RAIN BIRD RC2-230V WiFi Smart Controller User Manual

: June 10, 2024
: RAIN BIRD

RAIN BIRD RC2-230V WiFi Smart Controller

RAIN BIRD RC2-230V WiFi Smart Controller

Feature and Description

Feature	Description
Maximum zones	8
Automatic programs	3
Start times per program	4
Custom run days	Yes
Master valve control	Yes
Rain delay	Yes
Rain/freeze sensor control	Yes
Seasonal adjust	Yes
Manual zone run	Yes
Manual program run	Yes
Manual test all zones	Yes
Zone advance	Yes
Built-in WiFi	Yes
AP Hotspot	Yes

Installation

If You’re Replacing an Existing Controller

Take a photo of the wiring details, which will be useful to reference when installing the new controller.
Unplug the power cord from the AC power outlet and disconnect wires from the controller.

Mount New Controller

Choose a mounting location on a wall at least 4.5 m away from major appliances or air conditioners. Ensure an AC power outlet is within close proximity to mounting location.
WARNING
Install the controller with the power supply cord exit side pointing downwards to avoid ingress of water.
Drive a mounting screw into the wall, leaving a 3.2 mm gap between the screw head and the wall surface (use supplied wall anchors if necessary).
Locate the keyhole slot on back of the controller and hang it securely on the mounting screw.
Remove the wire bay cover on the lower part of the controller and drive a second screw through the open hole and into the wall (use supplied wall anchors if necessary).

Connect Valve Wiring

With the wire bay cover removed, route all field wires through the opening at the bottom of the controller.
WARNING
DO NOT route valve wires through the same opening as power wires.
Connect one wire from each valve to one of the numbered zone terminals (1–8) on the controller.
NOTICE
DO NOT connect more than one valve to the same zone terminal (1– 8).
Connect a field common wire to the common terminal (C) on the controller.
For connection of optional accessories (rain or rain/freeze sensor, master valve, pump start relay), refer to the appropriate section within this manual.

Connect Fixed Wiring

WARNING

Ensure that AC power is disconnected before replacing wiring.
The installation must prevent the connection to be strained.
When using fixed wiring to main supply, the installation must incorporate a disconnection device.
DO NOT apply power until you have completed and checked all wiring connections.
DO NOT attempt to link two or more controllers together using a single transformer.

FOR MODEL RC2-AUS, ARC8-AUS and ARC8-230V: If desired, the provided power cord can be removed and replaced with custom wiring.
Remove the wire bay cover on the lower part of the controller.
Locate the transformer box in the left-hand corner of the wire bay and unscrew the wiring compartment cover.
FOR MODEL RC2-AUS, ARC8-AUS and ARC8-230V: Unscrew the terminal block connecting the AC power cord and the transformer wires. Remove the power cord wires from the transformer box.
FOR MODEL RC2-AUS, ARC8-AUS and ARC8-230V: Remove the factory installed power cord by loosening the liquid tight cord connector.
Route the three wires from an external power source into the wiring compartment.
Connect the external power supply wires using the terminal block and resecure the liquid tight cord connector or a means of strain-relief of connections.

Power Wiring Connections 230 V∿

Brown supply wire (live) to the brown transformer wire.
Blue supply wire (neutral) to the blue transformer wire.
Green/yellow supply wire (ground) to green/yellow transformer wire.

Connect Rain/Freeze Sensor (optional)

NOTICE

DO NOT remove the jumper wire unless connecting a rain or rain/freeze sensor. The controller will not function if the jumper wire is removed and a rain or rain/freeze sensor is not connected.
Rain Bird controllers are only compatible with normally closed rain or rain/freeze sensors.
Check local and/or state regulations to determine if a rain or rain/freeze sensor is required.
$Connect Rain/Freeze Sensor $optional$$

Remove the yellow jumper wire from the SENS terminals on the controller.
Connect both rain or rain/freeze sensor wires to the SENS terminals.
For detailed installation and operation of rain or rain/freeze sensor, refer to sensor manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Connect Master Valve (optional)

WARNING
DO NOT route the master valve wires through the same opening as the power wires.

Using a direct burial cable, connect one of the wires from the master valve to the master valve terminal (M).
NOTICE
DO NOT connect more than one valve to the master valve terminal (M).
Connect the remaining wire from the master valve to the common terminal (C).
$Connect Master Valve $optional$$

Connect Pump Start Relay (optional)

WARNING
DO NOT route the pump start relay wires through the same opening as the power wires.

