Rain Bird ESP-LXIVM Series Controllers

2-Wire Device Field Connections

Gather Installation Tools

Before beginning installation, gather the following tools and materials:

• Lineman's pliers
• #14 AWG MAXI Cable bare ground wire
• WC20 waterproof wire connectors and wire nuts (provided)
• Rain Bird® 2-Wire stripper

Wiring Connections

Outdoor Installation with Direct Wiring

WARNING: Electric shock can cause severe injury or death. Make sure power supply is turned OFF before connecting power wires. Ground wire must be connected to provide electrical surge protection. Permanently mounted conduit shall be used for connecting main voltage to the controller. Do not route valve wires through the same opening as power wires.

1. Route the three external power source wires through the conduit opening at the bottom of the unit and into the wiring compartment.
2. Using the provided wire nuts, connect the external power source wires (two power and one ground) to the transformer connection wires inside the wiring compartment.

Field Wiring Connections

Connect devices to the 2-Wire path.

It is recommended to use the Rain Bird 2-Wire Stripper tool to remove the outer MAXI Cable jacket without damaging the inner insulation.

NOTE: To avoid damaging the wiring, tools such as utility, pocket, carpet, box cutter knives or Romex strippers should not be used to strip wires.

NOTICE: Rain Bird requires the use of 14 gauge AWG MAXI Cable (double-jacketed, 2-Wire conductor). Always place 2-Wire Devices and connections inside a valve box. Assure that the wiring copper conductors are not exposed after installation.

1. Carefully score approximately 6 in (15,24 cm) of the AWG MAXI Cable's outer jacket. Gently flex the cable to expose the portion to be removed and to reveal the 2 inner wires. Then trim away the excess of the outer jacket.
2. Strip away approximately 5/8 in (1,58 cm) of insulation from the ends of the two inner wires.
3. Remove the pre-cut insulation from the ends of the wires on the 2-Wire device. Connect the device wires to the 2-Wire path using linesman's pliers to twist the ends together.

NOTICE: Wire colors must be paired red to red and black to black in order to maintain polarity when completing wire splices.

Installation

2-Wire Address Labels

Before installing the 2-Wire Device, apply your 2-Wire Device barcode labels to the appropriate fields on the Programming Guide.

NOTE: See the ESP-LXIVM Programming Guide that came with your controller.

1. Carefully peel off the station, master valve, flow or weather sensor device barcode label.
2. Apply the 2-Wire Device address labels in the appropriate fields on the Programming Guide.

NOTE: Do not remove the label from the carrier attached to the wire.

Completed Wire Splice

IVM-SOL Installation

1. Use pressure sprayer to clean equipment.
2. Check that O-rings are free from damage or debris.
3. Attach IVM-SOL hand-tight (with no water pressure).

NOTE: It's normal to hear a brief ratcheting sound during installation of the IVM-SOL on a valve.

Connect IVM-SOL to a Valve

1. Connect the red and black wires on the IVM-SOL to the 2-Wire Path.
2. For future troubleshooting or modifications, it is recommended to leave an additional 3 feet (1 meter) of 2-Wire cable stored in each valve box location.

NOTE: If the valve is NOT at the end of the 2-Wire Path then make a three-way splice; the red wire from the valve module to the two red wires of the 2-Wire Path; then splice the valve module black wire to the two black wires of the 2-Wire Path.

NOTICE: Use only WC20 splice kits for all wiring connections to the 2-Wire Path. Improper wiring can cause serious damage to your controller or irrigation system.

Connect IVM-SOL to a Master Valve

Up to 5 master valves can be connected to the 2-Wire path of the ESP-LXIVM controller and up to 10 master valves for the LX-IVM Pro controller. IVM-SOL can be used for both station and master valves. Master valves are connected using the same processes as described previously.

NOTE: Be sure to attach the barcode labels to the Programming Guide as a Master Valve instead of a Station.

NOTICE: If retro-fitting, do not use TBOS (Battery Operated System) solenoids or decoders in the ESP-LXIVM system. Ensure that all decoders are disconnected from the 2-Wire path.

IVM-OUT (Output Device)

IVM-OUT 2-Wire control devices can be used to control valves with DC latching solenoids.

1. Connect the red and black wires on the IVM-OUT to the 2-Wire Path.
2. Connect the red/white striped wire on the IVM-OUT to the DC latching solenoid red wire.
3. Connect the black/white striped wire on the IVM-OUT to the DC latching solenoid black wire.
4. For future troubleshooting or modifications, it is recommended to leave an additional 3 feet (1 meter) of 2-Wire cable stored in each valve box location.

NOTE: Make sure that the DC latching solenoid is compatible with non Rain Bird valves. Contact the valve manufacturer for more information.

