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Rain8Net Sprinkler Control

Application:

This application will demonstrate how to integrate the Rain8Net 8-zone sprinkler controller to an HAI automation system, using an RS-232 connection.  Although multiple Rain8Nets can be networked together for larger applications, this documentation will apply to the use of one.  This documentation will further demonstrate two of the simpler methods of application:

 

  1. HAI controller will control On, Off, and Run Time of the sprinkler zones.  NOTE:  This method will not work on the Omni LT
  2. HAI will control only the On time of the routine – the sprinkler controller can be programmed to control the run time (automatically turning off) of the individual zones, using the “Rain8MasterConfig” software.  NOTE:  This is the only method that will work on the Omni LT.

 

Equipment:

1.       HAI automation controller

2.       Standard straight-thru, 4-conductor modular cable (when using on-board serial port) NOTE: Cable length can not exceed 50 feet.

3.       10A17-1 Serial Interface Module (Optional)

4.    PC Access software (Optional)

5.       Rain8Net Sprinkler “Starter Pack” (Recommended) – this includes the controller, power supply, and computer interface cable.

6.       Rain8Net software:

    1. Rain8Cfg utility required for simple addressing only.
    2. Rain8MasterConfig required if run time control desired.
 

Installation:

  1. If the HAI automation controller has not been previously installed, you should install it according the installation documentation.
  2. Install the Rain8Net controller in the desired location, within 50 feet of the HAI controller, as per their installation instructions.
  3. Connect the Rain8Net computer interface to a computer and use the configuration utility to set the address of the controller to a value that has an ASCII equivalent.  For the purposes of this application, we will set the address to 35.  NOTE: If desired, the Rain8MasterConfig utility can be used to set both the address and each individual zone run time.
  4. Disconnect the computer interface from the controller.  NOTE:  If using the 10A17 Serial interface module, you can connect the Rain8Net computer interface directly to this module and disregard “Step 5” below.
  5. Connect a standard straight-thru, 4-conductor modular cable from the RS-232 port on the Rain8Net controller, to the desired on-board serial port on the HAI controller.
  

Setup:

  1. Under Setup>>Installer>>Expansion, set the following:
    1. Serial 1 Baud Rate to 4800
    2. Serial 1 Function to Pro-Link
  2. Under Setup>>Names>>Buttons, name a button SPRINK START.
  3. Under Setup>>Names>>Units, name 15 flags as desired.  For our application, we will use the following:

NOTE:  When using the HAI Start Time Only method, the naming of flags is not required.

 

    1. SPRINKLER 1               i.   SPRINK 1 TMR
    2. SPRINKLER 2               j.   SPRINK 2 TMR
    3. SPRINKLER 3               k.  SPRINK 3 TMR
    4. SPRINKLER 4               l.   SPRINK 4 TMR
    5. SPRINKLER 5               m. SPRINK 5 TMR
    6. SPRINKLER 6               n.  SPRINK 6 TMR
    7. SPRINKLER 7               o.  SPRINK 7 TMR
    8. SPRINKLER 8

 

  1. Under Setup>>Names>>Messages, name 16 messages as follows:

NOTE:  When using the HAI Start Time Only method is desired, the 8 off code messages do not need to be named.

 

Zone On Codes:             Zone Off Codes:

 

    1. @#1                             i.   @#A
    2. @#2                             j.   @#B
    3. @#3                             k.  @#C
    4. @#4                             l.   @#D
    5. @#5                             m. @#E
    6. @#6                             n.  @#F
    7. @#7                             o.  @#G
    8. @#8                             p.  @#H

Configuration/Programming:

Although programming can be accomplished in many different ways based on desired effect, the following are two simple applications.  Since the Rain8Net controller can be configured to control the run times for each of the individual zones, the two examples will demonstrate total HAI control versus HAI start time only:

 

 

HAI Total Control – Using a Button Macro, we can create a simple routine to turn on each individual sprinkler zone for a determined and then turn them off.  NOTE:  Due to limitations, this application can not be used on the Omni LT.

