RAIN BIRD PC 506 Operating Instructions
PC 506 SPRINKLER TIMER
Installation, Programming, and Operation Guide
RAIN BIRD IRRIGATION CORPORATION
Technical Services: 800-247-3782 • http://www.rainbird.com
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .............................. 1
Features & Benefits ............................... 1
Timer Stations ........................................ 2
Controls & Indicators ............................. 3
INSTALL TIMER ............................... 4
Select a Location ................................... 4
Mount Timer ........................................... 5
Install Battery ......................................... 6
Connect Field Wiring ............................. 7
Connect Transformer ........................... 13
PROGRAM TIMER .......................... 15
Set Current Time and Day ................... 16
Basic “Dial” Programming ................... 17
Custom Programming ......................... 23
OPERATING THE TIMER ................ 30
Manual Operation ................................ 30
Manual Cycle ....................................... 30
Other Timer Features ........................... 32
WINTERIZING THE SYSTEM .......... 33
TROUBLESHOOTING ..................... 34
English
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for choosing a Rain Bird PC-506 Series
Timer. PC-506 timers provide simple programming
and flexible schedules to meet your watering needs.
This manual describes how to install, program, and
operate your timer. Read this manual carefully and
keep it handy for future reference.
If you have any problems with your PC-506 Timer,
please call the Rain Bird Technical Assistance
hotline at 800-247-3782. You may also find helpful
information on the Rain Bird Web site:
www.rainbird.com.
Features & Benefits
The PC-506 Sprinkler Timer is an electronic clock
that controls when your sprinkler system turns on
and how long the sprinklers run. The PC-506 timer
offers several advanced features, including:
• Separate schedules for each station with just a
turn of the dial
• 12 popular schedules to choose from, or set
your own custom schedule
• Ability to water up to six zones
• Exclusive “new lawn” watering cycle for lawn
seed germination or sod
• Large, easy-to-use dials save your schedules
even during power outage
• Automatic watering up to three times per day, up
to three hours per zone (ideal for drip watering)
• Large, easy-to-read LCD screen for setting time
of day, watering start times, and custom
schedules
• “Pause” feature to interrupt watering schedule for
yard activity
• Pump start output standard (pump relays sold
separately)
Page 1PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
English
Timer Stations
Most sprinkler systems divide the yard into
“stations” (also called “zones”). You can program
each station to water for a different length of time, so
the amount of water fits the different plant types, soil
conditions, and sunny/shady areas in the yard. The
PC-506 Timer can control up to six stations.
Each station has an irrigation valve that runs several
sprinklers. An electric signal from the timer opens
the first valve, which turns on the sprinklers
connected to it. When these sprinklers have run for
their programmed time, the timer closes the first
valve and opens the second valve.
For example, this illustration shows that station 1 is
currently watering. When station 1 finishes, the timer
will shut it off and start station 2. When station 2
finishes, station 3 begins, and so on.
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 2
English
Controls & Indicators
This illustration shows the programming controls on
the face of the PC-506 Timer. These controls include:
On/Off button
Pause button
Set Time/Day button
Review Station button
Set Start button
Manual Cycle button
Set Custom button
LCD display
Up/Down arrow buttons
➓ Station dials (6 sets, each with a Schedule and a
Duration dial)
Page 3PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
English
INSTALL TIMER
Before installing your PC-506 Timer, make sure you
have the following tools and equipment:
• Two #10 screws and mounting anchors
• Screwdriver
• 9-volt battery
• Color-coded, multi-strand, direct burial wire (18gauge for runs of less than 800 feet; 14-gauge for
longer runs)
• Wire strippers
Select a Location
::
NOTE
: The PC-506 Timer is for
::
INDOOR use only. If you must install it
outdoors, use a water-resistant cabinet,
such as the Rain Bird Model TC-2 Timer
Cabinet. The TC-2 is a heavy-duty,
weather-resistant plastic case that lets
you convert any indoor-only timer to
outdoor use.
Select a convenient indoor location within 6 feet
(1.9 m) of a 120-volt AC electrical outlet. The
mounting location should be completely protected
from moisture, direct sunlight, and freezing
temperatures.
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 4
Mount Timer
Before securing your timer to the wall, make sure
that there is enough room on the left side for the
door to swing open.
