1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Eshico HCT-379 Intelligent Electronic Digital Automatic Water Timer. This device is designed to simplify your garden, lawn, and greenhouse irrigation, providing efficient and precise watering. With its intelligent features and user-friendly interface, you can ensure your plants receive optimal hydration with minimal effort. Please read this manual carefully before installation and operation to ensure proper use and longevity of your water timer.
Image: The Eshico HCT-379 water timer, showing its digital display and four outlets.
2. Product Overview
2.1 Key Features
- Large LCD Display: Clear and easy-to-read screen for programming and monitoring.
- Precise Irrigation: Customizable watering duration from 1 second to 360 minutes and frequency from 1 hour to 15 days.
- Two Watering Modes: Supports both automatic programmed watering and manual on-demand watering.
- Power Indicator: Displays battery level to ensure continuous operation.
- Rain Delay Function: Allows you to pause watering cycles to prevent overwatering during rainy periods.
- Child Lock Function: Prevents accidental changes to programming, ensuring consistent watering schedules.
- 4-Zone Automatic Control: Manages up to four independent watering zones with separate programs.
- Independent Outlets: Each of the four outlets can be programmed individually.
- 360° Active Joint: Provides flexibility in connecting to your faucet.
- Silicone Buttons: Durable and responsive for easy programming.
- "NEXT START" Display: Shows the time remaining until the next scheduled watering cycle.
- Built-in Filter: Prevents sediment and impurities from clogging the water inlet.
2.2 Components
- Eshico HCT-379 Water Timer Unit
- O-ring (for secure faucet connection)
- User Manual (this document)
Image: Front view of the Eshico HCT-379 water timer, displaying current time, start time, watering duration, frequency, and next start.
Image: Close-up of the HCT-379 timer with an O-ring, indicating connector type for US, Canada, and Mexico.
3. Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Model Number | HCT-379 |
| Material | Plastic (ABS + Nylon) |
| Connectors | 1'', 3/4'', 1/2'' |
| Ingress Protection | IPX5 |
| Working Pressure | 0.05-0.8 MPa |
| Working Temperature | 3-45 ℃ |
| Power Supply | 2 x 1.5V 'AA' Alkaline Batteries |
| Irrigation Frequency | Second/Minutes/Hours/Day |
| Certificates | RoHS/CE/ISO9001/FCC/Design Patented |
| Packing Weight | 910g |
| Packing Size | 22.6 x 16.6 x 8 cm |
| Dimensions (approx.) | 16.4 cm (width) x 14.2 cm (height) x 7.4 cm (depth) |
Image: Dimensions and specifications table for the HCT-379 model.
4. Setup
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Battery Installation:
Open the battery compartment on the back of the timer. Insert two (2) 1.5V 'AA' alkaline batteries, ensuring correct polarity. Close the battery compartment securely. The timer will display a low battery indicator when batteries need replacement.
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Connect to Faucet:
Ensure the O-ring is properly seated in the timer's inlet connector. Screw the timer onto your outdoor faucet. Hand-tighten only to prevent damage. For outdoor use, place the timer vertically to ensure optimal performance and water flow.
Image: Timer connected to an outdoor faucet, emphasizing vertical placement for outdoor use.
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Connect Irrigation Lines:
Attach your garden hoses, drippers, sprinklers, or sprayers to the four independent outlets at the bottom of the timer. Ensure all connections are secure to prevent leaks.
Image: Operation guide diagram showing the timer connected to drippers, plastic sprinklers, and sprayers.
5. Operation
5.1 Understanding the Display and Buttons
The large LCD display shows current time, start time, watering duration, frequency, and next start time. The control panel includes buttons for 'NOW', 'ABCD' (for selecting zones), 'ESC/OFF', 'OK', '+', '-', and 'DELAY'.
5.2 Setting Automatic Watering Programs
Image: Automatic watering settings with "How Long" and "How Often" sliders, showing a green lawn with sprinklers.
- Select Zone: Press the 'ABCD' button to cycle through the four independent watering zones (A, B, C, D) you wish to program.
- Set Current Time: Use the '+' and '-' buttons to adjust the current time. Press 'OK' to confirm.
- Set Start Time: Navigate to 'START TIME' using the 'OK' button. Use '+' and '-' to set the desired start time for watering.
