Rain Bird MDC2, Instructions Manual, Page: 115 / 124

Appendix VIII
109
1 . Column 1 – “Order”
This column is for inputting the order you would like
the valves to turn on. When programming the MDC
Controller, this will help determine the order of sta-
tions to be assigned to the steps of various programs.
2 . Column 2 – “Decoder Number”
This is for inputting the decoder addresses printed on
the side of the decoders installed in the valve boxes.
Decoders are essential in two wire systems since they
allow the controller to “talk” to individual valves even
though there is not a dedicated wire path to each
valve. The decoder number is a five digit address
that should not repeat on the same controller. The
purpose of writing these numbers down is to make
programming quick and easy and to save decoder
information in case of loss of data.
3 . Column 3 – “Valve ID”
This is for inputting the valve number from the plans
so that they are easy to find in the field from the plan
or as builts after the system has been installed.
4 . Column 4 – “Station Location / Description”
As valves are wired to the decoders the column should
be used to write a short description of what and where
the valve irrigates. This needs to be done in order
to make the walk through of the system quick and
simple. It also provides a great reference to the irriga-
tion system when the system is turned over.
5 . Column 5 – “Plant Type”
This is used to distinguish turf zones from plant zones
or any other specialty needs zones. This helps when
programming the controller so that proper run times
can be assigned to various irrigation zones.
6 . Column 6 – “Irrigation Types”
This column helps further refine the input of proper
run times by describing the type of irrigation equip-
ment on each valve. Since each type has significantly
differently precipitation rates, it is important to de-
velop specific run times to maximize efficiency.
7 . Column 7 – “MDC Valve Name”
This is the user generated name for each valve. A good
valve name would be a name that describes the irriga-
tion zone. Each valve must have its own valve name.
When operating and programming the controller you
will be prompted to enter commands for the valves
based on these valve names. This is also why this
sheet is important as a whole, so you do not have to
rack you brain trying to remember what irrigates what
when operating and programming the controller.
8 . Column 8 – “Run Time”
This is used to enter the run times for each irrigation
zone per watering day.
9 . Column 9 – “P#”
This is the program number that each valve will oper-
ate in as programmed into the controller. Each valve
can be on several programs. There are 10 programs
per controller, six start times per program, and several
repeats per start time. Repeats should be used to
eliminate runoff with shorter run times and
more repetition of each zone.
MDC Controller Information Sheet Descriptions
Below you will find helpful information about the MDC Controller, decoders, and programming information
sheets to follow. Please refer to the programming sheet when reading the descriptions below.