Irrigation Controller Programming - Rainbird (TM2, ME3, ESP Modular, ESP-TM)

[@SmartIrrigation1]

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[@smallfry2926]

Excellent video! I was trying to figure out how to set a zone to go on multiple times a day after I overseeded. I didn't understand (when I was trying to do it on my own, the different sections on the run time) but once I watched the video those were the start times for the days. FANTASTIC! This video has helped me a great deal. Thank you so much.

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Really glad this helped you! Thanks for watching!

[@ankitpatel09]

Thank you so much for the informative video. I did make that common mistake. PGM A, PGM B, and PGM C are NOT the same as ZONE 1, 2, and 3. So don't get confused as I did. This cost me $400 in extra irrigation. Because my 30 min each zone * 4 zones = 2 Hours of Watering. Now 2 Hours * PGM A, B&C = Total 6 hours of watering. And two times per week, = a total of 12 hours of watering. Which got me a bill of $400 that used 44,0000 Gallons of water. Suggestion to RAIN BIRD: They should not say two different words under "Run Times" >> On the LCD, they say STATION 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. But we are referring them to ZONE 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. SO they should change the system 1 to ZONE 1 name. This video definitely was helpful, and let's see what my next month's bill will be. Cheers!

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Very glad the video was helpful! Hopefully your bill is much better this month!

[@catgrin]

I agree that they should keep terms consistent. This is is common issue with tech instruction/use (ex. “messages” vs. “texts” vs. “voice mail”). Unfortunately, for computer operated devices which have a long life and no regular remote system updates, it can take years for basic changes like this to get implemented.

[@Noteugenelevy]

Really helpful video. Highlighting the controller areas you talked about was really helpful!

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jackiesmith5260]

Thank you!

[@danshiels1652]

Thank you, fellas, well done

[@SmartIrrigation1]

You are very welcome, thanks!

[@JcMarxen]

The screen for watering days shows a message "Hold > to start". You did not mention doing that and wondering what that is for?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Hi, the watering days screen shouldn't say the "Hold > to start". This is what would be displayed on the manual watering menu, where you can run zones manually by holding the right arrow down. So if I understand things correctly, something might be wrong with your controller? It would be helpful to see a picture but we can't do that over the comments here. If you find anything out be sure to let us know

[@SandyGabrielson]

Appreciated the info, but how do you set up the zones? Thanks

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Do you mean setting up the run times for the zones? We go over that at 6:11 in the video. If you are looking for info on how to chose the correct run time, you can check our article on watering times at smartirrigation.com. We also go over what a zone is and run times vs start times at 3:46 in this video. Does that help?

[@garywilliams4070]

Would really like to see you do a video on the adjustment of the new rainbird 5000 rotors… the one you did 4 years ago was on the old style…

[@SmartIrrigation1]

I definitely agree! That is the next video on our list to do, it's just been a crazy year in the field that I haven't had time to make a new video 😳 but hopefully soon as things slow down!

[@SuperFantasticITGuy]

Hi, I would like you to explain the interval schedule. I don’t understand it. By default the day cycle is set to 3 and zero. The zero is the delay, but what does the 3 stand for. You cannot change this setting to 1, so what does it do. It seems to be preset and there is no off. So, how do you make sure it’s not a factor, but also want to understand how it works.

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Thanks for letting us know there is interest in explaining interval scheduling. We'll try to get out another video on this this year. But simply, the 3 is how many days make up the interval cycle. So a 2 in the position means it will water every other day. It may not let you put a 1 in that menu since that would simply be everyday watering (and thus doesn't have an interval). If you want everyday watering, just select every day in the standard days of week menu. If you don't want the interval watering to go on, just keep hitting the right-arrow until the 3 disappears and you only see the days of the week. Hopefully this helps

[@larabarmi9405]

Hi. I can't figure out what Programs A,B and C is for. I have different settings to run during the seasons depending what the water restrictions are, but it seems to run randomly. Can you explain what and how those programs are used?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Using mutiple programs is a great way to set up more complex watering schedules, but it's beyond what we've went through in our videos so far. We'll look into doing a video on multiple programs in the future! Thanks! In the mean time, if you would like more individual feedback on running multiple programs, check out our patreon at www.patreon.com/SmartIrrigation

[@hugomarrufo3801]

Still waiting de video.😅

[@jackiesmith5260]

@@SmartIrrigation1 that's my question, too!

