Gardena 4030 / 6030 Watering Controller Manual

Please read these operating instructions carefully and observe the information they contain. Use these operating instructions to familiarise yourself with the product, the proper use and the safety instructions.

For safety reasons, children and young people under the age of 16, as well as people not familiar with these operating instructions, should not use this product. Persons with reduced physical or mental abilities may use the product only if they are supervised or instructed by a responsible person. Children must be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the product. Never operate the product when you are tired, ill or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medicine.

Where to Use Your GARDENA Watering Controller

Proper use
The Watering Controller is suitable for use indoors and in outdoor locations protected against rain.

This Watering Controller is part of a garden irrigation system. Recommended accessories: the watering valve (24V) Art. 1278, the valve boxes Art. 1254/1255 and the connection cable Art. 1280 and the cable clips Art. 1282.

These products allow you to set up fully automatic irrigation systems, which can be designed to cater for varying water requirements of different plant areas and ensure that the entire system functions correctly in case of insufficient water supply.

Compliance with the operating instructions provided by GARDENA is a prerequisite for proper use of the Watering Controller.

Please note The Watering Controller must be used only for controlling commercially available 24 V (AC) valves. The electric power consumption per channel must not exceed 600 mA (a GARDENA Irrigation Valve Art. 1278 requires 150 mA).

Safety Instructions

Function

Keypad:

1. Time key: Selects date and time.
2. Channel key: Calls the channels.
3. Man. key: Manually opens /closes individual channels.
4. % Run-Time key: Calls up the % run-time function.
5. Rain Off key: Selects a watering break.
6. ▲-▼ keys: Changes data already entered.
   (If you press and hold down the ▲-▼keys you can change data in the quick run-through mode.)
7. OK key: Confirms the settings you selectedusing the ▲-▼ keys.
   
   Watering Controller display:
   
8. Date and time display: Indicates the day of the week, date and current time.
9. Status display: Indicates the current programming or watering status.
10. % Run-Time display: Sets the duration of watering between 10 - 200% for all channels.
11. Key lock: Protects against unintentional changing of settings (the reset function cannot be locked).
12. Battery status display:
    When the Low Battery display flashes, the battery is almost empty and has to be replaced.
    When the Low Battery display appears, the battery is empty or no battery has been inserted.
    The Low Battery display is re-set once the new battery has been inserted.
13. Sensor display
    If the sensor is inserted, the DRY or WET status report appears. When WET is displayed the watering programs are disabled.
14. Program/channel display:
    Indicates which program of the particular channel is being programmed. If a channel is currently open, the frame of the opened watering channel flashes.
15. Display of watering times:
    Indicates the start time and duration of watering.
16. Manual watering display:
    When manual watering is selected, Run Time Man. is displayed.
17. Watering cycles/watering days:
    To display the watering cycles (24 h every day, 2nd every 2nd day, 3rd every 3rd day, Odd every odd day Even every even day) or the programmed watering days (Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su).

Initial Operation

Connecting your Watering Controller:

Before programming your Watering Controller, install a 9-V battery to prevent loss of data if a power failure occurs.

1. Release snap lock and open cover .
2. Connect the cable of the power supply unit to the 24 V AC terminals.
3. Connect the cables for the valves (e.g. 7-wire GARDENAConnection Cable Art. 1280 for up to 6 valves) to the terminals for the channels (CHANNELS 1...) and C (see also "Connecting the valves").
4. If required, connect the sensor (e.g. GARDENA Moisture SensorArt. 1188) using the accompanying adapter cable and connect the latter to the SENSOR terminals.
5. If necessary (e.g. Art. 1273) connect the cable for the master channel to the PUMP terminals (see "Master channel").
6. Remove the empty battery as necessary: Depress the clip (the battery is released) and remove the empty battery.
7. Attach the battery to the battery clip and insert it into the battery compartment.
8. Close cover and let snap lockengage.
9. Plug the mains plug of the 24 V (AC) power supply unit into amains socket.

