INTRODUCTION
Thank you for selecting Nelson’s SoloRain™ DuraLife
battery operated valve controller. This unit has the latest
technology and will provide many years of reliable service.
Please read the following instructions carefully to get
familiar with important precautions, programming,
operation, and installation instructions.
FEATURES
• Three start times per program (9 total start times)
• Three independent programs
• Stacking start times
• Length of programmable watering time (1 minute to 3hr
59min per zone)
• Four scheduling options to suit the needs of plant
material or to comply with watering restrictions (days
of the week, 1-30 day interval, true odd/even)
• Leap year compatible-automatically includes Feb 29th
every four years
• 0-200% Watering Budget per program
• LCD display
• Easy Select & Adjust™ programming
• Three test cycles (manual open, cycle, and 3 minute test)
SPECIFICATIONS
ELECTRICAL
• Powered by 2 standard Energizer Alkaline AA batteries
TECHNICAL DATA
• Operating temperature range 32° to 120°F
• Dimensions 4.25" H x 3.25" W
• Battery cover screw dimensions 3 x 10mm
• Made of ABS plastic construction
• Operating pressure: 7 to 150 PSI
• Protective cover included
BATTERY LIFE
Actual battery life will depend on the number of cycles run
per year, valve size, operating pressure, and temperature.
INSTALLATION
Replace the AC solenoid and bleed collar (if one exists) with
the 8020 DC solenoids. Do not over tighten. Then follow
the wiring diagram to wire the 8020 DuraLife battery
operated controller with the DC solenoids. Use either the
mounting plate or stake to mount the 8020 in the valve box.
The 8020 DC solenoids fits the Nelson valve models 7900
1” series, 9000 1” series, and the 9500 1 1/2” and 2” series.
CONNECTING A RAIN/FREEZE/WIND SENSOR
The 8020 is equipped to operate with any sensor with
normally-closed leads such as the Nelson 8501 Rain-Trip.
To install a sensor, follow the supplied wiring diagram.
Note:
If no sensor will be used the sensor leads of the 8020
must be connected to each other.
PROTECTIVE COVER
To remove the protective cover from the 8020 DuraLife
squeeze the side tabs and lift. Always replace the cover for
added protection.
PROGRAMMING
Figure 1 shows the face of the 8020.
CHANGING FROM 12 TO 24 HOUR CLOCK AND MONTH:
DAY TO DAY:MONTH FORMAT
The 8020 is set in 12hr mode as the default mode. To set
the 8020 in 24hr mode, turn the left dial to any of these
three positions: YEAR, DATE, and TIME. Then press the +
and – buttons simultaneously to switch back and forth
between 12hr mode and 24hr mode. Once in 24hr mode
the A.M./P.M. indicator will disappear and the date will also
be in Day:Month format.
Set Time of Day
Turn the left dial to the TIME position and the right dial can
be in any position. Use the + and – buttons to scroll until
you get the correct time. There is a P to indicate P.M. and
an A to indicate A.M. only in 12hr mode.
Set Today’s Date
Turn the left dial to the DATE position and the right dial can
be in any position. Use the + and – buttons to scroll until you
get the correct date. When the 8020 is in 12hr mode (which is
the default mode) the left digit represents the month and the
right digit represents the day. When the 8020 is set in 24hr
mode the left digit represents the day and the right digit
represent the month.
SET THE YEAR
Turn the left dial to the YEAR position and the right dial can
be in any position. Use the + and – buttons to scroll until
you get the correct year.
Note:
When the date and year are
selected the day of the week is automatically set. The 8020
DuraLife is leap year compatible.
SET A WATERING SCHEDULE
The 8020 DuraLife can be programmed to run 3 programs
with up to 3 start times per program. This means you can
start and stop the watering from 1 to 9 times in a 24-hour
period (or 2 to 18 times if you have the waterbudget feature
set to 110% or greater). To set a watering schedule follow
the steps below in order.
Note:
To select a different
program (A,B,C) press the + and – buttons simultaneously
until you reach the program of your choice.
SET PROGRAM START TIMES (A,B,C) –
Turn the right dial
to the PROGRAM START TIME position and the left dial to
the RUN ALL position. The program and the start time
number will be shown on the bottom left corner of the LCD.
To scroll between the different programs and start times
press the + and – buttons simultaneously until you reach
the program and start time of choice. After you have
selected your program of choice use the + and – buttons to
adjust to the start time of choice. To delete a start time
select the position between 11:59p.m. and 12:00a.m. --:--
will appear on the LCD indicating that there is no start time.
SET ZONE RUNTIME –
Turn the right dial to the ZONE
RUNTIME position and the left dial to the selected zone
position you want to change. Use the + and – button to
adjust the runtime for that selected zone.
Note:
The
RUNTIME applies to all start times within a program.
SET DAYS –
Turn the right dial to the DAYS position and
the left dial to the RUN ALL position. The default is set to
run everyday. So press the + button to select that day for
watering and the – button to bypass that day for watering.
The flashing day of the week will advance to the next day
for every button pressed; each number represents the day
of a week (example the number 1 would be Sunday and the
number 7 would be Saturday).
Note:
On the LCD the letter “Z” will indicate zone reference.
SET INTERVAL/ODD/EVEN –
Turn the right dial to the
INTERVAL/ODD/EVEN position and the left dial to the RUN
ALL position. The default is “–”, which means that there is
no interval/odd/even schedule enabled. To enable the
schedule to either water on interval/odd/even press the + or
– button to adjust to the schedule of your choice. If you
want to water in the interval schedule select one of the
numbers of your choice (1-30). (Interval Example; if you
select the number 4 your 8020 will water every fourth day
starting the day you selected if your watering time hasn’t
already elapsed) (Odd Example; press the + or – button
until you see an “O” illuminate on the left hand side of the
LCD , which means you have scheduled it to water every
Odd day) (Even Example; press the + or – button until you
see an “E” illuminate on the left hand side of the LCD ,
which means you have scheduled it to water every Even
day).
