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
3
Station
4
House
Station
1
Station
2
1
LEGEND:
Up Arrow
Down Arrow
Confirm Arrow
Indicator Symbol
M
/
A
/
B
Days of the Week
Starts
SKIP
SU MO TU WE TH FR SA
A
AM
B
PM
C
Stations
MO WE FR
MANUAL
TU TH SA
S
Water Icon
Manual On/Advance
DURATION1 2 3 4 5 6
Dual Program Button
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.
A
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 con-
nections.)
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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