Rain Bird PC-204 Owners Manual / Operating Manual / Installation Manual - Step 5: Manual Operation
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Step 5: Manual operation
MANUAL
START &
ADVANCE
Press
Once
Station 1 should
start operating and
the display should
change to:
Station 1
Program A
10 minutes
“blinks”
The timer will now water through the cycle. You can advance to the next station by pressing “MANUAL
START” again and you can stop watering by pressing “SYSTEM OFF/AUTO.”
MANUAL
START &
ADVANCE
Step 6: To stop watering for rain or shutoff manual start
SYSTEM
OFF
/
AUTO
Press
Once
and the system will
shutoff, and the last
digit of the time of
day display will
blink
Time
0 “blinks”
The timer will not operate the clock until this button is pushed again. Do not use this button as a
winterization mode; if the emergency program kicks-in, the timer would try to operate the valves.
SYSTEM
OFF
/
AUTO
General Information
Power failures and back-up systems
In the event of a power failure, a new 9-volt battery (not included) will maintain the wa-
tering program for up to 24 hours. However, the battery will not operate the valves.
When the power returns, the clock will have the approximate time and the programs
should be the same.
If the power is off for longer than the battery can supply power, the entire program is
lost and when the power returns, the entire display will blink "00 00". The timer is now
in the "emergency back-up" mode: eight hours later, the first station will water for 10
minutes, followed by the next, etc. You'll have to reset the timer’s program from step
one.
When should you water?
The early morning hours just before dawn are the best hours to water. There is low
evaporation, less wind, and higher water pressure. Be careful when watering mid-day,
because water can act as a magnifying lens and "scorch" the grass, and use late
evening watering sparingly because mildew can form overnight in humid areas.
How long should each station run? The length of watering depends on temperature,
humidity, type of soil and type of landscape. Hot and dry climates require up to 2" of
water on lawns per week. Cooler climates may require only 1/2" per week. Sandy soils
need frequent watering, but clay soils need infrequent watering to prevent runoff.
Shrubs and trees require deep but infrequent watering, and new lawns grow best un-
der frequent short bursts of watering. See our special brochure entitled “Watering
Tips" at your dealer or check at your local garden center for local conditions.
Also, it is important to remember that different types of sprinklers water at different
rates. Sprayheads water more quickly (>2" per hour) but impulse and rotors water
more slowly (<1/2" per hour). To check your watering rates, place a flat bottom pan at