RAIN BIRD RC2 Series Fixed Station Controller User Guide

: June 9, 2024
: RAIN BIRD

Table of Contents

Product Information RC2 Fixed Station Controller
- Technical Specifications
Features
Usage Instructions
EASY TO USE AND INSTALL
OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS
- ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- HOW TO SPECIFY
SPECIFICATIONS
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

RC2 Series Fixed Station Controller

Product Information RC2 Fixed Station Controller

Technical Specifications

Station timing : 1 minute to 6 hours
Seasonal Adjust : 5% to 200%
Output Outdoor Nominal: 0.82A @ 24VAC
Outdoor Maximum : 1.0A @ 24VAC
Indoor Nominal : 0.550A @ 24VAC
Indoor Maximum : 0.6A @ 24VAC

Rain Bird’s RC2 Fixed Station Controller is a contractor grade, mobile-first irrigation controller suitable for both residential and commercial applications. It is available in indoor and outdoor models, and can accommodate up to 8 stations plus a master valve.The RC2 provides flexible scheduling features to accommodate a wide variety of landscape applications. Powerful advanced irrigation features help meet any type of regional watering restrictions.

Features

Simple interface with advanced scheduling features accessed through the Rain Bird mobile app
Easy wall mounting with only two screws required
Conduit guide for professional installation
Capable of operating one 24VAC solenoid valve per station plus a separate master valve
Electronic diagnostic circuit breaker that can detect electrical overload or short circuit condition and bypass the error detected station while continuing to operate all other stations
Option for the installer to run field wires through a 1/2 or 3/4 wire conduit fitting for a clean, professional installation
WaterSense approved smart controller without requiring additional accessories
Seamless mobile pairing with intuitive app-based programming.
LED indications at the controller give the user quick indication of status
Rain sensor input with bypass capability
Master valve circuit
Nonvolatile (100 year) storage memory
Quick Pair broadcast mode
Hotspot Direct Connect for contractor on-site access
Electronic diagnostic circuit breaker

SCHEDULING FEATURES:

Program based scheduling with 3 individual programs and 4 independent start times per program for 12 total start times
Watering schedule options: Custom Days of the week, ODD or EVEN calendar days, or Cyclic (every 1 – 30 days)

Usage Instructions

The RC2 Fixed Station Controller is designed for easy use and installation. Follow these steps to use the controller:

Choose a suitable location for the controller and mount it on the wall using two screws.
Connect the field wires to the appropriate station terminals and to a solenoid valve for each station, as well as to a separate master valve if desired.
Connect the power supply to the controller and plug it in to a suitable electrical outlet.
Use the Rain Bird mobile app to set up and program the controller. The app can be accessed with or without WiFi available onsite.
Select the appropriate watering day schedule for your landscape application (Custom Days of the Week, Odd or Even calendar days, or Cyclic).
Set the station run times, ranging from 1 minute to 6 hours.
Enjoy flexible scheduling features and powerful advanced irrigation features that help meet any type of regional watering restrictions.

Note : If you encounter any issues with the controller interface freezing due to a power surge or interruption of power to the power supply, use the reset button to re-boot the factory default firmware.

Rain Bird’s controller lineup has been expanded to offer a contractor grade, mobile first irrigation controller for residential and light commercial applications. The RC2 Controller will accommodate up to 8 stations plus master valve and is available in indoor and outdoor models. The RC2 provides flexible scheduling features to accommodate a wide variety of landscape applications. Powerful advanced irrigation features help meet any type of regional watering restrictions.

EASY TO USE AND INSTALL

The RC2 Controller provides simple commands at the controller interface that are complemented by advanced scheduling features accessed through the Rain Bird mobile app. The RC2 Controller requires only two screws for easy wall mounting. For professional installation, it has a guide for conduit to run field wires into the unit.

OPERATING SPECIFICATIONS

Station timing
1 minute to 6 hours

Seasonal Adjust
5% to 200%

Max operating temperature

149°F (65°C) – Outdoor
122°F (50°C) – Indoor

CONTROLLER HARDWARE:

Plastic wall-mount cabinet with door (outdoor models only)
Robust set screw terminals to accommodate up to 8 stations plus master valve
Mounting screws with anchor shields

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Input required
230VAC (±10%) @ 50Hz

Output

Outdoor Nominal : 0.82A @ 24VAC
Outdoor Maximum : 1.0A @ 24VAC
Indoor Nominal : 0.550A @ 24VAC
Indoor Maximum : 0.6A @ 24VAC

