Toro TWRFS, User Manual

Page 1: ...Wireless Rain Sensor Series Rain Sensor Model TWRS and Rain Freeze Sensor Model TWRFS User s Guide RainSensorAlpha7 3 10 2005 3 31 PM Page I ...

Page 2: ...nd it s wireless No cable to run or holes to drill Simple installation and setup delivers reliable intelligent sensor control in a matter of minutes Contents Page Getting Started 1 Receiver Module Features 4 Installing the Receiver Module 5 Initial Sensor System Test 8 Sensor Module Features 9 Installing the Sensor Module 10 Freeze Sensor Site Selection 13 Set Temperature Activation Threshold 14 W...

Page 3: ...r valve operation When watering is once again needed the sensor system automatically resets allowing automatic irrigation to resume More than just an accurate rain switch the wireless sensor system actually adapts to your landscape with the simple yet sophisticated Water Conservation feature Just choose the conservation level that corresponds to your landscape soil type and the sensor location A d...

Page 4: ...ems with any portion of the installation or the product does not seem to function properly refer to the Troubleshooting section on page 22 first If the problem is not listed or the remedy does not seem to help call the Toro Irrigation help line at 1 877 345 8676 for assistance Here s all there is to it 2 The receiver is installed and connected to your irrigation system controller Step 1 The sensor...

Page 5: ...s installed using the Quick ClipTM mounting bracket or pipe mount adapter The operating features are set to your preferences A sensor installation site is chosen and the system is tested again to verify operation Step 5 Step 4 Step 6 Step 3 RainSensorAlpha7 3 10 2005 3 31 PM Page 3 ...

Page 6: ...en sensor system is active and automatic watering is on hold Flashes when sensor is active but has been bypassed to enable automatic watering 6 Smart BypassTM Button Multi functional use Pressed to bypass sensor operation allowing automatic watering to resume Switches the Water Delay feature on and off 7 Water Conservation LEDs Indicate the Water Conservation feature level selected Minimum Medium ...

Page 7: ... able to be adjusted 1 Install one of the provided stainless steel screws into the wall at the intended receiver location Leave a 1 8 3mm gap behind the screw head Note Use screw anchors if installing the receiver on drywall or masonry 2 Hang the receiver on the screw ensuring the keyhole slot drops down onto the screw shaft Back the screw out as necessary for good fit 3 Install a second screw thr...

Page 8: ...sensor connection use Wiring Procedure II on page 7 Wiring Procedure I sensor ready Note Refer to your controller user s guide for the type of sensor required Normally Closed NC or Normally Open NO 1 Locate the sensor connection terminals usually labeled SENSOR or SN Remove the jumper if one is installed 2 Attach the White wire to either sensor terminal disregard and symbols 3 For a normally close...

Page 9: ...mmon wire terminal generally labeled C or COM and remove all common wires for valves pump relay etc 2 Attach the White wire to this terminal 3 Splice the Brown wire to the common wires and insulate the connection using a wire nut or electrical tape Tape back the Yellow wire See Figure 4 4 Attach the Red wires to the 24 Vac terminals 7 COM PUMP MV 24 VAC 2 1 3 4 SENSOR Red Red Red White Yellow Red ...

Page 10: ... will display alternating boxes Figure 5 The rain freeze sensor receiver TWRFS will display two flashing bars Figure 6 3 Hold the sensor next to the receiver Press and hold the sensor test spindle as shown in Figure 7 Important The test spindle must held down for least of 15 seconds to establish communication The Sensor Status indicator will illuminate Figure 8 the Antenna symbol will flash and th...

Page 11: ...teries not shown Two 3V lithium batteries installed at time of manufacture will provide approximately five years of service under normal use conditions 4 Antenna Positioned downward for maximum signal transmission strength 5 Pipe mount Adapter Replaces Quick Clip mounting bracket to enable installation on 1 2 13mm diameter Schedule 40 PVC pipe 6 Quick ClipTM Mounting Bracket Simplifies sensor modu...

Page 12: ...ions provided on page 13 Before installing the sensor module test the system once more to confirm operation by using the following test procedure 1 Activate a watering zone that is visible from the intended installation site Note The manual operations mode of some controllers will bypass the sensor circuit If your controller operates like this set an automatic start time to have the sprinklers run...

Page 13: ...gh humidity or foggy locations 4 To install the sensor module on a rain gutter simply position the Quick Clip bracket on the lipped edge of the gutter and secure by tightening the thumb screw Figure 12 The sensor module can also be mounted to any solid structure such as a fence or the side of a roof using the Quip Clip bracket and two stainless steel screws as shown in Figure 13 Note For optimum s...

Page 14: ...ion and is not recommended Remove and replace the Quick Clip bracket with the pipe mount adapter Ensure the friction washer is installed between the adapter and housing tabs as shown in Figure 14 Check the sensor for vertical alignment To adjust loosen the Phillips screw slightly align as needed and tighten screw See Figure 15 Figure 14 Figure 15 Washer RainSensorAlpha7 3 10 2005 3 31 PM Page 12 ...

