Rain Bird Simple To Set (SST) Timer

Installation

This section details the steps for installing the Rain Bird Simple To Set (SST) timer.

Tools and Accessories Required

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Wire stripper
• Hammer
• Valve wire: Direct burial, multi-strand, color-coded (not included)
  • 18 AWG for distances up to 800 feet (244 meters)
  • 14 AWG for distances over 800 feet (244 meters)
• Waterproof wire connectors (not included)

Step 1. Mount the Timer

Mount the SST in an accessible location.

Note: Indoor SST timers must be used indoors. Outdoor SST timers can be used indoors or outdoors.

1. For indoor installation, choose a location within 5 feet (1.5 m) of an AC outlet and more than 15 feet (4.6 m) from large electrical appliances or air conditioners.
2. Insert a screw into the wall, leaving a 3.2 mm (1/8 inch) gap between the screw head and the wall (use wall anchors if necessary).
3. Hang the unit on the screw using the keyhole slot on its back.
4. Remove the wiring compartment cover on the bottom of the unit and insert a screw into the center hole as shown (use wall anchors if necessary).

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the SST-600in timer unit with its dial, buttons, and LCD screen. It indicates mounting screw placement and the wiring compartment.

Step 2. Connect Power

WARNING: DO NOT apply power to the timer until all connections have been made and verified.

Indoor Timer

Plug the transformer connector into the 24VAC POWER terminal on the wiring plate.

WARNING: Do not attempt to link two or more timers using the same transformer.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the indoor SST model, highlighting the connector and the transformer.

Outdoor Timer

Standard Installation

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

Wire Installation

WARNING: Disconnect or de-energize the external power source before connecting or disconnecting wires to the timer.

1. Remove the wiring compartment cover on the bottom of the unit.
2. Using a screwdriver, remove the front cover of the wiring compartment located in the bottom left corner of the unit.
3. Unscrew the wire connectors holding the three power wires to the timer.
4. Remove the metal bracket supporting the power cord at the back of the wiring compartment, then feed the cord out the bottom of the housing.
5. Feed the three wires from an external power source into the wiring compartment.
6. Using the wire connectors, connect the external power wires to the internal connection wires inside the wiring compartment.

WARNING: Ensure external wires are connected to internal connection wires of the same color:

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

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

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the internal wiring compartment of the outdoor SST model. It details how to remove the power cord, feed external wires, and connect them using wire connectors. It also shows the internal transformer and external power source connection.

Step 3. Connect Valve Wires to Timer

Valve Connections

1. Use direct burial wires to connect the timer to the valves in the field.
2. Connect one color-coded wire from the direct burial cable to one of the two valve wires.
3. Connect the remaining wire from each valve to a "common" wire that will then connect to the timer.

Note: Use waterproof connectors for all butt splices. Depending on your landscape layout, you may need to use extensions for power and common connections.

Timer Connections

1. Use wire strippers to remove about 6 mm (1/4 inch) of insulation from the end of each valve wire.
2. Insert the stripped end of each color-coded wire from the external valve (or zone) into the corresponding zone number on the terminal block.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the terminal block of the timer. It depicts connecting valve wires (Zone 1, Zone 2) to the corresponding zone terminals and a common wire to the COMMON terminal. It also shows the use of waterproof connectors.

Step 4. Test System Operation

Battery Isolation Tab

To activate the internal battery, pull the yellow tab inside the timer and remove it.

Note: If the timer is not powered for over a week, the time will need to be reset. This preserves the battery in case of power outages. Program details are stored in non-volatile memory and will not be lost.

Powering On

Indoor Model

Plug the transformer into a wall outlet.

Outdoor Model

Turn on the main power supply or plug the power cord into a weatherproof outlet.

Note: Do not connect the timer to a receptacle controlled by a light switch or a ground fault interrupter (GFI) outlet.

Watering Test

1. Turn the dial to the ZONE 1 position.
2. Press the WATER 1 ZONE NOW button. The zone will start watering for a default of 10 minutes, and the green LED for that button will illuminate.
3. To stop watering before the default time, press the WATER 1 ZONE NOW button again. The green LED will turn off.
4. Repeat these steps for all connected zones.
5. Replace the wiring compartment cover on the front of the unit.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer dial and buttons. It highlights the WATER 1 ZONE NOW button and the TEST SPRINKLER RUN position on the dial. It also shows the internal transformer for indoor models and the power-on indicator for outdoor models.

