Controller Unit

MDC 50-200, MDC 200

Safety Information

Warning!
Important safety information, including caution and warning messages, appear throughout this manual. To ensure correct operation and to avoid additional expense, read this manual thoroughly before you begin installing or operating the controller. Operating this equipment in a residential area can cause interference to radio and television reception. The radio frequency energy emitted by this device complies with limits for a Class B computing device, described in FCC Rules Part 15, Subpart J.
Safety Information and Icons Used in This Manual:
To quickly help you find, identify and understand important information, this manual uses the following icons and notations:
This icon indicates critical information. This specific icon alerts you to an electrical CAUTION telling the installer or operator that he or she may be exposed to dangerous high voltages.

Warning! Note:

This icon indicates non-electrical but critical information. This specific icon alerts you to a general CAUTION that if you do not follow, may result in severe personal injury or death.
This designates a Warning indicating actions that may damage the equipment. This designates a Note, which helps clarify a specific instruction.

Contents

Introduction.1 Welcome to Rain Bird.1 The MDC Controllers.1 Special Features.2 Packing List.3 Installation.5 Mounting the Controller.5 Before You Begin.5 Choosing a location.5 What you will need.7 Preparing the Controller Cabinet for the Power and Field Wires.8 Mounting the Controller on the Wall.9 Connecting the Controller.10 Connecting to the Two-wire Communications Cable.10 Grounding the Controller.11 Connecting to the Main Power Source.11 Connecting an Optional Sensor.13 Installing Program and Expansion Modules.14 Replacing the Battery.15 Programming and Operation.17 Familiarizing Yourself with the MDC 50-200, MDC 200 Controller.18 Getting Started.19 Main Operating Screen.20 Setting Up Your System.22 Selecting a Country.22 Setting the Date and Time.24 Selecting Valve Types.25 Naming the Field Decoders.25 Entering the Pump/Master Valve Information.28 Activating Rain or Alarm Sensors.29 Setting Up a Sensor Decoder.30

Contents, continued

Programming the flow sensor.30 Setting an alarm limit (alarmflow).32 Setting an alarm leakage schedule.32 Programming the sensor decoder address.33 Setting up an auxiliary sensor.33 Setting the Switch Settings.34 Switching the alphabet.34 Turning on an installed rain sensor.35 Turning on an installed alarm sensor.35 Erasing All the Data.36 Testing the System.36 Testing the operation of the decoders.36 Finding a short in the system.38 Viewing the Log Data.39 Creating Irrigation Schedules.41 Setting the Steps for Each Program.42 Setting Up Steps.42 Inserting a Step Between Two Steps.43 Deleting Steps.44 Selecting the Days.44 Selecting a Start Time.45 Setting the Water Budget (WB).46 Setting the Programs for Active or Passive (A/P).46 Scheduling to Run on Specific Days and Dates.47 Repeating and Pausing Programs.47 Setting Up an Automatic Test Program.48 Operating the Irrigation Programs.49 Starting Automatic Irrigation Programs.49 Activating a Decoder.50 Manually Starting Irrigation Programs.51 Manually Activating a Decoder.52 Manually Stopping an Active Decoder.53 Understanding Sensor Warning Signs.54 Sensing a Short Circuit.54
Using the Controller with a PC.55 Linking your PC and Controller.56 Installing the Rain Bird MDC PC Software.57 Setting Up a Communications Link.57 Verifying the Time and Date.59 Using the MDC PC Software.60 Retrieving the Data.60 Editing the Data.61 Selecting the controller type.61 Editing the valve types.61 Adding or removing decoders.61 Adding or removing pumps/master valves.62 Activating rain and alarm sensors.62 Erasing the set-up data.63 Editing irrigation schedules.63 Erasing irrigation schedules.65 Editing the global water budget.65 Sending Data to the Controller.65 Retrieving Monitoring Information.66 Creating a Log File.66 Viewing a Log File.67 Creating a Back-Up Database.67 Printing Set-Up and Irrigation Data.67 Exiting the Remote Access Window.67 Troubleshooting.69 Understanding Faults.69 Finding the Cause.69 Understanding Basic Troubleshooting Techniques.70 Troubleshooting the System.71 Troubleshooting a Field Transmitter (Optional).79 Troubleshooting the Controllers Internal Parts.80 Replacing The Controller.81 Troubleshooting Guide for the Decoder System.82