Page 15: ... upon as an aid to conscientious watering practices including frequent visual checks Air temperatures may be above freezing while the ground and vegetation temperatures remain below freezing Due to sensor location and sunlight exposure actual air temperature may be lower than measured by the sensor Operation of the sprinkler system during these conditions may cause icing Freeze sensor response tim...

Page 16: ...will indicate the current temperature threshold setting See Figure 16 Note The display prompt will begin flashing to indicate the selected feature is adjustable 2 Press the Adjust button to select the preferred temperature Select Temperature Scale 1 Press the Setup button to display F or C The display will indicate the current temperature scale 2 Press the Adjust button to display the alternate sc...

Page 17: ...mber 3 sets baseline at two days of delay To assist in choosing which conservation setting to use review the chart in Figure 18 First select the landscape soil type Now drop down to the row that best describes the sun shade coverage of the sensor location The level indicated where the two conditions meet is the suggested starting point That s all there is to it 1 Press the Setup button to display ...

Page 18: ...nvenient method of postponing irrigation from 1 to 5 days when rain or freeze conditions are expected The number of Water Delay days is selected in the Water Delay screen then activated and canceled by pressing the Smart Bypass button 1 Press the Setup button to display the Water Delay screen 2 Press the Adjust button to select 1 0 to 5 0 days See Figure 21 To activate the Water Delay period press...

Page 19: ...o Resolving Reception Problems on page 22 for additional information Battery Strength Display This feature displays sensor battery strength on a bar scale The strength of the battery is indicated by the height of the bar stack No bar a dead battery to six bars full strength 1 Press the Setup button as needed to display the battery symbol and the bar scale See Figure 23 Note Low battery strength is...

Page 20: ...djust button to select the desired value 0 5 to 4 0 days See Figure 24 Note Once activated Dry Out operation can be canceled by pressing the Smart Bypass button Note Reselecting a Water Conservation level will override the Dry Out feature setting Fail Safe Feature The Fail Safe feature is provided to alert and respond to a loss of communication signal and or if the sensor system stays in the activ...

Page 21: ...ols will flash On the TWRFS model the temperature is replaced with two dashes The Water Conservation indicators will flash in unison See Figure 26 Prolonged Active Mode If the sensor system remains in the Active mode for seven consecutive days it will automatically revert to the Monitor mode allowing the irrigation system to resume automatic operation The Sensor Status indicator will flash continu...

Page 22: ...de use the following procedure to reestablish communications 1 Press and hold the Smart Bypass button until all three Water Conservation indicators are illuminated and the display prompt begins blinking approximately 15 seconds See Figure 29 2 Activate the sensor module at close range by pressing the test spindle until the Sensor Status indicator is illuminated then release the test spindle Refer ...

Page 23: ...clip Note Properly dispose of the used batteries according to the battery manufacturer s recommendations 5 Install the battery cover 6 Align the circuit board assembly with the housing guide slots and carefully insert it into the housing The circuit board will fit only when oriented properly The bottom edge of the circuit board and housing will be even when fully inserted 7 Thread the antenna wire...

Page 24: ... or other objects between the sensor and receiver modules that can reduce signal strength Most residential and light commercial buildings do not reduce the signal enough to pose problems under normal conditions However there are some structures with very thick dense walls or that involve large amounts of radio frequency interference due to electronic equipment that can reduce the sensor signal ran...

Page 25: ...nge The receiver module may not recognize the sensor module address code See Set or Restore Sensor Address Code on page 20 Remove and replace the sensor module batteries The sensor system works but the controller does not respond to the sensor Check the Yellow or Brown wire connection The Brown wire must be used for Normally Closed NC controller operation and Yellow wire for Normally Open NO opera...

Page 26: ...isc stack with adjustable rainfall sensitivity Sensor Module Batteries 2 3V cells CR2032 or equivalent Average Battery Life 5 years Operating Temperature Range 20 F to 120 F 29 C to 49 C Receiver Power 22 28 Vac Vdc 100mA from controller w Class 2 UL approved transformer Relay Contacts Output Normally Open NO and Normally Closed NC 3A at 24 Vac RainSensorAlpha7 3 10 2005 3 31 PM Page 24 ...

Page 27: ...Phone 800 664 4740 for the location of your nearest Toro distributor or outside the U S call 951 688 9221 This warranty does not apply where equipment is used or installation is performed in any manner contrary to Toro s specifications and instructions nor where equipment is altered or modified Neither Toro nor Toro Warranty Company is liable for indirect incidental or consequential damages in con...

Page 28: ...rference to radio or television reception which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures Reorient the receiving antenna relocate the remote control receiver with respect to the radio TV antenna or plug the irrigation controller into a different outlet so that the irrigation controller an...