Irritrol MC-E User Manual

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MC-E
Installation Instructions & Programming Guide
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												1		3		5			7			9		11		13	15			17		19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	VALVE
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												2		4		6			8		10			12		14	16			18		20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	VALVE	English
												2		4		6			8		10			12		14	16			18		20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	COMMON

For Controller Models: MC-4E, MC-6E, MC-8E, MC-12E, MC-18E,																																													Español
MC-24E, MC-30E, MC-36E, MC-42E & MC-48E																																													Español
																																													Français

Table of Contents

Introduction - - - -

-Pg. 3

Parts Diagram - - -

-Pg. 3

Cabinet Installation -

Pg. 4

Electrical Conduits Installation -

Pg. 4

Control Wires Installation -

Pg. 5

Rain Sensor Installation (Purchased Separately)

- -

Pg. 6

Start Sensor Installation (Purchased Separately)

- -

Pg. 6

Power Source Installation -

Pg. 7

Circuit Breaker Diagnostic System - -

Pg. 7

Power On / Reset Mode -

Pg. 8

System SETUP

Pg. 8

Current Date - -

Current Time - - -

-- -

Pg. 9

Security Password - -

- -

-- -

Pg. 10

Event Days - - -

- -

Pg. 11

Set Master Valve -

Pg. 12

Program SETUP

- Pgs. 13–14

Assign Station & Runtime to a Program -

Program Start Time -

Pgs. 15–16

Station Delay Time -

Pg. 17

Looping Start Time -

Pgs. 18–19

Watering Day Schedule -

- Pgs. 20–23

Monthly Adjust / Watering Budget - -

- Pgs. 24–25

Program Review - -

Pg. 26

Program Erase

- - -

- -

-- - -

- -

Pg. 27

Single Program

Complete Program Reset - -

Pg. 28

Complete Controller Reset -

Pg. 28

Station Test - - - -

Pg. 29

Options

Pg. 30

Options 1–8 - -

Option 9- - - -

Pg. 30

Option 10 - - -

Pg. 31

Option 11 - - -

Pg. 31

Rain Off - - - -- - - -- -

Pg. 32

Semi-Auto Operation -

Pg. 32

Manual Operation - - -

-- - -

Pg. 33

Remote Control (Purchased Separately)

Pg. 34

Flow Sensor - - - - -

Pgs. 35–39

Specifications - - - -- - -

-- - -

-- -

Back Cover

Electromagnetic Compatibility -

Back Cover

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the MC-E controller by Irritrol. The MC-E controller is a solid-state irrigation controller, capable of storing eight independent programs designed to meet the needs of commercial and contractor applications. The MC-E is an enhancement to the existing MC controller with many more functions and display features. The new MC-E is designed to be compatible with the previous MC Plus B cabinets and wiring connections.

								Parts Diagram
			1						-	Use to navigate through the menu options
									-	Use to navigate through the menu options
	BACK	NEXT			1	2	MC-12E		-	Use to navigate through the menu selections
	LEFT	RIGHT	UP	DOWN	1	2	3	ENTER	-	Use to navigate through the menu selections
	LIGHT				SUN	MON	TUE			or options
	BACK				4	5	6 WATERTIME
					4	5	6 WATERTIME
			PROGRAM MASTER		WED	THU	FRI		-	Use to navigate through the menu selections
			PROGRAM MASTER		SAT				-	Use to navigate through the menu selections
	MANUAL	AUTO	RUN		7
	MANUAL		SETUP	POWER		8	9	CYCLE
2	RAIN OFF		SET			8	9	START		or options
2	STATION		REMOTE	FLOW	ON/OFF	0	OFF	ON		or options
	OPTIONS		PROGRAM VALVE
			REVIEW		MANUAL		DAY	DAY
	TEST		CONTROL	ALARM			% CLEAR
	PROGRAM		MONTHLY		SET	SET			-	Finalize and save entered parameters
	ERASE	4 5	ADJUST	11 12	TIME	DATE
	1 2 3	4 5	6 7 8 9 10	11 12			PM
		FLOW	SENSING
	STATIONS
									-	SETUP - Assigns Station and Station
	3		4		5		6	7		Runtime to a program
1 - 32-Character Dot Matrix LCD									- SETUP - Assign Start Times to a program
2 - Timing Mechanism Quick Release									- SETUP - Assign Event Days
3 - Active Station Indicator Display									- SETUP - Remove Event Days
4 -	Function Dial								- MANUAL - Activate stations or programs
5 - Flow Alarm Indicator LED										manually
5 - Flow Alarm Indicator LED									- SETUP / SET PROGRAM - Modify the
6 - Master Valve Active Indicator LED									- SETUP / SET PROGRAM - Modify the
6 - Master Valve Active Indicator LED										current time
7 -	Power Supply Indicator LED								- SETUP / SET PROGRAM - Modify current
-	Activates the LCD Display Backlight									date
-	Activates the LCD Display Backlight								- MONTHLY ADJUST - Adjust water budget
-	Use to navigate through the menu options								- MONTHLY ADJUST - Adjust water budget
-	Use to navigate through the menu options									percentage.
									-	Clear / Delete selection / Revert back to the
										main menu of the current dial position