Optional Accessories

Rain Sensor

Connect an optional rain sensor to the timer

1. Remove the wiring compartment cover on the bottom of the unit.
2. Remove the yellow jumper wire from the terminals marked RAIN SENSOR on the terminal block.

Note: Do not remove the jumper wire unless a rain sensor is connected. The timer will not function if the jumper wire is removed and no rain sensor is connected.

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

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer's terminal block with the RAIN SENSOR terminals highlighted. It shows how to remove the jumper wire and connect the rain sensor wires.

Master Valve or Pump Start Relay

Connect a master valve or pump start relay (optional)

SST timers can be used with 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 to the water source.

1. Using direct burial wire, connect one wire from the master valve (or pump start relay) to the timer terminal marked MSTR VALVE.
2. Using direct burial wire, 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 prevent pump damage, connect a short jumper wire between unused zone terminals, working backward to the nearest used zone terminal (as illustrated).

Example: If a 4-zone timer is used and only two zones are connected, connect zone terminals 3 and 4 to the nearest active zone terminal (zone 2 in the example).

WARNING: Ensure the total current draw of the master valve (and/or pump start relay), plus the valve draw, does not exceed 650mA at 24VAC, 60Hz. Note that the timer does NOT supply main power to a pump.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer's terminal block with connections for a master valve or pump start relay. It shows connecting to MSTR VALVE and COMMON terminals. Another diagram illustrates the jumper wire connection for pump start relays when not all zones are used.

Controls and Indicators

• AUTO RUN: Turn the dial to this position to execute all programmed schedules.
• OFF: Disables all watering.
• RAIN DELAY: Suspends watering for up to 72 hours.
• SEASONAL ADJUST: Adjusts the watering percentage based on seasons.
• ZONES: Select each zone to program (example shown is a 6-zone model).
• WATER ALL ZONES NOW: Waters all programmed zones sequentially.
• WATER 1 ZONE NOW: Manually waters a single zone.
• SET TIME: Sets the current time.
• SET DATE: Sets the current date.
• DISPLAY: Shows current time, date, and watering status.
• RUN DAYS: Selects the days of the week watering will occur.
• ZONE OFF: Disables watering for a specific zone.
• WATERING TIMES: Sets how many times per day a zone should water.
• ODD/EVEN DAYS: Allows watering on odd or even days of the month.
• CYCLIC WATERING: Sets watering intervals between 1 and 29 days.
• UP/DOWN ARROWS: Used to adjust time, date, and run duration.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the SST timer's control panel, labeling each button and dial position with its function.

Program the Timer

Step 1. Set the Time

1. Turn the dial to the SET TIME position.
2. Use the UP/DOWN arrow buttons to set the hour (ensure AM/PM is correct).

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer's LCD displaying the current time, with arrows indicating how to adjust it.

Step 2. Set the Date

1. Turn the dial to the SET DATE position.
2. Use the LEFT UP/DOWN arrows to set the year.
3. Use the RIGHT UP/DOWN arrows to set the month and day.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer's LCD displaying the year, month, and day, with arrows indicating how to adjust them.

Step 3. Schedule Watering

Turn the dial to select the desired ZONE (1-12).

Set Start Time and Run Duration

1. Use the LEFT UP/DOWN arrows to set the start time.
2. Use the RIGHT UP/DOWN arrows to set the run duration.

Note: If multiple zones have the same start time, they will water sequentially based on zone number.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer's LCD displaying a start time and run duration for a specific zone, with arrows indicating adjustment.

Select Watering Days

Press the RUN DAYS buttons to select watering days. Active days will be illuminated.

Note: By default, all days are illuminated. Press buttons to deactivate days you do not want to water.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the RUN DAYS buttons and the day indicators (SUN-SAT) on the timer's display.

Select specific days, or choose ODD/EVEN DAYS or CYCLIC WATERING.

