Rain Pro Expandable

Expandable Controller
3, 7, 11, 15 stations
Installation and Programming Guide

1
 Table of Contents

Mounting the controller 3

Connecting power source 4
Connecting valves wires to controller 4
Master Valve/pump start wiring 5
Installing station modules 5
Installing 9V DC battery 6
Rain sensor wiring 6
Default program 7
Programming the controller 8
Input current date and time 8
Program start times 9
Station run times 10
Water calendar, days on/off 11 through 13
Dial position functions 14
• Run
• Rain off
• Manual station
• Manual Program
• Quick step manual start
Water Budget 15
Master valve/Pump start options 16
Rain Delay 16
Pause between stations 17
Resetting or erasing memory 17
Trouble shooting guide 18

2
 MOUNTING THE RAIN PRO CONTROLLER
Indoor
1. Locate the controller within 5 feet of a standard
electrical outlet that provides continuous,
uninterrupted power. Do not install controller within 15
feet of a pump, pump start relay or any high power
junction boxes or electrical motors.
2. Choose desired location and install one screw for top
keyhole into wall. Use screw anchors if attaching to
drywall or masonry.
3. Hang controller on this screw. Mark wall for two
remaining screws holes and install screws accordingly
to secure controller to the wall. Use screws anchors if
attaching to drywall or masonry. Do not over tighten.

Outdoor
1. Select desired location that is at least 15 feet away
from a pump, pump start relay or any high voltage
junction boxes or electric motors.
2. Choose desired location and install one screw for top
keyhole into wall. Use screw anchors if attaching to
drywall or masonry.
3. Hang controller on this screw. Mark wall for two
remaining screw holes and install screws accordingly
to secure controller to wall. Use screws anchors if
attaching to drywall or masonry. Do not over tighten.
Note: The controller should be hard wired to the transformer
by a qualified electrical technician. Use approved GFI device
and use proper grounding techniques utilizing the green wire
lead from the transformer. Install as per all local codes. This

3
will help assure safety as well as performance and reliability
of the controller.
CONNECTING POWER SOURCE
1. Leave electrical power unattached until all valve wires
and modules are installed in the controller.
2. When attaching power, transformer must be
connected utilizing wire nuts and/or other locally
approved connections per code.
3. A switching means should be provided in the supply
conductors with an air gap separation in each pole
Note: Some models are fitted with a power lead. This may
be used when connecting to a standard electrical outlet.

CONNECTING VALVE WIRES TO THE CONTROLLER

1. Connect wire from each valve to the desired
corresponding number on the terminal. Route all
valve wires through the large hole in the bottom right
of the controller.
2. Connect the remaining valve wire from all valves to
the “com” or common terminal. It is suggested to use
a different color wire for the common wire to help
keep organized. “Common” wires may be bundled or
wired together with all other common wires from the
valves to the “Com” terminal of the controller.
3. Wire sizing should be of a significant size to allow a
maximum of 5 volts drop between the controller and
the valves. Use Ohm’s Law to calculate wire voltage
drop. Higher operating pressures require higher
voltage (less voltage loss) at the valve.
Note: All in-field wire splices should be made using
waterproof, gel-filled Hit Products DBC-Y type connectors or
equivalent.

4
 MASTER VALVE/PUMP START WIRING
If a master valve or pump start relay is being used in
conjunction with this controller, wire as follows.
1. Route two wires from the master valve or pump start
relay up through the bottom right side large hole.
Connect one wire to the “P/MV” terminal and one to
the “Com” terminal.
2. if using a pump relay, it must be;
• Located at least 15 feet from the controller.
• Have a maximum rated inrush current less
than 350MA at 24VAC.
• Properly sized for your application
Hit Products offers a wide range of pump start relays
for most applications that are compatible with the
Rain Pro controller.

Note: DO NOT connect controller directly to pump.

Controller will be damaged if controller is connected
directly to a pump.

INSTALLING STATION MODULES

The Rain Pro controller is shipped from the factory
with one 3 station module installed. This is supplied
for valves #1, #2 and #3. Additional modules can be
purchased separately and are easily installed to
increase the controller stations in 4 station
increments, from 3 stations, to 7 stations, to 11
stations and to a maximum of 15 stations.