	Cabinet Installation

Step 1 –	Selecting the proper installation site for the MC-E controller is
Step 1 –		Figure 1
	essential to safe and reliable operation. The controller features

	a weather resistant cabinet designed for indoor and outdoor
	installation. The controller should be installed on a vertical wall
	or other sturdy structure near a grounded power source. Select a
	location that provides as much protection from direct sunlight,
	rain, snow and irrigation spray as possible.
Step 2 –	Drive a wood screw (provided) into the wall at eye level.
	(For Large Cabinet Unit - 18 Stations or more) Drive another
	wood screw 8” (20.3 cm) directly below the first screw.
	(For Small Cabinet Unit - 12 Stations or less) Drive another wood
	screw 5 3/4” (14.5 cm) directly below the first screw.

Leave approximately 1/4” (6.5 mm) of the screw extended from the wall to accommodate the cabinet.

For drywall and masonry installation, use proper screw anchors to prevent the screws from loosening.

Step 3 – Place the controller cabinet on the screws using the keyhole slots on the back panel. Ensure that the cabinet is installed securely on the screws. See Figure 1.

Step 4 – Open the controller door and remove the bottom panel door. Locate the bottom screw and tighten it securely.

The MC-E series has two available lockable, weather and vandal resistant steel pedestals for free standing applications. For MC-E controllers with 12 stations or less, use the Irritrol P-2B pedestal. For MC-E controllers with 18 stations or more, use the Irritrol P-6B pedestal. Follow the installation and mounting instructions that are provided with the pedestal.

Electrical Conduit Installation

Electrical conduit and adapters are not supplied with the controller but may be required for installations in your area. Check with your local electrical codes and install conduit according to requirements.

For power wires, install a 1/2” (13 mm) NPT threaded conduit access body to the transformer assembly threaded nipple. From the access body, install conduit to the power source.

For station valve wiring, install a 2” (5 cm) conduit adapter and conduit.

Control Wires Installation

Step 1 – Route the valve control wires between the valves and the MC-E controller.

For wire runs up to 1000’ between the controller and the valves, it is recommended to use an 18 AWG
(1.0 mm2) multi-wire sprinkler valve connection cable. This cable is insulated for direct burial and is color
coded to simplify installation.	Figure 2
Step 2 – Attach one wire from each valve solenoid to	Figure 2
Step 2 – Attach one wire from each valve solenoid to	Wiring for standard (non-flow sensing) system
the white color-coded wire from the cable.	Wiring for standard (non-flow sensing) system
(Since the valve solenoid has no polarity, either
wire can be used for this connection.) Designate	YEL RED GND	1	3	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19	21	23	25	27	29	31	33	35	37	39	41	VALVE
	YEL RED GND																						COMMON
																							COMMON
this connection as the Valve Common.
	VALVE VALVE MASTER	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	VALVE
Step 3 – Attach a separate cable wire to each of the	COMMON COMMON VALVE	2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	COMMON
Step 3 – Attach a separate cable wire to each of the
remaining valve solenoid wire. Take note of the
wire color being used for each valve as well
as the watering zone/area it is designated. This
information will be important when connecting
the valve wires to the controller’s station
terminals.												Station 1					*Station 2						Station 3
Step 4 – Use wire nut fasteners to secure the valve												Station 1					*Station 2						Station 3
Step 4 – Use wire nut fasteners to secure the valve
solenoid wire connection. Waterproof all	Master					Pump Start
connections with grease caps or similar	* Valve						Relay
insulation method.
Step 5 – Route the other end of the control wires into the
provided conduit hole at the bottom of the cabinet. Leave about 8” of cable remaining in the cabinet. Expose
about 3/8” of bare wire from the station and the valve common wires.

Step 6 – Secure the valve common wire to one of the three terminals labeled “VALVE COMMON” and each valve wire
	to its appropriate station terminal designation.
*	For flow monitoring, with a flow sensor installed, Station #2 is programmed and used as activation circuit for
	a normally-open master valve instead of a regular station valve. (See page 36 “Install Critical Flow Shut Off
	Master Valve”.)

