How to prepare and start the RAIN BIRD ESP MODULAR system in spring?

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To restart your RAIN BIRD ESP MODULAR system in spring, begin by inspecting the entire installation. Check that the controller has not sustained any damage during the winter, then carefully inspect the pipes and fittings for any leaks or freeze-related damage. Perform a manual purge of the irrigation lines to eliminate any air that may have accumulated during the winterization period - this step is essential to ensure optimal operation of your sprinklers.

Once these checks are completed, restore the power supply (230V AC) to the controller. The system retains all its programming in memory, so you will not need to reconfigure your watering schedules or operating days. After powering on, verify that the programming is intact by navigating through the menus and confirming that your programs A, B, and C are correctly configured.

Before restarting the automatic watering, test the operation of all your valves. Set the programming wheel to “VALVE TEST”, the screen will display “TEST” with a default duration of 2 minutes. You can modify this duration by pressing the plus or minus buttons. Then press “MANUAL START / ADVANCE” to initiate the test program. The controller will automatically activate each valve (displaying its number and the remaining time on the screen). This procedure allows you to verify that all your valves open correctly and that water flows through your sprinklers.

After confirming that all the valves are functioning correctly, adjust the watering durations for the season. Use the Seasonal Adjustment function to increase or decrease the watering durations according to your spring needs: set the wheel to “SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT %”, the screen will display the current percentage. Modify this percentage from 0 to 200 % in increments of 10 % (0 % disables watering, 100 % represents the programmed duration, 120 % increases the initial duration by 20 %, etc.). The seasonal adjustment applies to all valves simultaneously. Once your percentage is set, reposition the wheel to “AUTO” for the system to resume its automatic operation. An indication “SA ADJUSTMENT” will appear on the screen if the percentage exceeds or drops below 100 %.

If you encounter difficulties during the purging of the irrigation lines or need specific advice for your installation, contact RAIN BIRD customer service at 800-247-3782 or consult a local installer who can assist you on-site.

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