 

            1. WHEN SPRINK START: SPRINKLER 1 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

            2. WHEN SPRINKLER 1 OFF: SPRINK 1 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            3. WHEN SPRINK 1 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 2 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

            4. WHEN SPRINKLER 2 OFF: SPRINK 2 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            5. WHEN SPRINK 2 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 3 ON FOR 10 MINUTESS

            6. WHEN SPRINKLER 3 OFF: SPRINK 3 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            7. WHEN SPRINK 3 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 4 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

            8. WHEN SPRINKLER 4 OFF: SPRINK 4 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            9. WHEN SPRINK 4 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 5 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           10. WHEN SPRINKLER 5 OFF: SPRINK 5 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

           11. WHEN SPRINK 5 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 6 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           12. WHEN SPRINKLER 6 OFF: SPRINK 6 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

           13. WHEN SPRINK 6 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 7 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           14. WHEN SPRINKLER 7 OFF: SPRINK 7 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

           15. WHEN SPRINK 7 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 8 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           16. WHEN SPRINKLER 1 ON: SEND @#1 OUT SERIAL 1

           17. WHEN SPRINKLER 1 OFF: SEND @#A OUT SERIAL 1

           18. WHEN SPRINKLER 2 ON: SEND @#2 OUT SERIAL 1

           19. WHEN SPRINKLER 2 OFF: SEND @#B OUT SERIAL 1

           20. WHEN SPRINKLER 3 ON: SEND @#3 OUT SERIAL 1

           21. WHEN SPRINKLER 3 OFF: SEND @#C OUT SERIAL 1

           22. WHEN SPRINKLER 4 ON: SEND @#4 OUT SERIAL 1

           23. WHEN SPRINKLER 4 OFF: SEND @#D OUT SERIAL 1

           24. WHEN SPRINKLER 5 ON: SEND @#5 OUT SERIAL 1

           25. WHEN SPRINKLER 5 OFF: SEND @#E OUT SERIAL 1

           26. WHEN SPRINKLER 6 ON: SEND @#6 OUT SERIAL 1

           27. WHEN SPRINKLER 6 OFF: SEND @#F OUT SERIAL 1

           28. WHEN SPRINKLER 7 ON: SEND @#7 OUT SERIAL 1

           29. WHEN SPRINKLER 7 OFF: SEND @#G OUT SERIAL 1

           30. WHEN SPRINKLER 8 ON: SEND @#8 OUT SERIAL 1

           31. WHEN SPRINKLER 8 OFF: SEND @#H OUT SERIAL 1

 

 

Line 1 begins the routine.

Lines 2-15 turn the flags on for 10 minute periods.

Lines 16-31 send the ON and OFF commands based on the flag’s On/Off condition.

 

 

HAI Start Time Only – If the Rain8Net controller has been programmed to control the run times of the individual zones, the HAI controller will simply need to be programmed to send the On command at the desired time.  The programming below show an example of turning on the sprinkler zones every 15 minutes between 12:00 noon and 2:00 PM, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. NOTE:  This application can be used on any HAI controller.

 

1. 12:00 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#1 OUT SERIAL 1

      2. 12:15 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#2 OUT SERIAL 1

      3. 12:30 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#3 OUT SERIAL 1

      4. 12:45 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#4 OUT SERIAL 1

      5.  1:00 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#5 OUT SERIAL 1

      6.  1:15 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#6 OUT SERIAL 1

      7.  1:30 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#7 OUT SERIAL 1

      8.  1:45 PM M-W-F--: SEND @#8 OUT SERIAL 1

 
 

 
Attachments
File Icon Rain8Net.exp
Rain8 UPB
 
  1. Follow the Rain8 UPB installation instructions to configure the device properly. When setting the module number use the chart below to find free units in your UPB network. The Rain8 UPB instructions are documented below the table.

 

Group of Rain8 UPB Units (Rain8 Module Number)

House Code

Group of Rain8 UPB Units (Rain8 Module Number)

House Code

          1-8 (1)

1

129-136 (17)

9

        9-16 (2)

137-144 (18)

      17-24 (3)

2

145-152 (19)

10

      25-32 (4)

153-160 (20)

     33-40 (5)

3

161-168 (21)

11

      41-48 (6)

169-176 (22)

      49-56 (7)

4

177-184 (23)

12

      57-64 (8)

185-192 (24)

      65-72 (9)

5

193-200 (25)

13

    73-80 (10)

201-208 (26)

    81-88 (11)

6

209-216 (27)

14

    89-96 (12)

217-224 (28)

 97-104 (13)

7

225-232 (29)

15

105-112 (14)

233-240 (30)

113-120 (15)

8

241-248 (31)

16

121-128 (16)

    1.  Download initial configuration software at page bottom http://wgldesigns.com/rain8upb.html

    2. Using the RJ11 cable and the DB9 adapter (but not the gender changer), connect DB9 end to a COM port or USB adapter on your PC. Connect the RJ11 end to the jack labeled “PIM-config”” on the left.

