User’s Guide TM Automatic Sprinkler System Timer ECx Features: • Expandable Up To 8 Zones With Plug-In Modules • 3 Watering Programs With: - Calendar and Interval Days - 1 Min. to 4 Hrs.
Table of Contents Installation ■ ECx Introduction and Set Up ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Timer Components .........................................2-5 Sprinkler System Basics ....................................6 Watering Program Basics ..................................7 Watering Program Details ..............................8-9 Planning Your Watering Schedule...................10 Filling Out The Watering Schedule Form ...10-11 ❚ Watering Schedule Form ..............................12 “Remote” Programming .
ECx Introduction and Set Up Timer Components 1 A 1 2 2 C B 3 4 D F E PGM A B C AM PM G H % 1 AUTO / ON RAIN DELAY SET PROGRAM START TIMES SENSOR OFF ON FUSE OFF PROGRAMS 9V Battery NiCad 24 VAC DELAY 24HR MV/ PUMP COM L NEXT 12HR SET ZONE RUN TIMES 2 MANUAL START SET WATERING DAYS SEASON ADJUST SENSOR 4 5 6 7 8 ON OFF ALK 3 SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SET TIME / DAY + 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 K J I
Timer Components The following are brief descriptions of the ECx components and display elements. Each of these items will be explained in further detail within the appropriate programming, operating and installation sections of this guide. 1 - LCD Display A - “Start Time” symbol – Alarm clock is displayed when setting the program start times. B - Program start time identification numbers 1–4. C - Main display of various time values and prompts. D - Program A, B and C identifiers.
Timer Components – Selects the Season Adjust feature. See page 30 for details. 10 - Pump/Master Valve Connection Terminal– Snap-in connector for the power wire from the pump start relay or master valve. – Shuts off and prevents all automatic and manual watering activity. See page 29 for details. 11 - Valve Common Terminal – Snap-in connector for the valve common wire. 3 - Control Dial Positions (continued) SEASON ADJUST OFF RAIN DELAY– Selects the Rain Delay feature. See page 31 for details.
Timer Components AUTO / ON RAIN DELAY 4 SET TIME / DAY ON SET PROGRAM START TIMES SEASON ADJUST SENSOR FUSE OFF ON 6 NEXT OFF PROGRAMS 12HR SET ZONE RUN TIMES 5 MANUAL START SET WATERING DAYS OFF + 3 9V Battery ALK NiCad DELAY 24HR 7 SENSOR 24 VAC MV / PUMP COM 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 5
Sprinkler System Basics The three main components of every automatic sprinkler system are the timer, zone control valves and sprinklers. The timer is the brain of the system, telling the control valves when and how long to supply water to the sprinklers. The sprinklers direct and control the water applied to the lawn and plants. Each valve controls a specific group of sprinklers called a watering zone.
Watering Program Basics A watering program requires three basic instructions to operate automatically: • What days to water –called watering days • When to water – called a program start time • How long to water – called zone run time Watering Program Diagram Program Starts - 5:00 AM Zone 1 12 6 The following example illustrates how a typical watering program could be set for the sprinkler system shown on the previous page. Example: The program start time is set for 5:00 AM.
Watering Program Details This section covers in detail each of the three parts of a watering program – watering days, program start times and zone run times. Selecting Watering Days The ECx provides three options for scheduling watering days: Calendar, Interval and Off. Calendar Schedule A Calendar schedule enables you to select specific days of the week to water, for example, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is a seven-day schedule which starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday.
Selecting Program Start Times Setting The Zone Run Time A program start time is the time of day you select to begin an automatic program watering cycle. It is important to remember that a program only requires one start time to operate automatically. When a program starts, each zone assigned to a program will water in numerical order, one at a time for its set run time. A zone run time is the length of time the zone (controlled by the valve) will water during the program watering cycle.
Planning Your Watering Schedule It is always helpful to plan your watering schedule on paper before beginning the programming steps. You will have a record of your watering schedule and zone locations which can be kept with your ECx after it is installed. A watering schedule form is provided on page 12 for you to fill out. • Guidelines For Watering There are several factors to be considered when deciding when and how long to water.