[@SmartIrrigation1]

@@jackiesmith5260 We recently posted an advanced controller programing video for the Hunter controllers which programs in much the same way as the Rainbird one in this video. Not perfect but very close.

[@مسالم-ش4و]

Hallo, ich habe Fragen, da ich bald verzeifel. Ist es möglich, Montag Mitwoch, Freitag, Sontag , untern A 1 programmieren von 21 Uhr bis 21,45 Uhr? Das zweite Feld, also A2 von 22.00 bis 22.45. B1 von 5.00 bis 5.30 und B2 von 5.45 bis 6.15. A1 und B1 sind ein Feld A2 und B2 sind ein anderes Feld. Wir schreiben aus Germany. Vielen Dank.

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Hi my German friend! Using mutiple programs is a great way to set up more complex watering schedules just like you are saying in your comment, but it's beyond what we've went through in our videos so far. We'll look into doing a video on multiple programs in the future! Thanks! In the mean time, if you would like more individual feedback on running multiple programs, check out our patreon at www.patreon.com/SmartIrrigation Good luck!!

[@AliceB-tm5sb]

I have watched your Irrigation controller programming video. Have been working with a Rain Bird TRU61 controller and thought that if that controller was set to run Program A, it would ignore program B. It appears that if I want only Program A to run, I must set Program B to the Off position. Is this correct?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Thanks for watching! And you are correct, ALL programs that are programmed with a start time, run time, and watering day will all run together. This is done on purpose so that you can create complex watering schedules that overlap. We talk about this in our recent video on advanced irrigation programming (check it out if you are interested!)

[@terrypalmer5905]

What is the interval watering menu? I probably will not use it. Should I have settings set at 0?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

The interval watering menu lets you set at what interval you want the sprinklers to go on, such as every 2 days, as well as setting up restriction days so that for example it will water every 3 days except if that Third Day falls on a Saturday then it won't water. Most of the time you won't need to use internal watering. And you don't need to worry about putting any settings in that menu; the watering days will only be the menu that you leave it on, so either the Monday to Sunday schedule, or even / odd days, or interval. Does that make sense?

[@feliperobledo832]

Water Days - Day Cycle: I would like to know more about this function. The Day Cycle goes all the way to 31. Does this setting would interfere with my already week program (every day set up to water or not)?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

It sounds like you are in the interval watering menu with that number going up to 31. If you just want your weekly day-based watering, just make sure that you leave the water days menu in the days of the week sub menu (without the number above the days of the week) when you move the dial to run. You can check this by moving the dial to water days and check to make sure there is NOT a number above the days of the week. As long as it's left here, you'll be good!

[@feliperobledo832]

@@SmartIrrigation1 thank you so much. The manual should say something like: once you finish programming every day of the week and finish with Sunday setting it to ON or to OFF, DON’T press the right arrow because that will take you to Day Cycle where you can program your watering schedule to every two days, or every three days, or every five days or even to every 31 days which for must systems you don’t want to choose. Therefore, once you set up Sunday, turn your dial to whatever else you want to program. That being said, thank you again for a very good answer. Have a nice day and week.

[@168songs]

Do I need to save the program after I set it to my liking?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Nope! Just turn the dial back to the top and you're good to go! And if you're curious if it saved or not, you can turn the dial back down to the starttime/runtime/days, and you'll see that your previous setting have been saved 😊

[@chrisgrant9103]

I opened the cover. Two orange wires (zone 1+2). Two yellow wires (zone 3+4). From the power source a single white wire (zone 5 ?) and a black wire (after skipped zone) suspect is ground. Does this configuration sound accurate? Is this a 4 zone configuration? Thank you. How to resolve to affect the fifth zone please?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Actually the two orange wires are just power to the controller from the transformer and the two yellow are rain-sensor bypass not zones. You would need to count the numbers with screws in it to know how many zones you have.

