How To Program a RainBird ESP-ME controller

[@jnicholson8997]

Looked at two other videos on KZbin on how to program my RainBird and after watching this one, I can honestly say it is the one to watch. Amazingly helpful. Thanks

[@BobSell]

Reading the very poorly written manual, I kept thinking the "Set Watering Time" was for zones. Thank you for clearing things up! Great video!!

[@DonnyH]

Yes me too and I ended up stacking zones and having a huge problem with repeat cycles.

[@GavinsMarineMom]

@@DonnyH I did the same but now it's fixed thanks to this video!!

[@GavinsMarineMom]

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! After accidentally setting my sprinklers to go off 2x in a row on watering days, I have been racking my brain how to figure out how to turn off the second "round", to no avail. Until your very easy to follow video, that is!! Rain Bird should put you on their payroll! 😊😊😊

[@8crappies]

Thank you so much for your EXCELLENT instructional video. I'm a 77 year old woman who actually understood and could follow what you explained. Thanks again.😁😃😀

[@2kidsnosleep]

Read manual for a while, much head scratching. Then my son said to look on uTube. You had me program this in seconds, made absolute perfect sense. Thank you

[@kayreed16]

Most easily understood tutorial I have found. Thank you Nebraska Sod.

[@htnowpro]

Your video helped me out greatly. Couldn't find the answer to why my sprinklers were coming on more than once a day. Thanks so much.

[@mmgyang]

By far the EASIEST tutorial I've found. Thank you!

[@warrenlamb2844]

Thanks so much for this instruction. You helped me learn the language of the unit where the manual came up way short. Great job!

[@WilliamHallman-w3f]

Great video. I had to change a twice a day program but did not know how. The book was not helpful but your video made it so easy. Thanks for creating the video.

[@richardpinto521]

Great video, and great that the device's programmer made it so intuitive!! Watched this for 3-4 minutes and got it on the first try.

[@jimmiemarasides9702]

Well done! Thank you so much. You saved me the cost of a service call. Our installer just set the times and never showed us how to use it.

[@royalad]

After 7 years thank you so much 😊 it help me 👏👏👏

[@kathrynellis7050]

You solved the mystery of this system for me as I had no instructions available Thank you!

[@ThereseD1012]

You are AMAZING!!! Our installer would not take the time to show us how to do this...long story! Thank you for this GREAT VIDEO!!

[@toysoldieroutpost]

Thank goodness for folks like you making videos 👍

[@deettarapp2027]

Very good, clear directions. I've saved this one! Thank you!

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

spectacular upload Nebraska Sod. I crushed the thumbs up on your video. Continue to keep up the outstanding work.

[@melaniemitchell5453]

Great video and thanks so much for posting it! Exactly what I needed and you explained it so well. The best one I've seen yet.

[@justnandesigns]

Best explanation yet, better than the installer. Thank you very much. Mille grazie, Vielen Dank, Gracias

[@1949LA-ARCH]

You are the Man, Thank you from Delaware 😊

[@juliodavid49]

That is a great video. I just got this system and the manual doesn't explain how to do anything. Thank you now I know how to use it.

[@DanMarvinChannel]

Thank you for this video, it helped me figure out why my sprinklers were running too long (had a ‘Program D’ that it was running after A finished).

[@harleyanne3720]

I only understand this now from your video! Thank you so much

[@landonrudy6895]

This was a very insightful video, thank you for posting!

[@simske21]

Thank you, I finally know how to program my sprinkler system:))

[@Joseph-wy2mq]

Superb video...cleared up a few (important!) questions for me. Thanks!

[@jfurb04]

I have 7 zones that run MWF. However, I want to run ONLY zone 7 five days a week while still watering all 7 zones MWF. How do I do this?

[@bradouellette6558]

If I have an A and B program , will it run both while in auto mode or do you have to physically change it every time to the program you wish to run

[@Haliotro]

Same question

[@trevorlsadler]

Same question

[@lasers8872]

Thank you Nebraska Sod - this was great help. signed Illinois waterer ;)

[@mariojimenez3501]

Thank you better than the other videos I viewed on this.