After this it is necessary to set the date and time
(see Operation "Setting the date and time").

Master Channel:

The master channel is a channel that can be operated at the same time as other channels. This is important, for example, if you want to use a pump to supply your irrigation system with water and if the pump should always be activated each time an irrigation valve is activated.

Connecting the valves:

Labelling the valves:

1. Label the valves (1- 6), so that the channels (CHANNELS 1, CHANNELS 2, ...) of the Watering Controller can be clearly assigned to the valves.

Connecting the valves to the Valve Box:

2. Connect one cable of the valve V1 to the cable terminal 1 of the valve box.
3. Connect the other cable of the valve V1 to a cable terminal C of the valve box (All 4 cable terminals C are interconnected and equivalent to one another).
4. Connect one cable of the valve V2 to the cable terminal 2 of the valve box.
5. Connect the other cable of the valve V2 to a cable terminal C of the valve box.

Other valves can be connected similarly to V1 and V2.

Connecting the Watering Controller to the Valve Box:

6. Connect a cable terminal C of the Watering Controller to a cable terminal C of the valve box. Both cable clips C are connected to each other and equivalent.
7. Connect the cable terminal of channel 1 CHANNELS 1 to the cable terminal 1 of the valve box.
8. Connect the cable terminal of channel 2 CHANNELS 2 to the cable terminal 2 of the valve box.

Other channels can be connected similarly to CHANNELS 1 and CHANNELS 2.

Cable cross-section of the connection cable:
The maximum permissible distance between the Watering Controller and the valve depends on the cross-section of the connection cable. For a distance of 30 m, the cross section is 0.5 mm² and 0.75 mm² for a distance of 45 m. No more than 3 valves must be in operation at the same time.

The GARDENA connection cable Art. 1280 is 0.5 mm² in size and is 15 m long. Up to 6 valves can be connected using this cable. The connection cable can be connected so that it is watertight using the cable clip Art. 1282.

Wall-mounting the Watering Controller:

The two screws (not supplied) for attaching the Watering Controller have to be screwed into place 80 mm apart and the screw head diameter must not exceed 8 mm.

1. Screw the screws into the wall 80 mm apart.
2. Attach the Watering Controller.
3. Release snap lock and open cover (see "Connecting your Watering Controller") and mark hole for screw 6 of the elongated hole 7.
4. Screw the screw into the elongated hole for fixation.
5. Close cover and let snap lock engage.

Operation

Basic Programming

Date and Time (Time Key)

You can end the programming mode at any time by pressing the Time key.

You must set the date and time before you can set the watering programs. The day of the week is selected automatically using the date. When the Time key is pressed, all the valves are closed as a precaution.

1. Plug in the power supply unit – or – press the Time key.
   YEAR and date-year flash in the display.
   
2. Select the date-year using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 2010) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   MONTH and date-month flash.
   
3. Select the date-month using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 05) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Day and date-day flash.
   
4. Select the date-day using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 23) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   TIME and time-hours flash.
   
5. Select the time-hours using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 12 hours) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   TIME and time-minutes flash.
   
6. Select the time-minutes using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 30 minutes) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   The date and time have been set and the main level is displayed.
   

Watering Programs (Channel Key)

Prerequisite: The date and time have been set.

To give you a better overview, we recommend that before starting to enter the watering data you enter the data for your valves into the watering plan in the appendix of these operating instructions. You can save 3 watering programs for each channel (a maximum of 3 programs x 4 (Art. 1283) / 6 (Art. 1284) channels = 12 (1283) / 18 (1284) programs).

Ending the programming mode prematurely:
You can exit the programming mode prematurely at any time.
→Press the Channel key twice.
The main level is displayed.

Selecting the channel and program memory location:

1. Press the Channel key.
   SELECT CHANNEL and the channel flash.
   
   You can end the programming mode at any time by pressing the Channel key.
2. Select the channel using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. channel 2) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Channel appears on the display (e.g.2) and
   Select Program and the program memory location flash.
   
