Programming The Controller; Getting Started - Irritrol Total Control Mode D'emploi

PROGRAMMING THE CONTROLLER

• Getting started

• Setting the current time and date
• Erasing any prior programs
• Setting the Station Times
• Selecting Master Valve/Pump Start on/off
• Setting the program start times
• Selecting the days to water
GETTING STARTED
The unique modular design of the Total Control enables you to easily remove the timing
module (TM) from the cabinet and take it anywhere for handy programming– even to your
favorite easy chair! Just release the faceplate pull latches, unplug the TM ribbon cable, then
remove the TM by releasing the plastic catch. Now, by installing a 9-volt alkaline battery
you can program and review your watering schedules and have it ready to operate upon
completion of the installation. (See battery installation instructions on page 4.)
NOTE:
To extend battery life, the display will automatically turn off after two minutes of
inactivity. To restore the display, simply turn the function dial to any position.
What is a watering program?
In basic terms, a watering program is a set of instructions which tells the controller when
to start a watering cycle, which stations to operate during the cycle, which days the cycle
will be active and how long each station will operate during the cycle. The Total Control
has four independent watering programs for your use. Separate programs are usually
used to group stations with similar watering requirements. For example, one program to
water lawns in full sun every day and another program to water lawns in partial shade
only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Trees and shrubs using drip irrigation could run
on a separate program for example once every two weeks. The garden area requirements
might include watering every other day. As you can see, the availability of four programs
allows you to have unique watering programs for your varied landscape needs. Since water
pressure and delivery rate is variable, the controller program stacking feature enables
you to limit the number of programs which can operate simultaneously; controlling low
pressure watering situations.
What is a program watering cycle?
When a watering start time is selected, that time becomes the beginning of an automatic
watering cycle. A watering cycle operates each station assigned to the program, one by one,
in numerical order. When setting up watering schedules, it is important to remember that
start times are assigned to programs, not individual stations.
In the following example, (also shown on the sample watering plan on page 9) we have set
up Program A to start at 2: 00 a.m. and again at 3:00 a.m. on a 1-day interval (every day).
Stations 1, 2, 4 and 5 are front and back yard lawn areas which get full sun throughout
the day. These stations will run for 10 minutes each for a total of 40 minutes run time per
day. Stations 3, 6 and 7 are lawn areas which are shaded during the afternoon hours. These
areas require less water, so we have assigned them to Program B and set them to run for 15
minutes each on a 2-day interval (every other day).
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