External battery back-up not required. Nonvolatile memory permanently saves the current programming

HOW TO SPECIFY

RC2 Models

RC2-230V – Indoor/Outdoor, 8 Station
RC2-AUS – Indoor/Outdoor, 8 Station
RC2I4-230 – Indoor Only, 4 Station
RC2I6-230 – Indoor Only, 6 Station
RC2I8-230 – Indoor Only, 8 Station

Indoor only units available in some international markets

CERTIFICATIONS

CE, UKCA, ACMA RCM
IP24
WaterSense certified

WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIFICATION:
Product incorporates a 3rd party radio module certified under EU Directive 2014/53/EU to have the following specifications:

WiFi : 2.4GHz Band IEEE-802.11 b,g,n
Operating frequency band : Wi-Fi 2412-2472 MHz Bluetooth/LE: 2402-2480 MHz
Maximum radio-frequency power : 19.22 dBm
Antenna type : PCB antenna
Antenna gain : 3.4 dBi

ADVANCED FEATURES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE RAIN BIRD APP:

Manual Watering option for all stations, a single station or an individual program
Seasonal Adjust applied to individual programs
Delay Watering up to 14 days (applies only to stations set to obey Rain sensor)
Cycle and Soak for each station on any program
Ability to bypass or activate rain sensor
Program templates for the fastest programming experience
Predictive weather delays based on forecasted weather for the user location
Automatic short detect with station specific alarm messages

SPECIFICATIONS

The RC2 Controller is designed to provide the user with a mobile-first interface that can be programmed through the Rain Bird mobile app with or without WiFi available onsite. The controller shall be capable of fully automatic or manual operation. The controller shall have 3 independent programs that allow 4 different start times per program. Firmware programming shall automatically stack multiple start times in sequence to prevent hydraulic overload. All programs shall run consecutively. Watering day schedules shall be: Custom Days of the Week, Odd or Even calendar days and Cyclic (such as every 2 days, or every 3 days, etc.) Station run times shall range from 1 minute to 6 hours. The controller shall automatically synchronize the date and time based on the user location. The controller shall offer Manual Watering locally at the controller by pressing the Manual button. The mobile app shall offer Manual Watering options including all stations, individual stations or individual programs. When manual watering is triggered, the unit shall ignore the status of a rain sensor (if connected) and re-enable the sensor when manual watering is completed. The controller shall have a Seasonal Adjust feature to adjust the run time from 5% to 200% in 5% increments. Seasonal Adjust shall be capable of being applied to all programs simultaneously or to individual programs. The controller shall have a Delay Watering feature that can override and suspend programmed watering for up to 14 days. The controller shall provide the ability to clear all programming and reset to factory default settings if desired.

The controller shall provide a method for the operator to save an irrigation schedule into nonvolatile memory. The controller shall be capable of operating one 24VAC solenoid valve per station plus a separate master valve. The controller shall operate on 230VAC (±10%) at 50Hz. If connected, a master valve shall operate on 24VAC at 50Hz. The controller shall have an electronic diagnostic circuit breaker that can detect if a station has an electrical overload or short circuit condition. The controller shall then bypass the error detected station while continuing to operate all other stations. The controller shall have a reset button to re-boot the factory default firmware, in case of controller interface “freezing” due to a power surge or interruption of power to the power supply. The controller shall be an EPA WaterSense approved smart controller without requiring additional accessories. The controller shall provide an option for the installer to run field wires through a 1/2” or 3/4” wire conduit fitting, allowing for a clean, professional installation.

Suggested accessories for use with this controller:

Rain Bird RSD Series Rain Sensors
Rain Bird WR2 Wireless Rain/Freeze Sensors
All Rain Bird residential and commercial rotors, valves, nozzles, sprays and drip products

The RC2 controller shall be manufactured by Rain Bird Corporation in a NAFTA member country. At the controller interface the customer shall have the ability to set the controller in either Auto or Off status, manually run each station for a duration of 10 minutes, and advance stations in the run queue. The controller shall be capable of broadcasting Quick Pair to quickly and seamlessly program the user SSID and password. The controller shall be capable of transitioning from WiFi connection to AP Hotspot to access controller programming and features. The user shall have the ability through the compatible mobile app to set the controller in either Auto or Off status. When connected to WiFi, the controller shall provide predictive weather delays to prevent irrigation based on forecasted weather for the user location.

Rain Bird Corporation
6991 East Southpoint Road Tucson, AZ 85756