TRC Sidekick FM Operation And Installation Manual

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations! You have just purchased one of the most

advanced and reliable remote control devices available - The
Sidekick FM.

We appreciate the vote of confidence you have expressed by
purchasing this TRC Irrigation Remotes product and we
welcome you to the growing family of satisfied TRC Irrigation
Remotes product users.

The Sidekick FM is the sixth generation of products introduced
by TRC Irrigation Remotes since 1982. Unique to the irrigation
industry, The Sidekick FM uses TRC Irrigation Remotes’
proprietary PDTFM transmission format, allowing the Sidekick
FM transmitter to transmit up to 5 miles* while using only one
9V alkaline battery.

For best results and to maximize the features and functions of
any Sidekick FM system, carefully read this manual and keep it
on hand for future reference.

FCC REGULATIONS

A FCC License is not required for the owner or

operator of this remote control device

The Receiver has been tested and found to comply with the
limits for a C la ss -A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. The Transmitter has been tested and found to
comply with Part 95 Subpart E. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference
when the equipment is operated in a commercial environment.

Canadian Certification # 32151021261

* The Range of all Radio products is dependant on local conditions, antenna selection,
and antenna location.

[phone] www.irrigationremotes.com 1

WARRANTY

This TRC Irrigation Remotes product carries a

"THREE YEAR WARRANTY".

TRC Irrigation Remotes provides a limited three year warranty
inaugural to the date of purchase. TRC Irrigation Remotes
reserves the right repair or replace any of its products or parts
found to be defective from workmanship and/or materials. Said
warranty does not extend to damage of a TRC Irrigation
Remotes product resulting from misuse, neglect, abuse,
improper installation, accidents, or acts of nature.

Only the original purchaser of TRC Irrigation Remotes product(s) is
eligible to said warranty. In no event shall TRC Irrigation
Remotes be liable for incidental or consequential damages. All
implied warranties are limited in duration to three years following
the date of purchase. These exclusions or limitations apply only
in those states where permitted by law.

Models and Description

Several differing products are available in the Sidekick FM line
of products, which are all designed to take advantage of the
Sidekick FM transmitter. The Sidekick FM transmitter provides
the user with a wireless (remote) method of operating the
valves/stations of an irrigation system without requiring the user
to directly access an irrigation controller. Instructions to the
irrigation system are executed by a Sidekick FM receiver
installed on the irrigation controller. Two types of Sidekick FM
receiver are available:

The Sidekick FM universal receiver allows the user to
control most 24VAC irrigation controllers using a
hardwired Permanent Controller Connector or via Direct
Control Interface designed for controllers with an
integrated remote interface.

[phone] www.irrigationremotes.com2

The Sidekick FM Controller Specific Receivers are
designed for specific irrigation controllers with built in
remote interfaces. These receivers are capable operating
all the stations that the irrigation controller has available.

The Sidekick FM 12 (PN: 01015) is a universal receiver
capable of operating up to 12 stations on an irrigation controller.

The Sidekick FM 24 (PN: 1010 & # 01010A) is a universal
receiver capable of operating up to 24 stations on an irrigation
controller.

The Sidekick FM for Rain Bird
specific receiver designed for Rain Bird
controllers. Note: not all Rain Bird

: (PN: 01018) is a controller

: remote port ready

: controllers are remote port

ready.

The Sidekick FM for Hunter
receiver designed for Hunter

The Sidekick FM for Irritrol
receiver designed for Irritrol

The Sidekick FM for Superior Sterling

: (PN: 01016) is a controller specific

: ICC and Pro C controllers.

: (PN: 01019) is a controller specific

: Dial and MC controllers.

: (PN: 01021) is a

controller specific receiver designed for Superior Sterling
and Pro C controllers.

The Sidekick FM for Hit
receiver designed for Hit

: (PN: 01022) is a controller specific

: Logic 2 and Logic 3 controllers.

: ICC

The Direct Controller interface (DCI) is an accessory designed
for the Sidekick FM universal receivers, which allows the receiver
to operate all of the stations that the controller has available and is
not limited to 12 or 24 stations. The DCI is available for Irritrol
Hunter

:, and Rain Master:controllers.

[phone] www.irrigationremotes.com 3

:,

Getting To Know The Transmitter

The Sidekick FM transmitter is
designed to allow the user to operate
one valve/station at a time, making it
ideal for the irrigation maintenance
professional to use for one time
maintenance, seasonal start-ups and
blowouts. To operate the transmitter
the user selects the number of the
valve/station using the keypad followed
by pressing the “ON” button of the
transmitter. The transmitter sends a
proprietary PDTFM signal to the
Receiver turning “ON” or “OFF” a
selected valve as well as the Pump
Start/ Master Valve Station of the
receiver automatically.

When not in use the transmitter reverts to a standby mode,
which is designed for minimal power consumption to extend the
life of the battery. Once any key has been pressed, power is
automatically restored for ten seconds to allow commands to be
sent to the receiver. The Transmitter is designed to operate using
a 9 VDC Alkaline battery. NOTE: Batteries such as general-

purpose 9 VDC batteries will lower the performance of the
transmitter.

Remove the battery door (cover) on the
underside of the transmitter to replace the
battery

Transmitterrequires one

9V alkaline battery.

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The Transmitter Key Pad

f

f

To clearly indicate that a key on the keypad has been pressed,
the Sidekick FM Transmitter makes an audible beep.

The Transmitter will beep once when any Number Key is
pressed. When the “ON” or “OFF” key is pressed the
transmitter will beep twice. The first beep indicates that the
transmission is starting, and the second beep indicates that
the transmission has been completed.

Transmitter Operating Instructions

Valve On/Valve Off:

To turn a valve "On" press the desired valve/station number
then press the "On" key. Pressing "Off” will turn the last zone
off.

Example:

To turn on valve 3:

To turno

valve 3:

3

ON

OFF

Error Tone:

A “squawk” error tone indicates that an incorrect series of keys
has been pressed. When the error tone is heard, wait te n
seconds and simply restart the series of commands.

Low Battery Tone:

A rapid sequence of beeps after the transmission tone
indicates low battery power. Replace with a new 9 VDC alkaline
battery.

[phone] www.irrigationremotes.com 5

Installing The Universal Receiver

The Sidekick FM Universal Receiver is designed to work with
most 24 VAC solenoid valve irrigation systems. Using a
permanent controller connector the receiver connects to
individual valves at the controller's terminal strip or directly to
the valve wires at the controller, and bypasses the controller's
functions by directly activating the valves.

WARNING!

Improper wiring can cause severe damage to the
Receiver and may be a fire hazard. Never con­nect directly to 110 VAC or damage to the re­ceiver will occur and you will void your warranty.

Installation Instructions

The housing can be mounted to the right side of the irrigation
controller (Figure 1) or mounted to a wall (Figure 2)

FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2

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