How to Program an Orbit 4 Outlet Hose Faucet Timer (56545)

[@tommygunn7745]

I pre read the below posts and now I know Im not getting dementia! The instructions were not clear enough for those that are only of average intel(but think they are more,im sure).Eventually I accepted the same running time for each of the 3 programmable station 's ABC ,but that should have been stated on the pkg to save everyone loads of time and aggravation. Over the last 18 yrs I have had 4 other hose bib type watering timer systems from orbit ( not quite as fancy,but of similar watering capacity,and have like them. I dont believe I ever needed to read the directions. However I recall of previous unit I just replaced with, model 56545),were programmable for different times on "A,B,C . I assumed this particular product ,"4 outlet water timer" was the same, as it didnt state anything about it on the packaging. Eventually I gave up and read the directions,but it wasnt clear to me either way, so I gave up and lived with it until I could contact orbit,but I found reading these comments before viewing the clip answered my question. Ive got a recent malfunction problem now, but Ill start a separate post for it.

[@billr4283]

I have been using Orbit timers for years. Now that I have watched this video...I can stop beating myself in the head with a brick due to inadequate written instructions. Whoever wrote the script for this video should have an enlightenment session with whoever is responsible for the written instructions.

[@jayhonk]

In other words, if you want to start at 8 am and water 4 hoses consecutively, you don't need to tell each station when to start. Just tell the first one. Tell each one how long and they just follow each other. That was impossible to discern from the printed instructions. Thank you. Now, can I have my blood pressure back?

[@blcdad]

jayhook - same here! The poorly written manual had my brain frying trying to figure it out. If it wasn't for this video I would have taken the two units I bought back! The manufacturer's web site was no help!

[@thegadphly3275]

Thanks, whew, I was going mad trying to get them one after the other...

[@tjw5500]

cant tell you how many times i restarted my cycle because NO WHERE does it say one station will fire at a time

[@drewthapanda8168]

Lmao dude thanks, this comment explained to me well more then the video did.. But the figuring out timing is difficult, seems to be a common difficulty for others, maybe they need to work on their instructing.. Oh well, thanks again. Hope everyone has a great day/night.

[@a_k_bryson]

This video made it much easier to understand than the printed instructions. Thank you for posting!

[@ianmorado8865]

I love this Timer. I use it everyday. Just got it last week. We just seeded our front yard and added 2 Rain Bird sprinkler systems in a box. The timers that come with that system was not conducive of what I needed. Hooking 2 almost the same sized timers as the one above with only one outlet per-to 2 different hoses was just not going to work. The Orbit outlet gave me the exact flexibility I needed while I still have 2 outlets to spare for whatever I needed. The fact that it detaches so you can make the adjustments within programming without having to slouch at shin level is a win within itself. Thanks for being awesome! You guys were thinking when you designed this. Thanks for whomever came up with this idea. They need a raise! I applaud you!

[@blcdad]

Really needs the written instructions improved and this video needs to be on the manufacturer's web site! The info needs to clearly point out that the selected stations will run SEQUENTIALLY.

[@ericskov1694]

I have used this exact model for 3 years but usually need to review programming each year. It's so simple if you follow the directions exactly as she states. The KISS principle applies. Don't overthink.

[@cywilson4622]

I have this timer for our historical society garden and didn't quite understand the zones. The instructions were gone and so was the person that originally set the timer. I programmed it and thought I had it correct. I checked the garden everyday and it was growing! growing! plants were huge. Then we got the water bill. Each zone was being watered 4 times in 20 minute increments so 80 minutes of water in each zone every other day!! Boy was the garden happy, but we weren't (after the bill) . Since then we have figured out the timer... LOL. the manual watering is still a pain.

[@Tomcoker1952]

I have had another brand of 4 station timer for a year, it died today so I bought this one. Ughhhhh the instructions are WRONG…..I was about to smash it and return it to Home Depot, until I found this video. Fire your instruction writers! After reading the comments my wife knows I am not the only one who struggled. She wanted to prove that I was not doing something right so she tried, she has so much patience, but after 30 min she said return this damn thing. Then we watched the video. Now it makes sense. We were following the instructions and selecting a diff start time for all 4 zones but they all kept the same time. Great product once you figure it out.

