Controller Stations; What Is A Program - Rain Bird E-6C User Manual

Controller Stations

DIAGRAM 1
The Rain Bird Ec controller is an electronic timer that controls
when your sprinkler system turns on, and how long the
sprinklers run.
Depending on the model, the Ec can control four, six, or nine
watering “stations.” 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 controller, the
valve opens and turns on the sprinklers connected to it.
This illustration shows a diagram of a station layout. Station 1
is currently watering. When station 1 finishes, the controller
shuts it off and turns on station 2. When station 2 finishes
watering, station 3 begins, and so on.

What Is a Program?

Programming is the process of telling the controller exactly
when and how long you want to water. The controller opens
and closes the remote control valves for each station according
to the program you set.
The Ec offers three independent programs; A, B, and C. Each
program controls from one to six 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.
Ec Controller
You will need to understand the following terms to successfully
program your Ec controller.
Watering day cycle — The period of days in which the
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controller repeats the program you set. For example, a 7-day
cycle is a weekly schedule that repeats once every seven
days. A 2-day cycle repeats every other day.
Watering days — The specific days within the watering
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day cycle when watering takes place. 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 1- through 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.
Start time — This is the time, or times, the first station in
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a program begins watering. All other stations in the program
then follow in sequence.
NOTE: The term ”start time” refers to the time the
program begins — not the time each individual
station begins to run.
Run time — The number of minutes that each station
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runs.
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