[@ElinorHorner]

Thank you for this explanation. Very good! Can you tell me how to shut my 4th zone (? "station"). I'm having construction done and this zone will need to be moved after the construction is finished. Meanwhile, I want zones 1, 2 and 3 to run as programed. Thank you.

[@michaelm3890]

Great video! Just programmed my system easily. Many thanks!

[@vonglo4587]

Thank you. You had quickly ran through program ABCD. What if I wanted to run different days of the week, with different length times using a different program? How do I do that? Currently, I would have to run out to the garage and swap it manually.

[@steveh718]

I have a similar question. I want program B to only run stations 1 and 4. Is that possible? I am constantly running manual.

[@MrPielover19]

Hi I have same system but when I setup the program let's say 11:00pm it starts on time timer on cycle on but I c off beside it n sprinkler doesn't start I am wondering y any setting I am missing ? Because when I do manual program or station water sprinkler works fine only auto run is giving me hard time thanks if u can help me I appreciate

[@RyanJohnson-wj5fl]

This is a fantastic video thanks

[@tule3835]

Hi, thank you for you wonderful video. I have followed your instruction and schedule to sprinkler for only 3 days a week. However, it looks like it runs daily. Do you have any ideas to fix it? Thank tou very much

[@MrCookingNurse]

Perfect video. Thank you.

[@rahmama2]

Thank you for making my life easier!

[@hornemeister4131]

Great video, thank you making easy to understand.

[@marcusj97]

Thanks!! Better than reading the manual

[@mechanicaldave7981]

How do I run program a and b at the same time? With b I have it set for one 1 zone to come on to water my palms and landscape

[@MerlinoLive]

You are awesome dude!!!!!

[@avcplus]

E xcellent instructions!!

[@isabellesawyer2051]

Thank you it is clear. But can you tell me how to do if I want to water at 21h30 on Tuesday’s but at 20h on Friday’s ? Thank you.

[@joselgongora8019]

Thanks, when I test stations zone three does not come on or if I run it individually it does nothing either. When I turn the valve it works. What it may be? Thx

[@Rockwall69]

Watched this a second time to make sure and it's not right. Even the instructions say "the Program select button is only used to select a program and does not determine which program will run". I select program A and choose my day and times like you say to do in the video and when I turn the knob back to auto run the PGM switches on the LED screen back to B!

[@yamaholick17]

My rain sensor is blinking when on auto run mode and I’m not sure why or is that normal? Ty! Great video!!

[@paulpricesr.3371]

Thank you, very, very helpful.

[@shil6580]

After you set the test time to one minute and started it, you can see that it started blinking two minutes. I don’t think you properly changed it to one minute. Maybe after you change you need to hold down both arrows to save that setting before holding down just the right pointing arrow?

[@georgemurray3002]

Nice video, but one thing I still don't understand. This controller can run up to 22 stations. I am running14. I need to run each station at a different time, because I don't have enough water flow to run several at the same time. Am I understanding this correctly, I can only program the timer to turn on 6 times? That would mean that I need to run at least 2, if not 3 zones at once. Is it not possible to have this timer turn on each of the 14 zones at separate times?

[@ricklavoie3703]

Great job

[@gpryder]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@fall22123]

I bought a house last year with this system. Having troubles getting it figured out. Seems like it runs through the program, then starts over again. I always have to turn the switch to off to get it to stop. There's only 1 start time set. The other 5 are set to off. Any ideas what could be causing that?

[@dlchz1986]

How do you program multiplewater times with different water run times on the same program

[@traceypaulsmith5164]

Huge thank you

[@Softail77us]

Should it be on A B C or D when setting? Which programs will run when set to Autorun? Thanks for the video.

