OPTIMA PRT-4, PRT-6 User Guide

AUTOMATIC

SPRINKLER TIMER

Owner’s Manual PRT-4 / PRT-6

For use with standard 24 VAC automatic sprinkler valves. These timers are designed for use in any 110 VAC /60 Hz ±10% AC outlet (240 VAC, 50 HZ for international version). The PRT Sprinkler Series Timers provide simple programming and flexible schedules to meet your landscape watering needs. We recommend you read this Owner's Manual completely before installing the timer to ensure proper operation and safety.

Thank you for choosing the OPTIMA PRT-4 / PRT-6 Timer. Several innovative features allow you the flexibility to tailor your program to fit a variety of watering requirements; and, best of all, it is easy to program!

•Simple to use dials and buttons.

•Three available start times for each station to give you maximum flexibility.

•Off and Winterize features allow you to keep all your program settings while turning off your system when you want!

Just in case, if you have questions, please call us toll free at 1-800-742-9922. (U.S.A., Canada & Mexico).

ABOUT YOUR LAWN

Optima's PRT Series Sprinkler Timer is the central unit that controls watering times for your automatic sprinkler system. The following information provides an overview of how the timer works.

Stations

To meet the different watering requirements of your lawn, trees, flowers, and other landscaping, you can divide your yard into separate areas called "stations" or "zones".* Each "station" has one valve that controls multiple spray heads or sprinklers. For example, if you have 4 valves, you can divide your lawn into 4 "stations". See the figure below. (You cannot link more than one valve to one "station.") You can however, select a different length of watering time for each "station".

* In the sprinkler industry, the terms "stations” and “zones” have the same meaning.

Station		Station
3	4
		House
Station				Station
1				2

1

LEGEND:

Up Arrow

Days of the Week

SKIP

MO WE FR

TU TH

SA

SU

MO TU WE TH

FR SA

Down Arrow

A

AM

Confirm Arrow

Starts

B

PM

S

Water Icon

C

M/

Manual On/Advance

A

1 2 3 4 5 6

MANUAL

DURATION

Indicator Symbol

Stations

Dual Program Button

A

/B

Watering Schedule (Days)

You can choose how often to water your lawn in one of three ways: 1) by Specific Days of the Week (MO, TU, WE, etc.), 2) by Day Intervals (Every day, Every 2 days or Every 3 days), or 3) by a choice of MO, WE and FR or TU, TH and SA. A schedule of Specific Days of the Week is especially useful if you live in an area with local water restrictions that limit you to water, for example, on Mondays and Fridays only.

Start Times

You can program your timer to start watering up to three times in one day. For example, you could set watering Start Times of 3 a.m.,6 a.m., and 6 p.m. The system would then turn on the lowest numbered station at 3 a.m., and would sequentially turn on the next station when that one has finished. Only one station is watered at a time. The same cycle would repeat, beginning at the next scheduled Start Time, in this example at 6 a.m.

Watering Duration

Each "station" can be scheduled to water for a different length of time, from 1 to 99 minutes. For example, you might program Station 1 (your front lawn) to water for 5 minutes and program Station 2 (your flower bed) to water for 10 minutes at each Start Time.

TOOLS YOU NEED

•Phillips head screwdriver

•Four #10 screws 1 1/4")

•9 volt alkaline battery

•18 gauge color-coded, multi-strand direct burial wire for runs of less than 800 feet

(For longer than 800 feet runs, use 14 gauge color-coded, multi-strand direct burial wire)

•Watertight splice connectors

•Plastic mounting anchors - optional

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HOW TO INSTALL

STEP 1: CHOOSE TIMER LOCATION

Select an INDOOR location near a standard 120 volt AC electrical outlet (240 Volt outlet for 50 HZ units). The location should be completely protected from moisture, direct sunlight and below freezing temperatures. (Important: DO NOT plug in the transformer until you hove made all wiring connections.)

WARNING: When choosing a location, to avoid possible damage to the timer:

•DO NOT install in area where temperatures are less than 32° F or higher than 120° F.

•DO NOT install on same wall socket as other high current draw products such as garage door opener, washer/dryer, air conditioner, etc.

•DO NOT install on outlet controlled by on/off switch.

A

B

NOTE: You may install the timer using two screws aligned horizontally.

1. Screw two #10 screws into the wall 3 1/2" (88 mm) apart leaving 1/8" to

1/4" (3.2-6.4 mm) of the head extended from the wall. If mounting on plaster or masonry walls, plastic anchors may be required.

2.Place the two keyholes "A" on the back of the timer over the screws.

3.To further secure the unit, open compartment cover and place screws (1 1/4" minimum length)

STEP 3: CONNECT BATTERY

Connect a 9 volt alkaline battery (not included) to the battery terminal and place it in the designated position. DO NOT USE A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY. In the event of a power outage, the battery will temporarily preserve your Schedule (newly installed batteries can preserve programs for up to 1 month, see note*). Watering will not occur until electrical power resumes.

(*NOTE: Battery operates memory back-up only. You can program your timer with battery power only; however, the system will not operate the valves while on battery power.)

DEFAULT MODE: Should the battery fail during a power outage, the timer will default to watering every day for 10 minutes per station, starting 8 hours after the power resumes, until reprogrammed.

TIP: Replace the battery once a year at the same time you would replace household smoke detector batteries. When replacing, do not unplug the transformer, or you will lose all programmed settings.

CAUTION: Do not allow the battery to come in contact with the wire terminal strip.

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