Step-by-Step Guide
How the Rain Sensor Operates
Once it starts raining and the right amount of moisture triggers your sensor, the controller will stop all programs. This typically occurs within one to two minutes of the sensor input.
Locating the Rain Sensor Terminal
Both two-wire boards and power BiCoder boards inside your controller have a rain sensor terminal designed to accept a normally closed rain sensor or a switch.
- On two-wire boards, the middle terminal is the rain sensor terminal.
- On power BiCoder boards, the rain sensor terminals are located on the far right side.
Installing a Basic Rain Sensor
1. Install your rain sensor according to the manufacturer's instructions.
2. For wired sensors, route the wire all the way back to the controller. For wireless sensors, the receiver unit will be located at the controller instead of an actual wire.
3. Disconnect and set aside the factory jumper from the rain sensor terminal. You may need it later.
4. Connect the leads from the sensor or wireless receiver to the board.
5. Adjust the rain sensor for how much rain will trigger the switch. Many rain sensors are adjustable all the way down to an eighth of an inch of precipitation.
Configuring Programs to Ignore Rain Sensor Inputs
There are often programs that still need water even though it's raining. Consider plants under a cover or fountain controls—these programs should skip or ignore rain sensor inputs.
1. Open the specific schedule.
2. Scroll down to Advanced Settings.
3. Uncheck Obey Global Conditions.
🚨With this unchecked, the program will ignore rain sensor inputs. Even though the rain sensor is wet, the fountain program will run as scheduled.
Setting a Manual Rain Delay
You may want to manually shut off a controller for several days until the soil dries out a bit.
In BaseManager:
1. Click on the menu in the upper left corner.
2. Select Rain Delay.
3. Set a delay for the current controller, the entire site, or your entire company.
On Mobile Access:
You'll find rain delay settings for the current controller on the main menu.
It's not uncommon to let a rain sensor initially shut off the controller and then come back and add extra rain delays remotely.
Customizing Rain Sensor Settings with Event Switches
Event switches combined with start/stop/pause conditions can help you customize rain sensor settings even more to your liking.
1. Connect the rain sensor to the gray and black leads of an event BiCoder.
2. Connect the two-wire leads to your two-wire path. If you have conventional wire, just install the BiCoder inside the controller cabinet.
3. Set a pause condition for however long you want.
Once the sensor gets wet, the controller triggers a pause condition that lasts for as long as you've set it. Programming for start/stop/pause conditions is discussed in another video.
Troubleshooting: Missing or Loose Jumper Wire
Be aware that a missing or loose jumper wire is treated just like an active rain sensor, and your controller may not operate the way you expect.
If you experience programs that pause or won't run, double-check the jumper wire on the rain sensor terminal and make sure the screw is tight.
If you tossed out the original jumper, a short piece of replacement wire will do the trick.
Video Walkthrough
Video originally published September 2020.
If you have questions, here are 3 ways to get answers:
1. Search within this Baseline knowledgebase
2. Visit the Baseline support page
3. Call 866-294-5847 or email support@baselinesystems.com, hours are from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm Eastern Time or 4:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.