NOTICE

A pump start relay connects to the controller in the same way as a master valve, but connects differently at the water source.
This controller DOES NOT provide power for a pump. A relay must be wired according to pump manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Using a direct burial cable, connect one of the wires from the pump start relay to the master valve terminal (M).
Connect the remaining wire from the pump start relay to the common terminal (C).
To avoid possible pump damage in the event run times are assigned to unused zones, connect a short jumper wire from all unused zone terminals to the nearest zone terminal in use.
For detailed installation and operation of pump start relay, refer to pump manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Connect Power

The controller can be installed indoors or outdoors (if plugged into a weatherproof external outlet).
The controller has an internal transformer that reduces supply voltage from 230 V∿ to 24 V∿. You will need to connect power supply wires to the transformer’s three wires (live, neutral, ground). Refer to “Connect Fixed Wiring” section for installation details.

WARNING

Electric shock can cause severe injury or death. Ensure power supply is turned OFF before connecting power wires.
DO NOT plug in or apply power to the controller until you have completed and checked all wiring connections.
Disconnect or turn off the external power source before connecting or disconnecting wires to the controller.

Programming

Add a New Controller to the Rain Bird App

Before mounting new controller, check the WiFi signal at controller.
• Verify minimum signal strength of two bars at controller.
• Mount controller closer to router or add signal booster if needed.
Download and launch the Rain Bird App
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Select “Add Controller” to begin the set-up wizard.

Set Date and Time

When the controller is connected to WiFi, it will automatically set the date and time according to the local WiFi network settings. In the event of a power outage, the date and time will default to the local WiFi network settings.
If a local WiFi network is not available at setup and the controller is connected to the Rain Bird App in AP Hotspot mode, the controller will default to the date and time in the mobile device settings. In the event of a power outage, the date and time will need to be manually reset by reconnecting the controller to your mobile device through AP Hotspot mode.

Create a Watering Schedule

ADD PROGRAM(S) : This controller is scheduled using up to three programs (A, B and C). Basic programs include instructions on watering days, start times and durations. In the Rain Bird App, add a new program by selecting + PGM and an available program.
NOTICE
- The first time you connect to the controller, the Rain Bird App will reflect the default program assigned to the controller. You can choose to retain, change, or set up a new program.
- Programming is stored in non-volatile memory and will remain in the controller in the event of a power outage.
SET PROGRAM START TIME(S): This controller is scheduled using up to four independent start times per program. The start time(s) is the time of day at which the program will begin. Each start time will run every zone for its scheduled duration within that program.
• In the Rain Bird App, add a program start time by selecting the icon.
• Set the zone(s) and watering duration(s) associated with the start time by selecting the icon. NOTICE

Start times apply to the entire program, not individual zones. Depending on landscaping needs, multiple start times may be assigned for that program. Once the start time is set, the controller begins the watering cycle with the first zone; the other zones in the program follow in sequence.
SET PROGRAM RUN DAYS: Run days are the specific days of the week in which watering occurs.
In the Rain Bird App, set the watering frequency by selecting Odd (days of the week), Even (days of the week), Custom or Cyclic (specific intervals). NOTICE

Watering days apply to the entire program, not the individual zones.
SEASONAL ADJUST changes the watering duration (as a percent) for all zones associated with run times in an individual program. This may be manually adjusted in the Rain Bird App using the slider in the program settings.
NOTICE
- The controller must be connected to WiFi to make automatic adjustments.
- An adjustment value of 100% is representative of irrigation during the average hottest time of year, so even if you’re experiencing warm weather on a summer day, you may not see an adjustment above 100%.
RAIN DELAY: In the Rain Bird App, manually turn off automatic watering for a fixed number of days when it rains even without a rain sensor.
• Suspend watering for up to 14 days by selecting the icon in the controller settings.
• Slide the bar to the desired number of days to delay automatic watering.
• Select “Save” to store the setting.

NOTICE

The maximum numbers of days to delay watering is 14. After the days expire, automatic irrigation will begin again according to the programmed schedule.

Manual Watering

ON THE CONTROLLER

To start manual watering, press the button.
As a default, each zone will run for 10 minutes; you can choose to retain or change the watering duration in the Rain Bird App.
The blinking LED will give indication for which zone is active.
To advance to the next zone, press the button.
To stop manual watering on the controller, press the button.