9-1/2" (24.2 cm) minimum

9-1/2" (24.1 cm)

Cabinet is 4-3/8" (11.1 cm) Deep To Fuse Box 10-1/4" (26 cm)
120-Volt AC Wiring in Conduit
Locate for easy access and for comfortable viewing
Floor Field Wiring in Conduit
Typical Wall-mount Installation
What you will need Before you begin installation, you may need the following tools and materials: Slotted Head Screwdriver Phillips Head Screwdriver Thin Blade Screwdriver Linemans Pliers DBY Connectors Hammer Grounding Strap Two-wire MAXI Cable (#14 AWG wire) Two-wire MAXI Cable (#18 AWG wire) #8 AWG or #10 AWG Bare Ground Wire Tape Measure Wire Stripper Wire Nuts Marking Pencil Electric Drill (or Hammer Drill if installing in masonry or concrete wall)
Preparing the Controller Cabinet for the Power and Field Wires
Note: You can remove four knockouts from the controller cabinet making it easy to route the wires. You will find two of these knockouts on the back (for routing wires through a wall) and two on the underside (for feeding wires through the cabinets bottom).
To tap out a knockout, place the cabinet on a firm surface with the groove facing you. Work your way around the groove with a slotted screwdriver, firmly tapping out the knockout.
A hole on the underside of the cabinet fits a 1" (2.6 cm) PVC male adapter for installing PVC conduit. You can increase its size to 1 1/4" (3.2 cm) by tapping out the knockout around the hole. If you are using #14 AWG wire, or larger, you may need the larger hole. If you run the wires through the bottom holes, you will need to install conduits. Slip the conduit through the hole and secure it with a male adapter or other conduit fittings.

Knockout

1 L2 L1 L2

Sensor

BOTTOM
Mounting the Controller on the Wall
Note: The MDC 50-200, MDC 200 Controller has four mounting holes on the back on the cabinet three keyhole slots near the top and one circular hole at the bottom. Note: To install the controller on a flat wall surface, use the left and right keyhole slots at the top of the cabinet. To install the controller on a narrow stud, use the center keyhole slot. Note: The mounting materials and specific screws you need will vary according to the mounting surface (i.e., wood, cement, masonry, drywall, etc.)
4. Slide the MDC cabinet over the top screws. 5. If mounting to a stud, swing open the cabinet door and faceplate. Mark the position of the bottom drill hole and then lift off the controller. Do not attempt to drill the bottom hole through the cabinet. 6. Drill the bottom hole and remount the cabinet. 7. Secure the bottom of the cabinet with a screw, tightening it all the way.