3. Select the program memory location using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. program memory location 3) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Start Time and the hours for the watering start time flash.
   

Setting the watering start time:

4. Select the hours for the watering start time using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 16) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Start Time and the minutes for the watering start time flash.
   
5. Select the minutes for the watering start time using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 30 ) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Run Time and the hours for watering duration flash.
   

Setting the watering duration:
(This always corresponds to 100% run-time)

6. Select the hours for watering duration using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 1 hour) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Run Time and the minutes for watering duration flash.
   
7. Select the minutes for watering duration using the ▲-▼ keys
   (e.g. 20 minutes) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   24h flashes.
   

Setting the watering cycle / watering days:

1. Watering cycle:
   Watering options are every 24 hours "24h", every second day "2nd", every third day "3rd", every "Odd" day odd or every even day "Even".
2. Watering days:
   Every day Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su can be individually set.

9. Press the Channel key and set up more watering programs.
   The program is saved and SELECT CHANNEL and the channel flash (program step 1.).
10. Press the Channel key.
    The programs have been set up and the main level is displayed.
    

The main level displays the next programmed watering. In this example: watering on 2 (Channel ), watering start time 16:30 (Start Time 16:30) on Monday ().

Programming of the Watering Controller is now completed, i.e. the valves installed open/close entirely automatically and therefore water at the programmed times.

Changing an existing watering program:
You can change an existing program stored in one of the 3 program memory locations without having to create the program from scratch.

The data for the watering start time, duration, and cycle are preset; therefore you only need to change the specific values of the watering program you want to change. You can transfer all other values from "Setting the watering programs" by pressing the OK key.

Special Functions

Blocking a channel:
If Program Off is selected as program memory location for a channel, the respective channel is blocked and the watering programs of the channel are no longer executed. The programs of the channel are retained.

You can end the programming mode at any time by pressing the Channel key.

1. Press the Channel key.
   SELECT CHANNEL and the channel flash.
   
2. Select the channel using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. channel 2) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Channel appears on the display (e.g.2) and Select Program and the program memory location flash.
   
3. Select the program memory location Off using the ▲-▼ keys and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Select CHANNEL flashes in the display.
   
4. Press the Channel key.
   CHANNEL OFF and the channel (e.g. channel 2) is shown in the display.
   

If several channels are blocked, Channels off is displayed. If the run time % is not equal to 100, the display alternates every 3 seconds between Channel off and Run Time %.

Manual Watering (Man Key)

Manual watering:
The manual watering duration can be set between 0 to 59 min. Channels which are already open are displayed in frames.

1. Press the Man. key.
   SELECT CHANNEL and the channel flash.
   
2. Select the channel desired using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. channel 4) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Run Time Man. and minutes flash in the display.
   
3. Select the manual watering duration (00:30 minutes are preset) using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 00:15) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Manual watering starts and the frame around the active channel flashes.
   

If the watering duration is not confirmed within 10 seconds by pressing the OK key, the watering begins with the watering duration selected.

Ending active watering prematurely:
You can exit active watering (programmed or started manually) prematurely without changing the programs.

1. Press the Man. key.
   SELECT CHANNEL and the channel flash.
   
2. Select the active channel desired (in the frame e.g. channel 4) using the ▲-▼ keys and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   Watering is ended and the main level is displayed.
   

Water all channels manually:
If all the channels are to be enabled manually, the channels are opened manually one after the other with the manual watering duration.

1. Press and hold down the OK key.
   
2. Also press and hold down the Man. key for 3 seconds.
   Run Time Man., MANUAL ALL and minutes flash in the display.
3. Select the manual watering duration (00:30 minutes are preset) using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. 00:15) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   
   Manual watering starts with channel 1, MANUAL ALL and the frame around the active channel flashes.

If the watering duration is not confirmed within 10 seconds by pressing the OK key, the watering begins with the watering duration displayed.

You can exit watering all the channels prematurely by pressing the OK key + Man. key for 3 seconds.

