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Rain8 Frequently Asked Questions

My city just went to watering restrictions. How can I set up my Rain8s to comply with this ordinance?

MCS Smart Irrigation Software for the Rain8 controllers has all of the features you would need to not only meet watering restriction, but also save water based on weather forecasts and weather data is converted into an evapotranspiration value, or ET as it is commonly called, a measure of how much water has been used by both the plant and the soil combined.

I would like to replace my old Rain8 with a two-way Rain8II. Is this a direct replacement?

No. You must use the black modular cable that came with your Rain8II to connect to your PSC05 or TW523. If you are using a PowerLincII (1132b), the RJ45-RJ11 cable that came with your PowerLinc must be used.

I would like to add an additional module to my Rain8-Powerlinc system. What is required?

The Powerlinc requires a special splitter, the WGL item number 80071. With device it is possible to drive 5 modules (40 zones) from one Powerlinc.

Why should I pay seventy bucks for an X10 sprinkler controller, when I can buy one for forty at my local hardware store?

Programming a conventional sprinkler controller brings back memories for some of us of our first VCR. In fact, there are people I know that have given up completely on making any changes to their sprinkler controller. They leave it in the hands of their gardener. The programming difficulties are proportional to complexity of the sprinkler controller. Going back to the early VCR's, they did not use the television screen for feedback to the user. This is the current state of conventional sprinkler controllers. Some of the units on the market are equipped with LCD displays, but they do not offer the ability to display vital feedback and information that you get with a PC monitor. Some advantages of using a Rain8 include:

Program your schedule and zone run times with your PC or remotely over the Internet
Complex schedules a snap to program

Easy to use and inexpensive Palm Pad creates a wireless system
Qualifying events easy to configure

How do I abort an irrigation schedule already in progress?

To abort or cancel an entire irrigation sequence, all that is necessary is to send an OFF command using the same house & unit code that started the sequence.

! If the "rain8" loses power does it lose it's programming?

No, the programming data is stored in non-volatile memory (eeprom).

How do I skip one zone?

To skip a zone it is first necessary to enable this feature. Set the house & unit code boxes for the command you wish to use.

In this example, after enabling, sending a A-11 ON will cause the current sprinkler valve to stop and the next one to start.

Unless you intend to use this feature, it is better to leave it disabled to avoid any unexpected operation.

I am expecting rain. How can I keep an Irrigation schedule from happening?

To inhibit all sprinkler operation, enable the Inhibit function and set the house & unit code boxes for what you wish to use.

In this example, after enabling, sending an A-16 ON will inhibit future irrigation. This will stay in force until you send it an A-16 OFF.

It is advised to use this function with care. With the inhibit active, the Rain8 will not respond to any irrigation requests. The best way to handle rain is to purchase one of our rain sensors. This clever item prevents an irrigation cycle from ever taking place if it has recently rained.

If I mount a Rain8 in my garage, how do I connect my PC to it?

The technique is to bring your Rain8 to your PC.

Keeping in mind the small size and 4 oz weight, unplug the Rain8 from its valve and transformer wiring. The 12 place terminal strip is designed to retain all of the connections in place while being unplugged from the controller. The PSC05 may also be disconnected, it is not needed for programming.

Connect your Rain8 to any available RS232 port (also called com port) on your PC. There is no need for the transformer or a power supply while configuring your unit. The PC itself will provide the necessary power for your Rain8 to communicate with it.

Does the Rain8 need to be connected to my PC all the time?

No. The only time you need a PC connected to your Rain8 is when you configure it (for example, when you need to set X10 codes assignments). Once this is done and loaded into your unit, all of the assignments are stored in non-volatile memory. Note, however, that the Rain8net must always be connected to your computer.

Will the Rain8 run stand alone, I mean without any X10 devices?

No, the Rain8 has no means of starting other than receiving an X10 power line carrier signal from any X10 device. The Rain8net can run without using X10, but you must always leave it connected to your computer.