[@stokesc3]

I agree with Jayhonk. the. instructions did not say how initiate each station watering I wanted different times for the stations and that was the main reason I bought the timer I'm glad I found this video

[@talon146]

If I wanted to have 4 watering times, once per day. How would I accomplish this with only 3 programmable options (A,B-C)?

[@danmigs623]

“The schedules will run one after the other”…. That should absolutely be in the manual lol. Had to come to this video to realize that.

[@mewzikbiznis1]

The big weakness of this unit is the complex programing. The second biggest weakness, unlike the Orbit 2-outlet timer I used to have until it died this year, is it doesn't have a bypass lever so you cannot simply use one hose as a regular hose for hand watering. Instead you have to program one of the stations every time you want to use a hose for hand watering. In short, a supreme pain in the youknowwhat. I attached this rig to a splitter so I have one hose always on for hand watering, all others hoses programmed. Dear Orbit - add a bypass lever like your 2-outlet timer please.

[@EarthSojourner]

I don't have this one, just considering whether to get one. Is the 4th bib / outlet to use to water manually with a hose? There are some Orbit timers that have a up/down lever on the side so you can use that with a hose for hand-watering. I have a two-outlet one, and when I use that lever, it uses one of those two hoses. If not, it goes by the program -- except that it's a confusing hassle to program, too, so I gave up on that. Actually went back to a two-hose manifold, so I have to turn the water on every time, and it's behind tall plants now. All a matter of trade-offs, unfortunately.

[@adummyduhs]

My question is about getting the cycles to turn off for the night. I got the whole thing set up to do exactly what I need it too do, except it doesn't seem to stop its cycle when the sun goes down so it keeps watering every hour. I have it set up to water three different stations at three different start times for 5 minutes every hour. We have had the product for about 2 weeks and we keep going outside to turn the dial to off every night because it keeps watering well past dark. Is there a set time the timer stops watering for the night and then starts its cycle again in the morning? We have turned it off as late as 11pm. This results in the need to manually go turn it on again in the morning. How can we get it to stop watering for the night automatically?

[@kimyeecarroll01]

Which hose enozzle is which station?

[@bonnierice7516]

I would like to program the timer for 3 zones/stations, starting at 10:00 am, twice a week for each zone/station. I have a low flow well, so I'd like to water zone 1 on Sun & Weds; zone 2 on Mon and Thurs; and zone 3 on Tues and Fri. I can't figure out how to tie the station to the 'how often' so that I can do this. It just makes all the stations the last day combination I pick, i.e. Sun/Weds. I know I did it somehow last year - I talked to a representative but I can't get in touch with anyone on the phone. Thanks!

[@EarthSojourner]

This is why I quit using this kind of timer and returned to watering by hose, despite how much time it takes. My irrigation layout changed, so I needed to reprogram the one I had and couldn't face it again. It is truly PAINFUL to program this "manual" kind and so confusing with so many details that it takes hours the first time. Plus, pushing those resistant buttons for every minute, literally, is worse than using a TV remote control. Being able to program on a phone is easier. The only improvement they've made over years is making it possible to remove the control part so you can sit in a chair and endure this, rather than crouching on the ground near the faucet as it was before. If engineers can make the "smart" ones so much easier to program, why not this kind, too, for all of us who can't afford the whole underground and electrical setup for one of those or who don't want that kind?

[@cathiebourne1793]

This is probably a good video, but it would be super helpful if she would pause after setting up each schedule and then go through the sequence one more time so you can see what she has done. (She keeps talking and I am having trouble keeping up with her).

[@ms.ladietoyou8672]

lol me too

[@billchessell8213]

One solution to this would be to hit the space bar on your computer to pause the video, hit again to continue. Another would be to use the KZbin video menu (the vertical three dots) to slow your playback speed. I feel your pain!

[@EWFOXIII]

If only there was a way to pause the video… Yeah.

[@ckhang]

Does this unit change the GPM vs the GPM off the faucet? I bought a 3 zone timer from Orbit and it cut my pressure and GPM in half. Had to redo all my sprinkler heads.