[@havefunwilltravelwithedand186]

I have the same question

[@Softail77us]

@@havefunwilltravelwithedand186 I subsequently figured mine out and it all made sense. Now with summer on the way I forgot and have to figure it out again! They all run unless shut off in the schedule. And ABCD are 4 different programs so I put it on A when setting up the the sprinklers for the A program and B for the B program. I have C and D turned off. I turn B on when every night is 80 or hotter because it just runs 2 sprinkler heads but they are needed for an area that gets baked. I hope that helps. I'm still fuzzy because I haven't turned it on for the year yet.

[@tommyperez6072]

Is there an irrigation system that will let you program it to run the specific stations on different days than the other stations? For example station 1 5x a week M-F at 8am and station 2 once a week at 8am.

[@katiesmith9154]

That is what I am also looking for. I would like to split my zones up and have them water on opisit days. This would put less strain on my irrigation pump and the well.

[@insightinvestments211]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@jimdavidson5208]

I'd like to know the same answer. I would like to run two stations at one time. My guess - is you can't. Because the controller only puts out X amount of current, and 24 volts. The second station would only receive half the current from the controller which might burn out the module or controller depending if your zone is running off an add on module or not. Need to fins out how much amperage the controller puts out and what the valves draw each.

[@alamerisable]

jim davidson I have the same requirement to water two zones simultaneously. There is no mention in the booklet for this option so I figured it is not possible with this controller. I figured out the best option for me is to connect the two zones using polyethylene 1" hose and disconnecting the one selonoid from the controller.

[@dorothyspencer8124]

Thank you great and helpful video for a woman .

[@wharffratt]

Can you program this box to zoned to water twice a day?

[@rinihaque2946]

I need that answer too for my veggie garden

[@Rockwall69]

My sprinkler system, exact same as the one in this video, still runs programs B, C and D even if I have program A selected as your video says to do. Nothing I do can get this thing to stop. No video I can find can help...so frustrating

[@carolb-d9631]

Wishing it was as easy as this shows. Mine seems to have a mind of its own.

[@BellyUpFishGarage]

I've got 5 zones. Zones 1-2 are flower beds. Zones 3-5 is yard. I'd like to water Zones 1 and 2 every day. I'd like to water Zones 3 - 5 3 times a week. How can I program the ESP to allow this to happen?

[@mrjeffjob]

from what I understand, you use the different programs a-b-c-d to get different watering daays.

[@Sector001ked]

Thank you so much!!

[@rogwheel]

Great instructional video!!! Thanks so much!!!!!

[@olben1095]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@donbosco4]

I have four zones. When the full 4 cycles are thru and completed WHY it's start all over again??? It is properly programmed and this situation begun only 2 weeks ago...Should I reinitialize completely???

[@jameswilson2279]

I have the STE-Me also.I live in an area where you can only water one time a week.My issue is I have 12 zones.I can start at midnite on Thursday .System will water zones 1-7 from midnite

[@amandasabin1]

awesome instructional!!! xoxo thanks

[@TuganimanaBetty]

How to get this controller for to replace one

[@aromatic1985]

great help, thank you

[@jeffw825]

Thank you!

[@IHoboJunk]

Thanks for the upload

[@felipeabreumoraes1b857]

Hi, I would like to know if this driver changes from program to program, from A to B, from B to C without stopping. Thank you

[@wcaknights]

Great video, thanks!!!

[@AAR1986]

Dear sir, Thank you for this valuable information, I would ask if you tell me how can I add an extra stations?

[@dhsjfjdddjwjcjdf4395]

👍

[@tammara123]

How to run all the zone one time?

[@nickfunk5804]

Are Progam A and Program B,C,D independent of each other? Supposedly, If I have Program A to run Monday, and Fridays, and I have Progam B to run only one station on Mondays and Fridays, will only one Program run or will both run on those days?

[@Haliotro]

Lol I have the same question

[@ledo6572]

l have 4 zone before they run very good but now just only one zone keep running all time . l can not stop it by the controller only by the electric . what can l do now ?

[@88Nunya]

Thanks so much, this was great.

[@nkemofor9687]

Please how can I add extra start time

[@lauranemtuda8878]

How do you get it off programs B-D?