[@daveleary5830]

I'm having a big issue with the app and the internet. It worked fine for over a year and then the internet crashed and I had to re-establish all my home connections including the ESP-ME3 controller. The few times I was able to connect, I had to have my phone wifi on Rainbird, not my wifi provider. The programming/connection instructions are poor at best to follow for the app connection. I can't always get the module on the base to flash red and green and when it does it goes into update mode and never leaves it. Where do I need to go to get better troubleshooting for this? Thanks.

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Try Rainbird support or where you purchased the wife module.

[@username2501]

Hi. I have zone 2 that is running when all the other zones are running. Overlapping never happened before until now when I turned the system on. Anything you can help?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Probably isn't controller related unless it's a really rare controller that can be programmed to run two valves at once. This is most likely a wiring or valve issue.

[@alchance662]

I have ESP- 8TM using CUSTOM program; assigning zones to either A or B with no overlapping. While in AUTO on A, I found B running. Is this a malfunction, or are A & B meant to be supplementary for a full cycle?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Not sure exactly what your program is but the controller will read both A and B programs and run both no matter which one is on your display at the time or as you mentioned "while in Auto on A" . . Hope this answer helps. (If you liked this video please consider helping us make more.)

[@alchance662]

My A and B are programmed to run different stations on different days. If I select A, why would both A AND B run at the same time? Seems this is designed to run them separately which is reason for A and B? Both running together : Is this by design or a breakdown in the Controller?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Both programs would run at the same day only if progamed A and B for the same days. Controllers read all info in all programs regardless of the one selected on the dial.

[@Hootowl7880]

I am trying to set up a watering schedule for hanging baskets, ripped tomatoes and the garden. I want them to only run for 10 minutes at a time but three times a day. I am struggling with us can you help thanks

[@Hootowl7880]

Supposed to be drip tomatoes

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Okay, so if you follow along on the video, after you set up your date and time, you want to set one star time for say 4:00 in the morning, and then under run times you want to put in 10 minutes for Zone one if you only have one zone, or if you have two zones you'll want to put 10 minutes under both one and two. And then underwatering days, you'll want to press up when it's flashing on m, down when it's flashing on t, off when it's flashing on W, down when it's flashing on th, and up when it's flashing on me. And then flip the dial up to run, and you should be good to go! Does that make sense?

[@BarbLennie-f6y]

I need to run zone 1 (planters) every day and zone 3 and 4 twice a week. I set it up so Prog A runs zone 1 every day, Prog B runs 3&4 twice a week. But now how do I have both programs run on Auto? Or have I done this incorrectly. I have aTM2. Thanks for your help Edit, just spoke with Customer Service. When I put timer to Auto, it will run all programs that have a start time, even though it only shows one program, so issue resolved, thank you!

[@SmartIrrigation1]

You bet! Sorry I missed your comment before you got it fixed, but yup, as long it has a run time for a zine, a start time for the program, and days to water for the program, all of those programs will indeed run!

[@america1563]

I got 4 zones but need to add 1 more can i add more it has room but plastics on zones 5 to 8

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Unfortunately a 4-station controller can only run 4 separate zones (unless your controller is modular, but yours isn't based on the description). So to add a zone you would need to get a 6-station controller. Some people wire 2 different valve wires into the same zone on the controller, but residential-grade controllers aren't made to run 2 valves at one and you can run into electrical issues that way. There are other after market ways of splitting zones, but none leave you with the ability to control them separately from your current controller.

[@goldie126126]

Do want to set multiple programs

[@SmartIrrigation1]

We plan on doing a more advanced features video when the funding becomes available. Please consider supporting or channel. As for now it is as simple as putting in the 1st program A but you choose program B or C first. The controller will read all the commands in all programs and run them.

[@chrisgrant9103]

We have five zones but ESP-TM2 controller program ABC only show four zones? How to program the fifth zone please?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

It is possible you only have a 4 zone controller. You can tell by counting the wire terminals inside which have zone numbers and screws .