NOTICE: Maximum combined wire length between IVM-OUT and its load (e.g. Solenoid) shall be 48 in. This includes pre-installed IVM-OUT wire (24 in.) and solenoid wires (22 in.). Use only WC20 splice kits for all wiring connections to the 2-Wire Path. Improper wiring can cause serious damage to your controller or irrigation system.

IVM-SEN (Sensor Device)

Flow sensors are connected to the 2-Wire Path via IVM-SEN 2-Wire devices. The ESP-LXIVM controller can support up to 5 flow sensors and the LX-IVM Pro controller can support up to 10 flow sensors.

Connect Flow Sensors

1. Install flow sensors into your irrigation piping system at each point of connection to the water supply (water meter or pump).

NOTICE: For optimum performance and flow sensing, flow sensors should be installed a minimum of 10 pipe diameters in length on the upstream (supply) side and a least 5 pipe diameters in length on the downstream (delivery) side before making any transitions in pipe size/direction or away from the master valve.

2. Connect the red/white striped wire on the IVM-SEN to the DC latching solenoid red wire.
3. Connect the black/white striped wire on the IVM-SEN to the DC latching solenoid black wire.
4. Connect the wires from the IVM-SEN to the flow sensor. Be sure to follow all instructions included with the flow sensor.
5. For future troubleshooting or modifications, it is recommended to leave an additional 3 feet (1 meter) of 2-Wire cable stored in each valve box location.

NOTICE: Use only WC20 splice kits for all wiring connections to the 2-Wire Path. Improper wiring can cause serious damage to your controller or irrigation system.

Connect Weather Sensors

In addition to flow sensors, the LX-IVM can also support three weather sensor connected to the 2-Wire Path via an LX-IVM Sensor input device. The LX-IVM Pro controller supports seven 2-Wire Path weather sensors. Weather sensors are connected to the LX-IVM Sensor input in the same way as the flow sensor.

IVM-SD (Surge Device)

The IVM-SD provides surge protection for the ESP-LXIVM controller and the 2-Wire path. The ESP-LXIVM controller and the 2-Wire path must be properly surge protected and grounded. Doing so can help prevent damage to the controller and irrigation system and also significantly reduce troubleshooting, repair time and expense. Failure to do so could result in failure of your controller and voiding the warranty.

1. Connect the red and black wires on the IVM-SD to the 2-Wire Path
2. Connect the green wires from the IVM-SD to the grounding rod or plate
3. For future troubleshooting or modifications, it is recommended to leave an additional 3 feet of 2-Wire cable stores in each valve box location.

NOTICE: Use only WC20 splice kits for all wiring connections to the 2-Wire Path. Improper wiring can cause serious damage to your controller or irrigation system. One IVM-SD is required every 500 feet or every 15 field devices.

Pump Start Relay

IVM-OUT 2-Wire Control Devices can control pump start relays that have a DC latching input coil.

1. Connect the red IVM-OUT wire to the red wire on the 2-Wire path. Then connect the black IVM-OUT wire to the black wire on the 2-Wire path.
2. Connect the red and white IVM-OUT wire to the DC Latching Relay. Connect the black and white IVM-OUT wire to the DC Latching Relay.
3. Follow your Pump Start Relay wiring instructions to connect input power and pump.
4. For future troubleshooting or modifications, it is recommended to leave an additional 3 feet (1 meter) of 2-Wire cable stored in each valve box location.

NOTICE: Use only WC20 splice kits for all wiring connections to the 2-Wire Path. Improper wiring can cause serious damage to your controller or irrigation system and work must be performed by licensed electrician.

WARNING: All electrical connections and wiring runs must comply with local building codes. Some local codes require that only a licensed or certified electrician can install power. Only professional personnel should install the controller. Check your local building codes for guidance.

Connect 2-Wire (MAXI Cable) From Field Devices

You can connect up to 4 pairs of 2-Wires (MAXI Cable) from the field devices back to the ESP-LXIVM controller.

NOTE: Make sure the screws are all unscrewed all the way out (while remaining in the module)

1. Connect the Red Wire from the MAXI Cable to the Terminal with "R" marking
2. Connect the Black Wire from the MAXI Cable to the Terminal with "B" marking
3. Tighten the screw

NOTE: The four pair of wires can be either in a Star pattern or a Loop pattern. For details refer to the 2-Wire Path overview section in the ESP-LXIVM user manual.

Connect Local Weather Sensors

ESP-LXIVM can also accept input from a single weather sensor wired directly in to the controller.

NOTE: Follow the sensor manufacturer's instructions to correctly install and make wire connections to the sensor.

4. Run continuous sensor wires from the weather sensor to the ESP-LXIVM controller.
5. Remove the yellow jumper wire (if present). Connect the sensor wires to the sensor (Sen) and common (C) inputs.

NOTICE: Do not remove the yellow jumper wire unless collecting a rain sensor. Ensure that the configuration for your controller and irrigation programs are set up correctly for your sensor.