2. Using wire nuts, connect the two-wire cable to the sensor wires inside a valve box. 3. Protect all underground splices with DBY connections. Insert the wire nuts into the DBY connectors and close the gap tightly. Place the connectors inside the valve box. 4. Run the two-wire cable leading from the sensor wires through a conduit and into the controller cabinet. Use the same conduit you used for the communications cable. 5. Using a thin blade screwdriver, connect the sensor cable wires to SENSOR terminal 1 and SENSOR terminal 2 inside the controller. Tug on the wires to make sure the connections are secure. You have now completed mounting and wiring your new MDC 50-200, MDC 200 Controller.
To connect the sensors wires to the controller, 1. Remove about 6" of the cables outer sheathing and strip about 5/8" of the insulation from the ends of the two wires.
Installing Program and Expansion Modules
The MDC 50-200 Controller uses a program module that controls 50 (decoder) outputs. The controller also supports up to three expansion modules (MDC/M50D), each controlling an additional 50 outputs. So, by adding expansion modules, you can configure the MDC 50-200 Controller to control 50, 100, 150, or 200 outputs. 200 is the maximum number of outputs the controller can manage in any combination over one, two or three separate two-wire communications lines.
Note: You do not upgrade the MDC 200 Controller. It is already fully equipped with program and expansion modules allowing you to operate up to 200 outputs. Warning! When working with any program or expansion module, always use a grounding strap to avoid electrostatic discharge, which can damage the modules. Warning! Always turn off the controller before you add or remove any module.
To add or replace a program or expansion module, 1. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the two screws and lock washers holding the guide rail. Be careful not to lose the lock washers. 2. To remove a worn out module, grasp it by its tab and wiggle it back and forth while pulling up. 3. Hold the new module by its tab, so the back of the module faces the top of the cabinet. 4. Firmly plug a 10-pin expansion module into one of the three corresponding sockets on the circuit board. The program module is larger and fits only in one socket.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Sensors Sensor Decoder Switch Settings Erase All Select Country Return OK 15:04:10
5. Using the button pointing to the Up arrow label, scroll to 9. Return and press the button pointing to the OK label, or select minus(-) to return to the Main Menu.
4. Using the buttons pointing to the up or down arrow labels, scroll to the language you want to read on the display and press the button pointing to the OK label.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. USA --------------------------Germany -------------Spanish OK 15:04:10
Setting the Date and Time
1. From the Main Menu, move the indicating arrow to 2. Setting Date/Time and select OK. The first active field is the year, which is indicated by alternating blinking arrow markers.
>2002<-03-26 20:33:58 Tuesday (9) 20:33:58
4. Scroll up or down to the correct day. OK accepts the change and moves the markers to the hour, which reads in 24-hour military time. Please see Appendix I: Conversion Chart from Standard to Military Time on page 83.
Note: The year, month and day you choose directly affects the day of the week (Monday-Sunday). Changing any of those variables also changes the day of the week. The number next to the day of the week represents the specific day in the 14-day calendar.
2. Use the up and down arrows to change the year.
Note: The double arrow label lets you move through the date and time quickly. Pressing the button pointing to the double arrow label once increases or decreases the date and time by five digits. To switch the direction of the double arrow label, press the button pointing to the up and down arrow labels. Holding in the button pointing to the double arrows lets you scroll through the numbers quickly.
5. Scroll up or down to the correct hour. OK moves the markers to the minutes. Change the minutes the same way then move to the seconds. OK locks in the new date and time and returns you to the Main Menu.
2002-03-26 20:33:>58< Tuesday (9) 20:33:58
3. OK moves the blinking markers to the month. Scroll to the correct month and select OK to move the markers to the day.

Selecting Valve Types

Valve types refer to the electric requirements of magnetic solenoids. There are 10 Valve Types already programmed into the MDC 50-200, MDC 200 Controller. The first five Valve Types are used by decoders controlling irrigation Programs and will start master valves and pumps. The last five control non-irrigation Programs (such as activating auxiliary alarms, etc.) and will not start pumps. Irrigation Valve Types use switch code 59F350. Non-irrigation Valve Types use a switch code of 3FFA20. These default switch codes are used for Rain Bird 24 VAC solenoids.

Name Type > < 1

Address 0

Booster OK

14:02:30 Finish
6. Change each character one at a time. OK accepts the change and moves to the next space. Continue to select OK until the markers stop blinking, deactivating the field. The up and down arrow labels will also switch to left and right arrow labels.
Note: The controller will not allow you to enter a duplicate name. If you do, the message Decoder already exists appears briefly and the controller returns you to the beginning of the field. Note: Selecting minus (-) while you are still in an active field cancels the changes you made and returns the field to non-active.
4. Position the markers under Name and select OK to activate the Name field. The left and right arrow labels now switch to up and down arrows and the two markers alternate blinking, indicating the field is active. 5. Use the up and down arrows to change each character one at a time, from left to right. A blinking box shows the position of the first character you are changing. The box disappears when you begin scrolling through the characters. An arrow then, points to the character you are changing.
7. Move the markers to the Type field. Here, you will select the type of valve (solenoid) connecting to the decoder.
Note: The decoders Type correlates directly to the valve type used to set the switch codes.
8. Select OK to activate the field, and then scroll through the choices to either an irrigation valvevalues 1-5or a non-irrigation valve valves A-E. OK accepts the valve Type.
Name E5 Type >4< Address 0 Bst Flow 15:04:10 OK Finish
Note: The controller will not allow you to enter a duplicate Address. If you try, the message Address already used appears briefly and the controller returns you to the beginning of the field.
11. Select OK to select the Address and move the markers to the Booster (Pump) field.
Note: If the solenoids connected to the decoder use Booster pumps to start irrigation, you must associate the Booster pump numbereither 1 or 2to the decoder.
12. Select OK to scroll between Booster #1 and Booster #2. 9. Select OK to deactivate the Type field and move the markers to the Address field. OK activates the Address field.