[@chrisgrant9103]

@@SmartIrrigation1 I opened the cover. Two orange wires (zone 1+2). Two yellow wires (zone 3+4). From the power source a single white wire (zone 5 ?) and a black wire (after skipped zone) suspect is ground. Does this configuration sound accurate? Is this a 4 zone configuration?

[@rozfreeland4395]

Thanks!

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Wow thanks for the kindness!!

[@patbraden6890]

Share info for day cycle

[@SmartIrrigation1]

You would need to add more than one start time if you meant, you would like to run the program more than once daily. We plan on making an advanced feature video in the future.

[@rozfreeland4395]

Rainbird has not helped me at all, but you certainly have. Thank you! I just have one question left for now on my basic set up. I have set up my watering days but I cannot figure out what "2 day cycle" means while I'm on "water days". I can make it go from flashing to still, but have no idea what it means. Thank you in advance!

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Hi I would just scroll past that and set the days of the week to water instead . We have an advanced programming video on the Hunter Controlers that set the same. If you want to learn more about that more that advanced feature.

[@edykam5590]

How to turn off the cycle days watering?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

If you just want your weekly day-based watering (so not sure thr cycle days), just make sure that you leave the water days menu in the days of the week sub menu (without the number above the days of the week) when you move the dial to run. You can check this by moving the dial to water days and check to make sure there is NOT a number above the days of the week. As long as it's left here, you'll be good!

[@ronanwilsonsebastian]

Manual control wont make zones start

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Sorry, there are many possible causes for this problem. Without being there in person it would be difficult to diagnose. Perhaps get a local Irrigation Service Tech or call Rain Bird Technical Assistance .

[@darcyfriesen7866]

perfect timing (hahaha) - I am just about to replace my sprinkler controller with the ESP-TM2.

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Great! Let us know how programming your new controller goes, and if you end up having any questions left over from the programming.

[@MohamedUAE]

Q. I have this time (ESP Modular) master valve installed right after the 5HP pump in my back yard, and would like to know what's the right connection for the wirings? Currently, two wires coming from the master valve, one installed in C and the other wire installed under station 1 ! I am not sure if this is right or not. Why I am I asking? well, because when i test all valve, station one works only and the other stations (from 1-7) doesn't work! This device was set for something else, and I am now trying to use it for some other irrigation layout in my backyard. TIA all for the help if anyone can help in this matter. Mohamed Dubai

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Hi Mohamed, its hard to say without seeing the controller or wiring (if you want more of a back and forth with images, you can look at joining our Patreon at www.patreon.com/SmartIrrigation/), but generally you want to have any pump wired into the "MV" or "Master Valve" or "P" or "Pump" terminal on the controller, and then also make sure that the master valve or pump option is turned on in the controllers settings. Hope this helps!

[@MohamedUAE]

@@SmartIrrigation1 thank you so much for your time and effort. I posted the same inquiries on another KZbin and they suggested something for me and it worked . Thank you very much again

[@indiranuthi2089]

To add 2nd cycle

[@SmartIrrigation1]

Hi, we actually created a video on adding a 2nd program (or just adding a 2nd start time) in a new video on advanced programming. Check out our new video! It is currently for a hunter controller but the steps are similar to a rainbird controller (you just might need to use this current video as a reference). Hopefully this helps!

[@TerryAlbrecht-m9n]

I hav an area that is dry. I have another area that is newly seeded. How can I program the controler so that I am getting the extra water to the areas that need it without having to water on more days than necessary to the areas that dont need it. It seems that the controler is limited as far as programing when it comes to watering seeded areas that need everyday watering and healthy areas that require watering on less than everyday?

[@SmartIrrigation1]

All long as your sprinkler zones correspond to the healthy and newly seeded areas, you can definitely do this using multiple programs. If people are interested, we might put a video together on more complicated watering schedules with multiple programs, but for now we can put together an individualized answer for questions like this for our Patreons. If you are interested, check us out at www.patreon.com/SmartIrrigation