sprinkler system is attached to a well and according to the well company the pump is shutting off and then turning on constantly stirring up sand within the well and causing the heads to become clogged. He stated the smaller zones are causing the pump not to pull enough water and that running 2 of the small zones at the same time would fix this problem. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you :) -Nicole

[@AdamDIY]

Nicole Kallenberg You would have to hook up both wires to the same terminal in the box. I would have to try it in my system to see if there is enough amps to activate two solenoids. The other problem that you may have is, is there enough water pressure to run two lines at the same time.

[@lordy7933]

Thanks, I needed this

[@scottjoy8658]

My zone 5 and 6 are coming up with the code no mod and I can't program them to come on . Solution?

[@kikofromthesouth2863]

Very informative 👏

[@TexasEmperor]

Just got a home with this in it, wondering if I should go wifi or not.

[@djldcw]

I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. It looks like I'm following all your instructions but my timers don't seem to come on and shut off together. I have all 4 stations set up for ON at 5:15 a.m and set to shut OFF in 10 minutes but they don't come on the same time and they keep running until I manually have to shut them off. Do I need to hit that RESET button inside and start again?

[@AdamDIY]

The way the stations work is they all take turns. Only one station can run at a time. So the first station will turn on and when that is done the second station will run. Does that answer your question?

[@juliocesaralfaromendoza7141]

looks like i got the same problem, they do take turns but when the last one end its time the first one start on again and i have to turn it off manually, any help?

[@markambrosio9224]

awful. were you drunk when you made this?

[@zackk695]

You have a second start time in the same program. turn file to start times-Make sure its in program A-It will show a 1 and a time so enter a time to start the system.Now hit the manual button and it will go to the second start time-make sure this says off-Use arrows up and down to find off.Do the same for 3 and 4th start times in program A.Now go to program B and C and do the same thing.Make sure everything in program B and C is off.

[@terriberri3605]

Matt Harris i just tried your advice. I hope it works. Thank you.

[@garyrjas]

Ok so the ESP controller already has a built in rechargeable supposedly non replaceable lithium battery which supposedly keeps the data in the event of a power failure. My system is about 7 years old now and the lithium battery apparently doesn't keep a charge for long. Now are you telling me the 9v battery you show in your video is a backup battery for the data? According to rainbird this battery is for some kind of remote controller. Please explain.

[@dannyo7690]

When I put the zone to 1 . It shows 2 instead of 1. Please help.

[@KhalidMokla-pg4ms]

Thanks a lot, very helpful vedio

[@rblbatb]

Brilliant. You are awesome! Thank you.

[@livinthelife4968]

Thanks i needed that for work...well done. I give it a thumbs up...

[@kimjones387]

Just need sprinkler heads to pop up so I can flag locations before yard is aerated. Then resume normal programming. Other than Test All Valves (2 min of getting wet) how would I do this? TIA

[@kimjones387]

Got it from my installer. Auto, bypass, run. Cycle thru zones, place flags, reset bypass back to active. Done.

[@SouthernOregonReps]

Best instructions! Great vid!!!

[@alialeid]

thank you Adam, it's useful.

[@paulmcginn3730]

My sprinkler has 4 stations. I program each station to run 10 man on Tuesday.( water restrictions) it runs thru all stations then starts again. It does this 4 times. What did I do wrong

[@donitavaden3167]

Helped soooo much! Thanks!

[@arthurshelby9834]

Hey Adam great video i learned a lot, thank you.. I have a ESP Modular just like the one in this video and i think i have a bad transformer. how can i make sure it is a bad transformer? i checked voltage on the two wire's that go to the 24 VAC with a volt meter and one gives me 28 the other gives me 0.3 and together it gives me 29 when the timer is on but the sprinklers don't go on .. please help

[@doobiepug]

Thanks for the video. My system has a total of 5 stations but the 5th station was never programmed into the watering start time function. How do I add an additional station so that it appears under watering start times?

[@michaelpeters9303]

I am having the same issue did you get it resolved....In manual the system sees all stations

[@T-eick20]

I need help. My plug in that provides this device with power (Class 2 Transformer) has been broken. I cannot find the replacement part that matches this ESP module exactly. I’m trying to not pay for someone to drive out here when we are capable of replacing it ourselves. Anyone know what plug in’s that are compatible with this device? I cannot find anything beside EBay sketchy auctions.

[@T-eick20]

The item that plugs into an outlet to provide the sprinklers power.

[@vondagluck7235]

Hi, when my sprinkler change zones from 1 to 2, they both stay on. Know when i push manual, both zones still come on. Tried reset, tried to clear everthing also.

[@lesliejs]

in the instruction sheet on the door, it says something to the extent of: the program switch does not determine which program is running. So it can't be seasonal. (although that would be convenient) I guess I need to open that thick manual....

[@lesliejs]

Leslie JS while the manual is not precise. In the troubleshooting section it mentions that if there is an unexpected watering occurring, it's because an unwanted program is on, and that programs stack. Multiple programs can run at the same time. The program switch just toggles which one you want to make changes to at that time. So Programs ARE NOT for seasons, that's what seasonal adjust is for.

[@joanmucha3465]

Need your help please. Is there a way to set timer to water zones 1 & 2 on Monday for 45 minutes, Zones 3 & 4 on Wednesday and Zones 5 & 6 onFriday? Please and thanks

[@michelleerickson5765]

What model was this unit? Was it a 4M?

[@shamanaz3118]

I accidentaly turned on the 2 nd and 3rd timer to turn on the valve...but now I am not able to turn those off. I only need 1st timer on. please help to turn off the 2nd and 3rd timer..its too much of water time now

[@c-carter5834]

Still need help?