Note: Flow Definition allows you to program a Rain Bird SD-210TURF Sensor Decoder to the type of flow sensor your system useseither digital (pulse output) or analog (4-20 milliamps). To establish a conversion ratio the controller uses to calculate the flow, you only need to program the flow output and sensor output. Rain Bird recommends you enter the maximum flow, which determines the pulse type. Note: Digital (pulse output) flow sensors are most common. Please see the manufacturers specifications to determine the sensor type, maximum flow and sensor output.
7. Use the up and down arrows to select Units of measure, Pulse/10s, msec/Pulse or mA.
Flow (gpm) 30 at Units >Pulse/10s < 14:02:30 OK
4. Select OK to activate the Flow field, which is measured in GPH (USA ) or M3/h (European). The left and right arrow labels now switch to up and down arrows and the two markers alternate blinking, indicating an active field. 5. Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the Flow. OK stores the new Flow, returning the field to non-active. 6. Move the markers to the Units field and activate, skipping the at field (for now).
Note: Choose Pulse/10s if your digital flow sensor uses a higher pulse rate (30-200 pulses per second) and counts the number of pulses in 10-second intervals.Choose msec/ Pulse for flow sensors using lower pulse rates (less than 30 pulses per second) and measures the time between pulses in millisecond increments. Choose mA if you are using an analog flow sensor.
8. Selecting OK accepts the Units of measure and deactivates the field. 9. Move the markers back to at and select OK to activate the field.
10. Scroll to the pulse or analog rate you need to set for the sensor. OK accepts the number and returns the field to non-active.
Flow (gpm) at 30 >784< Units Pulse/10s 14:02:30 OK
3. Use the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the alarm limit. Once set, select OK to store the new limit and switch the field to non-active.
Stop Irrigation when above >50< 14:02:30 OK
11. Move the markers to the OK field and select OK to store the information and return to the Sensor Decoder menu. Setting an alarm limit (alarmflow) The Alarmflow category allows you to set specific alarm limits when the controller is in the Auto mode. Once input from the sensor decoder goes beyond the set limit (which can occur if a valve opens to a broken pipe), the controller turns off all active decoders, displays and logs an alarm. 1. From the Sensor Decoder menu, move the indicating arrow to 2. Alarmflow and select OK. The screen now reads Stop Irrigation when above. The reading is set to GPH or M3/h (depending on the country you selected). 2. Select OK to activate the field. The left and right arrow labels now switch to up and down arrows and the two markers alternate blinking, indicating an active field.

Note: Use Normally open if the Alarm Sensor is open all the time. Select Normally closed if the Alarm Sensor opens only when it receives a specific signal.
5. Select OK to return to the Switch Settings menu. Selecting minus (-) cancels the Alphabet change and returns to its previous setting. Turning on an installed rain sensor 1. From the Switch Setting menu, move the indicating arrow to 2. Rain Sensor and select OK. The current setting appears between the two markers. A blinking black box in the first character position shows the field is active. 2. Use the up and down arrows to select between Normally open or Normally closed.
3. Select OK to return to the Switch Setting menu. 4. Move the indicating arrow to 4. Return to return to the Set-up Data menu.
Note: If you press the button pointing to the minus (-) label after you change the Switch Settings, a screen appears asking if it is OK to Restart System? If not, Press -. Select OK to restart the system or - to cancel.
Rain Sensor > ormally closed<

14:02:30

OK to Restart System? If not, press ''

Erasing All the Data

If you wish to delete all the data, such as testing or demo data, from the MDC Controller before you install the actual values, you can do so quickly and easily.
Note: Be careful when you erase data. Once erased, you cannot retrieve it again.

