Rain Bird ESP-RZX Manual

Installation

Indoor Model

Mount Controller

Choose a suitable mounting location on an indoor wall within 6 feet (1.8 meters) of a grounded electrical outlet. Allow clearance for conduit connections below the unit

NOTE: DO NOT use an outlet that is controlled by a secondary ON/OFF light switch or GFI outlet.

Grasp the two handles on either side of the wiring bay cover and pull it towards you to remove it.

Drive a mounting screw into the wall. Leave an 1/8 inch gap between the screw head and the wall surface.
NOTE: If necessary, use the provided anchors to assure that screws can be tightened securely.

Locate the keyhole slot on back of the controller unit and hang the unit securely on the mounting screw.

Drive a second mounting screw through the open hole inside the wiring bay and into the wall. Verify that the unit is fastened securely to the wall.

Connect Power

Route the transformer power cord through the conduit opening at the bottom of the unit.
Connect the two end wires on the power cord to the two 24VAC terminal connections on the controller.

Plug the transformer into the electrical outlet.

DO NOT plug in the transformer until you have completed and checked all wiring connections.

Outdoor Model

Mount Controller

• Choose a suitable mounting location with access to an external electrical power source. Allow clearance for the controller unit's hinged door to swing fully open to the left and clearance for conduit connections below the unit.
  
• Pull open the outer door of the controller and swing it to the left; then grasp the wiring bay cover and pull it towards you to remove it.
  
• Drive a mounting screw into the wall. Leave an 1/8 inch gap between the screw head and the wall surface.
  NOTE: If necessary, use the provided anchors to assure that screws can be tightened securely.
• Locate the keyhole slot on back of the controller unit and hang the unit securely on the mounting screw.
  
• Drive a second mounting screw through the open hole inside the wiring bay and into the wall. Verify that the unit is fastened securely to the wall.
  

Connect Power

The ESP-RZX outdoor controller has an internal transformer that reduces supply voltage (120 VAC in U.S. models; 230 VAC in international models; 240 VAC in Australian models) to 24 VAC. You will need to connect power supply wires to the transformer's three wires. (Line, Neutral, Ground).

Electric shock can cause severe injury or death. Make sure power supply is turned OFF before connecting power wires.

All electrical connections and wiring runs must comply with local building codes.

• Locate the transformer wiring compartment in the lower left corner of the controller unit. Use a screwdriver to remove the cover and expose the transformer connection wires.
  
• Route the three external power source wires through the conduit opening at the bottom of the unit and into the wiring compartment.
  NOTE: If necessary, remove the knock-out on the bottom of the controller below the transformer and attach a 1/2 inch conduit to the unit.
  
• Using the provided wire nuts, connect the external power source wires (two power and one ground) to the transformer connection wires inside the wiring compartment.
  
  Ground wire must be connected to provide electrical surge protection.
  

  Power Wiring Connections
  120 VAC (US)	230 VAC (International)
  Black supply wire (hot) to the black transformer wire	Black supply wire (hot) to the black transformer wire
  White supply wire (neutral) to the white transformer wire	Blue supply wire (neutral) to the blue transformer wire
  Green supply wire (ground) to the green transformer wire	Green-with-yellow-stripe supply wire (ground) to the green-with-yellowstripe transformer wire

• Verify that all wiring connections are secure, then replace the wiring compartment cover and secure it with the screw.
  
  DO NOT turn on power until you have completed and checked all wiring connections.
  NOTE: DO NOT use an outlet that is controlled by a secondary ON/OFF light switch or GFI outlet.
  NOTE: This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
  Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
  
  If the supply cord of an outdoor controller is damaged, it must be replaced by a special cord or assembly available from the manufacturer or its service agent.
  If the supply cord of an indoor controller is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.

Wiring Connections

Connect the valve wires for each Zone and for (optional) Master Valve, Pump Start Relay or Rain Sensor.
NOTE: If installing an outdoor model, route all field wires through conduit or through the knock-out on back of the unit.

Connect Zone Valves

• Connect the power wire from each Zone valve to the corresponding Zone number on the controller terminal block.
• Connect the common wire from each valve to the COMMON (C) terminal.

Connect Master Valve

Connect an optional Master Valve to the ESP-RZX controller.

• Connect the power wire from the master valve to the master (M) terminal on the controller terminal block.
• Connect the common wire from the master valve to the COMMON (C) terminal.

Connect Pump Start Relay

Connect an optional Pump Start Relay to the ESPRZX controller.
Pumps are used in some places to draw water from a well or other source. If you are activating a pump from the controller, you must install a pump start relay.
A pump start relay connects to the controller in the same way as a Master Valve, but connects differently at the water source.
NOTE: the ESP-RZX controller DOES NOT provide main power for a pump.

• Connect the Relay Input wire from the pump start relay to the master (M) terminal on the controller terminal block.
  
• Connect the common wire from the pump start relay to the COMMON (C) terminal.
  NOTE: To avoid possible pump damage when using a pump start relay, connect a short jumper wire from any unused Zone terminal(s) to the nearest Zone terminal in use.
  For example, if a 4 Zone controller model is in use with only two Zones connected, route the terminals for Zones 3 and 4 to the nearest active terminal (in this example, Zone 2)

Connect Rain Sensor

Connect an optional rain sensor to the ESP-RZX controller.

• On the terminal board, remove the jumper wire from the SENS terminals.
  
• Connect both Rain Sensor wires to the SENS terminals.
  

Options and Special Features

Install Batteries

The ESP-RZX can keep Date and Time if batteries are installed for backup.
NOTE: Your programming is stored in Non-Volatile memory and will remain in the controller even if batteries are not installed.

• Insert two AAA batteries into the battery slot above the terminal block, as shown below.
  

Reset Button

If the controller is not working properly, you can try pressing RESET.
NOTE: All previously programmed watering schedules will remain stored in memory, but the current Date/Time will need to be set again.

• Insert a small tool such as a paper clip, into the access hole and press until the controller is reset.
  

Rain Sensor Bypass

The controller can be set manually to either OBEY or IGNORE a Rain Sensor.
NOTE: Rain Sensor Bypass settings cannot be changed while the controller is irrigating.

Set Bypass for All Zones

• Press the AUTO key.
• Press and release both BACK and NEXT keys at the same time to toggle between OBEY and IGNORE.
  

The NO RAIN SENSOR symbol will show on the display when IGNORE is selected.

Troubleshooting

Error Detection

The ESP-RZX controller has a built-in error detection that senses a electrical short circuit or overload condition on a Zone's output line.
In the event of an error condition, the following steps take place regarding the error:

• The affected Zone number and "Err" alert message will show on the display when the unit is in either AUTO or MANUAL WATERING mode.
  
• All irrigation for the affected Zone is cancelled and l watering advances to the next operable Zone in the irrigation queue.
  NOTE: The controller will attempt to water the affected Zone again at the next scheduled watering. Completion of a successful watering will clear the error condition associated with that Zone.

Watering Issues

Electrical Issues

Programming Chart

Before programming your controller, plan the watering schedule for each Zone using the Programming Chart and keep it for reference.

• In the Zone Description column, enter a brief description such as "front lawn" or "side yard".
• Enter the Watering Run Time for that Zone.
• Enter Watering Start Times (up to six total).
• Select Watering Start Days (checkbox). If Custom Days is selected, circle the days of the week to water. If Cyclic Days is selected, enter a number from 1-14.

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