[@joequillun7790]

notice, no response.

[@kimhoffman4356]

I love orbit so great customer service

[@orlandob9958]

Hey orbit just put a link to this KZbin video on the box , it’s a lot easier than your instructions which don’t specify you only have to set a, b or c and the timer does the rest.

[@orlandob9958]

With your instructions I was lost , with this video it took me 2 minutes.

[@lynnkristy1]

Does anyone know if I can leave one hose open to use for regular watering. Do I have to program it on all the time and just that outlet?

[@tonysmith4791]

I have set the watering schedules A B and C. The watering occurded this monring for Schedule A at 6am. After watering, I noticed the next watering scheduled shows 22 hours. Schedule B is to occur 6 hours later so I expected next watering to show 6 hours. Am I missing something?

[@feliciashoemaker6285]

This is great, the instructions was confusing to me

[@rdomercq]

.... ok - I have all on Cycle A ... Station 1 I want 10 min.... Stations 2, 3, and 4 I want for 5 minutes... can I do that? How do I do that? .... or... would stations 2, 3, and 4 have to be on a cycle B? This is frustrating.

[@kennethdawes]

Can I set each station to have its own durations? i.e. Set Sta. A to start at 6am & run all 4 valves with durations of 30, 60, 45 and 15 min respectively. Can I then set Sta. B to start at 5pm and use durations of 12, 15, 20 and 30 min respectively?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Just to clear a couple things up. Station and valve are synonymous and mean the same thing in this video. The ABC portion at the top right is referred to as programs or watering schedules. So with this timer, each program will run through all the selected stations for their scheduled amount of time. As the video states @2:07, all stations will be selected by defuault, but you can remove stations you don't want to water on that program. You can set different run times on the stations (example: station 1 for 15 minutes, station 2 for 5 minutes, etc.). However, the example you've given is not possible with this timer because the maximum different programs you can have is 3 (ABC). You cannot program it to run at different run times for each repeating schedule. You could set the program to run each station at, say, 15 minutes, but that run time can't be changed if it repeats the program. You'd have to move to a different program to run a cycle with different run times, and because there are only three programs max, you couldn't do four different run times. Hope this helps.

[@kennethdawes]

Thanks for your reply! But even with what you said I'm afraid that I'm still confused. I'll try to use the correct terminology this time... There are 3 Programs or watering schedules - A, B and C. There are 4 Stations - 1, 2, 3 & 4 If I set Program A to start at 6am and have all 4 Stations active, then at 6am Program A will sequentially activate each of the Stations for, say 20 minutes each. If I then set Program B to start at 2pm, again with all 4 Stations active, can I set it so that Program B will sequentially activate each of the Stations for, say 35 minutes each? If I should be able to do that... i.e. Have Program A and B begin at different times *and* have the Station durations be different between Program A and B... Then I am at a total loss as to how to make that happen and would greatly appreciate an explanation as to how it's done.

[@orbitsprinklers]

Investigating this timer further, it looks like that is not possible. It allows for different start times (say a 6 AM and 2PM) but not different run times between those programs. So if you have your stations set to run 10 minutes each on program A, it will only be able to run the same amount on program B as well.

[@dianepater6120]

so watched this after spending an hour trying to understand the instructions first.Then the video , bought this for a vacation time and tested for a week to try to get it right , now I'm leaving and still do not know how to fully program this, so utterly confusing or I have a faulty unit, I will be returning this!

[@gordonmadrid1938]

About the interval watering, if I set a start time of 530 and for it to water every 4 hours(seeding lawn) would it run it off that selected start time. Example will it be 530, then 930, 130, 530, and so on?

[@Cichlidman]

I’m doing the same thing and I never got it to do that

[@felixgomez8938]

Great video

[@annefrolov6017]

Does anyone know which hose port belongs to which station? I'd like to only water 3 zones, and I need to know which station to turn off.

[@orbitsprinklers]

When looking at the timer, the ports are 1-4 starting left and moving right.

[@annefrolov6017]

@@orbitsprinklers So 1 is front left, then back left is #2, back right #3, front right #4? Thank you!