(Example) Watering Schedule Form PROGRAM A CALENDAR WATERING DAY SCHEDULE ZONE 1 2 3 4 5 LOCATION Parkway Lawn Front Lawn Front Shrubs Back lawn Garden PROGRAM C SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SU MO TU WE TH FR SA 1 INTERVAL PROGRAM B 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 ZONE RUN TIME ZONE RUN TIME ZONE RUN TIME 10 10 Off 25 Off Off Off 5 Off Off Off Off Off Off 1 hr 7 6 7 8 1 PROGRAM START TIMES 2 3 4 5:00 AM Off Off Off 4:00 AM Off Off Off 6:00 AM Off
Watering Schedule Form PROGRAM A CALENDAR WATERING DAY SCHEDULE ZONE LOCATION 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 TOTAL ZONE RUN TIME 1 PROGRAM START TIMES 2 3 4 12 2 3 4 5 6 ZONE RUN TIME 1 PROGRAM C SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SU MO TU WE TH FR SA SU MO TU WE TH FR SA 1 INTERVAL PROGRAM B 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 ZONE RUN TIME 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 ZONE RUN TIME 7
If your home has frequent power interruptions, installing a rechargeable NiCd battery is recommended. Note: The battery does not supply power to operate the zone control valves; power from the transformer must be supplied. Figure 1 Figure 2 7 OFF SENSOR 6 7 12HR The ECx can use either type of 9-volt battery: Alkaline or rechargeable Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd).
Selecting Optional Features About The ECx Memory 24-Hour Clock Mode The ECx is set to display time in the 12-hour clock mode. If you prefer to use a 24-hour clock mode (military time) select this option by following the steps below. 15-Second Run Delay The 15-second run delay feature is useful for sprinkler systems utilizing a pump or master valve. For example, a pump usually requires a few seconds to build pressure after first turning on.
Resetting The Timer Memory The ECx program memory can be reset to the permanent program values or cleared completely at any time without removing power. Figure 3 2 Resetting the permanent program erases all user input and replaces it with the permanent program values. Clearing the program memory sets all program values to Off (i.e., no active days, program start times or zone run times).
Programmimg The Timer Setting The Current Time and Day 1 Turn the control dial to the SET TIME/DAY position. The hour digits will begin flashing. 2 To set the current hour (and AM/PM), press the +/ON button to scroll forward or the –/OFF button to scroll backward. 1 2 SU 7 scroll forward or the –/OFF button to scroll backward. 16 5 Press the NEXT button. The weekday abbreviation will begin flashing.
Setting The Watering Day Schedule For each program, you can select Calendar, Interval or Off. To set a Calendar schedule, continue here. To set an Interval schedule see page 18. To turn Off a program see page 19. PGM A 7 SU MO TU WE TH FR SA AUTO / ON RAIN DELAY SET TIME / DAY WATERING DAYS 2 Check the PROGRAMS switch setting. If necessary, reposition the switch to select the desired program.
Setting An Interval Schedule 1 Turn the control dial to the SET position. 2 Check the PROGRAMS switch setting. If necessary, reposition the switch to select the desired program. 3 4 WATERING DAYS Press the NEXT button. The current Interval number (1–7) will begin flashing. The day of the week on which the Interval will start will be shown. 5 To change the Interval number, press the +/ON or –/OFF button until the desired number is flashing. 6 Press the NEXT button.
Turning Off A Program Note: Selecting the Off setting does not alter or erase the Calendar or Interval schedule of the program, it simply places the program on hold until the Calendar or Interval schedule is reselected. 1 2 3 Turn the control dial to the SET position. 3 2 PGM B 5 WATERING DAYS Check the PROGRAMs switch setting. If necessary, reposition the switch to select the desired program. The current watering schedule will be displayed: CAL for Calendar, Int for Interval.
Setting Program Start Times 1 Turn the control dial to the SET position. PROGRAM START 2 9 3 TIMES 2 3 4 12 Program start time number 1 will begin flashing. The current program start time or OFF will be displayed for start time number 1. To select a different program start time number, press the +/ON or the –/OFF button until the desired number is flashing. Press the NEXT button. The hour digit(s) or OFF will begin flashing. PGM A AM Check the PROGRAMS switch setting.
Setting Zone Run Times 1 Turn the control dial to the SET position. 2 Check the PROGRAMS switch setting. If necessary, reposition the switch to select the desired program. ZONE RUN TIMES 2 4 5 PGM A 3 Zone number 1 will be flashing and its current run time or OFF will be shown. To select a different zone number, press the +/ON or the –/OFF button until the desired zone number is flashing. 4 Press the NEXT button. The run time (or OFF) will begin flashing.
