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OVERVIEW
Sprinkler timers are available with a variety of features and configurations.
Because of this variety, this instructional page will stick with a general concept of programming.
This general concept will apply to most sprinkler timers, but will not cover many of the "bells and whistles" many timers have.
You will need to refer to your owners manual for exact programming operation (ie what buttons to push or dials to turn).
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Step 1 - Setting the Current Time and Date
Somewhere on your timer you will be able to set the current time and date.
Time can be set using the standard 12 hour am/pm or 24 hour military time.
Your timer may use only one, or possibly both, of these methods of keeping time.
There are two types of "dates" for sprinkler timers: exact and interval.
An exact date is what we use everyday on our calendars (ie June 4, 2001 or 6/4/01).
An interval date gives the current date an arbitrary number and adds one to this number for each passing day.
The interval dating usually runs for 7 or 14 days (again this will depend on the timer model).
When the end of the interval cycle is reached the next day starts the cycle over with day 1.
For example, if today is Sunday and I set my 7 day interval timer to day 1 then Monday will be day 2, Tuesday will be day 3, etc. Saturday will be day 7, and next Sunday will be day 1 again and the cycle will continue.
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Step 2 - Setting the Days to Water
In this step you are programming which days you want your system to water.
There are several different methods for choosing dates; your timer may use only one, or possibly all of these methods.
Odd/Even - This is a feature found only on timers that use a 365 day calendar for keeping track of dates.
If this feature is selected your timer will run your sprinklers on either odd calendar dates or even calendar dates.
Obviously this feature is very useful in areas where there are odd/even watering restrictions.
Days of the Week - This features allows you to choose what days of the week you want to water.
Keep in mind that this has nothing to do with the actual calendar date (ie July 15th) but is based on the day of the week (ie Mon, Wed, Fri).
Interval - This feature allows you to water every day, every other day, every third day, etc.
The largest interval is usually 7 or 14 days (depending on the timer model).
The most confusing part of an interval schedule is which day is considered to be "day 1"?
Refer to your owners manual, because this will vary depending on the timer model.
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Step 3 - Setting the Time of Day to Water
Now that you have selected and programmed which days you want to water it is now time to select what time of day you want the system to start.
The time you select will be the same for all days you selected in step 2.
If you wish to disable the entire program you can set the start time to the "off" position (if available).
The "off" postion is usually located at the 12:00 (midnight) position on electronic timers.
Refer to your owners manual for specific details.
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Step 4 - Setting the Watering Duration
Now it is time to select how long you want each zone (station) to water.
Each zone must be programmed individually.
Some zones will have the option of using minutes or hours.
The hours option is used for zones that control drip systems.
When your timer operates a program it will cycle through all zones (one at a time) starting with zone 1.
If you wish to disable a zone you can set its watering duration for zero minutes; the timer will simply skip over this zone and continue with the rest of the program.
Refer to your owners manual for specific details.
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REVIEW
When programming your sprinkler timer you are selecting 3 main items:
- What days you want to water
- What time on these days you want to start watering
- How long each individual zone will operate
Notes: Many new timers will have multiple programs.
For most residential sprinkler systems one program is sufficient.
However if you do use multiple programs keep in mind that the programs are usually independent of each other.
Refer to your owners manual for details regarding multiple programs.
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©2003 Pioneer Midwest Inc.
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