Rain Bird ISM Sprinkler Timer Instruction Manual
This manual provides instructions for installing, programming, and operating the Rain Bird ISM Sprinkler Timer.
Introduction
Thank you for purchasing a Rain Bird ISM Sprinkler Timer. This manual shows how to install, program, and operate your irrigation system timer (sometimes called a "controller"). Please read these instructions carefully and keep this manual in the slot behind the timer for future reference.
The Rain Bird ISM is a compact, easy-to-use sprinkler timer that offers the following features:
- Three programs, with independent watering days
- Up to four watering start times per program
- Option to set any day of the week as a watering day
- Seasonal adjust feature across all programs
- Battery backup to retain time, date, and programming during power outages
- Three-year Customer Satisfaction Policy
Sprinkler Timer Stations
The Rain Bird ISM is an electronic timer that controls when your sprinkler system turns on, and how long the sprinklers run.
The ISM can control 4, 6 or 9 watering "stations" (depending on the model). A station is a series of sprinklers, or other irrigation devices, connected to a common remote control valve. When the valve receives a signal from the timer, the valve opens and turns on the sprinklers connected to it.
The diagram below illustrates a station layout. Station 1 is currently watering. When station 1 finishes, the timer shuts it off and turns on station 2. When station 2 finishes watering, station 3 begins, and so on.
Diagram showing a sprinkler system layout with a timer, remote control valves, and sprinklers connected in series across three stations. Station 1 is shown watering, followed by Station 2, and then Station 3.
What Is a Program?
Programming is the process of telling the timer exactly when and how long you want to water. The timer opens and closes the remote control valves for each station according to the program you set.
The ISM offers three independent programs: A, B and C. Each program controls from one to nine stations, and lets you customize your watering schedules to meet the needs of different types of plants, soil conditions, slopes, shady or sunny areas, etc.
You will need to understand the following terms to successfully program your ISM sprinkler timer:
- Watering day cycle: The period of days in which the timer repeats the program you set. For example, a 5-day cycle is a weekly schedule that repeats once every five days. A 2-day cycle repeats every other day. In a 7-day cycle, you may select multiple watering days within the cycle. For example, you might water on day 1 (Monday), day 3 (Wednesday), and day 5 (Friday). In a 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6-day cycle, day 1 is always the only watering day. A 2-day cycle waters on day 1, skips a day, and then waters again on day 1 as the cycle repeats. A 3-day cycle waters on day 1, skips 2 days, and then repeats.
- Days to water: The specific days within the watering day cycle when watering takes place.
- Watering Start time: This is the time the first station in a program begins watering. All other programmed stations then follow in sequence. Each program may have up to four start times. For example, a program could begin watering at 6:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 6:00 p.m.
- Duration: The number of minutes that each station runs.
NOTE: The term “watering start time” refers to the time the program begins - not duration of time that each station will run.
Sprinkler Timer Basics
Programming Under Battery Power
If you wish, you can program the timer under battery power. This feature can be useful if the timer is installed in an area that is not readily accessible. This feature also allows you to enter program information before installing the timer.
NOTE: To save battery power, the ISM goes into "sleep" mode after a period of inactivity on the programming dial or buttons. Press any button once to reactivate the timer.
To program the ISM sprinkler timer under battery power, you must first install the battery.
Installing the Battery
The battery back-up feature retains time, date, and programming information during power outages. The battery also lets you program the timer under battery power before it is connected to an AC power supply.
For best results, use a long-life, 9-Volt alkaline battery. A new battery will normally provide power for up to one year. Replace the battery yearly to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.
NOTE: Make sure the timer is connected to an AC power supply when replacing the battery, or you will lose all programming information including date and time.
NOTE: If no battery is installed, short circuit detection may not function as desired. Please ensure the battery is installed prior to the operation.
To install the battery:
- Remove the timer's lower access cover to expose the battery compartment.
- Snap the two-wire battery clip onto the terminals of the new battery. If you are replacing an old battery, dispose of the old battery properly.
- Insert the new battery snugly into the battery compartment.
- Replace the lower access cover.
Controls and Indicators
Diagram of the Rain Bird ISM-4 sprinkler timer control panel, showing buttons for System On/Off, Set Current Date/Time, Preprogrammed Schedules, Set Times, Set Watering Day Cycle, Set Month, Set Day, Test Stations, Run Program Manually, Select Days to Water, Set Watering Start Time(s), Run Stations Manually, Seasonal Adjust, and Set Station Duration. It also indicates the battery compartment.
Troubleshooting
Have a question, problem, or comment? Call Rain Bird Technical Assistance at 1-800-RAINBIRD.
Special Upgrade Offer
Save an extra 15% off new sprinkler timers and irrigation controllers at the Rain Bird Online Store.*
Still struggling with your old sprinkler timer? Having a hard time complying with local watering restrictions? Upgrading to a new Rain Bird sprinkler timer is easier than you might think.
New timers are easier to program than ever before, with powerful features to help save you time and water while keeping your yard healthy and vibrant.
There are lots of models to meet your needs, including indoor and outdoor versions, flexible modular timers and even smart controllers that automatically adjust themselves based on the weather.
Shop Now at store.rainbird.com and enjoy exclusive upgrade savings!
Enter discount code: UPGRADE15 at checkout to save an extra 15% off*
* Additional discount not valid on clearance items, bundles or store specials. Discount applies to controller products only. Cannot be combined with other store discount codes. Valid at the Rain Bird Online Store only. Subject to Change without notice.
Safety Information
WARNING: A CIRCUIT BREAKER OR CUTOFF SWITCH IS TO BE PROVIDED IN THE FIXED WIRING TO ISOLATE THE CONTROLLER. MEMORY IS RETAINED BY A BATTERY WHICH IS TO BE DISPOSED OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH LOCAL REGULATIONS.
ATTENTION: UN DISJONCTEUR OU UN INTERRUPTEUR DOIT ETRE INSTALLE SUR LE PRIMAIRE POUR ISOLER LE PROGRAMMATEUR. LA MEMOIRE EST MAINTENUE GRACE A UNE BATTERIE RECHARGEABLE A DISPOSER SELON LA REGLEMENTATION LOCALE.
CAUTION ICONS
CAUTION ICONS
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated "dangerous voltage" within the product's enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electronic shock to persons.
L'éclair avec le symbole de la flèche, placé dans les limites d'un triangle èquilatéral est prévu pour avertir l'utilisateur de la présence de "tension dangereuse" non isolé dans l'enceinte du produit qui pourrait être d'une importance suffisante pour présenter un risque d'électrocution aux personnes.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.
Le point d'exclamation dans un triangle èquilatéral est prévu pour avertir l'utilisateur de la présence d'instructions importantes pour les opérations et l'entretien (service) dans les manuels fournis avec l'appareil.