• ODD/EVEN DAYS: First press shows Odd Days; second press shows Even Days.

Note: When first pressing Even or Odd Days, the selection will flash briefly before becoming solid.

• CYCLIC WATERING: Use LEFT UP/DOWN arrows to set the interval (EVERY XX DAYS). Use RIGHT UP/DOWN arrows to set the start time for Cyclic Watering.

Diagram Description: Illustrations show the display for Odd Days, Even Days, and Cyclic Watering, including setting the interval and start time.

Select Watering Times Per Day

1. Press the TIMES PER DAY buttons to set how many times per day to water.
2. Use the LEFT UP/DOWN arrows to set the start time.
3. Use the RIGHT UP/DOWN arrows to set the run duration.
4. Repeat step 3 for remaining zones.
5. Turn the dial to the AUTO RUN position.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the TIMES PER DAY buttons and how to set multiple watering times per day.

Optional Features

Multiple Start Times

After selecting the number of watering times per day, the screen will display the schedule, e.g., "First".

1. Use the LEFT UP/DOWN arrows to set the start time.
2. Use the RIGHT UP/DOWN arrows to set the duration.
3. Repeat the process to set up to 4 watering times per day.

Note: If a later start time is programmed earlier than a previous one, the timer will automatically reorder them the next time the dial is set to that zone number.

Seasonal Adjust

Adjust for seasonal weather variations

1. Turn the dial to the SEASONAL ADJUST position.
2. Use the UP/DOWN arrows to adjust the percentage. For example, +50% means 10 minutes become 15 minutes.

Note: The adjustment applies to ALL run durations for ALL zones.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the Seasonal Adjust dial position and the display showing the percentage adjustment.

Rain Delay

Suspend watering

1. Turn the dial to the RAIN DELAY position.
2. Use the UP/DOWN arrows to set the delay up to 3 days (72 hours).

Note: All scheduled watering during the delay period will be skipped.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the Rain Delay dial position and the display showing the set delay in hours.

Normal Operation

When the timer is set to AUTO RUN, one of the following displays will appear:

No Watering

The screen shows the current time, the next zone to water, and the date/time of that watering.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the LCD showing the current time, next zone to water, and the date/time of the next scheduled watering.

Watering in Progress

The screen shows the zone currently watering and the remaining minutes for that zone.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the LCD showing the current watering zone and remaining minutes.

Rain Delay

The screen shows the current time and the remaining hours until scheduled watering resumes.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the LCD showing the current time and the remaining hours of the rain delay.

Seasonal Adjust

The screen displays the adjustment percentage for all zones.

Diagram Description: An illustration of the LCD showing the Seasonal Adjust percentage.

Error Detected

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

Diagram Description: An illustration of the LCD showing an error message and the zone number where the error occurred.

Important! Always return the dial to the AUTO RUN position after programming. The timer will not start automatically if the dial is not set to AUTO RUN.

Manual Operation

Choose one of the two manual watering options:

Water All Zones Now

Turn the dial to the AUTO RUN position. Press the WATER ALL ZONES NOW button to start watering. The screen will show the current zone and remaining minutes.

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

To stop manual watering, turn the dial to OFF, wait for watering to stop, then turn it back to AUTO RUN.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer display during manual watering of all zones, indicating the current zone and remaining time.

Water 1 Zone Now

Turn the dial to select a ZONE. Press the WATER 1 ZONE NOW button to start watering (default 10 minutes).

Use the UP/DOWN arrows to adjust the watering duration.

To stop manual watering, turn the dial to OFF, wait for watering to stop, then turn it back to AUTO RUN, or press the Water 1 Zone Now button a second time.

Diagram Description: An illustration shows the timer display during manual watering of a single zone, indicating the zone number and remaining time.

Troubleshooting

Watering Problems

Electrical Problems

Company Information

Rain Bird Corporation
6991 East Southpoint Road
Tucson, AZ 85756 USA
Tel: (520) 741-6100
Fax: (520) 741-6522

© 2016 Rain Bird Corporation

® Registered trademark of Rain Bird Corporation

Questions? Call 1-800-RAIN BIRD (800-724-6247) or visit www.rainbird.com