2.0 Programming the Controller

2.0 Programming the Controller
> 2.1 Using the Programming Buttons 
> 2.2 Current Time/Date 
> 2.3 Program Start Times
> 2.4 Zone Run Times
> 2.5 Days to Water
> 2.6 Omit Times/Days/Dates (Optional)
> 2.7 Monthly % Adjust (Optional)

Your SmartLine® controller has two operating modes: BASIC mode or Weathermatic’s patented SMART mode. The BASIC mode uses user assigned zone run times. The SMART mode overrides user assigned zone run times and calculates zone run times based on the location of the site, inputs by zone, and weather readings from the SLW Weather Sensor. Note: SMART requires the optional SLW Weather Sensor. 

Smart watering calculates ET (evapotranspiration), the landscape’s daily water loss, and schedules the correct amount of irrigation to replace the loss. When combined with a Weathermatic SLW Weather Sensor, Smart mode gives you the power to reduce water waste. Many water districts are offering rebates for Smart mode users. Check with your local district.

Both the BASIC mode and SMART mode operate based on the user’s programmed start times, watering days, omit times/days, and several Advanced Menu features (rain delay, zone to zone delay, and master valve settings).

Important Note: Zone run times must be entered for every zone in use for the controller to recognize the zone in either BASIC or SMART modes.

2.1 Using the Programming Buttons
A FLASHING DISPLAY indicates that user choices are available. The UP and DOWN Adjust Value buttons are used to scroll through numeric values or to make a choice of menu options. 

NEXT and BACK Buttons: When watering zones are being programmed, the left side of the display will indicate the zone number. The NEXT and BACK buttons are used to scroll through the zones. If the flashing display indicates a menu selection rather than a numeric value, the NEXT button will open the menu for further programming. The BACK button will exit the menu and cause the chosen value to be saved in memory.

RAPID ADVANCE: While programming, holding down the UP or DOWN button will cause the flashing display value to rapidly advance. Rapid advance can also be used with the NEXT and BACK buttons to rapidly advance through zones.

MENUS WITHIN MENUS: In cases where there are menus within menus, each press of the BACK button will return to the next higher menu until the top level menu of the dial position is reached.

A VALUE CHANGE: Saves after 30 sec of inactivity or dial position changed to RUN or OFF.

2.2 Current Time/Date
Use UP and DOWN buttons to change the flashing value for the hour. Scrolling past 12 will automatically
change AM/PM. Remember holding down the UP or DOWN button will rapidly advance through the flashing menu.

Use NEXT button to flash minutes. Use UP and DOWN buttons to set minutes. Push NEXT to access calendar setting. Use UP and DOWN buttons to set month/day/year. (Note: For international users, the display will read day/month/year.) Your SmartLine® controller has a 100-year calendar, so when you have entered the correct date, the SmartLine® controller will automatically display the correct day of the week. Your SmartLine® controller will automatically adjust for leap years and USA daylight savings time. See DS TIME, in Advanced Menu to to turn the feature on/off and change the DST schedule.

2.3 Program Start Times
Set Start Time for each program to be used (A, B, C and D). If more than three program start times are desired, refer to NUM STRT, in Advanced Menu. The program will start at the time you designate and will water all zones with set Zone Run Times for that program.

For most watering programs set only Start Time #1. The #1 Time will water all zones with Zone Run Times set in that program in consecutive order. Extra start times will re-run all zones. Extra start times may be used for new planting grow-in or other special local conditions. Unused start times must be set in the OFF position. To set a start time at OFF, press on either UP or DOWN button until you reach the OFF position located between 11:50 PM and Midnight.

When setting program start times, check the program icon in the display to see whether you are working in A, B, C or D. Use PGM button to move between programs. Use NEXT and BACK buttons to move between start times. Use UP and DOWN buttons to set each start time desired. Start times are selectable
in 10-minute increments.

Push PGM button to assign zone time in one or more programs. Care has to be taken when programming. You need to have awareness of the hydraulic capacity of the irrigation system piping and points of connection so that they are not exceeded. Further care should be taken so the electrical capacity of the controller is not exceeded. The electrical capacity is 750 mA or 3 irrigation solenoids. A pump start relay may require more mA than a solenoid. Keep aware of these boundaries when scheduling stations to initiate and operate simultaneously.

Note: Be sure you select the AM/PM time as desired by scrolling past 12. (For international users, the display will show international hours instead of AM/PM.)

2.4 Zone Run Times
Your SmartLine® controller will display remaining hours, minutes and seconds when a zone is watering. However, in this position you are only required to set minutes (or hours and minutes) for each zone as desired for operation time. Seconds are not selectable. 