Testing the System

Once you install and program the line (field) decoders into your system, you can then test to make sure they are working properly. The MDC 50-200, MDC 200 Controllers have a built-in decoder test that tries each decoder in sequence. Testing the operation of the decoders 1. From the Main Menu, move the indicating arrow to 3. Test and select OK. 2. Move the indicating arrow to 1. Test of Line Decoders and select OK to reach the Decoder Test screen.
* * Test Menu * * 1. Test of Line Decoders 2. Short Finding 3. Return OK 14:02:30
1. From the Main Menu, move the indicating arrow to 1. Set-up Data and select OK. 2. Move the indicating arrow to 7. Erase All and select OK. The display screen now reads, OK to Erase All Data? Use - to cancel.
OK to Erase All Data? Use < > to Cancel 14:02:30
3. Select OK to Erase the Data and return to the Set-up Data menu. The minus (-) label cancels the action and returns to the Set-up Data menu without erasing any data.
Note: The controller tests the decoders in the order you entered them into the system. The blinking markers and box show the field is active.

4. To change the date you want to start the sequence, press the button pointing to the First label. Continue to press the button to reach the start date you want.
Program 5 Total 15 --W--S--T--F--M Run every 3. day First 2002 - 04 - 21 Every First
1 : 57 14:02:30 (1) 20 : 00 100% P Repeat 2 times Pause: 5 Min. Repeat Pause Next
3. To change the Run every day, press the button pointing to the Every label. Each time you press the button, the day increases by one, up to Run every 14th day (in the 14-day Schedule).
Note: An arrow label next to Every shows the direction you are scrolling. Pressing the button pointing to the arrow label changes the direction you are scrolling.
Program 5 Total 15 --W--S--T--F--M Run every 2. day First 2002 - 02 - 12 Every First
1 : 57 14:02:30 (1) 20 : 00 100% P Repeat 0 times
Repeating and Pausing Programs
Once you set-up a Program, you can repeat it up to 99 times and set timed pauses (in minutes) between each repeated Program. 1. From the Main Operating Screen, scroll to the Program you want to repeat. 2. Select Sched. and Next to reach the Repeat label.

Repeat

3. Press the button pointing to the Repeat label to set the number of times you want the Program to repeat. Holding down the button lets you scroll quickly up to 99 repeat times.
Program 5 Total 15 --W--S--T--F--M 1 : 57 14:02:30 (1) 20 : 00 100% P Repeat 2 times
Setting Up an Automatic Test Program
The MDC 50-200, MDC- 200 Controller allows you to set up a Test Program to automatically activate and test all decoders (from the first one you installed to the last), one by one. You can adjust the Decoder Activation Time between 10 and 240 seconds. 240 seconds is especially useful if you wish to walk through and visually inspect each decoder as they activate. 1. From the Main Operating Screen, press the button pointing to the Sch down label to reach the Test Program. 2. Select Manual to reach the Select Program or Decoder screen. The Manual label is highlighted.
4. Select Pause to set a timed pause between each repeated Program.
Program 5 Total 15 --W--S--T--F--M
14:02:30 Select Program or Decoder

Program 5 Total VMin Remaining 1 Active Dec. 0 : 45 14:02:: 44 100% A
5. Select Pause. Pausing appears on the display, showing the command registered. Irrigation continues until the next full minute.
Program 5 Total VMin Pausing 1 Active Dec.

