Rain Bird SST-900i Simple To Set Timer Setup & Operation Instructions

Tools and Supplies Needed

• Phillips screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Hammer
• Valve wire (direct burial, color coded multi-strand)
• 18 gauge for runs less than 800 feet
• 14 gauge for runs greater than 800 feet
• Watertight splice connectors

Step 1: Mount Timer

Mount the SST in an accessible location.

Note: SST indoor timers are for indoor use only. SST outdoor timers can be used indoors or outdoors.

For indoor installation, choose a location within 5 feet of an AC power outlet and at least 15 feet away from major appliances or air conditioners.

Drive a screw into the wall, leaving an 1/8" gap between the screw-head and the wall (use supplied wall anchors if necessary).

Locate the keyhole slot on the back of the unit and hang it securely on the screw.

Remove the wiring bay cover at the bottom of the unit and drive a screw through the center hole as shown (use supplied wall anchors if necessary).

Step 2: Connect Power

⚠️ WARNING: DO NOT plug in or apply power to the timer until you have completed and checked all wiring connections.

Indoor Timer

Attach the transformer connector to the 24VAC POWER pin connection on the terminal strip.

⚠️ WARNING: Do not attempt to link two or more timers together using a single transformer.

Outdoor Timer - Standard Installation

The SST outdoor version comes with a power cord and 24VAC transformer already connected.

Outdoor Timer - Hard-wire Installation

⚠️ WARNING: Disconnect or shut off the external power source before connecting or disconnecting wires to the timer.

Remove the wiring bay cover at the bottom of the unit.

Locate the wiring compartment in the lower left-hand corner of the unit and using a screwdriver, unscrew the wiring compartment front cover.

Unscrew the wire-nuts from the three wires connecting the power cord to the timer.

Remove the metal bracket holding the power cord to the back of the wiring compartment and pull the cord out through the bottom of the cabinet.

Route the three wires from an external power source into the wiring compartment.

Using wire-nuts, connect the external power wires to the internal connection wires inside the wiring compartment.

⚠️ WARNING: Be sure to connect the colored coded external wires to the same color internal connection wires, as follows:

• Black wire (power)
• White wire (neutral)
• Green wire (ground)

Verify that all wiring connections are secure, then replace the wiring compartment cover.

Step 3: Connect Valve Wires To Timer

Valve Connections

Use direct burial cable to run wiring from the timer to valves in the field.

Connect a color-coded wire from the direct burial cable to either wire on the valve.

Connect the remaining wire on each valve to a "common" wire which then connects to the timer.

Note: Use water-tight connectors for all wire splice connections. Depending on your landscape setup, you may need to run extension wires for the power and common connections.

Timer Connections

Use a wire stripper to strip away approximately 1/4 inch of insulation from the end of the valve wire.

Push the exposed end of the color-coded wire from each external valve (or zone) into the corresponding zone number on the terminal block.

⚠️ WARNING: To prevent damage to the timer, connect only ONE valve to each open zone slot on the terminal block.

Connect the common wire to one of the COMMON slots on the terminal block.

Check that all wiring connections are secure.

Note: To remove a connected wire, use a screwdriver to press down on the connection release and then pull the wire out.

Note: Do not remove the yellow jumper wire on the terminals marked RAIN SENSOR unless you're connecting an optional rain sensor. See page 5 for more information.

Step 4: Verify System Operation

Battery Pull Tab

To activate the internal battery, grasp the yellow pull-tab on the side of the timer and pull it out.

Apply Power

Indoor Model

Plug the transformer into a wall outlet.

Outdoor Model

Turn on main power supply or plug the power cord into a waterproof receptacle.

Note: Do not plug the timer into a socket that is controlled by a secondary ON/OFF light switch or GFI outlet.

Test Watering

Turn the dial to the ZONE 1 position.

Press the WATER ONE ZONE NOW button. The zone should start watering for a default run time of 10 minutes.

To stop watering before time is up, turn the dial to the next position.

Repeat the above steps until all zones have been tested.

Replace the wiring bay cover on the front of the unit.

Rain Sensor

Connect an optional Rain Sensor to the Timer.

Remove the wiring bay cover at the bottom of the unit.

Remove the yellow jumper wire from the terminals marked RAIN SENSOR on the terminal block.

Note: Do not remove the jumper wire unless connecting a rain sensor. The timer will not function if the jumper wire is removed and a rain sensor is not connected.