    3. It is not necessary to provide 24VAC power at this point as it is supplied over the RS232 link. The green LED to the left of the RJ45 jacks should be off. NOTE: Once configuration of the module is complete, 24VAC power needs to be provided for the module to operate properly.

    4. Select the serial port that the Rain8upb is connected to and click “Apply” to select COM port. “After a few seconds you should see a message box indicating that a UPB Rain8 was detected. Click on “OK”.

    5. Enter the NID number that identifies your UPB network.

    6. Enter the Rain8 module # you wish to assign to this module. Note that the corresponding DID (device ID) number for each zone is displayed just below. For example if you enter module# 3 you should see the mapping for all 8 zones. Zone 1 = DID 17, 2 = 18, etc.

    7. It is recommended that these two assignments be recorded in the appropriate boxes on the module label. It is a good idea to record the DID assignments for each zone as these will be needed later.

    8. The 8 input boxes labeled “default run timers” are used to program the maximum allowed run time in minutes or seconds that a given zone or valve will run before turning off automatically. The settings for each zone may be anything from 0 to 250 increments. This prevents “run away irrigation” in the event of a lost “OFF” command. If is desired click on “enable” and select minutes or seconds.

    9. The “Input” feature would be enabled if your installation requires a flow meter or rain switch.

    10. The last step is to click on the “load module” button. The configuration data is now loaded into your Rain8upb. Disconnect the RJ11 cable from the PC and module.

 

  1. Under Setup>>Names>>Buttons, name a button SPRINK START. 

     

  2. Under Setup>>Names>>Units, name the corresponding 8 Rain8 Units as desired.  For our application, we will use the following:

a.       SPRINKLER 1

b.      SPRINKLER 2

c.       SPRINKLER 3

d.      SPRINKLER 4

e.       SPRINKLER 5

f.        SPRINKLER 6

g.       SPRINKLER 7

h.       SPRINKLER 8

  1. Under Setup>>Names>>Units, name 7 Flags as desired.  For our application, we will use the following:

a.       SPRINK 1 TMR

b.      SPRINK 2 TMR

c.       SPRINK 3 TMR

d.      SPRINK 4 TMR

e.       SPRINK 5 TMR

f.        SPRINK 6 TMR

g.       SPRINK 7 TMR

Configuration/Programming:

            1. WHEN SPRINK START: SPRINKLER 1 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

            2. WHEN SPRINKLER 1 OFF: SPRINK 1 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            3. WHEN SPRINK 1 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 2 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

            4. WHEN SPRINKLER 2 OFF: SPRINK 2 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            5. WHEN SPRINK 2 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 3 ON FOR 10 MINUTESS

            6. WHEN SPRINKLER 3 OFF: SPRINK 3 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            7. WHEN SPRINK 3 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 4 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

            8. WHEN SPRINKLER 4 OFF: SPRINK 4 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

            9. WHEN SPRINK 4 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 5 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           10. WHEN SPRINKLER 5 OFF: SPRINK 5 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

           11. WHEN SPRINK 5 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 6 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           12. WHEN SPRINKLER 6 OFF: SPRINK 6 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

           13. WHEN SPRINK 6 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 7 ON FOR 10 MINUTES

           14. WHEN SPRINKLER 7 OFF: SPRINK 7 TMR ON FOR 1 SECOND

           15. WHEN SPRINK 7 TMR OFF: SPRINKLER 8 ON FOR 10 MINUTES


Line 1 begins the routine.
Lines 2-15 turn the flags on for 10 minute periods.
Attachments
File Icon Rain8 UPB.pdf
Related Articles
Topic Icon Rain8 UPB

Article ID: 613
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