Use NEXT and BACK buttons to select zone for run time setting. All zones are selectable from 1 minute to 9 hours and 55 minutes. Run times of OFF to 59 minutes are selectable in one minute increments. Run times of 1 hour to 9 hours 55 minutes are selectable in 5-minute increments. Use UP or DOWN buttons to set flashing time values for each zone. If a zone is not to be used, set it to OFF. Caution: If an unused zone is turned on and activates a pump start relay, the pump may overheat or cause a pipe to burst. To prevent operating a pump with no flow (dead heading), make sure all unused zones are set to OFF.

 Note: Run/Soak feature can reduce the need to set multiple start times for the purpose of preventing runoff. Using the combination of multiple start times and Run/Soak cycles can lead to extended watering windows since Run/Soak cycles are applied to each start time. See Soil Type, page 9 section 4.2.3.

2.5 Days to Water
In this dial position you can select a DAYS, INTERVAL, or ODD/EVEN schedule. Use UP and DOWN buttons
to select which type of schedule you want in your SmartLine® controller. Remember to check the Program (PGM) selection showing in the display. You can select a different watering schedule for each program if you wish.

If you select DAYS, then use the NEXT button to step through each day of the week and the UP and DOWN buttons to select ON or OFF status for each day. Days selected to water will be displayed at the top of the display.

If you select an INTERVAL schedule, push NEXT button. The flashing number indicates the day interval for watering. SmartLine® controller will allow an interval of 1 (every day) to 30 (water once every 30 days). After you have selected the interval you want, push NEXT to set the day you want the interval schedule to start on. Use UP and DOWN buttons to select start day at top of display. The controller will begin on the next upcoming start day.

Note: The display will only show the upcoming watering days for the current week.

If you select ODD/EVEN day scheduling, push NEXT button and then use UP and DOWN buttons to select watering on ODD or EVEN days. If ODD is flashing on the display when you turn the dial to another position, you have selected ODD. The same is true for EVEN. When you return the dial to RUN, you can view the next day that your schedule will run. The SmartLine® Controller will run ODD or EVEN programming at the next available start time, even if it is on the same day that you set up the schedule. If you are using an ODD schedule, the SmartLine® controller will not water on the 31st day of a month and February 29th of a leap year to prevent two consecutive watering days (31st and 1st or 29th and 1st).

2.6 Omit Times/Days/Dates (Optional)
The omit settings are used to set a watering blackout period. For example, if you live in a municipality that restricts outdoor watering between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, you can blackout that time period. If a watering program in progress is paused for a blackout period, the ORANGE LED will display during the pause. The watering cycle will automatically resume at the end of the blackout period. Use the UP and DOWN buttons to select OMIT:TIME, OMIT:DAYS, and OMIT:DATES. You may choose any or all of these omit options.

If you want a watering blackout for the same period each day, select OMIT:TIME. Then push NEXT. A forward (>) arrow indicates the beginning time for the blackout. Use UP and DOWN buttons to set beginning time. Then push NEXT. A reverse arrow (<) indicates the end time for the blackout. Use UP and DOWN buttons to set ending time. The OMIT:TIME function will pause any active watering program until the blackout period has expired.

If you want to omit a specific day or days each week from watering schedules, select OMIT:DAYS with the UP and DOWN buttons. Then push NEXT. Display will show a day of the week with Omit or Allow flashing. Use UP and DOWN buttons to select Omit or Allow. Use NEXT or BACK to scroll between days of the week. Omitted days will be visible at the top of the display. Any running user program will be stopped at midnight in order to honor omit days or dates. Programs scheduled to start on an omit day will be skipped.

If you want to omit specific dates during the year, select OMIT: DATES. Then push NEXT. Enter the month and date. Push NEXT to enter up to 15 dates. Scrolling the month value between 12 and 1 causes mm/dd to appear and clears the omitted date/s. Any running user program will be stopped at midnight in order
to honor omit days or dates.

2.7 Monthly % Adjust (Optional)
The Monthly % Adjust feature allows the user to modify zone run times by program for each month to easily adjust watering for seasonal climate changes. The time programmed for each zone in ZONE RUN TIMES is always the value for the 100% setting in Monthly % Adjust. When you use the Monthly % Adjust, you are increasing or decreasing the 100% time value. % settings in this mode are 0 to 300% in 5% increments. Use UP and DOWN buttons to select % desired. Press PGM to choose program. A 0% setting will adjust zones to a zero second runtime.

PROGRAMMING IS COMPLETE FOR BASIC OPERATION. RETURN THE DIAL TO THE RUN POSITION.

 Note: When the SmartLine® controller is in SMART mode this feature is voided. SMART mode will change zone watering times daily.