Connect the two wires from the sensor to the RAIN SENSOR terminals.

Master Valve Or Pump Start Relay

Connect an optional master valve or pump start relay.

SST timers support the use of a master valve or pump start relay. A pump start relay connects to the timer the same way as a master valve, but connects differently at the water source.

Using a direct burial cable, connect one of the wires from the master valve (or pump start relay) to the timer terminal marked MSTR VALVE.

Using a direct burial cable, connect the remaining wire from the master valve (or pump start relay) to one of the timer terminals marked COMMON.

Additional instructions for connecting a pump start relay:

To avoid possible pump damage, connect a short jumper wire from any unused zone terminal(s) to the nearest zone terminal in use. For example, if a 4 zone model timer is in use with only two zones connected, route the terminals for zones 3 and 4 to the nearest active terminal (in this example, zone 2).

⚠️ WARNING: Make sure that the total draw of the master valve (and/or pump start relay) plus the draw of the valve does not exceed 650mA at 24VAC, 60hz. Note that the timer does NOT provide main power for a pump.

Step 1: Set Clock

[DIAL] Turn the dial to the SET CLOCK position.

Press the UP/DOWN arrow keys to set the time (verify AM/PM setting is correct).

Step 2: Set Date

[DIAL] Turn the dial to the SET DATE position.

Press the LEFT UP/DOWN arrow keys to set the year.

Press the RIGHT UP/DOWN arrow keys to set the month and day.

Step 3: Schedule Watering

[DIAL] Turn the dial to select the desired ZONE (from 1 to 9).

Set Start Time and Run Time

Press the Left UP/DOWN arrow keys to set the Start Time.

Press the Right UP/DOWN arrow keys to set the Run Time (duration).

Note: Multiple zones having the same start time will run in sequence by zone number. For example, if zones 3 and 4 are both set to run for 10 min. at 8:00 AM, zone 3 will run first at 8:00 then zone 4 will run afterwards at 8:10.

Select Watering Days

Press the pink WATERING DAYS buttons to select which days to water.

Select specific days of the week or select ODD DAYS or EVEN DAYS.

Select Watering Times Per Day

Press the blue WATERING TIMES PER DAY buttons to select the number of times per day to water.

Optional Features

Multiple Start Times

If the TWO, THREE, or FOUR TIMES button is selected, then several pre-defined offsets are available.

Note: Offsets are the number of hours between the first start time and any additional start times.

Repeatedly pressing the desired Watering Times per Day button will cycle through the available offsets. In the example below, the THREE TIMES per day button was selected and the offsets are +4 and +8 hours.

This means the SST will water three times per day as follows:

• 6:00 am (first start time)
• 10:00 am (+4 hours)
• 2:00 pm (+8 hours)

Note: The SST automatically resets at 12 a.m. each day. Schedule multiple start times from 12:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.

Seasonal Adjust

Adjust for seasonal weather variation.

[DIAL] Turn the dial to SEASON ADJUST.

Press the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to adjust the percentage. For example, a +50% adjustment means 10 min. becomes 15 min.

Note: Adjustment applies to ALL run times for ALL zones.

Not Watering

Screen displays the current time, the zone that is scheduled to be watered next, and the date and time when watering will occur.

Watering Now

Screen displays the zone currently being watered and the number of minutes remaining for that zone.

Rain Delay

Screen displays the current time and the number of rain delay hours that are left until regularly scheduled watering resumes.

[DIAL] Turn the dial to RAIN DELAY.

Press the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to set the delay time for up to 3 days (72 hours).

Note: Any scheduled watering that falls within the delay period will not occur.

Error Detected

If an error is detected, the affected zone is displayed.

Water All Zones

[DIAL] Turn the dial to AUTO RUN.

Press the green WATER ALL NOW button to start watering. Screen displays which zone is being watered and the number of minutes remaining for that zone.

To stop watering the active zone and skip to the next zone, press the WATER ALL NOW button again.

[DIAL] To stop manual watering, turn the dial to OFF and then back to AUTO RUN.

Water One Zone

[DIAL] Turn the dial to select a ZONE.

Press the purple WATER ONE ZONE NOW button to start watering (default run time of 10 minutes).

Press the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to adjust the run time.

[DIAL] To stop manual watering, turn the dial to AUTO RUN.

Watering Issues

Electrical Issues