Orbit HRC 400 Smart Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controller

Getting Started

This guide provides instructions for setting up and operating your Orbit HRC 400 Smart Wi-Fi Sprinkler Controller.

Helpful Resources:

• hydrorain.com
• bhyve.hydrorain.com

Table of Contents

• Selecting a Location
• Mounting the Controller
• Wiring the Sprinkler Valves
• Wiring the B-hyve Controller
• Connecting Electrical Power
• Activating Battery
• Replacing the Battery
• Programming
• Connecting to Wi-Fi
• Program Button (PROG ABCD)
• Date/Time
• Start Time
• Run Time
• How Often
• Auto
• Additional Features
• Rain Delay
• Budget
• Manual
• Rain Sensor
• Pump Start & Master Valve
• Term Definition
• Troubleshooting
• Specifications

Installation

Selecting a Location

• Ensure the location has a minimum of two Wi-Fi bars.
• Ensure operating temperatures are between 32°F and 158°F (0°C and 70°C).
• Place away from direct sunlight.
• Allow 9" of space to the left for the door to swing open.
• Ensure easy access to sprinkler wires from valves.

Important: The controller is weather-resistant (UL-50 and ETL Listed) but should not be placed where continuous water could cause damage.

Tip: Take a photo of the wires before removing them from your old controller if replacing.

Mounting the Controller

Required Tools:

• Small Flathead Screwdriver (included)
• Wire Strippers
• Drill with 3/16" (4.8 mm) drill bit
• Level

Tip: Use the included expanding anchors for plaster, masonry, or drywall installations.

1. Install a No. 8 screw into the wall, leaving 1/8" (3 mm) protruding.
2. Hang the controller on the installed screw using the keyhole slot.
3. Level the controller and install a second screw in a pre-formed mounting hole to secure it.

Diagram: A visual representation of mounting the controller to a wall using screws and keyholes.

Wiring the Controller

Connect solenoid wires to colored sprinkler wires. Use 20 gauge (AWG) wire for distances under 700' (210 m) and 16 gauge (AWG) wire for distances over 700' (210 m).

Important: Use wire nuts, solder, and/or vinyl tape for wire connections. Hydro-Rain Speed Seal™ wire connectors are recommended for wet environments to prevent corrosion and water infiltration.

Wire Burial: Wires can be buried directly or pulled through PVC pipe for protection.

Diagram: Shows wiring terminals on the controller, including "Station", "Strip wire", "Push in", "24V OUT", "SENSOR", "COM", "PUMP". Also shows knock-outs for wire entry and a small hole for wire entry.

Instructions:

1. Strip 1/2" (13 mm) of plastic insulation off each wire.
2. Loosen terminal screws.
3. Insert the common wire into the common terminal and tighten the screw.
4. Insert and tighten remaining wires to their corresponding terminals.

WARNING: To avoid electrical hazards, only one valve should be connected to each terminal (station).

Important: Maximum load per station/pump is 250mA; maximum load for the controller is 500mA.

Connecting Electrical Power

• Indoor Locations: Insert the power cord into a 110V electrical outlet.
• Outdoor Locations: Insert the power cord into a 110 volt Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) outlet.

Important: Consult an electrician for hardwired installations.

Activating Battery

The controller includes one Lithium CR2032 battery to maintain time and date during AC power loss. Annual replacement is recommended.

Note: The battery alone does not operate the valves; the controller's built-in transformer requires AC power.

WARNINGS:

• Risk of Fire, Explosion, and Electric Shock: Use only Hitachi Maxell Ltd, Type CR2032 or equivalent.
• Chemical Burn Hazard: Keep batteries away from children.
• Lithium Button/Coin Cell Battery Hazard: If swallowed, can cause severe internal burns and death. Secure battery compartment. If it does not close securely, stop use, remove batteries, and keep away from children. Seek immediate medical attention if batteries are swallowed or placed inside the body.

Diagram: Shows the battery compartment on the controller and indicates to "Remove plastic strip to activate battery".

Note: A weak or missing battery can cause time and date to be erased after power failure. If this happens, install a fully charged battery.

Important: If your program is lost, the factory fail-safe program will run each station for 10 minutes daily.

WARNING: Disconnect controller from mains before removing the battery.

WARNING: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Use only the recommended type. Dispose of used batteries according to manufacturer's instructions.

Note: Dispose of batteries properly.