English
Screw two #10 screws into the wall 3
apart, leaving about ¼ inch of each screw head
protruding from the wall. Use plastic anchors to
secure the screws to plaster or masonry walls.
15
/16 inches
Hang the timer on the screws using the keyhole
slots on its back.
OPTIONAL: To further secure the timer, remove
the lower access cover by gently prying it out of
the slots on the lower left and right corners. Then
drive screws through the lower three mounting
holes.
Page 5PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
English
Install Battery
During a power outage, the battery preserves your
programmed watering schedules. A newly installed
battery will hold information for up to 24 hours.
If the power is out for more than 24 hours, or if the
battery fails, the timer will revert to the pre-set start
times of 6:00 a.m., 6:00 p.m., and 12 noon. Stations
set for custom programs A and B will start once a
day in a cycle beginning at 6:00 a.m. The time of
day, all custom start times, and any A or B customprogram schedules will have to be re-programmed.
NOTES:
back-up only. You can program the timer
on battery power, but the system will not
water without AC power.
Replace the battery once a year. If power
outages occur frequently, you may need to
change the battery more often.
When replacing the battery, DO NOT
unplug the transformer or you will lose all
programmed information.
The battery serves as memory
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 6
To install the battery, remove the timer’s lower
access cover by gently prying it out of the slots
on the bottom corners of the timer.
Place a 9-volt alkaline battery, with the “+” side
facing up, in the slot directly below the fuse. DO
NOT use a rechargeable battery.
Replace the cover, or connect the field wiring as
described in “Connect Field Wiring.”
NOTES
contact the timer’s terminal strip.
For your convenience, there is a spare
0.5 amp fuse on the inside of the cover.
: :
: DO NOT let the battery
: :
Connect Field Wiring
If you have not done so, remove the timer’s lower
access cover. On the bottom right-hand corner of
the timer, near the battery compartment, you will see
a row of small, black switches. These are the
terminals where you will connect the field wires.
English
Page 7PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
English
Select Proper Wire
For wire runs of less than 800 feet, use 18-gauge
color-coded, multi-strand, direct burial wire. For
longer runs, use 14-gauge wire of the same type.
Choose wire that has one strand for each valve in
your system, plus one for the common wire. For
example, use five-strand wire if you have four
valves, seven-strand wire for six valves, etc.
Tape off spare wire strands for future system use or
troubleshooting. Wire that is buried underground
must have watertight connections (use grease caps)
and be code-approved for underground use. Avoid
placing underground wire in places where it may be
damaged by digging or other activities.
Connect Valve Wires to Timer
Each valve connects to the timer with two wires: a
“hot wire” of its own, and a “common wire” that it
shares with the other valves.
Remove the timer’s lower access cover by
gently prying it out of the slots on the bottom
corners of the timer.
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 8
::
NOTE
: Make sure all wire connections
::
are tight and in firm contact with the
terminals. Use watertight splice
connectors to prevent corrosion and
avoid short circuits.
Make sure ½” of wire extends from each
strand. If not, use wire strippers to cut ½”
of insulation from each strand.
Splice together one wire from each valve
(usually the white strand) to create a single
common wire. Connect the common wire to the
terminal marked “COM:”
a. Open the terminal by pushing the
switch up.
b. Insert the end of the wire into the
terminal.
c. Close the terminal by pushing the
switch back down.
Connect each valve “hot” wire to the numbered
terminal for the corresponding valve station:
a. Open the appropriate terminal (terminal
#1 for valve #1, terminal #2 for valve
#2, etc.) by pushing the switch up.
English
Page 9PC-506 Series Sprinkler Timer
English
b. Insert the end of the wire into the terminal.
c. Close the terminal by pushing the
switch back down.
CAUTION: DO NOT connect more than
one valve wire to each terminal; this will
damage the timer. If using more than one
timer, DO NOT share the “common” wires
between them.
If any terminal does not connect to a valve, turn
the corresponding Duration dial to “Manual Off.”
::
NOTE
: To save water and money, you
::
can also use a rain sensor, such as Rain
Bird’s RS-1 Rain Shut Off. The RS-1
measures rainfall and stops unnecessary
watering.
PC-506 Series Sprinkler TimerPage 10
Loading...