5
 1. Insert additional module(s) in the terminal strip
area of the controller as needed. Slide each
module from right to left. Firmly slide module in
until it clicks into place. Each module will add 4
stations of additional capacity to the controller.
Install modules in sequence from bottom to top
leaving no gaps.

9V DC BATTERY REMOTE PROGRAMMING

WITHOUT AC POWER
Installing a 9V DC battery on the back of the controller face
plate will allow the controller faceplate to be removed from
housing and can be programmed without being attached to
the controller or any AC power source. The AC power
source is required before any valve activation will
commence. The 9V DC battery is necessary to keep the
“Current Date/Time” active. Without the 9V DC battery,
power loss will lose “Current Date/Time” and “Current
Date/Time” will have to be reset upon power resumption.

SENSOR WIRING
A rain sensor or any type of normally closed micro-
switch sensor may be used in conjunction with this
controller. Sensor activation will interrupt controller
output to valves.
1. Route two wires from the sensor through the
bottom of the controller and connect one each
to the two “SEN” terminals. Remove the jumper
wire between these terminals if one exists.

6
 2. The “Rain Sensor” switch on the front of the
face plate can override the sensor if in the
“OFF” position.
Note: If the “Rain Sensor” switch on the front of the
faceplate is in the “ON” position and no sensor is
connected (and the jumper wire between the “SEN”
terminals has been removed), the display will show
“SENSOR OFF” and no irrigation will occur. To
override the problem when no sensor is connected,
turn the “Rain Sensor” switch on the front panel to the
“OFF” position. If no “Rain Sensor” is attached to the
controller always leave the switch in “OFF” position.

DEFAULT PROGRAM
The controller has no default program after a power
outage. The controller has a non-volatile memory and
will retain your custom program.

Note: If no battery is installed or a low battery

condition exists and AC power is lost, the “CURRENT
DATE/TIME” will be lost. When AC power is restored
the “CURRENT DATE/TIME” will default to 12:00 AM
and 1/1/06. It is important to check or change the 9V
DC battery to prevent losing the “CURRENT
DATE/TIME”.

PROGRAMMING THE CONTROLLER

7
To successfully program the controller, all three
programming elements must be completed. They are:
Program start times (Time of day a complete
programmed cycle will start.
Station Run Times (The length of time each
station/valve will operate)
Calendar/Schedule (The days of the week/calendar
that you desire to irrigate.) To program the controller,
you are provided + or – buttons that will change the
value of the “flashing display”. The ← or → buttons
change the subject of information that is flashing. The
subject or “flashing display” is in sequence and can
be scrolled forward → or ←backwards to access all
desired programming options.

BASIC PROGRAMMINMG FEATURES

1. Three independent programs are available A,
B and C.
2. Four program start times per program are
available.
3. Calendar/schedule, days of the week,
ODD/EVEN or individual interval scheduling
options.
4. Individual station runtimes.

INPUT THE CURENT DATE AND TIME

1. Turn the dial to the CURRENT DATE/TIME
2. Use the + and – buttons to select the current
year. Push the → button to activate the month.
3. The month will be flashing. Use the + and –
buttons to select the current month. Press the
→ button to set the day.

8
4. The day will be flashing. Use the + and –
buttons to select the current date. Push the →
button to set current time.
5. The time will be displayed. Use the + and –
buttons to select the current AM, PM or 24 hr
notation. Press the → button to go to hours.
Hours will be flashing. Use the + and – buttons
to set the current hour. Push the → button to
set minutes. Use the + and – buttons to select
current time in minutes.
6. Rotate dial to “RUN” to enter new data into the
controller.

SETTING PROGRAM START TIMES

1. Rotate the dial to program “START TIMES”.
2. Choose program A, B, or C. To change
program from existing program, push the
“PRG” button.
3. Use the + and – buttons to adjust to desired
start time. This represents the time of day the
irrigation cycles will commence. All Stations
with programmed run times on this program (
A, B, or C)will come on, one at a time,
sequentially on all active days, commencing at
this time of day. Up to four start times can be
scheduled per day.
4. Push the →button to add another start time or
the “PRG” button to set the next program.
5. If all four programmed start times are turned
“OFF” then that specific program will never
start.

