ESP-SMTe Controller
31
Troubleshooting
Watering or Electrical Issues
Symptom
Possible Cause
Correction
Automatic irrigation is
not occurring.
Dial is set to OFF.
Set the dial to AUTO RUN.
A NOTE or ALARM condition is active
that prevents irrigation.
Turn dial to AUTO RUN and read the screen. If an ALARM is active the message will alternate
with the AUTO RUN screen every few seconds. If no ALARMS are active then any NOTES will
alternate every few seconds. There are also messages that appear on the AUTO RUN screen on
the second line. Individual ALARMS, NOTES and messages are described below.
NOTE – All Zones Are Off
Unit is new. This condition exists when the controller has been installed but has not been
programmed. If you have hired someone to install the unit contact them and find out when
they plan to program the controller. If you plan to program the controller yourself go the www.
rainbird.com/esp-smte and download the Contractor’s Manual.
NOTE – All Zones Are Off
Unit has previously been irrigating
This condition exists when the controller’s program has been erased. Turn the dial to RESTORE
SETTINGS, select “Contractor Defaults”, and press RESTORE to restore the stored program. If this
doesn’t restore normal operation contact the installing contractor.
NOTE – All watering days are off
This is handled the same as “All Zones Are Off” described above.
NOTE – Irrigation Suspended Due To
Rain
The controller generally will not irrigate if there has been rain in the last two hours. If you
want the controller to continue irrigation press “CLEAR“ to erase the rain from the memory.
Alternately, you can select MANUAL WATERING and irrigate the desired zones.
NOTE – Irrigation Suspended Due To
Extreme Cold
For safety reasons, the controller will not irrigate when the temperature is near or below
freezing. If irrigation is necessary MANUAL WATERING will override this safety feature.
With the dial in the AUTO RUN position
the screen reads “Irrigation Suspended
For xx Days” or hours or minutes.
Set the Dial to AUTO RUN and press the RESUME button to clear the user activated Suspend
feature.
“No AC Power” appears on the second
line of the AUTO RUN screen.
The controller cannot irrigate without AC power. The front panel will operate and can be
programmed using the 9 V batteries, but this will not power sprinkler valves.
Irrigation will not occur if irrigation is
not permitted or required.
The following methods can be used to determine if irrigation is permitted or required.
Irrigation is not required based on
accumulated weather data.
Turn the dial to SYSTEM REVIEW and select “Next Irrigation Estimate”. Review the zone calendars
to see when irrigation is scheduled. On the calendar, today is shown in reverse video. Days
that are blank indicate that watering is not required. Days with a number in them provides the
estimated minutes of irrigation needed that day. If the landscape needs irrigation, manually
water the affected zone(s).
Today is not an “Allowed Watering Day”.
The “Next Irrigation Estimate” calendars display an X for each day that watering is not allowed by
the controller programming. The features that block watering are described below.
If regulations permit, change the “Allowed Watering Days” by setting the dial to CONFIGURE
CONTROLLER and change the Block Watering on Specific Day of Week.
Event Day Off feature is activated.
The controller can be set to block up to 4 days in the future. This can be used to prevent
irrigation for a party or other event for which wet lawn areas is undesirable. Turn the dial
to SPECIAL FEATURES and select “Event Days Off” to view or change this schedule. Manual
watering can be used to irrigate selected zones if desired.
Block Day of Week feature is activated.
If the grounds are maintained on Wednesdays, that day may be set as a “Blocked Day of Week”.
Set the dial to CONFIGURE CONTROLLER and display the Block Watering on Specific Day of Week
screen. Change the selection for Block Watering day if desired.
Watering restrictions may be active.
The controller can be programmed to block specific days of the week, odd days of the month,
even days of the month, or cyclic days (a specific number of days between each irrigations). The
irrigation estimate calendars will display an X on each day that is blocked. The settings can be
viewed by turning the dial to SYSTEM REVIEW and selecting the “Controller Settings” option. If
local laws permit the settings can be adjusted by turning the dial to CONFIGURE CONTROLLER
and stepping through the settings until the desired options are reached.
Zone to Zone Delay is activated for an
extended duration.
Set the dial to SPECIAL FEATURES. Select “Adv. Controller Setup” and change the Zone to Zone
Delay feature to a shorter time value.
An individual zone has been set in the
OFF (inactive) mode.
Set the dial to INPUT ZONE INFORMATION. Select “Zone Setup Wizard” and change the Zone
setting to ENABLED (active).
AC Power has been lost and is not
currently available. The screen is blank.
Reset the circuit breaker or make the necessary repairs to assure a consistent 120 VAC +/- 10%
power supply.
Display is blank.
An electrical surge or lightning
strike has disrupted or damaged the
controller’s electronics.
Push the RESET button located on the back of the controller front panel. Turn off the controller
and disconnect the 9V battery if applicable. After 2-3 minutes restore AC power to the controller.
If the electrical surge did no permanent damage, the controller will accept programming
commands and function normally.