Rain Bird Technotes: WP Series Irrigation Controllers

Electrical Valve Connections

Number of Valves per Station:

• One 9V Rain Bird impulse solenoid per station.
• Possibility to connect one master valve equipped with a 9V Rain Bird impulse solenoid to the system.

Select appropriate cable sections to connect the valves to the programmer. If cables are to be buried, provide mechanical protection or use a specific model. All connections must be watertight. For this, use Rain Bird “quick connect” or “KING” connectors supplied with the programmer, or “DBY” connectors.

Wiring Diagram:

A diagram shows a 24 Vac power source connected to a TBOS 9V impulse solenoid. This setup is for activating a single valve.

Master Valve:

The “P” output activates a master valve. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED to use a master valve to ensure proper system operation in case of problems, such as an accidentally cut cable (connecting a valve) or impurities in the pipes damaging a valve.

Important: With a 1.5 mm² cable, the maximum distance between the programmer and the valves is 30 m.

Detailed Electrical Connections

A diagram illustrates the wiring of a Rain Bird controller (labeled SSCP123456) to multiple valves. The controller has terminals for connecting to the valves.

• A = Valve Box: Each valve must be equipped with a 9V Rain Bird impulse solenoid.
• B = Master Valve: Equipped with a 9V Rain Bird impulse solenoid.

The diagram shows the controller connected to a master valve (B) and then to several individual valves (A) in parallel. Red and black wires are used for connections.

Rain Sensor Connection

RSD-Bex Rain Sensor (Optional)

A diagram shows an RSD-Bex rain sensor connected to the Rain Bird controller via its SS terminals.

The WP series is equipped with an “active” rain sensor input. In case of rain, the WP immediately stops ongoing automatic irrigation.

Note: When the sensor is active, a cloud with raindrops symbol (?) appears on the screen. The rain sensor also stops irrigation during a manual start.

Battery Installation

Startup/Programming:

Install two quality 9V alkaline batteries (6AM6/6LR61) such as Varta or equivalent.

Once the batteries are installed, the following screen appears: “Prog 00:00” with a clock symbol and a battery indicator.

Warning: Always install and change both batteries simultaneously.

Note: To prolong battery life, the screen automatically goes into standby after one minute of non-use.

Important: A battery symbol with an 'X' (?) indicates that you need to change the batteries. Use only branded batteries like Varta or equivalent.

Accessing Programming Menu and Base Menu

Simultaneous Press of 2 Buttons:

To access the programming menu, simultaneously press the 'ABC' and 'Valid' buttons from any screen.

Programming Menu:

1. Clock and Day Setting
2. Selection of Watering Days per Program
3. Setting Watering Duration
4. Setting Start Times
5. Default Screen - Exit Programming Menu

Base Menu:

1. Default Screen (Status Screen)
2. Rain Delay Setting
3. Water Budget
4. Manual Start of a Station
5. Manual Start of a Cycle
6. Test All Stations
7. ON/OFF Position

1.1/ Accessing Programming Menu

The WP is equipped with a “protected” programming mode to prevent accidental program modification. Access to this menu is done in two ways:

• Upon battery installation.
• By simultaneously pressing the 'ABC' and 'Valid' buttons from any screen.

Note: As soon as you enter Programming Mode, “PROG” appears.

Setting Clock and Day

Remark: If these 3 parameters are already set, press the 'Valid' button to skip this step and proceed to the next.

1.1.1/ Setting Current Time

Use the 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons to set the hours.

Once your choice is complete, press the 'Valid' button to confirm and proceed to setting the minutes.

Use the 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons to set the minutes.

If you do not wish to set the minutes and want to exit this step, press the 'Valid' button.

1.1.2/ Setting Current Day

Press the 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons to move the frame over the 7 days of the week (1 = Monday, etc.). Place the frame on the current day of the week.

Example: Today is Wednesday. Place the frame on “3”.

To move to the next screen and validate the 3 previous steps, press the 'Valid' button.

1.2/ Selecting Watering Days

Using the 'ABC' button, move the cursor over the days (1 to 7, 1=Monday, etc.).

The 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons validate or cancel watering days.

Example: You want Wednesday to be a watering day.

In this case, move the cursor using the 'ABC' button until the number 3 flashes. Then press the 'ON' (▲) button to validate day 3 as a watering day. The number 3 will then be framed.

1.3/ Setting Watering Duration per Station and Assigning to a Program

If you wish to deselect a day, repeat the same operation but press the 'OFF' (▼) button so that the selected day is no longer a watering day.

Finally, the validated watering days are framed, while the non-validated days are not framed.

Once the selection of watering days for a program is complete, press the 'ABC' button to go to the next program.

To move to the next screen, press the 'Valid' button.

Setting the watering duration for a station is done with the 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons, in 1-minute increments, from 1 minute to 12 hours. The station's watering time appears in hours and minutes.

Change stations using the 'ABC' button.

Press the 'ABC' button to assign the displayed station to your chosen program. Once you have set the watering duration for each station and assigned them to programs, proceed to the next screen by pressing the 'Valid' button.

1.4/ Setting Program Start Times

You can set up to 8 watering start times per day and per program to segment your irrigation. First, select the program you want to set the start times for by pressing the 'ABC' button.