9
 6. To eliminate a start time, set dial to “START
TIMES”. Use the + button to scroll to 11:45 PM.
Then push the + button once to attain the
“OFF” display.
7. Rotate dial to “RUN” to enter new data into the
controller.

ESTABLISHING INDIVIDUAL STATION RUN TIMES

This is the setting for establishing how long each
independent “valve” or “station” will be on to irrigate.
Each station will come on in numeric sequence for
this duration as set for each Station Run Time.
1. Rotate dial to the “Station Run Times” position.
2. Choose program A, B, or C. To change
program from existing program, push the
“PGM” button.
3. Press the + or - button to increase or decrease
the length of time you desire for this specific
station (valve) to be “ON” each time this valve
is activated on this specific program.
4. Press the →button to go to the next station.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each station that is to
be active on each specific program. For
stations/valves that are inactive on a specific
program, put “Station Run Times at “0:00”.
6. Each individual “Station Run Times” can range
from 1 minute to 6 hours in duration.
7. Rotate dial to “RUN” to enter new data into the
controller.
Note: Water Budget should be set at 100% when
programming station/valve “Run Times”.

10
SETTING WATERING SCHEDULE/CALENDAR OF “ON”
DAYS
1. Rotate the dial to “Calendar/Schedule.”
2. Choose program A, B or C. To change program
from existing program, push the PRG button.
3. The controller has 4 active day schedule options:
specific days of the week, interval watering (every
2nd, 3rd, 4th day), ODD or EVEN days of the month.
Only one of these schedule options is available
simultaneously for each independent program.
Each independent program can utilize
different/same schedule option.

UTILIZING THE “SPECIFIC DAYS OF THE WEEK” TO

IRRIGATE
1. Choose program A, B or C. To change program
from existing program, push the PRG button.
2. Using the + and – buttons will make a day either
active or inactive. “+” indicates an active day or
non-circled. Press the “-” button to change to a
circled day, which indicates an inactive day. The
days of the week will automatically advance.
3. Repeat step 2 for each day of the week. The →
button may be used to advance to a particular day
of the week.
4. After programming days of the week as desired,
rotate dial to “RUN” to enter this new data into
controller.

UTILIZING THE “INTERVAL DAY” SCHEDULE

11
Interval Day allows you to choose to irrigate at an interval
ranging from every day (1), every second day (2), up to
every 31st day (31). “Days left” indicates the number of days
remaining until the next scheduled irrigation cycle will occur
for that specific program. As an example, if 2 is the “interval”
and 1 is the “Days Left,” irrigation will occur tomorrow.
1. Push the → button when the cursor is on Sunday.
This will change the program to an “Interval Day”
schedule.
2. Push the + button to increment the “Interval”
indicating the desired number of days from 2 – 31
days between irrigation cycles.
3. Next, push the → button and the number of “Days
Left” will flash. Use the + or – buttons to choose the
number of days until you desire this irrigation cycle to
start. Number of “Days Left” will not exceed the
“Interval” schedule selected.
4. Rotate dial to “Run” to enter this data in controller.

UTILIZING “ODD OR EVEN” DAY SCHEDULING

“Odd” or “Even” day scheduling is typically used to comply
with regulatory watering rules. ODD/EVEN scheduling allows
you to irrigate on only “ODD” numbered or “EVEN”
numbered days of the month.
1. Follow the “Interval Day” watering schedule
instructions above utilizing steps 1 and 2 and set the
“Interval Day” to 1.
2. Push the → button to highlight option not desired
ODD or EVEN.
3. Push the – button to eliminate either the ODD or
EVEN schedule as a “No Water Days.” A circle will
appear above the eliminated choice. If EVEN is

12
 selected as “No Water Days” only ODD numbered
days will irrigate. Select ODD as a “No Water Days”
and only Even numbered days will irrigate.
NOTE: If ODD days are active days, February 29 and the
31st of any month will not irrigate.
4. Rotate dial to “Run” to enter data in controller.

