Hunter X-Core Irrigation Controller Quick Start Guide
This guide provides essential information for setting up and operating your Hunter X-Core irrigation controller.
Controller Overview
The Hunter X-Core irrigation controller is designed for efficient and reliable lawn and garden watering. It features a user-friendly interface with a digital display and a rotary dial for easy navigation through various settings.
Controller Diagram Description: The Hunter X-Core irrigation controller is depicted. It features a digital display showing '12:00 AM', control buttons (+, -, PRG), and a central dial with various operational modes: SYSTEM OFF, MANUAL-ONE STATION, SENSOR BYPASS, CURRENT TIME/DAY, START TIMES, RUN TIMES, SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT, and WATER DAYS. The Hunter logo is prominently displayed.
Components
The X-Core controller has several key components for operation:
- 1. Start Time Symbol: Indicates when a watering program begins.
- 2. Station Number: Identifies the specific zone being watered.
- 3. Program Indicator: Shows the active program (A, B, or C).
- 4. Month Symbol: Used for date settings.
- 5. Run Time Symbol: Indicates the duration of watering for a station.
- 6. Seasonal Adjustment (%): Allows adjustment of watering duration based on season.
- 7. Station Run Time: Displays the set watering duration for a station.
- 8. Sprinkler Off Day: Indicates a day when watering is disabled.
- 9. Odd/Even/Interval Day: Sets watering days based on calendar parity or intervals.
- 10. Active Watering Day: Marks a day scheduled for watering.
- 11. Inactive Watering Day: Marks a day not scheduled for watering.
- 12. Workday: Refers to days designated as active watering days.
- 13. Rain Sensor Active/Bypass: Shows the status of the rain sensor.
- 14. Date Symbol: Used for date settings.
The controller display also shows days of the week (MO, TU, WE, TH, FR, SA, SU) and options for setting watering schedules.
Setting Up Your Controller
Setting Current Date and Time
- Turn the dial to the DATE/TIME position.
- The current year will flash. Use the + and - buttons to change the year. Press the ▶ button to move to the month.
- The current month will flash. Use the + and - buttons to change the month. Press the ▶ button to move to the day.
- The current day will flash. Use the + and - buttons to change the day. Press the ▶ button to move to the time.
- The time will be displayed. Use the + and - buttons to select AM, PM, or 24 HR format for the time display.
- Press the ▶ button to move to the hour. Use the + and - buttons to change the hour.
- Press the ▶ button to move to the minute. Use the + and - buttons to change the minute.
- Turn the dial to the RUN position. The date and time are now set.
Note: The controller dial must be in the RUN position for automatic watering to function.
Setting Program Start Times
- Turn the dial to the START TIME position.
- Use the PRG button to select a program (A, B, or C).
- Use the + and - buttons to change the start time. Start times increment in 15-minute intervals.
- Press the ▶ button to add another start time, or press the PRG button to set the start time for the next program.
- Turn the dial to the RUN position.
Canceling Program Start Times
- Turn the dial to the DATE/TIME position.
- Press the right arrow (▶) to find the desired start time.
- Press the + or - buttons to move the start time to the OFF position, between 11:45 PM and 12:00 AM.
- Press the PRG button to view/edit other programs. Repeat steps 1-3 as necessary.
Setting Station Run Times
- Turn the dial to the RUN TIME position.
- Use the PRG button to select a program (A, B, or C).
- Use the + and - buttons to change the station run time displayed. You can set station run times from 1 minute to 4 hours.
- Press the ▶ button to advance to the next station.
- Repeat for each station.
Setting Watering Days
- Turn the dial to the WATER DAYS position.
- The display will show the currently selected program (A, B, or C). Press the PRG button to cycle through other programs.
- The pointer at the bottom of the screen indicates the currently selected watering day. Press + or - to select watering days or days to skip watering.
Selecting Odd or Even Day Watering
- Press the button to set all days to odd or even watering.
- Press + to select or - to deselect odd or even days.
Selecting Interval Watering
- Press the button to set odd and even days as intervals.
- Press the + or - buttons to set the interval in days.
- Press the + or - buttons to set the number of days until the next watering.
Note: To exit interval mode, repeatedly press the ▶ or ◀ buttons until the specific workday is displayed.
Advanced Features & Manual Operation
Seasonal Adjustment
- Adjust all run times by a percentage based on local conditions.
- Press + or - to change the initial run time by 10% increments, from 10% to 150%.
Manual Operation - Single Station
- Turn the dial to the MANUAL-ONE STATION position.
- Press the ▶ button to select a station. Use the + or - buttons to set the manual run time.
- Turn the dial to the RUN position to start immediately.
Manual Program
- Turn the dial to the RUN position.
- Press and hold the ▶ button for three seconds.
- Press the PRG button to select a program.
- Release the ▶ button after two seconds. The program will start.
- Press ▶ to advance to the next station in the program.
One-Touch Manual Start and Advance
- Press and hold the right button (▶) for two seconds.
- Press the PRG button to select a program.
- Use the left (◀) or right (▶) buttons to select a station.
- Use the + or - buttons to change the run time.