With the 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons, you can advance or rewind the start time, similar to setting the current time. Once you have set the first start time, press the 'Valid' button to move to the next start time.

Note: You are not obliged to use and set all 8 start times! Additionally, the programmer automatically arranges the start times in chronological order (from 00:00 to 23:59).

To cancel a start time, select the start time to be erased and press the 'ON' (▲) or 'OFF' (▼) buttons until the screen shows between 11:59 and 12:00 or between 23:59 and 00:00.

Once all start times for all your programs are set, programming is complete.

Press the 'Valid' button to exit this mode and return to the default screen.

2.1/ Default Screen (Status Screen)

This indicates that you have completed programming your automatic irrigation. It displays all information related to the base menu (see following steps).

When the screen goes into standby, this is the first screen that will appear if you press any button.

Reminder: To return to programming mode, simultaneously press the 'ABC' and 'Valid' buttons.

Optional functions follow. Press the 'Valid' button.

2.2/ Rain Delay Setting

You can postpone irrigation for 1 to 15 days during rainy days. Press the 'ON' (▲) or 'OFF' (▼) buttons for setting.

The cloud with raindrops symbol (?) and the number of days appear on all screens. Each day, the programmer will count down the remaining days before irrigation resumes according to your programming. Restart is automatic.

2.3/ Water Budget – Automatic Adjustment

Note: To cancel a Rain Delay, go to the Rain Delay screen and set the number of days to 0. Remember that it is impossible to manually start irrigation during a Rain Delay.

The programmer has a function (called Water Budget or automatic adjustment) that allows modulating the water supply for all 3 programs from 0 to 200%, without having to modify the watering times of each station.

A 100% setting means that all stations will operate according to the programmed watering time.

The Water Budget can be used to reduce irrigation during winter months or increase it during unusually hot periods. Use the 'ON' (▲) and 'OFF' (▼) buttons to increase or decrease the watering time in 10% increments.

Example: “80” indicates a 20% reduction in programmed time for all stations. If a station is set for 10 minutes, the effective duration will be 8 minutes. The reduced or increased watering time will not appear on the screen. The percentage symbol (%) appears on your programming status screen when Water Budget is used. Remember that the percentage you set applies to all stations across all 3 programs.

To stop Water Budget, access the % screen and set Water Budget to 100%.

2.4/ Manual Start of a Station

Choose the desired station with the 'ABC' button.

Press the 'ON' (▲) button to trigger manual irrigation. The active sprinkler with a flashing jet symbol (?) indicates that irrigation has started. The watering time appears and counts down every minute. It corresponds to the duration programmed in section 1.3.

To stop irrigation before the programmed time ends, press the 'OFF' (▼) button. The flashing sprinkler jet symbol disappears.

To move to the next stations, press the 'ABC' button.

Note: Water Budget is not taken into account for manual station starts.

2.5/ Manual Start of a Cycle

A cycle consists of the sequential activation of all stations within the same program. Choose the desired program with the 'ABC' button.

To start a cycle, press the 'ON' (▲) button.

2.6/ Test All Stations

The sprinkler jet symbol flashes on the screen. The first station of the chosen program is displayed with the remaining watering time.

To stop irrigation at the end of the program, press the 'OFF' (▼) button. The programmer then automatically returns to the default screen.

This function tests all stations connected to your WP in a 2-minute cycle and allows you to verify proper irrigation operation.

Press the 'ON' (▲) button to start the test. To move directly to the next station, press the 'ABC' button.

During the test period, the screen displays the word “TEST” flashing alternately with the remaining watering time for the current station.

To stop the test, press the 'OFF' (▼) button.

2.7/ ON/OFF Position (General On/Off)

The default position is “ON”, allowing irrigation according to your programmed schedule. You can disable irrigation (e.g., during rainy weather) regardless of the programming and without modifying it.

The screen flashes alternately “ON” and “OFF” along with a cross symbol (❌) over the sprinkler.

Press the 'OFF' (▼) button to disable irrigation. The cross symbol over the sprinkler stops flashing.

When navigating through the menu with the 'Valid' button, you will notice that the cross symbol blocking the sprinkler does not disappear. No irrigation is possible, even if manually triggered.

To re-enable irrigation, press the 'Valid' button until the screen shows the flashing cross symbol and “ON/OFF”.

Then press the 'ON' (▲) button, and the cross symbol disappears from the screen.

Troubleshooting

After-Sales Service

If this equipment does not function correctly, please contact your authorized Rain Bird after-sales service center.

For more information on authorized after-sales service centers, please contact:

Warranty

This product is covered by a three-year commercial warranty from Rain Bird. For more details, please refer to the Rain Bird irrigation products catalog for green spaces.

Declaration of Conformity to European Directives

Rain Bird declares that the WP Series irrigation programmer, type apparatus, conforms to European Directives 89/336/CEE and 93/31/CEE concerning electromagnetic compatibility.

The WP Series apparatus is powered by two batteries. The rating plate of your WP Series programmer is located on the back of your device.

Aix en Provence, 12/08/2004
General Manager
RAIN BIRD EUROPE

Signature: [Signature Placeholder]