[@cindycummings8209]

How do you delete a program B that set in error

[@ggabrielskap]

Nice video. Do you if It's possible to run two stations at the same time?

[@jeffgellerman420]

I have [3] programs I use at various times depending on weather conditions & time of the year. Is there a way to turn off a specific Program? and then be able to re-use the program in the furture

[@markvogel4341]

Hi Jeff, other than going through and manually adjusting the minutes for each station, the only other method is to use the "Seasonal Adjustment" which adds percentage or subtracts the percentage of water/time, for all stations. There are also the rain delay options and if you are watering on a day count, ie: every three days, that is another setting on the left side of the rotary dial. You might space out the days between watering, or tighten them up.

[@ke5hjq]

I have the same controller running 4 stations I need to run two at a time how can I do this other than wiring two stations too one terminal

[@gregmiller0515]

Woke up this morning and the system did not go off during the night. The controller says that all is well and when I manually run any station they don't work. I went to a valve and manually turned on the water and it works so there is water supply. I have checked power supply and it is good. all wires at the controller are intact. I even attempted to "test" one of the valves as is shown in the user manual and it didn't work that way either. The system worked fine a week ago, and now nothing. Is my controller bad? What else can I troubleshoot here? Thanks

[@bluelance01]

Greg Miller I have the exact same thing happening to me right now. Did you figure anything out?

[@Crdeh2010]

Was this problem ever resolved ? Same thing happened on our system after working fine a week ago

[@texastexas1568]

Why does my cycle keep starting over again when it gets finished with the final zone of my program? It goes through all 6 zones and then zone 1 turns on again.

[@hyrdrogenalpha]

I would suggest starting from scratch and reprogram everything. His video made things pretty clear to me!

[@yamaholick17]

Why does my rain sensor blink? Can anyone help? Thank you

[@billyhearnsberger492]

Awesome!

[@lw8281]

Thank you..!

[@thanikanikaran]

Nice mes tks

[@SkullBuck1]

How do I TURN OFF a station? Thanks

[@markvogel4341]

Try pressing the minus (-) button to turn the minutes to zero for that station. I just reset my programming from one to three programs of shorter periods for each station. Doing this will allow the water to sink into the soil in Program A, and then when B starts the water is less likely to run off. I also tested how long it takes for a station's water to start running off (and into the gutter). I made that the maximum time for Program A and then gradually added more time in Program B and C. This is important if you are watering uneven ground or on an incline. I hope this helps. I learned about it from a gardener. But yes, Rainbird does not make it easy for people, and unlike other companies, they don't have much support for new customers. Hence we track down videos like this on KZbin.

[@DougRushing-ld6ek]

NEED HELP I HAVE A FLASHING SYMBOLE AND A OFF NEXT TO STAT WHEN IN AUTO MODE AND SHOULD COME ON BEEN WORKING FINE FOR 5 YEARS . DONT KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED //////

[@richfernandes2810]

How to set 3 times a day water

[@DarrenGlen]

heres some CRITICAL information that the manual doesnt tell you or explain....YOU SET ONE START TIME AND IT JUST RUNS THROUGH ALL THE STATIONS IN A ROW FROM THAT TIME UNTIL THE LAST SPRINKLER STATION. you dont need to set a separate start time for each station. Get this...and you finally understand this infernal timer.

[@ATPodcast]

Agreed, I have 3 stations and kept wondering why my stations would repeat 3 times in a row. This video literally solved my issue!

[@carignandaniel6985]

I have 7 sections and the 1 2 3 4 work 5 6 7 mark nomod what cant i do to make them work

[@Biggun762]

then you only have 4 stations. open up the controller to look at whats behind the control screen and Ill bet you have wires hooked up to only 1-4 and nothing connected to 5,6,or7

[@carignandaniel6985]

Thanks for the anwser that was a terminal sensor was broken

[@Biggun762]

That would do it too, lad you got it fixed.

[@mistyharris7463]

Very helpful. The manual wasn't helpful at all. Nor the one on the door. The manual does have a 1-800 number and web site, but I like seeing a visual.