Programming

Connecting to Wi-Fi

Plug in the HRC 400 controller. The "Bluetooth" icon will flash, indicating it's ready to pair with your smart device.

Steps:

1. Open the B-hyve Pro app, create an account or log in.
2. Follow the app's step-by-step instructions to pair and set up your device.
3. When prompted, select your Wi-Fi network and enter the password.

The Wi-Fi icon on the controller will become solid, showing signal strength.

Troubleshooting Wi-Fi:

• If your network name is not listed, tap the refresh button in the app.
• If it still doesn't appear, tap "Advanced" and enter your network name and password manually.
• This device only connects to 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks. 5.0 GHz networks are not supported.

Tip: Re-pair your smart device by turning the dial to "Off" and pressing the reset button on the back of the swing panel. The display will show "Pair.".

Note: Press the Reset tab on the back of the swing panel to clear factory programming.

Program Button (PROG ABCD)

The PROG ABCD button toggles between programs (A, B, C, D) for setting start times, run times, and watering frequency.

Press PROG ABCD to turn programs on or off. The corresponding letter or leaf-drop icon will illuminate.

Note: If a program letter (A, B, C, D, or leaf-drop) is not displayed, that program will not water. Ensure the desired program is active.

Note: Be aware of the active program when making changes.

Date/Time

If connected to Wi-Fi, the date and time are automatically set. To set manually:

1. Turn the dial to DATE/TIME.
2. Press the dial. The Year (Y) will flash.
3. Turn the dial to set the year, then press the dial to confirm.
4. The Month (M) will flash. Repeat steps 3-4 to set the month and day.
5. The time will flash. Turn the dial to set the hour, press to confirm.
6. Turn the dial to set the minutes, press to confirm.

Note: Ensure AM/PM is set correctly.

Diagram: Shows the controller display with options like AUTO, MANUAL, DATE/TIME, START TIME, RUN TIME, HOW OFTEN, BUDGET, OFF, and the current time and date settings.

Start Time

Set the time you want watering to begin.

1. Turn the dial to START TIME.
2. Press the dial. Hour dashes will flash.
3. Turn the dial to set the hour, press to confirm.
4. Minute dashes will flash. Turn the dial to set the minutes, press to confirm.

Note: The controller advances to the next start time automatically. Repeat for additional start times to avoid runoff and allow soil absorption.

Example: For new grass, set multiple start times (e.g., 5 AM, 12 PM, 5 PM) with a watering frequency of every 1 day.

Press PROG ABCD to set start times for other programs.

Run Time

Set the duration of watering for each station (zone).

1. Turn the dial to RUN TIME.
2. Press the dial. The station number will flash.
3. Turn the dial to select the zone, press to confirm.
4. MINS will flash. Turn the dial to set the duration, press to confirm.

Note: The controller advances to the next station. Repeat for all desired zones.

Press BACK to return to the main menu. Use PROG ABCD to switch programs.

How Often

Set the watering frequency.

• By Day: Turn dial to HOW OFTEN, press dial. Select days by turning dial and pressing. Press BACK to return.
• Intervals: Turn dial to HOW OFTEN, press dial, turn dial to INT, press dial. Set interval in days. Press BACK to return.
• Odd or Even Days: Turn dial to HOW OFTEN, press dial, turn dial to ODD or EVEN, press dial. Press BACK to return.

Diagrams: Show controller displays for setting watering by day, interval, and odd/even days.

Turn dial to Auto and press to select. Your controller is programmed!

Note: To remove a day, turn the dial to it and press the dial to de-select. Press CLEAR to erase all watering days.

Additional Features

Rain Delay

Delay watering for 1 to 32 days.

1. Ensure the controller is set to AUTO.
2. Press the Rain Delay button to delay watering for 24 hours.

Note: Press the button repeatedly or turn the dial to set a longer delay. The display shows remaining delay days/hours.

To cancel a rain delay, press the CLEAR button.

To activate/deactivate rain sensor terminals, press and hold the RAIN DELAY button for 5 seconds. The display will show SENS and OFF/ON.

Note: If the rain sensor is "on" and no sensor is connected, the controller will not operate. To resume, press and hold RAIN DELAY for 5 seconds or reconnect the jumper wire.

Diagram: Shows the controller with the RAIN DELAY button highlighted.

Budget

Adjust watering duration by a percentage.