0 : 45 14:02:: 38 100% P

Resume
Note: At the full minute mark, all activated sprinklers stop and the display reads Paused.
6. Select Resume to continue irrigating. The display asks if it is OK to Resume current Schedule? Cancel returns the controller to the Pause state.
OK to Resume current Schedule? Use Cancel to Abort 14:02:30
Manually Activating a Decoder
The MDC 50-200, MDC-200 Controller allows you to activate programmed decoders manually. 1. From the Main Operating Screen, select Manual. The Manual label is highlighted and you are asked to Select Program or Decoder. The display also shows the number of Active Decoders. 2. Select Dec. 3. Scroll through the list of programmed decoders. Choose a decoder and select OK.

Resume Cancel

7. Select Resume to return to the Manual Display Screen and continue with the scheduled irrigation Program. 8. Select Manual to stop the irrigation Program and return to the Main Operating Screen.
4. Use the up and down arrows to program how long you want the decoder to be active and select OK.
14:02:30 G1 >007 Min< 4 Active Dec.
Manually Stopping an Active Decoder
1. From the Active Decoder Screen, select Dec. 2. Scroll through the list of Active Decoders to reach the one you want to stop and select the minus(-) label. The Active Decoder Screen now shows one less decoder.
14:02:30 FMin 3 Active Dec.
Note: The display now shows the number of Active Dec., displaying only one at a time. The sprinkler icon starts to sprinkle.
5. Follow steps (2-4) to manually activate more decoders. 6. Use the up and down arrows to scroll through each Active Decoder.
3. Select Manual to stop all the manually activated decoders and return to the Main Operating Screen.
Understanding Sensor Warning Signs
If a rain or auxiliary sensor shows an alarm or warning condition, a message like this appears on the display.
Type Date Time Deactivate Warning
Type Date Time Corrected Warning

Sensing a Short Circuit

If the MDC 50-200, MDC-200 Controller senses a short circuit on the lines, it will automatically limit the current to a safe value, change the line frequency from 1 to 50 Hz (making it easier to trace the short circuit) and display this message.
Rain Sensor In: 28. 15 : 29,

14:02:30 Out:

Short Circuit In: 28. 15 : 48, 14:02:30 Out:
Type of Sensor Date and time the Sensor activated (In:) Date and time the Sensor became deactive (Out:) {If it is still active, there is no Out time} Warning signdisplays as long as Alarm condition exists

Note: If a rain sensor activates, irrigation stops, but the Program keeps running. If the rain sensor is the self-emptying type, irrigation continues as programmed once the sensor changes to NonActive. Selecting OK removes the message. As long as the sensor is Active, the message will appear again every time you select an Automatic or Manual function.
Type of problem (Short Circuit) Date and time of problem (In:) Date and time problem was corrected (Out:) {If it still exists, there is no Out time} Warning signdisplays as long as problem exists Select OK to remove the message. As long as the problem exists, the message will appear again every time you select an Automatic or Manual function.
Using the Controller with a PC
Once you install, set up and initially program the MDC 50-200, MDC-200 Controller, you can then add new equipment, change settings, change Programs and operate directly from the controller or from a PC. Programming and operating your MDC Controller from a PC is much quicker and simpler than using only the controller. Rain Bird provides the software (at no charge) making it very easy to update and download any additional information. You can attach the MDC Controller to a PC directly, using a nine-pin serial cable, or through a modem/telephone line. Both connections are easy to find under the faceplate.
Using the Controller with a PC, continued
Linking your PC and Controller
To link your PC using the serial communication port, 1. Open the MDC cabinet and swing open the faceplate.
Note: For serial communications, you will need two nine-pin serial cables and an OLK-400 Optocoupler connection (available from Rain Bird).
To link your PC using the modem/telephone line connection, 1. Open the MDC cabinet and swing open the faceplate. 2. Feed a modem/telephone line through the twowire communications conduit or through a separate access hole in the MDC cabinet. 3. Plug the phone clip into the corresponding jack.
2. Attach one end of the first serial cable to the MDC serial communication port and attach the other end to the Optocoupler. 3. Attach one end of the second serial cable to the Optocoupler and the other end to your PC serial communication port.
Note: Rain Bird recommends using the OLK-400 Optocoupler to protect your system against lightning surges. However, you may use a Null-modem cable as a temporary device.