[@orbitsprinklers]

@@annefrolov6017 Correct

[@annefrolov6017]

@@orbitsprinklers Great, thank you!

[@JohnDrach]

Is it possible to have the same station water at three different times throughout the day?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Yes, there are a couple ways to do this. If you just wanted one of the stations (rather than all of them) the best would be to assign that one station to a single program (A,B,C). Within each program you can use up to 4 start times. Then assign the desired start times, one to each of the start times. If you only want three, leave the fourth blank. Hope this helps.

[@choosetherightify]

I'm perplexed as to why one can't water out more than one station simultaneously.... that doesn't compute for me. Why would I have a start time for stations 1 and 2 that is the same, a duration time that is different and then have station 2 start when station 1 finishes? What's the point of having a start time that isn't actually the start time for station 2? Really bad design. Now that I know it, I can work around it, but that was really messing with me. I had one bank of sprinklers working when I thought I should have two working. Also, is this unit pressure sensitive? Will it not open the water valves if the pressure is too low? Not great either because this means that it only works for higher pressures, but really low pressure systems, need another device.

[@jeannehines7715]

I'm having a terrible time programming this timer. I have watched the video numerous times, followed the instructions exactly and cannot get it to work! I can't even get the manual watering system to work. What am I doing wrong??????

[@orbitsprinklers]

We're sorry for the issues you're experiencing. Please send us a private message with your contact info on one of our social media channels (all linked in our youtube profile) and we'll get in touch and get everything sorted.

[@stevesorrell9495]

Can I change the start time without having to program how long?

[@m.a.8425]

Hey out there i need to replace the water manifold it must have damaged through the winter. Can this piece be replaced?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Yes, it can. Please contact us at our customer support and we'll get you taken care of: www.orbitonline.com/contact

[@SW-pn4ww]

How can I tell which station is 1 2 3 4 ? There’s no mark on the product. So frustrating

[@joequillun7790]

This question was answered above. 1 is on the left, and 4 the right.

[@ChipCunningham]

What about needing to water a patch of sod twice a day. Do I use "B" and station 4 for 7 am then "C" and station 4 for 4 pm?

[@orbitsprinklers]

That would work. Another option is to have just that zone on one of the programs (say, program C, for example) and then having a start time of 7AM and 4PM. You would need to make sure that on that program, only that zone had any run times. All other zones would be set to 0 or they would run as well.

[@greta222b]

I want one hose available all the time to use for watering pots whenever anyone has time. I want each of the other three hoses to water a specific area on a specific schedule. These schedules overlap. I have done the programming isolating one station for each schedule. I hook everything up and get no water coming out of any hose. Water does come out of the faucet when I disconnect the unit. What am I missing?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Good question. First, you should know that this timer does not allow for multiple outlets to water simultaneously (we designed it that way to avoid issues with water pressure), so only one outlet/hose can water at a time. You can program your timer to water those three zones on a specific schedule, but the three outlets will instead automatically water one after the other, not all at once. This allows all of your specified areas to receive the water they need, but without the risk of lessening your water pressure to the point where it would cause performance issues with your sprinklers. If this is not related to the "no water" problem you mentioned, and you have gone through the entire program setup, then your timer shouldn't be exhibiting this issue. If the problem still persists after all of that, then please contact our Support team at 1-800-488-6156 and we'd be happy to help troubleshoot with you until the root problem is fixed.

[@lordseth8517]

If I put station 1 and 4 on station A, do it water both side at the same time, or it's do station 1 first and station 4 last?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Station 1 would run first, followed by Station 4.

[@dennisborchers1736]

What do you do when it leaks? mine is leaking when i put it on with water. It comes out of the box

[@Terry-san]

Happened fox me too. Had to ask for a warranty replacement. They don’t make this model any more. They provided a different model but took six months to replace it. Six months.

[@joequillun7790]

@@Terry-san Mine leaked too. After only 1 season. Pulled it apart to find where it leaked. (they're molded so as you can't get it totally apart). One of the 4 tubes o-ringed housing split apart. unrepairable. Wasn't outside in the winter either. Plastic junk. My second waterer in less than 5 years. I'll try a 3rd brand, and give up if it fails.

