K-Rain 3208-HRFS Owner's Manual and Installation Instructions

RainSensor

SuspendsAutomaticIrrigationSystem

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Savewaterandhelptheenvironment,suspendingyourirrigationsystemonrainydayswithanyofthe

K‐Rainrainsensors.

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Owner’sManualandInstallationInstructions

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3208‐WRFSWirelessRainFreezeSensor

3208‐HRFSRainFreezeSensor

3208‐HRSRainSensor

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Introduction

ThankyouforselectingaK‐Rain®RainSensor.Thissensorwilldohispartforagreenerfutureon

generationstocomebyefficientuseofwater,providingwaterconservation,easeofuse,andflexibility

toyourprogrammablewateringsystem.Savewaterandhelptheenvironmentsuspendingyour

irrigationsystemonrainydays.Afterasetamountofrainhasfallenand/orfreezingtemperaturesexist,

thesensorwilltriggerpreventingthecontrollerfromstartirrigation.Forunitswithfreezesensor,they

providepeaceofmind(whentemperaturedropsbelow37°F[3°C])byinterruptingyoursprinklersand

reducethehazardsofstandingwaterfreezingonyourdriveway,sidewalks,andpatios.Oncetherain

sensorhasdriedsufficiently,thesensorallowsnormalsprinkleroperation.Workswithmostnewand

existingsprinklersystems.ThisrainsensorwillNOTworkwithopencircuittimers.

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Thesesensorsaredesignedtooperatewith24VACpoweronly.Connecting

anyoftheserainsensorsto120or240VACpowermayresultinsevereequipmentdamage.

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TableofContents

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Features ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

RainSensorComponents ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Installation ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

AdjustmentsandOperation ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Specifications ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

FCCNotice ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

FCCDeclarationofConformity ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Notes ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

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Features

 Weatherresistant.EngineeredwithUVresistantpolymerforoutdoorexposure.

 MaintenanceFree.Nobatteriestoreplace.Peaceofmindforuptotenyears

Note:Undernormalconditions.

 UnlikeotherRainSensorsinthemarket,ourmodel3208‐WRFS(K‐Rainwirelessrain‐freeze

sensor)canbepairedwithmultipleK‐RainProEXControllerswithinrange,providingadditional

valuefortheenduser.

 2in1Mounting.Providesflexibleinstallationtotheuserwithstandardflatandguttermounting.

 Themodels3208‐WRFSand3208‐HRFSincludeafreezesensor,thatpreventstheirrigation

systemfromstartingwhentemperaturesdropto37Fofbelow.

 QuickInstallation.Simple,easyandhasslefreeinallofourmodels.

a. TheWirelessRain‐FreezeSensor3208‐WRFSprovidestheadvantageofextremelyquick

installationandeliminatesunsightlywiresasnowiresinstallationisneeded.

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RainSensorComponents

1‐ ManualTestPin.Pressandholdthemanualtestpintoconfirmproperoperation.

2‐ VentAdjustmentTab.Usedtoadjustthedryouttimeforthesensor.

3‐ MountingArm.Metalextensionarmformountingthesensor.

4‐ RainfalladjustmentCap.Therainsensorcapcanbeadjustedtosuspendwatering,when

rainfallamountsof1/8"(minimumsetting)and1/2"ormorehasfallen.

5‐ FreezeSensor(formodels3208‐WRFSand3208‐HRFSonly).Preventstheirrigationsystem

fromstartingwhentemperaturesdropto37Fofbelow.Whentemperaturesriseabove

37F,thesensorwillenableautomaticwatering.

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AdditionalComponentsoftheWirelessRain‐FreezeSensormodel3208‐WRFS:

6‐ RadioAntenna.Transmitsawirelesssignaltothereceiver,upto500feet.

Note:Unitneedstobemounted,havingtheradioantennaonverticalposition.

