If your sprinkler system has not been winterized, there are a few steps you can take to protect it:
- Wrap all exposed exterior pipes and backflow preventor with towels, blankets or heat tape to help insulate them
- Turn off the water in your crawlspace and open the drain
- Run a test on your sprinkler controller and shut controller off once the test cycle is complete (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8BQMAZluB0)
How to Program ESP-Me Rain Bird Controller
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLvjJLgkuk
Basic Programming1. Set Date and Time
Turn the dial to Date / Time
Up to six Start Times are available for each program.
Turn the dial to Start Times
3. Set Station Run Times
Run Times can be set from one minute up to six hours.
Turn the dial to Run Times
NOTE: Rain Bird recommends that the maximum irrigation station cycle time be less than the time required for runoff to begin and that there be adequate soak time before the next irrigation cycle of that same station begins again.
4. Set Water Days
Custom Days of the Week
Set watering to occur on specific days of the week.
Turn the dial to Water Days
Program-Based Scheduling The ESP-ME3 uses a program-based scheduling method to create irrigation schedules. This means all stations with a run time on the program will run in numerical order.
Common Programming Error The most common programming error for any program-based controller is to set multiple Program Start Times that cause watering cycles to repeat. As an example: Program A has a 1st Start Time set to run at 8:00 AM. But then a 2nd Start Time has mistakenly been set for 8:15 AM, which means that all stations would water a 2nd time.
In this example, a 3rd Start Time has mistakenly been set for 8:30 AM. This means all stations would water a 3rd time. The desired watering time was 45 minutes or 15 minutes per station. The actual is 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is excessive watering!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SLvjJLgkuk
Basic Programming1. Set Date and Time
Turn the dial to Date / Time
- Press or to select the setting to change.
- Press – or + to change the setting value.
- Press and hold – or + to accelerate adjustments.
To change the time format (12 hours or 24 hours): - With Day of Month blinking, press.
- Press or to select the desired time format, then press to return to the time setting.
Up to six Start Times are available for each program.
Turn the dial to Start Times
- Press Program Select to choose the desired Program (if necessary).
- Press or to select an available Start Time.
- Press – or + to set the selected Start Time (ensure the AM/PM setting is correct).
- Press to set additional Start Times.
- To turn off a start time press- until 12:00 AM (00:00 in 24 HR), then press- one more time for OFF.
3. Set Station Run Times
Run Times can be set from one minute up to six hours.
Turn the dial to Run Times
- Press Program Select to choose the desired Program (if necessary).
- Press or to select a Station.
- Press – or + to set the Run Time for the selected Station.
- Press to set additional Station Run Times.
NOTE: Rain Bird recommends that the maximum irrigation station cycle time be less than the time required for runoff to begin and that there be adequate soak time before the next irrigation cycle of that same station begins again.
4. Set Water Days
Custom Days of the Week
Set watering to occur on specific days of the week.
Turn the dial to Water Days
- Press Program Select to choose the desired Program (if necessary).
- Press – or + to set the selected (blinking) day as either ON or OFF, and to automatically move to the next day.
- Press or at any time to move the cursor to the previous or next day.
Program-Based Scheduling The ESP-ME3 uses a program-based scheduling method to create irrigation schedules. This means all stations with a run time on the program will run in numerical order.
Common Programming Error The most common programming error for any program-based controller is to set multiple Program Start Times that cause watering cycles to repeat. As an example: Program A has a 1st Start Time set to run at 8:00 AM. But then a 2nd Start Time has mistakenly been set for 8:15 AM, which means that all stations would water a 2nd time.
In this example, a 3rd Start Time has mistakenly been set for 8:30 AM. This means all stations would water a 3rd time. The desired watering time was 45 minutes or 15 minutes per station. The actual is 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is excessive watering!