- Set Watering Duration ('HOW LONG'): Navigate to 'HOW LONG'. Adjust the duration from 1 second up to 360 minutes using '+' and '-'. This sets how long each watering cycle will last.
- Set Watering Frequency ('HOW OFTEN'): Navigate to 'HOW OFTEN'. Adjust the frequency from 1 hour up to 15 days using '+' and '-'. This sets how often the watering cycle will repeat.
- Confirm: Press 'OK' to save your settings for the selected zone. Repeat for other zones as needed.
Image: Illustrates the two watering modes: Manual Watering (1s-360mins) and Automatic Watering (1s-360mins, 1h-15days).
5.3 Manual Watering
To manually water, press the 'NOW' button. You can then set a specific duration for manual watering using the '+' and '-' buttons. Press 'OK' to start manual watering. To stop manual watering, press 'ESC/OFF'.
Image: Manual watering in a garden setting.
5.4 Rain Delay Function
To prevent overwatering during rainy periods, you can activate the Rain Delay function. Press the 'DELAY' button. Use '+' and '-' to select the duration of the delay (e.g., 24h, 48h, 72h). Press 'OK' to confirm. The timer will pause all scheduled watering for the selected period and resume automatically afterward. You can manually open the valve as needed to delay one watering cycle.
Image: Rain delay function display on the timer, showing "DELAY" and a cloud icon, with a note about manually delaying a watering cycle.
5.5 Child Lock Function
To prevent unintended changes to your watering programs, activate the Child Lock. Press and hold the lock icon button (usually located near the display) for a few seconds until the lock symbol appears on the screen. To unlock, repeat the process.
Image: Child Lock feature displayed on the timer, preventing accidental program changes.
6. Maintenance
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Filter Cleaning:
The timer has a built-in filter to block sediment and impurities. Periodically check and clean the filter to ensure optimal water flow and prevent clogging. Unscrew the inlet connector from the faucet, remove the filter, rinse it under running water, and reinsert it.
Image: Detail of the built-in filter, showing its components and explaining its function in preventing clogging.
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Battery Replacement:
When the low battery indicator appears on the display, replace the two 'AA' alkaline batteries promptly to avoid interruption of watering schedules.
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Winterization:
The water timer is not frost-proof. Before the first frost or if temperatures are expected to drop below 3°C (37°F), disconnect the timer from the faucet, drain all water from the unit, and store it indoors in a dry, protected area. Failure to do so may result in damage to the timer due to freezing water.
7. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No water flow or low pressure from outlets. | Low water pressure from source, clogged filter, incorrect program settings, or blockages in connected hoses/sprinklers. | Ensure adequate water pressure from your faucet (0.05-0.8 MPa required). Clean the built-in filter. Check watering duration and frequency settings. Inspect hoses and sprinklers for kinks or blockages. |
| Timer not turning on/display is blank. | Dead or incorrectly installed batteries. | Replace batteries with fresh 'AA' alkaline batteries, ensuring correct polarity. |
| Watering schedule not starting. | Incorrect start time, rain delay active, or child lock engaged. | Verify the programmed start time. Check if rain delay is active and disable if necessary. Ensure child lock is disengaged. |
| Leakage from connections. | Loose connections, damaged O-ring, or missing washers. | Tighten all connections. Check the O-ring for proper seating and damage; replace if necessary. Ensure washers are present in hose connections. |
8. User Tips
- Water Pressure: For optimal performance, ensure your water source provides sufficient pressure within the specified range (0.05-0.8 MPa). If you experience issues with multiple sprinklers, check your overall water pressure.
- Spraying Radius: The maximum spraying radius is determined by the type and specifications of the sprinklers or irrigation devices connected to the timer, not the timer itself. Choose sprinklers appropriate for your desired coverage.
- Regular Checks: Periodically check your watering schedules and battery life, especially during peak irrigation seasons.
- Environmental Awareness: Utilize the rain delay function to conserve water and prevent overwatering during natural rainfall.
9. Warranty and Support
The Eshico HCT-379 Water Timer comes with a standard manufacturer's warranty. For detailed warranty information, technical support, or any questions regarding the product, please contact the seller or manufacturer directly through your purchase platform. Please have your model number (HCT-379) and purchase details ready when contacting support.