7‐ Battery/TransferSignalLED.PressingtheManualTestPin,allowstheusertoseetheLED

flashingON/Off;indicatingthatthebatteryisstillalivealsothatisstilltransmittingthe

signaltoreceiver.

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Installation

Formodel3208‐WRFSWirelessRainFreezeSensor

1. InstalltheRFMreceiver(Model3206)intoyourProEXController.

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2. Pairyour3208WirelessRain‐FreezeSensorwiththeProEXController.

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Placedialonpinposition.PressUPbuttonuntiltheword“LEARN”isdisplayedintotheLCD.

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PresstheSTARTbutton,anduserwillseetheword“LEARN”flashing.

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Pressthemanualtestpin(FOR3SECONDS)forthewirelessrainsensortotransmitthesignal.

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Thecontrollerwilldisplay“LEARNED”oncethewirelessrainsensorhasbeenpaired.

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PresstheDOWNbuttontocompletetheprocess.MovethedialbacktoAUTO.

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Installation

WIRING‐Formodel3208‐HRFS(RainFreezeSensor)or3208‐HRS(RainSensor)

IMPORTANT:Therainsensorissoldanddesignedfor24‐VACirrigationcontrollersonly.Allwiringmust

conformtoapplicablelocalcodes.

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WiringthewiredrainsensorsintoControllerswithSensorTerminals,simply:

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 Findthecontrollersensorterminals(generallymarked“SENSOR”,“SEN”or“S”)andattachthe

RainSensorcontrolwiresdirectlytotheseterminalsinanyorder.

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NOTE:

1. Theremaybeajumpertaborwirebetweenthesensorterminalsthatmustberemoved.

2. Ifarainsensorwillnotbeinstalled,thepreinstalledjumperwiremustremaininstalledonthe

SENSORterminals.

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Wiringthewiredrainsensors3208‐HRFS(RainFreezeSensor)or3208‐HRS(RainSensor)into

controllerswithnosensorterminalsandnopumpstart/mastervalve:.

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A. 24‐VACSolenoidValvesOnly(NoPumpStartRelaySeeFigure1).Withthetwowiresfromthe

rainsensoratthecontroller,locatethe“commonground”wireofthesolenoidvalves.Ifitis

connectedtothecommonterminalonthecontrollerdisconnectit.Attachonewireoftherain

sensortothe“common”terminal(usuallymarked“COM”)onthecontroller.Attachtheother

wireoftherainsensortothecommonwireleadingtothevalves.Note:Thecommonwiretothe

valvesdoesnothavetobeinterruptedatthecontroller.Therainsensormaybewired

anywherealongthecommonwireline.

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Oncetherainsensorismounted,runthewiretothecontroller,usingwireclipseveryfewfeetto

fastenit.Ifanextensiontothewireprovidedisneeded,usethefollowingtabletodeterminethe

minimumwiregaugeneeded:

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CHECKTOVERIFYCORRECTWIRING

Turnononezoneofthesprinklersystemthatisvisiblewhileyouareinreachoftherainsensor.

Manuallydepressthemanualtestpinatthetopoftherainsensoruntilyouheartheswitch“click”off.

Thesprinklerzoneshouldstopinstantly.Ifitdoesnot,checkwiringforcorrectinstallation.

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Wiringthewiredrainsensors3208‐HRFS(RainFreezeSensor)or3208‐HRS(RainSensor)into

controllerswithpumpstart/mastervalveterminal;andnosensorterminals:

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B.24‐VACSolenoidValveswithPumpStartRelay(SeeFigure2).Locatethecommonwiretothe

solenoidvalvesandthecommonwireleadtothecoiloftherelaythatstartsthepump.Ifthesetwo

wiresareconnectedtothe“common”terminalonthecontroller,disconnectbothofthem.Twistthese

twowirestogetheralongwithonewirefromtherainsensorandsecurewithawirenut.Attachthe

otherwireoftherainsensortothe“common”terminalonthecontroller.