- After a two-second pause, the program will start. You can navigate between stations manually at any time during a manual cycle using the left or right buttons.
Test Program
Runs all stations for a test watering duration.
- Press and hold the PRG button for three seconds.
- Station 1 will appear. Press + or - to enter a run time for testing.
- After a two-second pause, each station will run for the test run time.
System Off
Turn the dial to the SYSTEM OFF position. The system will not water in this position.
Programmable Rain Delay
Allows you to suspend watering for a set number of days.
- Turn the dial to the SYSTEM OFF position, then wait for the delay to stop flashing.
- Press the + or - buttons to set the number of days for the delay.
- Turn the dial back to the RUN position. The display will show the remaining delay days, and the system will resume watering when the delay count reaches 0. To cancel the rain delay, turn the dial to the OFF position, wait for the delay to stop flashing, then turn the dial back to RUN.
Bypass Sensors
Temporarily disable sensor input to allow watering.
- Move the sensor bypass switch to the BYPASS position.
- Return the switch to the active position to allow sensor input.
Hidden Features
The X-Core controller offers several advanced features accessible through specific button combinations:
| Feature | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable Sensor Override | Hold - and turn to START TIME. | Set each station to ignore sensor shutoff. Use ◀ or ▶ to select stations (use + / - to change to OFF to override sensors). |
| Soak and Rinse | Hold + and turn to RUN TIME. Press PRG to set soak. | Set the maximum run time for a station, and the minimum delay before another cycle begins. Split run times into multiple parts to prevent surface runoff. |
| Station Delay | Turn to RUN TIME. | Insert station-to-station delays (in seconds or minutes) to allow for slow solenoid valve closure or to refill a water tank. |
| Solar Sync™ Delay | Turn to SOLAR SYNC. | Allows users to postpone Solar Sync seasonal adjustments by up to 99 days. Use + / - to increase/decrease the number of days the delay is active. |
| Hide Program | Turn to WATER DAYS. | Change from +/- 4 to 1 to hide other programs. Option 1 will only display Program A and Start Time 1. Option 4 displays all programs and start times. |
| Cycle Delay | Turn to OFF. | Set the number of days watering remains off after sensor activation and reactivation. |
| Total Run Time | Turn to RUN TIME. Display Station 1. | Calculates and displays the total run time for all programs. Press ◀ and PRG to select other programs. |
| EASY RETRIEVE™ | Hold + and PRG to save. Hold - and PRG to restore. | Saves all program information for later retrieval. Restores saved program information. |
| QUICKCHECK™ | Simultaneously press +, -, ◀, and ▶, then press +. | Checks all stations for wiring issues. |
Troubleshooting
| Display | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "Fault" with numbers | Wiring short or solenoid valve damage. | Check field wiring and solenoid heads. Press any button to clear the fault message. |
| Display shows P "Fault" | Pump/master valve wiring or solenoid valve short. | Check pump/master valve wiring and solenoid valves. Refer to pump start relay specifications. |
| Display shows SP "Fault" | SmartPort™ fault. Keep remote or other SmartPort devices away from electrical interference. Ensure controller is wired correctly. | Check wiring to SmartPort. Connect wire to: Red: 24 VAC (Terminal 1), White: 24 VAC (Terminal 2), Blue: Remote Terminal (REM). |
| Display shows watering, but no actual watering occurs | Wiring issue. Solenoid valve issue. No water pressure. | Check field wiring (voltmeter). Check solenoid heads. Ensure water supply is on. |
| Frozen or garbled display | Power surge. | Reset the controller. |
| Rain sensor prevents watering | Wire jumper not removed. Sensor switch in BYPASS position. | Remove the jumper on the SEN terminals. Set the sensor switch to the active position. |
| Controller continuous watering | Too many start times. | Set one start time for all stations in the program. Delete unnecessary start times. |
Resetting the Controller
- Simultaneously press and hold the - , ▶, and PRG buttons.
- Press and release the reset button located on the right side of the controller.
- When the reset is complete on the LCD, release the -, ▶, and PRG buttons. The display should now show 12:00 AM. The memory has been cleared, and the controller can be reprogrammed.
Compliance Information
FCC Compliance: This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This device generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed or used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this device does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the device off and on, the user is encouraged to try one or more of the following measures to correct the interference:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the device and receiver.
- Connect the device into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Hunter Industries Inc. may void the user's authority to operate the equipment. For further advice, consult a Hunter Industries Inc. representative or an experienced radio/TV technician.
Wi-Fi Device Compliance: When the irrigation controller is used with an accessory Wi-Fi device, the following statement applies: To satisfy FCC RF exposure requirements for mobile and base-station transmission devices, a separation distance of 20 cm or more should be maintained between the antenna of this device and persons during operation. To ensure compliance, operation at a distance closer than this is not recommended. The antenna used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operated in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Compliance: This device contains licence-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) user must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.
EU Directive Conformity: Hunter Industries declares that the irrigation controller complies with EU Directives concerning 'Electromagnetic Compatibility' (2014/30/EU), 'Low Voltage' (2014/35/EU), and 'Radio Equipment' (2014/53/EU).
