How to Program an Orbit 4 Port Hose Timer

[@Brentwilldoo]

To all those that are wondering after watching this video - you would think all ports are going to open all at once ( Video did not really make that clear) - which would be no good. They do not open all at once. You program your times in the zones (1,2,3,4) then it cycles through each of them from your start time till they are all finished - If you want zones to start at different times you can use B and C to accomplish that . I will be installing two of these this spring - we will see how good they are - nice that they have a 6 year warranty - keep your paperwork. I think good value for the money if they stand up.

[@orbitsprinklers]

This is correct, and thank you for pointing that out. We'll make sure to note that in future videos.

[@stevenkelly3501]

Did you install them yet?

[@TheoSmith249]

@@orbitsprinklers you should take this video down, and replace with a more comprehensive video. Have your engineers/developers who designed this device edify you on ALL the features. Then, and only then go to the public with a video that answers the questions and concerns populating this comment section. There many of these devices in your commercial distribution still.

[@scarab9762]

​@@TheoSmith249it's pretty self explanatory.. actually one of the easiest programmable timers I've seen. I think the video made perfect sense.

[@TheoSmith249]

@@scarab9762 I relish your higher intellect

[@stevenkelly3501]

Thank you for sharing. Going out to buy one today.

[@pablodiazmorales5649]

Hello, thanks for your video. Please I've a question...does this devise have to have water pressure? For example....is this going to work if instead of the water trap, I have a big storage tank that will just add water by gravity? I dont need the water to reach far away, just a water drip will be good for my purpose. Can it also be set more than once a day, right? Thank you

[@CarolReidCA]

Thank you! This is very helpful in setting up the timer! This explains it far better than the manual. How do you tell which port you are programming, or will it running each separately for X minutes for each time on? You said you can run port 1 for 10 minutes, then port 2 for 15 minutes? Where does it show which port you are programming?

[@heroknaderi]

Very interesting helpful thanks 🙏

[@ralphrousseau6986]

thank you it's very helpful

[@johndodge8999]

EACH station will run EVERY cycle sequentially for the one specific interval set. You can ONLY vary the time each specific station will run ALL the cycles. If you only want to water once a day on any set day then you never use B and C cycles.

[@tlindfelt]

The cycles A,B,C are misleading. I originally thought you could set different stations to run at different frequencies and durations. But that is not an option with this unit. Very frustrating. Cycles B, C are just if you want to water more than once a day. That is not nearly as helpful as setting one station to water every day and another station to water every 3rd day but for a longer time.

[@jessicacalhoun6280]

Worked well once. Now I have to have the valve shut off or it works like it is in manual instead of on auto. Meaning if I keep the valve open it won't quit running? I have removed the batteries to reset and reprogrammed it with no change.

[@raymondconroy3621]

Here is my understanding of how to program this Orbit timer. Decide on the days when there should be watering; e.g. specific days of the week, every day, every 2 days, etc. Program it as "How Often". Decide on the time(s) when watering should start on each selected day; the start times (called Cycles) are the same on every day. Program this as "Start Time". Decide on the duration of watering for each station / port / hose. Program this as "Run Time" The timer will activate on each of the selected days, and at each of the Start times will supply water on each port / hose sequentially for the time specific to each port.

[@susanlinder2403]

THANK YOU great video--now I can finally water my flowers

[@dianegao9176]

What about if I would water zone 2 and 3 immediate with running time 40 minutes respectively? I have set up the running time of the two zones successfully. Unfortunately, it's not running at the scheduled time. Say I set up the running time starts at 2:35pm when complete all the settings at 2:30pm. Nothing happened at 2:35pm.

[@PunkRockBenWilson]

Hi, i have this same unit and have owned it for a few years and haven't used it until this year. Is there a way to program this to water with valve 1 one day and valve 2 the next day and continue on that pattern. ?

[@orbitsprinklers]

Sorry for the delayed response; didn't see this question until now. To answer your question: this timer cannot do what you're describing. We do have timers that will do that, such as this one: www.orbitonline.com/products/hose-watering/timers/hose-faucet-timers/1-dial-2-outlet-digital-timer/digital-2-outlet-ht-timer-with-plastic-swivel-1189

[@donatospoony]

How do you attach the timer to the water chamber ? Not like me old one ?

[@brax2364]

I installed two Orbit Expandable Watering Kits (4 port manifolds): one on front yard and the other on the back yard hose bibs. Front yard works flawlessly. Back yard will work correctly as programmed on first station but then when it switches to the next station a loud pulsating back-flow deal occurs that forces water back through the hose Bibb at about 1.5 pulses per second spraying water from the same connections that do not leak when the faucet is turned on and the first station operates. I have to turn off the water to make it stop. I tried switching the front and back yard systems/manifolds and the problem happens at the back yard hose bibb regardless. This is a newly constructed house less than 2 months old. I’m totally stumped what could be screwed up with my back yard hose bib to cause this. Both front and back hose bibs appear to be identical.