Oncetherainsensorismounted,runthewiretothecontroller,usingwireclipseveryfewfeetto

fastenit.Ifanextensiontothewireprovidedisneeded,usethefollowingtabletodeterminethe

minimumwiregaugeneeded:



CHECKTOVERIFYCORRECTWIRING

Turnononezoneofthesprinklersystemthatisvisiblewhileyouareinreachoftherainsensor.

Manuallydepressthemanualtestpinatthetopoftherainsensoruntilyouheartheswitch“click”off.

Thesprinklerzoneshouldstopinstantly.Ifitdoesnot,checkwiringforcorrectinstallation.

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Note:Themanualactivationcycleofsomecontrollersbypassesthesensorinputs.IftheRainSensoris

connectedtothesensorterminals,youwillneedtorunanautomatic/timedwateringprogramforthese

typesofcontrollers.

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MountingtheRainSensor

StandardFlatMounting

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Mountthesensoronasurfacethatisunobstructedtorainfall.But

awayfromthepathofthesprinklerwaterspray.



GutterMounting

 Allowstherainsensortobemounteddirectlytothesideofthe

gutter.Positiontheguttermountontheedgeofthegutterandtwistthethumbscrewtosecure

itinplace.



Hintsformounting:

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a. When looking for a suitable location such as the side of a building or post, the

closer the Rain Sensor is to the controller the better.

i. For the wired models, This will cause the wire run to be shorter, which

minimizes the possibility of wire breaks

ii. For the wireless model, the signal transmission will be better avoiding

interference to the wireless signal.

b. Mount in the highest possible position where rain can fall directly upon the rain

sensor.

c. The rain sensor mounting location will affect the reset rate (amount of time it

takes the rain sensor to dry out sufficiently for the sprinkler system to reactivate).

For example, mounting the rain sensor on a very sunny, southeastern end of a

building may cause the rain sensor to dry out sooner than desired. Similarly,

mounting on the northern end of a building with constant shade may keep the

rain sensor from drying out at all. Some experimentation with the “vent

adjustment tab” will usually yield satisfactory results.

ADJUSTMENTSANDOPERATION



WhentheRainSensoractivatesduetosufficientrainfall(afterrainfallquantitiesof1/8”thru½”or

more),thesprinklersystemwillbecomeinactiveuntilthemoisture‐absorbentdiscsinsidetheRain

Sensorhavedriedout.Toadjustittothedesiredquantityofrainfall,rotatethecapontherainsensor

housingtoadjusttherangedesired(SeeFigure3).

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Figure3

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Thetimethatittakestherainsensortoresetfornormalsprinkleroperationaftertherainhasstoppedis

determinedbyweatherconditions(wind,sunlight,humidity,etc.).Theseconditionswilldeterminehow

fastthehygroscopicdiscswilldryout,thesameconditionsyoursoilexperiences.



Notethatthereisanadjustmentcapabilityontherainsensorthatwillslowdowntheresetrate.By

turningthe“VentAdjustmentTab”(SeeFigure4)tocompletelyorpartiallycovertheventilationholes,

thehygroscopicdiscswilldrymoreslowly.Thisadjustmentcancompensateforan“overlysunny”

installationlocationorpeculiarsoilconditions.Experimentingwiththeventringwillbestdeterminethe

idealventsetting.

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Figure4



BypassingtheRainSensor

TheRainSensorcanbetemporarilybypassedordeactivatedusinganyoneofthefollowingmethods:

•Usethecontroller’ssensorbypassswitch(ifequipped).

•TemporarilydisconnecttheRainSensorfromthecontroller’swiring.

Note:Alwaysdisconnectpowertothecontrollerbeforeperforminganywiringtasks.



AdditionalFeaturesofthe3208‐WRFS(WirelessRainFreezeSensor)

‐ TheProEXControllercomesfromfactoryasdefault,withwiredrainsensorterminalenabled.

OnceawirelessrainsensorhasbeenpairedwiththeProEXController,theterminalsforawired

rainsensorbecomesdisabled.