UTILIZING THE “NO WATER DAY” OPTION

(Only for overriding the ODD/EVEN or Interval Schedule for
a specific day or days of the week when you regularly desire
no irrigation to take place for maintenance or other reasons.)
1. Rotate dial to Calendar/Schedule
2. Press the → button until the cursor is on “Sunday.”
This will change the program to “Interval Day”
schedule.
3. Press the → button and the “Interval” will flash.
4. Push the → button again and the days of the week
“Mon” will flash.
5. Press the →button until the day you desire as a “No
Water Day” is flashing.
6. Press the – button to designate this day as a “No
Water Day.” This specific day will now be circled.
7. Repeat steps 6 and 7 for all desired “No Water Days”
on a weekly calendar.
8. Rotate dial to “RUN” to enter data in controller.

DIAL POSITIONS AND FUNCTIONS

RUN – Rotate the dial to the “RUN” position after
completing any programming to enter this new data in

13
controller. Leave the dial in the RUN position to have the
controller operate as programmed.
RAIN/OFF – Rotate the dial to the “RAIN/OFF” position to
stop all output of the controller. All irrigation will stop. To
return to normal operation, rotate dial back to “RUN.”
MANUAL STATION – To manually activate a single
station once for a programmed length of time.
1. Rotate dial to “Manual Station.”
2. Push → to desired station number.
3. Push + or – buttons to input length of time this
station will now operate this one time.
4. Rotate dial to “RUN” position.
5. Upon completion of this station operating manually
for length of time input, the controller will revert
back to “RUN” and operate as previously
programmed.
6.
MANUAL PROGRAM
To manually activate one complete cycle of either
program A, B or C.
1. Rotate dial to “Manual Program.”
2. Choose program A, B or C. To change
program from existing program, push the PRG
button.
3. Push the → button to choose the first station in
the sequence of the manual program to start.
4. The “run time” for each station will be displayed
as currently programmed. For this cycle only,
you can customize each station run time
without affecting the individually programmed
station run times within a program.

14
 5. Push the → button to sequence through all the
stations, using the + or – buttons to select the
desired run times for this cycle only.
6. Push the →button until the station number
appears of which you want to start this custom
cycle.
7. Rotate dial to “RUN” to start this custom, one-
time cycle. It will start with station number
displayed in Step 6.
8. Once completed, controller will revert to
programmed “automatic” operation.

“QUIK STEP” MANUAL START/ADVANCE OR REVIEW

WITHOUT USING THE DIAL
1. Push the → button continuously for 2 seconds.
2. Program “A” values will be displayed.
3. Push the → or ←to view the different stations and
their programmed run times. Individual station run
times may be adjusted using the + or – buttons.
4. Push the →button to desired station to commence
cycle. Station will start in 2 seconds and then
sequence through all remaining stations.
5. This will allow for a “Quick Review” of programmed
station run times by program and/or a “Quick Review”
of system for inspection/performance purposes.

WATER BUDGET
The water budget feature provides a one step universal
station run time adjustment in 10% increments up or down. It
affects all station run times in all programs. In hotter, drier
weather, you can increase the water budget in 10%

15
increments to 150% of originally programmed station run
times. In periods of cooler/wetter weather, you can water
budget downwards in 10% increments to as low as 10% of
originally programmed station run times.
1. With dial in any position, press up arrow to increase
water budget or down arrow to decrease water
budget.
2. The actual individual station run times as affected by
the current water budget setting can be viewed by
rotating the dial to “Station Run Times.”
3. To check the current water budget level setting or to
get the 100% (original setting/base setting), rotate the
dial to the “RUN” position. Press either the up or down
arrow. The current setting will be displayed.

BONUS FEATURES

Activate or De-activate Master Valve/Pump Start by Station:

1. Rotate dial to Pump/Master Valve ON/OFF. “ON” will
be highlighted.
2. Push the - button to change from ON to OFF.
3. Push the → button to select the station.
4. Rotate dial to the “RUN” position.

