Toro MC-E Series Installation and Programming Guide
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
MASTER
VALVE
YEL RED
VALVE
COMMON
GND
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
M C-E
Installation and Programming Guide
For Controller Models: MC-4E, MC-6E, MC-8E, MC-12E, MC-18E,
MC-24E, MC-30E, MC-36E, MC-42E & MC-48E
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
Power On / Reset Mode - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 8
System SETUP
Current Date - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 8
Current Time -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 9
Security Password -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 10
Event Days -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 11
Set Master Valve -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 12
Program SETUP
Assign Station & Runtime to a Program - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 13–14
Program Start Time - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 15–16
Station Delay Time - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 17
Looping Start Time - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 18–19
Watering Day Schedule -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 20–23
Monthly Adjust / Watering Budget -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Pg. 24–25
Program Review -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 26
Program Erase
Single Program -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 27
Complete Program Reset -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 28
Complete Controller Reset - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 28
Station Test -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 29
Options
Options 1–8 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 30
Option 10 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 31
Option 11 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 31
Rain Off -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 32
Manual Operation -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 33
Remote Control (Purchased Separately) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 34
Specications -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- - Pg. 39
Electromagnetic Compatibility - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Back Cover
2
Introduction
MANUAL
STATION
TEST
AUTO RUN
FLOW SENSING
SETUP
PROGRAM
REVIEW
SET
PROGRAM
REMOTE
CONTROL
PROGRAM
ERASE
RAIN OFF
MONTHLY
ADJUST
OPTIONS
POWER
MASTER
VALVE
FLOW
ALARM
BACK
LEFT
NEXT
RIGHT DOWNUP
MC-12E
12
1110987654
CYCLE
START
DAY
ON
WATER
TIME
ENTER
CLEAR
DAY
OFF
9
6
FRI
3
TUE
PM
%
0
8
5
THU
2
MON
SET
DATE
ON/OFF
MANUAL
7
SAT
4
WED
1
SUN
SET
TIME
LIGHT
BACK
STATIONS
3
2
1
1
2
3
4 5 6 7
The MC-E controller is a solid-state 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 current MC Plus B cabinets and
wiring connections.
Parts Diagram
- Use to navigate through the menu options
- Use to navigate through the menu selections
or options
- Use to navigate through the menu selections
or options
- Finalize and save entered parameters
- SETUP - Assigns Station and Station
Runtime to a program
1 - 32-Character Dot Matrix LCD
2 - Timing Mechanism Quick Release
3 - Active Station Indicator Display
4 - Function Dial
5 - Flow Alarm Indicator LED (Future Upgrade)
6 - Master Valve Active Indicator LED
7 - Power Supply Indicator LED
- Activates the LCD Display Backlight
- Use to navigate through the menu options
- SETUP - Assign Start Times to a program
- SETUP - Assign Event Days
- SETUP - Remove Event Days
- MANUAL - Activate stations or programs
manually
- SETUP / SET PROGRAM - Modify the
current time
- SETUP / SET PROGRAM - Modify current
date
- MONTHLY ADJUST - Adjust water budget
percentage.
- Clear / Delete selection / Revert back to the
main menu of the current dial position
3
Cabinet Installation
Step 1 – Selecting the proper installation site for the MC-E controller is
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 rst screw.
(For Small Cabinet Unit - 12 Stations or less) Drive another wood
screw 5 3/4” (14.5 cm) directly below the rst 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 2.
Step 4 – Open the controller door and the bottom panel door. Locate the bottom screw and tighten it securely.
Figure 1
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.
4
Control Wires Installation
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
MASTER
VALVE
YEL RED
VALVE
COMMON
GND
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
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.
Step 2 – Attach one wire from each valve solenoid to the
white color-coded wire from the cable. (Since
the valve solenoid has no polarity, either wire
can be used for this connection.) Designate this
connection as the Valve 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.
Step 4 – Use wire nut fasteners to secure the valve
solenoid wire connection. Waterproof all
connections with grease caps or similar
insulation method.
Figure 2
Master
Valve
Station 1 Station 2 Station 3
Pump Start
Relay
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.
5
Rain Sensor Installation (Purchased Separately)
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
MASTER
VALVE
YEL RED
VALVE
COMMON
GND
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
INHIBIT SENSOR START SENSOR FLOW SENSOR
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
MASTER
VALVE
YEL RED
VALVE
COMMON
GND
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
INHIBIT SENSOR START SENSOR FLOW SENSOR
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 SENSOR
terminals (INHI+ and INHI- for the 18 stations or
more models and INHIBIT+ and SENSOR- 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.
Start Sensor Installation (Purchased Separately)
IMPORTANT! The START SENSOR input is designed for a
normally open sensor and works in conjunction with Option 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.
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.
6
Power Source Installation
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
VALVE
COMMON
MASTER
VALVE
YEL RED
VALVE
COMMON
GND
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41 43 45 47
2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46 48
WARNING: All electrical components and installation practices must meet applicable national and local electrical
codes including installation by a qualied 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 – Conrm 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.
Power Wire = Black
Neutral Wire = White
Equipment Ground = Green
Step 7 – Apply power to the controller.
7
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. Turn 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 – Turn the Function dial to the SETUP position.
Step 2 – Press the or the button to access the date setup screen.
Step 3 – Enter the Month, Date and Year in MM DD YY format. If the MC-E is operating in International format, enter
the Date rst, the Month second and the year last (DD MM YY).
Example: For February 20, 2006, press the 022006 buttons.
Step 4 – Press the button to accept the changes. The display will now reect the new date.
the NEXT button.
Step 5 – Return the Function dial to the Auto Run position to exit SETUP.
While in SET DATE mode, you can advance to the SET TIME mode by pressing
8
SETUP – Current Time
Set Current Time
Step 1 – Turn 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 .
Step 3 – Press or press the button until the time setup screen is displayed.
Step 4 – Enter the Hour, Minutes and Seconds in HH MM format. Enter the HH 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 reect the new time.
Step 6 – Return the Function dial to the Auto Run position to exit SETUP.
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.
9
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 – Turn 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.
security password before gaining access. However, manual operations are allowed.
Once the security password is veried, the MC-E will allow access to the menu functions for 1-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 verication process. To reestablish password security to the controller, you must repeat Steps
1–3.
Step 4 – Return the Function dial to the Auto Run position to exit SETUP.
Once a security password is established, all menu functions will require you to enter the four-digit
10
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 December 25 is set as an event day, the controller will ignore watering every December 25 of each year until
it is deleted from the Event Days.
Set Event Day:
Step 1 – Turn 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:
Step 3 – Enter the Event number (1–10), then press the button.
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 rst 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
Step 7 – Return the Function dial to the Auto Run position to exit SETUP.
Use the or button to review the programmed events.
MC-E will re-number the event day if the newly created event is out of sequence or if an event is
and press the button to delete.
11
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.
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 – Turn 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.
Step 4 – Repeat Step 3 for additional stations.
Step 5 – Return the Function dial to the Auto Run position to exit SETUP.
12
Loading...