Percentage Watering Duration (% Run-Time Key)

You can end the programming mode at any time by pressing the Run-Time key.

%run-time-function:
The programmed watering durations of all the watering programs can be changed centrally in 10% increments from 10% to 200%, without having to change the individual programs (e.g. if you wish to water your garden less in the autumn than in the summer). ATTENTION! If the run-time % figures are above 100%, programs may overlap as a result (see "Setting the watering programs").

1. Press the % Run-Time key.
   Run TimE % and the percentage watering duration flash.
   
2. Select the figure for the percentage watering duration using the ▲-▼ keys (e.g. Run Time 60 %) and confirm by pressing the OK key.
   The percentage watering duration has been transferred and the main level is displayed.
   

E.g. In case of 60% run-time, a programmed watering duration of 60 min. is reduced to 36 min.

Note:
When the percentage of the watering duration is changed the display of the originally programmed watering durations in the programs stays as it is. When setting up / modifying a program, this is automatically set to 100% Run-Time. The % Run-Time does not apply to manual watering.

Watering Breaks (Rain Off Key)

You can end the programming mode at any time by pressing the Rain Off key.

Rain Off function:

If watering is not necessary, e.g. due to lengthy rainfall, a watering break can be set. All the programs can be set for a 1 to 9-day break ( to ) or they can all be blocked (), in which case manual watering is still possible.

1. Press the Rain Off key.
   Rain Off and is displayed.
   
2. Using the ▲-▼ keys, set the desired break (e.g. 3 days ).
   Day Delay and the frame flash.
   
3. Confirm the break by pressing the OK key.
   The selected break (e.g. 3 days 3 Days Off) is displayed and 3. the programs are suspended for the break selected.
   

From 2 days onwards, the remaining break period displayed in hours (48h off (48 hours)... 1h off (1 hour)).

To deselect the Rain Off function the Rain Off key has to be pressed.

Key lock:

1. Press and hold down the OK key.
   
2. Also press and hold down the Rain Off key for 3 seconds.
   The lock symbol is displayed.

To disable the key lock, the OK key + Rain Off key have to be pressed and held down for 3 seconds.

Reset function:

1. Press and hold down the OK key.
2. Also press and hold down the Channel key for 3 seconds.
   The lock symbol is displayed.

• All the symbols of the display light up for 2 seconds.
• The program data for all programs is deleted.
• The date and time are retained.
• The key lock is cancelled.

A reset can be triggered at any time.

Tip: Should you have any questions about operating and programming your Watering Controller, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest GARDENA Service Centre.

Putting Out of Operation

Wintering/Storage:
The watering controller is frost-proof. No measures are required when frost commences. Legibility of the display is restricted below 0°C.

→Check battery status display before the power supply unit is disconnected.

Only dispose of batteries when they are flat.

→Return flat batteries to the place you bought them or dispose of them properly at your local recycling/disposal centre.

Disposal:
(in accordance with Directive 2012/19/EU)

The product must not be added to normal household waste. It must be disposed of in line with local environmental regulations.

Make sure that the unit is disposed of via your municipal recycling collection centre.

Trouble-Shooting

In the event of other faults please contact GARDENA Service. Repairs should only be carried out by GARDENA service centres or dealers authorised by GARDENA.

Technical Data

Service/ Warranty

Warranty
GARDENA guarantees this product for 2 years (from date of purchase). This guarantee covers all serious defects of the unit that can be proved to be material or manufacturing faults. Under warranty we will either replace the unit or repair it free of charge if the following conditions apply:

• The unit must have been handled properly and in keeping with the requirements of the operating instructions.
• Neither the purchaser or a non-authorised third party have attempted to repair the unit.

GARDENA will not replace Watering Controllers with defects resulting from incorrect installation of the battery or leaking batteries.

This manufacturer's guarantee does not affect the user's existing warranty claims against the dealer/seller.

If you have any problems with your watering controller, please contact our Customer Service or return the defective unit together with a short description of the problem directly to one of the GARDENA Service Centres listed on the back of this leaflet.