L1 L2 L1 L2

Installing the Rain Bird MDC PC Software
Your minimum PC requirements for the Rain Bird MDC PC Software are: Pentium Processor (or higher), Windows 95 (or higher) operating system, 32 MB memory, 25 MB hard disk space, CD-ROM drive, 3.5" floppy drive, SVGA display monitor with a minimum resolution of 800 x 600, and 2400 baud modem (if used). Insert the MDC PC Software CD into your PCs CD-ROM Drive. The CD-ROM software is set to install automatically. However, if your PC does not support this feature, you must then install it manually. Please see your PC Operations Manual to learn how to add new software to your PC. 3. The first Connection wizard pop-up window gives you the option to name the installation. Direct (for direct connection) is the default name. Change the name, if you wish, and select Next to advance to the next window. Done exits you from Connection wizard while saving any changes you made to the default settings.

3. Select the tab of the Schedule you want to change to reach the Irrigation Schedule Edit window.
Note: The Irrigation Schedule Edit windows let you add Schedules or change information in current Schedules. For example, use these windows to change Schedules from Active to Passive, change the days, adjust the water budget, start and repeat times, add pauses to Schedules and run times, add steps and select different decoders. Note: When you move the cursor to a section on the View window, a Values @ pointer shows you the corresponding Schedule, day and time for the section where the cursor points. Note: A drop-down box appears when you select the Decoder columns. Use the drop-down boxes to make your selections from the decoders you already programmed into the controller.
4. Select OK to save the irrigation Schedule changes.
Note: Please see Creating Irrigation Schedules on page 41.
Erasing irrigation schedules You can erase ALL IRRIGATION SCHEDULES and IRRIGATION SCHEDULE CONTENTS stored on the MDC Controller. 1. From the Rain Bird Remote Access window, select Edit data. 2. Select Edit irrigation data and Erase all from the pull-down menus to reach the Erase Irrigation Schedules window. 3. Select Yes to erase the information. Select No to cancel the action. Editing the global water budget Editing global water budget lets you adjust all the Schedules quickly and easily. If you design individual Schedules with a nominal run time for each decoder and valve, and set the water budget at 100%, you can easily adjust to changes in weather conditions. 1. From the Rain Bird Remote Access window, select Edit data. 2. Select Edit Global Water Budget and an Adjust irrigation pop-up window appears. 3. If you have changed the Global Water Budget, Send the water budget data to the controller.
Note: While the PC is sending data from the PC to the controller a Communications Status pop-up window appears visually showing the progress. The window disappears once the data is sent.
3. Change the Water budget percentage and select OK.

Problem Solution Finding a break in the two-wire communications cable. Measure the line voltage on the L1 and L2 terminals inside the controller. If the voltage is correct, then the fault is a result of a break in the two-wire communications cable. To locate the break, you will need an as-built irrigation drawing showing the complete installation and tracking of the two-wire communications cable, including each field decoder connection point. If the break is in a ring cable, disconnect one end of the cable from the controller. You can now find the approximate location of the break by testing each field decoder to determine which decoders are not responding. Please see Testing the operation of the decoders on page 37. If, during the test, a field decoder activates, you will know the break in the cable must be beyond that decoder. Field decoders will not respond if there is a break in the cable. Before testing, you may want to depressurize any pressure-controlled pumps and deactivate any pump decoders in your system. Please see Entering the Pump/Master Valve Information on page 28. This will stop the pumps from activating during the test, conserving water. Once you localize a break between two decoders, you then need to find the exact location of the break manually by measuring its voltage. A cables voltage after a break is not always zero (0). In fact, it may only be 10 V lower than the reading before the break. First, check connections at the two decoders and between the two decoders. Measure the voltage on the cable from the last decoder that is working. Then measure the voltage on the cable at the non-working decoder connection. If you cannot find the fault in any of the field decoder connections and there is no specific hint at to where the fault may be, you can try using a cable tracer to locate any irregularities along the cable. If you do not have access to a cable tracer, you can either replace the complete length of the questionable cable or follow the systematic approach we will outline next.
Problem Solution Using a systematic method to find a break in the two-wire communications cable. There is a systematic method to find a cable break, but it can be time-consuming. Measure the voltage midway between the field decoder that is working and the one that is not. If the voltage is out of the acceptable range (VAC), you can locate the break between the field decoder that works and the point where you measured the line voltage. Measure the line voltage again at the middle of this section of cable. If the voltage is still out of the acceptable range, you have narrowed the area of the break even further. Continue to narrow the sections this way until you find the break. Problem Solution Overloading the two-wire communications cable caused a short circuit. If the two-wire cable is damaged or a field decoder develops a defect, a short circuit can occur on the cable. A short circuit can mean that nothing in the system works or only parts of the system work. If the MDC Controller senses a short circuit on the lines, it will automatically limit the current to a safe value by changing the line frequency from 1 to 50 Hz. and display a Short Circuit message. Please see Sensing a Short Circuit on page 54. When this happens, you must check the line voltage. If the line voltage reading is between 24 and 34 V, a field decoder, using too much power, is probably causing the fault. If the system is still operational, you should test all the decoders. If all the decoders pass the test, please see the problem, A two-wire communications cable shows signs of corrosion on page 77. If the line voltage reading is less than 24 V, you will not be able to use the field decoders to locate the fault. This type of short circuit affects all parts of the cable by dropping the voltage below the controllers minimum operating voltage. Here, you will need to use a Clamp Ampmeter to locate the short circuit. A Clamp Ampmeter allows you to measure the current running in a cable without cutting the cable. Attach the clamp to one of the two communications wires and measure the resistance. If you clamp both wires, the reading will be zero (0).