[@scarab9762]

Sounds like a water pressure issue.. you may have too much water pressure at that location. The timer only works between 25-100 psi.. you may need a pressure regulator.

[@Steve_in_Texas]

I'm interested in this system but did hear about a potential problem, so perhaps someone could explain further.... I heard that when the valves are closed they slam shut suddenly and quickly causing a "valve slam" which could eventually damage the valves. Is this correct? Is there something that could be put inline to stop this from happening?

[@rhondacharles4875]

What do the manicles do ?

[@airheadbit1984]

How Often - I set How Often to Interval 3 and all four stations are fixed at once every third day. I need to water shrubs every 5 days, under front flower patch every 2 days, side lawn every day and island twice a day so how can this device work?

[@neilkilleen3911]

Here is what I am trying to do (and failing). The video indicates I can do this and the comments from Orbit below indicate I can do this. I want to achieve : Cycle A Start 8pm Station 1 90 min M W F; Cycle B Start 9pm Station 2 60 min Station 3 60min T Th Sat - I cannot progam this successfully. I set the Cycle A Program (looks ok). Then I select Cycle B and set the run time and frequency. However, when I then go back to look at Cycle A it has forgotten the settings. It seems to me that you CAN NOT set Cycle A B and C as 3 independent watering events where each event waters different stations (sequential is fine) at different times for different durations. Can you verify please Orbit ? If I am wrong, can you please link me to a vide showing how to do this. THIS Video says that you can do this, (after showing Cycle A) but does not demonstrate it. I believe all you can do with this timer is water the same stations for the same durations on the same days, but at different start times in the same day (Cycle A B and C). This is pretty useless..

[@shawnjonkrimmer]

What is the maximum working pressure for the valves? I have city pressure not regulated on one of my hose bibs

[@orbitsprinklers]

we recommend not exceeding 100PSI

[@jessew6757]

I have this item. What’s the minimum operating water pressure in PSi ?

[@scarab9762]

25

[@jessew6757]

@@scarab9762 Thank you.

[@gardenboxfarms8969]

Does this timer set off multiple main lines simultaneously? I’m using it for drip irrigation, using 2 zones, and can’t get both lines to water at the same time.

[@orbitsprinklers]

Hello, none of our timers allow for two stations/zones to be used at the same time. They can only run simultaneously.

[@adamazia9861]

@@orbitsprinklers "at the same time" vs "simultaneously"??

[@odestatyus365]

How set the water pressure on timer 58911 water springler

[@sarmedgeorge]

Would the 10 and 15 min you set will run at the same time, or it will start one by one (run one bank stop then run the next bank)?

[@orbitsprinklers]

They always run sequentially, one after another. none of our timers allow for more than one station to run at once.

[@sarmedgeorge]

Thank you

[@rajivprasad3829]

IN auto mode 2 of the ports is working like manual. Is this programming issue?

[@gnc1962]

Hi, I just bought this watering system and bought the two extra zones. In my garden I have four runs with 9 sprinklers each run. I cannot run all four at the same time because the pump will not keep up. My plan is to let each station water for two hours at separate times. Say, station 1 at 1pm, station 2 at 4pm, station 3 at 7pm, and station four at 10pm. I would like to do this series every second day. My pump can keep up only on one run. I am yet to figure put how this can be accomplished. From this video, it almost appears that all stations will only run at the same time. If this is the case, with 26 sprinklers running I will be able to piss farther that them. If this is the case I just flushed my money down the toilet. Can you help?

[@orbitsprinklers]

You can accomplish what you're looking to do with some limitations. This timer will let you have three programs (ABC). Each of those programs will run sequentially through all the zones you select, one after another, for the time you give them to run. It cannot run more than one station at a time. The one limitation you will have is you cannot have a 1 hour gap between stations and still be able to water all four. You will have to run them one after another. In your example above, how it will be able to work is watering each station for 2 hours (120 minutes) starting with station 1 at 1PM, station 2 at 3PM, station 3 at 5PM, and station 4 at 7PM. Again, you cannot have an hour gap between them. Do this by setting program A to a start time of 1PM, then under RUN TIME, set each station to 120 minutes. Then, under HOW OFTEN, set it to an interval of every 2 days (which would be every other day). If you have already passed your start time for that day (say you wanted it to start at 1PM, but were programming the timer at 8PM) it would then start the next day and then every other day after that. if you have any questions, please reach out to us on social media with your contact info and we could get in touch to walk you through the programming and answer any additional questions.