IN RAIN BIRD APP

To start manual watering, select the icon and select manual watering preferences.
To advance to the next zone, select the icon.
To stop manual watering in the Rain Bird App, select the icon.

Automatic Watering

ON THE CONTROLLER

NOTICE

When operating in automatic mode, each program will run according to the start times, run days, and run times for each zone in sequence until all scheduled watering has been run.

Press to start automatic watering according to scheduled program(s).
The blinking LED will give indication for which zone is active.
To advance to the next zone, press the button.
To stop automatic watering on the controller, press the button.

IN RAIN BIRD APP

The Rain Bird App offers a toggle to switch between automatic watering and off status.

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Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.\

CONTROLLER DOOR:
Removable door for protection against inclement weather
AUTOMATIC WATERING:
Watering occurs automatically according to programmed schedules
OFF:
Cancel all active watering immediately and disable automatic irrigation
MANUAL WATERING:
Start watering immediately for all zones in sequence
ADVANCE TO NEXT ZONE:
Advance to the next zone in sequence
PAIRING MODES:
Toggles between AP Hotspot and WiFi pairing modes
WIRING BAY:
Contains the transformer box and terminal block to connect valve zone wires and optional accessories
POWER CORD (FOR MODELS RC2-AUS, ARC8-AUS and ARC8-230V):
1.8 m AC power cord

LED Status on Controller

LED	ACTION
STATUS flashing blue	Quick Pair broadcast mode
STATUS alternating red and green	AP Hotspot broadcast mode
STATUS solid green	WiFi broadcast mode
STATUS flashing red	Not connected
AUTO solid green	Automatic watering active
OFF solid red	Controller off
MANUAL flashing green	Manual watering active

Safety Instructions

WARNING

This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory or mental capacity, 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.

For models RC2-AUS, ARC8-AUS and ARC8-230V, if the supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its service agent, or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid a hazard.
Special precautions must be taken when valve wires are located adjacent to, or share a conduit with other wires, such as those used for landscape lighting or other electrical systems.
Separate and insulate all conductors carefully, taking care not to damage wire insulation during installation. An electrical “short” (contact) between the valve wires and another power source can damage the controller and create a fire hazard.

CAUTION

This device must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

NOTICE

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Rain Bird could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

Use only Rain Bird approved accessory devices. Unapproved devices may damage the controller and void warranty.

All electrical connections and wiring runs must comply with local building codes. Some local codes require that only a licensed or certified electrician can install power. Only professional personnel should install the controller. Check your local building codes for guidance.

DISPOSAL OF ELECTRONIC WASTE

This symbol on the product and/or accompanying documents means that used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) should not be mixed with general household waste. For proper treatment, recovery, and recycling, please take this product to designated collection points. Disposing of this product correctly will help save resources and prevent any potential negative effects on human health and the environment, which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste handling.

EU DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Hereby, Rain Bird Corporation declares that the radio equipment type RC2-230V and ARC8-230V are in compliance with Directive 2014/53/EU.
The full text of the EU declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: www.rainbird.com/RegulatoryCompliance

UK DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY

Hereby, Rain Bird Corporation declares that the radio equipment type RC2-230V is in compliance with Statutory Instrument 2017 No. 1206.
The full text of the UK declaration of conformity is available at the following internet address: www.rainbird.com/RegulatoryCompliance

RF SPECIFICATIONS

Maximum radio-frequency power: 19.22 dBm
Operating frequency band: 2 402 – 2 480 MHz

SPECIFICATIONS

Electronic disconnection on operation
Rated impulse voltage: 2500V∿

Technical Support

For help setting up or operating the Rain Bird WiFi Smart Controller, please call Rain Bird toll-free Technical Support at: 1-800-RAIN BIRD (800-724-6247) or visit www.rainbird.com.
For more information, including troubleshooting, scan the QR code:

Customer Support

Rain Bird Corporation

6991 East Southpoint Road
Tucson, AZ 85756
USA
Tel: 520-741-6100
Technical Services
for U.S. and Canada only:
1-800-RAIN BIRD
1-800-247-3782
www.rainbird.com
® Registered trademark of Rain Bird Corporation
© 2022 Rain Bird Corporation
640372-01 Rev. 11/22