Note:
You may only choose one of the following
settings per program (days/interval/odd/even).
SET % WATER BUDGET –
Turn the right dial to the %
WATER BUDGET and the left dial to the RUN ALL position.
The default is set at 100%, which means that the 8020 will
water for 100% of the time you entered in the Zone
Runtime position. To adjust the watering percentage press
the + or – button until you have selected the percentage of
your choice for that program. At or above 110% the
program will run as a split cycle, which means it will run
each zone for 1/2 of its scheduled time and then run the
remanding 1/2 after the last zone has completed its cycle.
(Example if you set a zone runtime for 10min and set the
watering budget for 200% you will actually water for 20min
in two 10min intervals, which is a split cycle).
RUNNING YOUR WATERING PROGRAM
You can choose to run up to all six zones (if you have a six
zone unit) or select any one of the six zones. Turn the
SELECT dial (left dial) to your choice of RUN ALL to run all
the zones that have been entered or select the individual
zone number from 1 to 6 that you wish to run. Turn the
SET dial (right dial) to the RUN position.
TURNING THE 8020 OFF
To discontinue watering when the timer is in operation or to
prevent automatic operation turn SET dial to the OFF
position. To return to automatic operation return SET dial to
the RUN position.
CLEAR ALL SCHEDULED PROGRAMS
Turn the right dial to the OFF position and the left dial to the
RUN ALL position. Then press the press + and – buttons
simultaneously and hold for 3 seconds. The LCD screen
will go blank indicating that all scheduled programs have
been erased. Then when you let go of the buttons the time
will reappear.
RUNNING THE 8020 ON MANUAL
Turn the right dial to the MANUAL OPEN position and the
left dial to the zone you want to open manually. The LCD
display will flash 10 minutes of run time. There is a 30-
second delay to open or close the valve. You can adjust the
desired run time from 1 minute to 3hours 59 minutes by
using the + and - buttons.
• To return to automatic operation, turn the right dial and
the left dial to their original positions before you started
to run the zones manually. The manual operation that
you selected will finish and the timer will return to
automatic operation as scheduled.
RUNNING THE 8020 ON CYCLE
Turn the right dial to the MANUAL OPEN position and the
left dial to the RUN ALL position. The LCD display will flash
the 1st zone runtime. There is a 30-second delay to open or
close the valve. You can select between which program you
want to run by pressing the “+” and “-“ button
simultaneously until you reach your desired program.
• To return to automatic operation, turn the right dial and
the left dial to their original positions before you started
to run the zones manually. The manual operation that
you selected will finish and the timer will return to
automatic operation as scheduled.
RUNNING THE 8020 ON 3 MINUTE CYCLE
Turn the right dial to the 3 MINUTE TEST position and the
left dial to the RUN ALL position. This will run all zones
that have a runtime in any program for 3 minutes.
• To return to automatic operation, turn the right dial and
the left dial to their original positions before you started
to run the zones manually. The manual operation that
you selected will finish and the timer will return to
automatic operation as scheduled.
MAINTENANCE
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
The two Alkaline AA batteries are replaceable. Remove the
four screws that are located on the bottom of the 8020 unit.
Replace the two batteries making sure you place them in
the correct polarity position. Then carefully replace the
battery cover and the four screws.
Note:
Make sure not to
get any water in the battery housing as you are replacing
the batteries. To seal the battery cover properly all 4
screws must be used.
WARRANTY
Limited Warranty
L.R. Nelson Corporation ("Nelson") warrants all electronic products to be free
of defects in material and workmanship for a period of two (2) years from the
original date of purchase. In the event of such defects, Nelson will repair or
replace, at it’s option, the product or the defective part. This warranty does
not extend to damage to a Nelson product or part resulting from accident,
misuse, alteration, neglect, abuse, improper installation or normal wear and
tear, or to exterior appearance and color. This warranty extends only to the
original user of the Nelson product. If defect arises in a Nelson product or
part within the warranty period, you should contact your installing contractor,
Nelson retailer, distributor, or L.R. Nelson Corporation. Nelson may, at its
option, require that the product or part be returned to a Nelson service point
or your retailer or distributor. Nelson will determine whether the claimed
defect is covered by the warranty. If coverage is found, the product will be
repaired or replaced. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for completion of repairs or
replacement and return of the product or part. If a product or part is replaced,
the replacement is warranted only for the remainder of the original product or
part warranty period.
2
3
1
4
5
6
MANUAL
OPEN
OFF
RADIO ID
3 MINUTE
TEST
INTERVAL/
ODD/EVEN
% WATER
BUDGET
DAYS
ZONE
RUNTIME
PROGRAM
START TIMES
(A, B & C)
RUN
RUN
YEAR
DATE
TIME
Z
O
N ES
RUN
RUN
ALL
ALL
RUN
ALL
RUN
A B C 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
P
AM/PM Indicator (A or P)
Sensor Suspend Symbol
Low Battery Symbol
Adjust
Troubleshooting
Symptom Possible
Cause Solution
Valve not operating
Debris in valve
Clean valve
Valve not operating
Debris in plunger
Clean Plunger
The LCD is not
Dead battery
Replace with a
working
new
battery
Flashing
battery
Low
battery
Replace with a
symbol appears
new battery
RAIN DELAY
Rain delay is
Check Rain delay
symbol appears
programmed
Programming
RAIN DELAY appears Sensor has
Adjust Sensor
(8014SR only)
been tripped
settings as desired
ENGLISH