[@lizavila9451]

It's ridiculous that the timer won't allow different start times and schedules for each outlet. If I want zones to water at the same time I can buy a timer with fewer outlets and attach a splitter to the outlet. Why would I pay more for this GIANT AND HEAVY timer?

[@samuelmead8478]

If I only want 3 working, how can I stop 4th line?

[@duanemcmullen3295]

Deselect #4 from the program. It will activate 1, then 2, then 3, sequentially. If you deselect #4 (no box around the number like in the video) after #3 times out it will ignore #4 all together.

[@annefrolov6017]

@@duanemcmullen3295 - does the timer know which station has no hose?

[@terriowen6161]

Help! I'm not feeling the "easy programming", even with watching the video. 1. I only want to use THREE stations (not 4). How can I turn off one station. 2. How can I clear the whole mess and start over ? 3. How can I manually water one station without having to do them all?

[@johnfarias7230]

Any idea why my Orbit just blinks 01

[@gordonmoore9953]

This helpful. Especially considering that the written directions are not helpful at all.

[@NancyMichelli]

Setting to manual does not work. Once I hit manual it doesnot cone on.

[@fitbymoses8880]

I bought one the other day but now the number one port wont shut off why I've only used it a day I'm going to have to take it back I think

[@orbitsprinklers]

Sorry for the trouble. If you could send us your contact info via a private message on our social channels (linked in our about us page) we will be happy to contact you and see if we can't figure out the problem.

[@Diego-rv8wf]

the woman that is talking/showing this video, probably never used this timer out on the field, ( one of the bosses daughters ) .

[@b.jstone5126]

Why does my timer start over after it goes through my three stations that I’ve selected?

[@orbitsprinklers]

This is most likely due to having multiple start times.

[@sportfanatic5339]

I’m confused. Why have 4 zones but only limit the device to 3 schedules? The reason this is important is due to pressure which dictates areas covered.

[@orbitsprinklers]

Each schedule will run through all the zones in sequence. (note: to skip a zone you can deselect it from that program). Within each program, you can run different stations, for different times, on different days.

[@cxlmobileheadlightrestorat7906]

@@orbitsprinklers you cannot run different stations on different times. Whatever is in station 1, the rest are the same. So in sequence means, 1 runs. Then 2, then 3 and then 4? Because they can't handle the sprinklers I have set up at the same time

[@anon6785]

Jesus this thing is a pain. only one sprinkler goes on. i cant get them all to go on.....

[@orbitsprinklers]

Hello, we're sorry for the complication you might be experiencing. Please note this timer, nor any timer, allows you to run all stations at the same time. Please contact us via social media and we'll be happy to help resolve any other issues.

[@emrahturkmenoglu499]

After couple of months use it is not working.

[@miuliani]

Love the timer - it's easy to use - but I have to say - this is a very poor design because it's just breaks, every year and if you're not around - expect the spout to be wide open until you recognize it and turn it off. I have to buy 2 of these every year because they barely last a season. If you get one season out of it - consider yourself lucky

[@joequillun7790]

I just dumped a brand X waterer, because it started dripping at the spigot connection. And it wasn't the hose washer. Got 2 seasons outta it. My faucet is at a 45° angle, so these devices hang off of there crooked. With the 4 hoses, it puts a load on that connection. I just bought this timer, and will "not" hang it off the facet. I'll put it on a short hose, and mount it vertically, and hopefully eliminate that problem. Sounds like yours do the same thing. Is your faucet angled, (?) and did you screw your timer right to it, like I did?

[@pattihedge6499]

guys, when i attach my orbit up to the faucet the water goes right through and doesnt stop untill i turn the actuall water off. HEEEEELP

[@orbitsprinklers]

Hello, we're sorry to hear this. Please reach out to our support team and they will get this resolved: www.orbitonline.com/contact-us/

[@joequillun7790]

These plastic imported timers are junk. Mine failed internally after one season of operation. Wasn't outside in the cold, either. Stored in it's original box thru the winter. Plastic internal manifold split open. "Next brand"

[@Cichlidman]

I have tried over and over to get it to turn on every 6 hours and it never works this is a gimmick

[@orbitsprinklers]

hello, we're sorry for the frustration this is causing. We'd be happy to get in touch and review the programming process. Please send us your contact info via private message on one of our social channels (linked in the description) and we'll reach out. Thanks.