NOTE: Pump Start/Master Valve circuit does not operate

during “PAUSE”.
RAIN DELAY
1. Rotate the dial to the “RAIN/OFF” position.
2. Use the + button to select a number 1 – 7 “Days
Left.”
3. Rotate the dial back to “RUN”

16
 4. The display will read “OFF” and the number of
“DAYS LEFT”
5. The controller will not run until the numbers of
days have past. The days will change at midnight.

PROGRAMMABLE PAUSE BETWEEN STATIONS

1. Rotate dial to “RUN” position.
2. While depressing the – button, simultaneously rotate
dial to “Station Run Times” position.
3. Leave dial in this position, remove finger from the –
button. Delay time will be flashing.
4. Push the + or – buttons to select the desired delay
time between each station operation. Range of
programmable delay is 1 second to 4:00 (four hours
and zero minutes).
5. Rotate dial back to the “RUN” position to enter this
new data in controller.

NOTE: Pump Start/Master Valve circuit will not operate

during “PAUSE”.

RE-SETTING OR ERASING CONTROLLER MEMORY

To reset the clock and calendar, push the “RESET” button
located in the recessed hole on the panel back. This will
reset the clock to 12:00 a.m. and the calendar to 1/1/2006.
Program information will not be affected.

To erase all programming information, turn the dial to the

“CURRENT DATE/TIME” position, then press the minus (-)
the right arrow (→) and PRG buttons at the same time. This
will clear all user information.

17
CAUTION:
This appliance is not intended for use by young children or
infirm persons without supervision.

Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do

not play with the appliance.

TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE

PROBLEM CAUSE/CORRECTION
No Display Check AC Power Supply, power after
Information transformer should be 24-26 VAC
Check AC Wiring
Check Fuse or circuit breaker
Check 9V DC battery

Display reads Master Module not installed properly

“ERR” Turn off AC Power & Restart after 30
seconds
See Remote Control Wiring
Instructions
Display Reads “P Check for “short” or bad wire
ERR” connections in the pump start or
Master Valve wiring or solenoid wiring
Display Reads Check for short or bad wire
Station “ERR” connections in that station’s field
wiring or solenoid wiring
Display reads Slide Rain Sensor switch to “off” or
“Sensor Off” install a sensor jumper wire on “SEN”
terminals.

Controller With AC power connected, Reset

18
Recognizes controller – refers to the re-setting or
incorrect number Erasing The Controller Memory
of Stations section in instruction booklet.
Controller is Check Programming Day, Time, AM –
irrigating at PM Start Times and Active Day
incorrect times settings
Display reads Check interface cable on the back of
“CERR” the panel. Disconnect and re-connect
cable.
Display
reads:“NO PO”
and “LO “BA
• “NO PO” When there is power outage, “NO PO”
will blink at a rate of 0.5 second on
and 0.5 second off until AC power
returns. At this time, the normal
display will return. 9V DC battery must
be installed.
• “LO BA”
When there is a low battery situation
under normal AC power: The display
is to show “LO BA” blinking at a rate of
0.5 second on and 0.5 seconds off for
10 seconds, followed by normal
display blinking at the same rate for
10 seconds. This blinking cycle is to
go on until the low battery condition is
corrected. At that time the normal
display returns. Also, while “LO BA” is
blinking, if the dial is turned or any
button is pressed, the blinking normal
display is to appear for the next 30

19
seconds, and then followed by the
blinking cycle of “LO BA” and normal
display, until battery is replaced.

If there is no AC power, but sufficient

power in the battery to blink “LO BA,”
then this will be displayed.

If there is no AC power and no battery

power, the display will be blank and
the end user will have to reset the real
time clock and date when the power
returns.

If there is no battery installed or the

battery is totally dead, the display will
blink “LO BA.”

The Rain Pro controller will operate

normally if there is AC power,
although no battery is installed or the
battery is totally dead.

The battery will last 2 weeks with no

power under normal conditions. It is
recommended the battery be replaced
twice a year.

20