Rain Sensor Installation (Purchased Separately)

IMPORTANT! The INHIBIT SENSOR is designed for a normally closed rain sensor. The wire jumper must be present at the terminals if a sensor is not connected.

Step 1 – Route the rain sensor cable into the controller terminals.

Step 2 – Remove the wire jumper from the INHIBIT and SENSOR terminals for the 18 stations or more models and INHIB.SEN and SEN.COM for the 12 stations or less models. Refer to the provided rain sensor installation guide for wiring instructions and connect accordingly.

The INHIBIT SENSOR will operate on any Function Dial position settings.

2	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18	20	22	24	26	28	30	32

START SENSOR	FLOW SENSOR
	YEL	RED	GND	1	3	5	7

VALVE VALVE	MASTER	2 4 6 8
COMMON COMMON	VALVE	2 4 6 8

Start Sensor Installation (Purchased Separately)

IMPORTANT! The START SENSOR input is designed for a normally open sensor and works in conjunction with Options 9

and 10. When the start sensor is activated, the MC-E controller will immediately activate Program 1 providing Option 10 is activated. Program 1 will continue to repeat the cycle until the start sensor is deactivated. The activation of the start sensor will not affect any other programs. Option 9 works similarly by turning ON program 8, however all other programs are turned OFF.

Step 1 – Route the sensor connection cable through the bottom of the controller cabinet and into the controller terminals.

Step 2 – Refer to the provided sensor installation guide for wiring instructions.

The START SENSOR will operate on any Function Dial position except for RAIN OFF.

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FLOW SENSOR
YEL	RED	GND	1	3	5	7	9	11	1

VALVE VALVE

MASTER

2 4 6 8 10 12 1

COMMON COMMON

VALVE

SEN.COM START SEN.

Models with 12 Stations or Less

START SENSOR

Models with 18 Stations or More

Power Wire = Black

Neutral Wire = White Equipment Ground = Green

4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 VA COM

1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 VA COM

Power Source Installation

WARNING: All electrical components and installation practices must meet applicable national and local electrical codes including installation by a qualified personnel. These codes may require an external junction box mounted on the cabinet and a circuit breaker in the main wiring having a contact separation of at least 0.120” in the line and neutral poles.

The 120 VAC power source must be turned OFF prior to servicing. The power cable used for connection to the controller must have an insulation rating of 221° F minimum.

Step 1 – For power source connection, install a 1/2” electrical conduit from the 120 VAC power source to the MC-E controller cabinet.

Step 2 – Install an electrical junction box at the transformer to allow access for future servicing.

Step 3 – Confirm that power has been disconnected at the power source using a volt meter or voltage detector.

Step 4 – Route 14-AWG insulated solid copper wires for Power (Black), Neutral (White) and Equipment Ground (Green) through the conduit and into the junction box.

Step 5 – Strip back 3/8” of insulation from each wire. Using wire

connectors, connect the wires with similar colors together (Black with Black, White with White, etc.).

Step 6 – Tuck the wires inside the junction box and replace the cover.

Step 7 – Apply power to the controller.

Circuit Breaker Diagnostic System

The controller’s system for managing an electrical short circuit is designed to isolate the station with the problem and continue to water operable stations. The sequence the controller follows is listed below.

1.The controller reaches a station with a short circuit.

2.The controller shuts off the problem station and skips to the next station in the same program and continues operation.

3.The controller displays “Fuse Alarm on __” and the problem station’s number as well as the other station in operation.

4.In between programs, when the controller is idle, it will display the Fuse Alarm station alternating with the display of Day/Date/Time.

5.The next time the controller is supposed to run the station, it will try again. If the cause of the short has been repaired, the Fuse Alarm will disappear from the display and the station will run normally. You can also use the CLEAR button to clear the Fuse Alarm from the display. This does not fix the shorted circuit, but only clears its display.

The controller has fractions of a second to detect and shutoff the problem station before the short circuit causes damage. On occasion, with multiple programs and stations running, the controller shuts off and displays two stations as having shorts. You can test each station in MANUAL mode or with STATION TEST to find the shorted one.

Power On / Reset Mode

MC-E will initiate the operating system and reload all saved data in the memory for stable operation every time the
controller is powered up. Place the Function Dial in the Auto/Run position for normal operation.
Initial Display	Auto Run Mode Display

	System SETUP
The SETUP	function allows you to modify the following MC-E parameters:
	• Current Date	• Current Time
	• Security Password	• Event Days

• Enable/Disable Master Valve

SETUP – Current Date

Set Current Date

Step 1 – Place the Function dial to the SETUP position.