1. Turn the dial to BUDGET.
2. Press the dial. Numbers will flash (100 is default).
3. Turn the dial to set the desired budget percentage. This adjusts all run times in a program.
4. Press the dial to confirm. Use PROG ABCD to set for other programs.

Example: Setting budget to 150% will increase 10-minute run times to 15 minutes.

Manual

Manually water zones without disturbing the program.

To water all zones:

1. Turn the dial to MANUAL.
2. Press the dial. "ALL" will display.
3. Press the dial again. "0" will flash.
4. Turn the dial to set the duration, press to begin watering.

Note: If manual run time is not set, watering will not initiate.

To water specific programs (A, B, C, or D):

1. Turn the dial to MANUAL.
2. Press the dial. "ALL" will display.
3. Turn the dial to select the desired program(s) (all, A, B, C, or D).
4. Press the dial to begin watering.

To stop manual watering, press CLEAR.

Rain Sensor

Connect rain sensor wires to the "Sensor" terminal ports. Refer to the rain sensor manual for wiring instructions.

Rain Sensor Bypass:

The controller has a sensor override ("on/off") for maintenance. To override, press and hold the Rain Delay button for 5 seconds. The display will show SENS and OFF or SENS and ON.

Important: If the rain sensor is "on" and no sensor is connected, the controller will not operate. To resume, press and hold the Rain Delay button for 5 seconds or reconnect the jumper wire.

Pump Start & Master Valve

This controller supports a master valve or pump start relay. Connect one wire to the "Pump" terminal and the other to the "Common" terminal.

Definitions:

• MASTER VALVE: Located at the main water source, turns water on/off for the system.
• MULTIPLE START TIMES: Allows a program to run multiple times on the same day.
• OVERLAPPING PROGRAMS: When a "Start Time" is set before a previous program completes, programs will be "stacked."
• PROGRAM (A, B, C, OR D): Individual programs set by the user.
• RAIN DELAY: Postpones a scheduled watering program.
• SOLENOID: Electrical part on an irrigation valve that opens/closes it.
• SPRINKLER CONTROLLER: Device that instructs station valves.
• STATION: Group of sprinklers operated by a single valve.
• WATERING BUDGETING: Adjusts overall watering program by a percentage.

Troubleshooting

Specifications

• Temperature Operating Range: Operating: 32-158° F (0-70° C); Storage & transport: 32-176° F (0-80° C)
• Humidity Operating Range: Operating: 0–80%; Storage & transport: 0–90%
• Altitude: 6,500' (2,000 meters)
• IPX5 Rating
• Installation Class II
• Over Voltage Category II

WARNING: Battery must be removed from the controller before it is scrapped.

Help

For additional assistance, visit the website:

• hydrorain.com
• bhyve.hydrorain.com

Disconnection: Type 1Y Normal Pollution Situation. The supply cord can only be replaced by the manufacturer or an accredited service agent.

FCC Compliance: This equipment complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules for Class B digital devices, providing reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential installations. If interference occurs, try reorienting the antenna, increasing separation, or connecting to a different outlet. Consult a dealer or technician if needed.

Caution: This appliance is not intended for use by unsupervised young children or infirm persons.

Limited Warranty

Orbit warrants the HRC 400 controller against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the original purchase date.

Warranty Conditions:

• Notify Orbit of the claim at www.orbitonline.com/contact during the warranty period.
• Provide a description of the alleged failure.
• Comply with Orbit’s return shipping instructions.
• Orbit is not obligated for "Ineligible Products" (e.g., products subject to misuse, improper installation, unauthorized modifications, or Acts of God).

What is NOT Covered:

• Products sold "AS IS" or as "sample."
• Modifications, tampering, or improper maintenance/repairs.
• Improper handling, storage, installation, testing, or use.
• Abuse or misuse.
• Breakdowns in water supply, power, or telecommunications.
• Acts of God (lightning, flood, tornado, etc.).
• Consumable parts (like batteries), unless due to defects in materials or workmanship.
• Software (even if packaged with the product).

Disclaimer of Warranties: Orbit disclaims all other express, implied, and statutory warranties, including implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The duration of any implied warranties is limited to the duration of this limited warranty.

Limitation of Damages: Orbit is not liable for consequential, incidental, exemplary, or special damages, including lost data or profits. Orbit’s total cumulative liability will not exceed the amount paid for the product.

Variations: Some jurisdictions may not allow limitations on implied warranties or incidental/consequential damages.