Installation A Note: The ECx timer is not weather resistant and must be installed indoors or in a protected area. For outdoor installation, an optional weather-resistant outdoor cabinet (model # 53335) is available. B Mounting The Timer C 1. Select a location for the timer within 4' (1.2m) of an electrical outlet to enable the transformer wires to easily reach. Make sure the outlet is not controlled by a light switch. 2.
Connecting The Valves 2. Attach the white color-coded wire from the cable to one wire from each valve solenoid. (Either solenoid wire can be used for this connection.) This is called the valve common wire. 3. Attach a separate cable wire to the remaining wire from each valve solenoid. Make a note of the wire color code used for each valve and the watering zone it controls. You will need to have this information when connecting the valve wires to the timer. 4.
Connecting The Transformer 1. Route a wire pair from the pump relay into the timer housing 2. Connect one wire to the terminal labeled COM (11). Connect the remaining wire to the terminal labeled PUMP/MV (10) as shown below. ON FUSE 2. Connect one transformer cable wire to each terminal labeled 24 VAC (9). The wires can be connected to either terminal. SENSOR FUSE 9V Battery NiCad DELAY 24HR 9 11 12HR 10 SENSOR 1. Ensure the transformer is unplugged.
Connecting A Toro Rain Switch The Toro Rain Switch (model # 53221) is a remote rain sensing device which can be connected directly to your ECx to automatically interrupt watering during rain. A sensor bypass switch is provided in the ECx which enables the Rain Switch operation to be turned On and Off. When the Rain Switch absorbs rain water it automatically signals the ECx to suspend all watering operations.
Timer Operation The ECx timer has three modes of operation: Automatic, Manual and Off. In the Automatic mode the timer tracks the time and day and operates the automatic watering schedules. The Manual mode enables the watering programs to be started and controlled manually at any time. The Off mode shuts off all watering activity and prevents any zones from operating automatically or manually. This illustration shows the status display.
Manual Operation Manual control operations enable the automatic watering programs to be started at any time. During operation temporary changes can be made to increase or decrease zone run time, step through the watering zone sequence and pause or stop watering. Upon completion of a manual watering operation the timer will return to the Automatic mode. Flashing PGM A B Flashing 1 Watering programs can be started individually or set to start in order.
Watering Control Features The following watering control features enable you to further control the watering program during operation. All watering control features apply to watering programs started manually and automatically. To Pause Watering To Cancel Watering Press the +/ON and –/OFF buttons at the same time two times. • All watering operations will be canceled and the timer will return to the automatic mode.
Turning Off The ECx When the control dial is turned to the OFF position, the timer immediately shuts off any watering operation currently in progress. Leaving the control dial in the OFF position will prevent all automatic and manual watering operations. The timer will continue to track the current time and day of the week. Flashing PGM A PM 3 1 2 AUTO / ON For extended shutdown of the sprinkler system leave the control dial in the OFF position. The word OFF will be displayed for 8 minutes.
Using The Season Adjust Feature Changes in season and temperature generally require a change in zone run time to maintain a healthy landscape and conserve water. The season adjust feature enables you to change the run time of all zones assigned to a program, simultaneously up or down, in 10% increments – with just the press of a button. Adjustments can be reduced to 10% or increased to 200% of the programmed run time of each zone.
Service and Specifications Adding A Zone Module 1. Turn the control dial to the OFF position. A 0.75 Amp fuse protects the timer from damage due to power surges and excessive current draw through the Zone Modules. Before replacing the fuse, check for the probable cause, such as a shorted or improperly connected control valve wire, then replace the fuse as follows: 1. Unplug the transformer from the wall receptacle. WARNING REMOVE TRANSFORMER FROM POWER SOURCE PRIOR TO SERVICING THE FUSE.
Troubleshooting If you are having a problem with the timer, check the following symptoms, possible causes and remedies. If the problem cannot be resolved or you would like assistance with any Toro irrigation product, call our toll-free Toro Help Line, 1-800-367-8676 Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time) 32 Symptom Possible Cause Remedy The display is blank and the timer does not operate.
Specifications Warranty Transformer: Plug-In Class 2, UL Listed, CSA Certified The Toro Promise – Limited One Year Warranty Input: 120 VAC 50/60 Hz The Toro Company warrants, to the owner, each new piece of equipment (featured in the current catalog at date of installation) against defects in material and workmanship provided they are used for irrigation purposes under manufacturer’s recommended specifications for the period described below. Product failures due to acts of God (i.e.
FCC Rules Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