Step 2 – Set the date mode if necessary. To set the date to International format (Day/Month/Year), press . To return to the default U.S. format, press .

Press the button to clear any “Key Entry Error”. Step 3 – Press the or the button to access the date setup screen.

Step 4 – Enter the Month, Date and Year in MM DD YY format. If the MC-E is operating in International format, enter the Date first, the Month second and the year last (DD MM YY).

Example: For February 20, 2006, press the 022006 buttons.

U.S. format

Step 5 – Press the button to accept the changes. The display will now reflect the new date.

U.S. format

While in SET DATE mode, you can advance to the SET TIME mode by pressing the NEXT button.

Step 6 – Return the Function dial to AUTO/RUN position to exit SETUP.

International format

SETUP – Current Time

Set Current Time

Step 1 – Place the Function Dial to the SETUP position.

Step 2 – Set the time mode if necessary. To set the time to International format (24-hour), press . To return to the default U.S. format, press .

	Press the	button to clear any “Key Entry Error”.
Step 3 – Press	or press the	button until the time setup screen is displayed.
		U.S. format	International format

Step 4 – Enter the Hour, Minutes and Seconds in H MM format. Enter the H MM for PM time. International setting follows the 24-hour format.

Example: For 10:30am, enter 1030.

Step 5 – Press the button to accept the changes. The display will now reflect the new time.

U.S. format

International format

While in SET TIME mode, you can advance to the SET LANGUAGE screen by pressing the NEXT

button or go back to SET DATE by pressing the BACK button. Step 6 – Return the Function dial to AUTO/RUN position to exit SETUP.

SETUP – Security Password

The MC-E can be secured with a security password to ensure that unauthorized users are not able to modify the programs.

Enable Security Password

Step 1 – Place the Function Dial to the SETUP position.

Step 2 – Press the button. The screen will display the following:

Step 3 – Enter a four-digit (0000–9999) security password and press the button.

Once a security password is established, all menu functions will require you to enter the four-digit security password before gaining access. However, manual operations are allowed.

Once the security password is verified, the MC-E will allow access to the menu functions for one hour. Within that hour, you will be able to navigate through all the function dial positions without re-entering the security password. After the 1-hour time limit expires, you will need to re-enter the password to gain access to the menu functions.

In the event that you have forgotten the four-digit security password, press , , and to disable the password verification process. To reestablish password security to the controller, you must repeat Steps

1–3.

Press the button to clear any “Key Entry Error”.

Step 4 – Return the Function dial to AUTO/RUN position to exit SETUP.

SETUP – Event Days

The MC-E allows you to pre-program ten event days throughout the year. During an event day, the controller will suspend automatic watering. Event days will reoccur every year unless deleted.

Example: If July 4th is set as an event day, the controller will ignore watering every July 4th of each year until it is deleted from the Event Days.

Set Event Day:

Step 1 – Place the Function Dial to the SETUP position.

Step 2 – Press the button. The screen will display the following:

Press the button to review the day off events or enter new events. The screen will display the following:

Use the	or	button to review the programmed events. Press the	button to clear any “Key
Entry Error”.

Step 3 – Enter the Event number (1–10), then press the button.

MC-E will re-number the event day if the newly created event is deleted.

Step 4 – Enter the Month and Date (MM DD) of the event day being programmed and press the button. When the controller is in International mode, enter the Date first before the Month (DD MM). The controller will increment the total event day and display the following:

Step 5 – Repeat Steps 2–3 for additional event days.

Step 6 – To delete an event, scroll through the event number to select it. Once the event is displayed, enter and press the button to delete.

Step 7 – Return the Function dial to AUTO/RUN position to exit SETUP.

SETUP – Master Valve

Set Master Valve

As factory default, the Master valve is Enabled for all stations. The master valve will activate whenever a station is activated.

If flow sensing is to be activated, all stations must be set to “MV=ON”.

In situations that a station does not require the master valve to activate, use the following procedure to select the station and Disable or Enable the master valve.

Step 1 – Place the Function Dial to the SETUP position.

Step 2 – Press the button. The following display will be shown on the screen.

Step 3 –	Press the	or	buttons to select the station number you want to edit. Use the	or	button to
	toggle MV (Master Valve) from ON or OFF.
	Press the		button to clear any “Key Entry Error”.
Step 4 –	Repeat Step 3 for additional stations.

Step 5 – Return the Function dial to AUTO/RUN position to exit SETUP.

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