[@harisha8494]

How do you control the water pressure in each outlet? If I need different water pressure in each station, how do I achieve that in every outlet

[@orbitsprinklers]

The only way to do this would be to get pressure regulators for each outlet. These outlets are not regulated.

[@blcdad]

I just added some simple valves I got a HD. Just a short connector that you insert between a usual hose connection and it has a lever on it to adjust the flow. About $6.00 each. They are in the area with the hose connectors and hose repair hardware.

[@jasonludwick3504]

Why is it a 4 port when u can only program 3?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Hello, you can program all four of the stations. what you're seeing is the programs setting. Each program can have a run time for each of the four zones. This allows for variations in watering needs, such as if one area of your yard needed water more frequently than another.

[@jasonludwick3504]

So how do u program the 4th port?

[@Tim.Stotelmeyer]

There are 3 timers and each timer controls 1 or more ports. For example you can program timer A to control ports 1 and 2. Timer B to control port 3, and Timer C to control ports 2 and 4. I have Timer A controls port 1, Timer B controls port 2, and Timer C controls port 4. I leave port 3 for manual.

[@jasonludwick3504]

I figured it out thanks

[@abdulrumonab]

Is this device water proof?

[@orbitsprinklers]

This is water resistant. Also, it is not freeze proof and should be stored during freezing conditions.

[@nestorbobadilla7228]

in español plis

[@Sylvite.]

How To get this cheaper. A.) Just dont get it B.) Get a 4 hose splitter, get a 1 station timer, attach said 4 hose splitter to timer. Then BAM

[@TheGumbyMom]

Water pressure would be crap if you water all 4 at once, which is the point of this timer.

[@JamesMooreSeattle]

@@TheGumbyMom It also doesn't help our setup, where we have one line that runs for an hour and another one for half an hour.

[@samosavegetarianphiladelph7211]

Still it seems complicated make it easier please . I wanted to buy it but I don’t think I will it’s hard make few steps not 100 steps hope this hep you to improve as y read other people said the instructions was not good. Thanks

[@samhull9603]

These units are a piece of crap. took one back to the store because it didn't work correctly, got a replacement that worked for about 3 months but by summer's end 2 of the 4 valves were already shot. for $60+ expect more from such a simple product. The issue seems to be with the physical components themselves, not the digital timer, but no troubleshooting has been effective.

[@domainflipp]

There’s nothing simple about programming these timers!!!

[@Terry-san]

Couldn’t agree more. The video is helpful but she talks too fast imho. I’ve had two of these die before the warranty was up. I’m on my third one now. Too much hassle to have Orbit replace because they do not make this model any longer they tell me. 🤦🏻‍♀

[@domainflipp]

@@Terry-san it’s a hot mess!!! Hopefully, your third one will last. The bad thing about it is, Orbit has a monopoly on these sprinklers. I went to two hardware stores to find a different brand and they only all carried Orbit.

[@joequillun7790]

I keep hearing these don't last. What is the symptom, that people are complaining about?

[@domainflipp]

@@joequillun7790 this is my first year using them and it’s still working.

[@tl8483]

Complete junk. Bought two and BOTH leak internally (water dripping out from INSIDE the housing) and one has a station stuck open so it wont shut off. Do yourself a favor and buy a different brand timer, any brand timer other than this garbage.

[@JamesMooreSeattle]

That actually turns out to be challenging. Going on Amazon, there's a fair number of brands you've never heard of with worse reviews than this thing. It's not obvious that you can buy a better unit even if you're willing to spend more money. Our local Home Depot and hardware stores don't even carry a competitor.

[@waaazupd1948]

This gosh damn thing is pissing me the fk off

[@alialabudi9752]

Don’t buy is not good

[@deanmartin2684]

This timer is junk