When a system requires the use of a booster pump or pulls water directly from a creek or
pond, it’s imperative to include a relay to activate the pump each and every time. A pump
start relay is a relay box that activates a pump every time a zone is activated from the
controller. Zone valves are the individual valves that operate a group of sprinklers or drip
emitters. Hydrawise controllers support 6- to 54-zone valves, depending on the model.
Typically, one zone valve is turned on at a time and controls the irrigation in a specific area
of your landscape. Whenever one of the irrigation zone valves is told to open by the
controller, the controller also signals the pump start relay to turn the pump on.
Operation Chart
Controller Model
Set Pump Operation
HC
ON or OFF by All Zones
PRO-HC
ON or OFF by All Zones
HPC
ON or OFF by Zone or All Zones
HCC
ON or OFF by Zone or All Zones
Wiring (24 VAC)
Use a minimum distance of 15' (4.5 m) between the controller and the relay to dampen
electromagnetic noise. In addition to this recommendation, Hunter also recommends all
controllers be mounted 15' (4.5 m) away from pumps and high-voltage devices.
1. Detach the pump start relay cover plate by removing the four screws with
Phillips screwdriver.
2. Run a single wire from the "common" terminal on the controller to one of the yellow
wires on the pump start relay.
3. Run a single wire from the "P/MV" terminal on the controller to the other yellow wire on
the pump start relay.
4. Use wire nuts to make the connections and verify they are secure.
5. Install pump start relay cover plate and four screws. Close and lock the cabinet door.
6. Route wire through the conduit or one of the openings on the bottom of the cabinet.
7. Strip ½" (13 mm) of insulation from the ends of all wires. Secure the valve common
wire to “
COM
” (Common) terminal. Attach the opposite control wire to the M/V terminal.
Pump Start Relay Maximum Wire Lengths
MAXIMUM one-way wire length (do not go this far!)
Model
18 AWG
16 AWG
14 AWG
12 AWG
10 AWG
8 AWG
PSR-22
243 ft
386 ft
616 ft
976 ft
1,551 ft
2,463 ft
PSR-52
134 ft
214 ft
341 ft
540 ft
859 ft
1,365 ft
PSR-53
134 ft
214 ft
341 ft
540 ft
859 ft
1,365 ft
Copyright 2020 Hunter Industries. All Rights Reserved.
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