[@MegaMarlon0123]

how much did you paid????

[@kathywhite2408]

I have this exact same unit. However, the clock does not keep accurate time. It is too fast. I programmed it yesterday and it is 1 hour plus a few minutes ahead. Any ideas? Thank you.

[@philipp9402]

I had this particular model for about a week now. Worked well for the first few days, and then quit working in the automatic mode. Works well under "manual " . Is this something correctible?

[@orbitsprinklers]

That is strange. Would you be willing to send us your contact info via private message on one of our social media accounts (linked on our youtube channel page)? We'll get in touch and run through a few things. If we can't the until working correctly, we'll be happy to send a replacement under warranty.

[@philipp9402]

thank you for the response. I am going to change the batteries tomorrow, just before the cycle begins at 7 a m . I'll report to you after that. My email address is [e-mail]. I do not work with social media. Phil.

[@Bloodmoney45]

@@orbitsprinklers where can i order the timer because water got into my timer and it doesn't work anymore so i want to know where i can buy the timer

[@orbitsprinklers]

@@Bloodmoney45 If you need the timer only, we sell it here: store.orbitonline.com/store/products/yard-watering-system-timer-timer-only/

[@davidminehart5990]

I want to run zone 1 (drip) every day, zones 2-4 (sprinklers) every 3 days. Cannot see how to do this. Can you help?

[@irondon]

This unit is defaulting to running only on station 1! Yes, all 4 stations are plugged in , yes, all have durations set. When I go to "Auto" - it just shows station 1 activated (?) All of the switches work well except the Auto switch. Can't cancel settings on that switch. Can't toggle from Cycle A to B to C. Can't toggle from station 1 to 2 to 3 to 4. Why not? I even took the batteries out and restarted. Very frustrating. Why did the video spend so little time on the auto switch since it seems to be the hardest to operate! Why doesn't it simply default to all 4 stations?

[@jamesgregory3937]

Mine only runs station one too.

[@kvwillson]

Why will my unit not individualize each cycle? While it allows you to give EACH cycle it's own start time, it's own run length, run day, different valves; however it will not KEEP what you input for each individual cycle. Instead it will take what you input for whatever cycle you just set, and make ALL cycles the same. It's very frustrating. Why bother allowing you to individualize each cycle, if you can't ACTUALLY individualize each cycle?

[@tlindfelt]

Agreed.

[@angyriad3092]

I have the same problem

[@davidmcmahon7695]

The author gave the wrong information. You can not set up the individual zones on separate days. All zones run sequentially on the same day. The ABC let you set up multiple start times on the same day.

[@virgoboy986]

@@davidmcmahon7695 correct.. All stations will run the same days as you selected. You can have multiple cycles on a daily basis but all stations will run it the same day. You cannot individualize each station by how many cycles you want and what days. All stations will run the same way based on the cycles and days you programmed which forfeit the purpose of this watering system. The only thing you can individualize the programing of each station is the duration of the watering.

[@Maddjackal]

What is the controller mounting options?

[@orbitsprinklers]

The controller has a slot built into the back that hooks up to the notches on the valves. So it will be mounted right there at the faucet.

[@johnmorson1402]

Do I have to reprogram every 14 days ?

[@johndodge8999]

It might be a good idea to have the person making the video understand how the timer actually works.

[@danielmoona1172]

I have this system but after X amout of weeks I have to reprogram the whole thing again which is annoying. Apart from that it works well.

[@JamesKaine-x5m]

i am having the same problem as it runs for a few days then throws a wobbley

[@jonm5001]

Recently purchased this. Disappointed as this video is completely misleading between 2:30 and 2:50 - it does not allow different cycles for different days. I cannot use this for drip lines that are required daily, for other drip lines that are required every fourth day, and sprinklers that are required every second day. It seems, contrary to what is said between 2:30 and 2:50, that every programmed cycle will run on specified days; cycles cannot be adjusted to run on independent days.

[@johndodge8999]

There are other Orbit product that allow different cycles to be assigned to different stations. This is NOT one of them.

[@gwenithalexander1618]

Your video is helpful but limited ... it is not easy to see which button you are pushing with your left hand because part of the face is covered by your hand ... it would be more helpful if you were to point out the button before setting it and it's not clear that the ports open consecutively rather than all at once.

[@chayimjakob5499]

No, it's not possible to set different intervals for specific ports. And it's not possible to set different durations for each cycle. He says you can, but doesn't demonstrate how. He is smart enough though, to show you how to set the clock (because none of us have ever done that before). So frustrating when you watch a video that explains the obvious (turn to "set clock," to set the clock), but gives the wrong info on the stuff you really want to learn.