Using a Decoder and Relay-100 With a Pressure Switch
In this installation, the pressure switch attaches directly to the decoder and Relay-100, and the decoder and Relay-100 to the pump. Please see the illustration below. Please see Naming the Field Decoders on page 25. You will also need to define a separate valve type with the switch code of 49F390. The controller circuit from the pressure switch runs through the contacts on the Relay-100.
Master Pump RELAY-100 Water Line #18 AWG Pressure Switch
With the above setup, the pressure switch will provide power to the pump, or if the flow exceeds the maximum rate, the controller sends a signal to the field decoder stopping the pump and shutting off the valves in the system. If the pressure is too high, the pressure switch will cut off power to the pump and shut it off. With the valves closed, any flow in the system is considered a leak.
Using the Municipal Water Supply With a Master Valve (NC or NO)
In this installation, a field decoder attaches to a Normally closed or Normally open master valve installed as a pump. Please see the illustration below. When setting up the controller, enter the decoder address in the pump Address field and change the switch code to 49F350, which is the setting for a standard 24 VAC/2-3 W irrigation valve.
Water Supply Two-Wire Communications Cable
Master Valve (NC or NO) Municipal Water Supply
With the above setup, the flow sensor monitors the flow rate. If, during irrigation, the flow exceeds its maximum rate, the controller sends a signal shutting off a Normally closed master valve. A Normally closed master valve is open when a Program is running. If the master valve is Normally open, exceeding the maximum flow will shut off all valves. Because none of the valves are open, any additional flow detected is considered a leak in the system. Once the flow surpasses the alarm leakage schedule, the field decoder activates, closing the Normally open master valve.

Glossary

booster pump activates when the demand for water pressure exceeds the capabilities of the master pump. circuit board one of the etched, copper clad sheets of insulating material onto which electronic components and terminals are assembled. Controllers contain circuit boards. controller a device that sends a 24 VAC power signal to the field solenoid valves controlling when they open and close. CPU board the central processing unit circuit board inside the controller. default setting the start-up settings for the controller. GPH (used in USA) gallons per hour. hardwire communications cable used to transmit data between devices. irrigation schedule the watering Schedule for one of the Programs controlled by the controller. liquid crystal display (LCD) the illuminated display used on most controllers. manual requires user input, rather than being automatically performed. master pump main irrigation pump, controlled electronically, that supplies water pressure to the system. Not all systems require a master pump. master valve (MV) an electrically operated valve located on the systems main line that controls the flow of water to all other electric and manual valves downstream of it.