‐ TheProEXControllerstoresthetemperatureanddateofthelastdaysuspendedwatering,

madebyeitheraraineventorbythefreezesensor(whenambienttempwasbelowfreezing

point).



Todisplaythisinformation,putthecontrollerdialontheREMOTE/PINlocation.PresstheUPbutton,

untilitdisplaystheSENSORinformationscreen.



Thisscreenshowstheuserthebattery%remainingoftheirwirelessrainsensor,andthetemperatureof

thelasttimetherainsensorwastriggered.

Note:TheusercanalwayschangethetemperatureunitofmeasurementtoCelsiusdegreebypressing

theBACKandNEXTbuttonsSIMULTANEOUSLYonthisscreen.



Togotothenextsensorfeature,presstheNEXTButtonanthescreenwilldisplayaDATE.Which

showsthelastdaytherainsensorwastriggered.



Thelastscreenonthissensorsection,showstheword“Wired”flashing.

Thissettingisusedtodeactivatethewirelessrainsensorandenablingtherainsensorterminalsofthe

ProEXcontroller.Inordertodothisselection,presstheBACKandNEXTbuttonsSIMULTANEOUSLYuntil

thewordWIREDhasstoppedplashing.











SPECIFICATIONS



Specifications

Mounting:2in1Bracketforgutterbracketforstandardflatandgutterinstallation

SensorType:Industry‐standardhygroscopicdiscstackwithadjustablerainfallsensitivity

Rating:3amp,24VAC,NC(NormallyClosecontacts)

OperatingTemperatureRange:14°Fto149°F(‐10°Cto65°C)

Hardware:Stainlesssteel

Housing:UV‐resistantengineeredpolymer

FreezeSetPoint:37°Ffor3208‐WRFS(WirelessRainFreezeSensor)and3208‐HRFS(RainFreezeSensor)

AdditionalSpecsforWirelessVersion:

Rain/FreezeWirelessRange:Upto400feetor120meters(LineofSight)*

AverageBatteryLife:isdesignedtooperateuptotenyears10Years(undernormalconditions)



AdditionalSpecsforWiredVersions:

ControlWire:25'outdoor‐rated,2‐wirecable,ULapproved



TROUBLESHOOTING

Followthesesimplechecksbeforereplacingyourrainsensor:

Systemwillnotcomeonatall:

A.Checktoseethattherainsensordiscsaredryandswitch“clicks”onandofffreelybypressingthetop

ofthespindle.

B.Lookforbreaksinthewireleadingtotherainsensorandcheckallwirejunctions.

C.Iftherainsensorisdryandthewireleadingtoitisgood,checktherainsensorswitchbynickingthe

insulationofthetwo“outer”wiresneartheunittoexposecopper.Turnonesprinklerzoneon,and

applya“jumperwire”acrossthetwoexposedwires.Ifthesprinklernowcomeson,theswitchisbad.

Wrapallnickedwireswithelectricaltape.

D.Therainsensoriswiredtofunctionwithmostcontrollers(normallyclosed).Ifyouareunableto

makethesensorworkwiththesuggestionaboveyoumayhaveauniquecontroller(normallyopen).

Systemwillnotshutoffevenafterheavyrainfall:

A.Checkwiringforcorrectinstallation(See“AdjustmentsandOperation”section).

B.Checksensitivitysettingonrainsensor,andmovethecaptoamoresensitivesetting.Therainsensor

isanaccurateraingaugeandcanbeverifiedbysettingupa“tube”typeraingaugeinthesamevicinity

andmakingperiodicreadings.

C.Checkforobstructionstorainfallsuchasoverhangs,treesorwalls.



WARRANTY

K‐RainManufacturingwarrantsthatitsproductswillbefreefrommaterialsandworkmanshipdefects

foraperiodof2years.Withproofofpurchaseprovided,K‐Rainwillreplace,freeofcharge,the

defectivepartorpartsfoundtobedefectiveundernormaluseandserviceforthewarrantyperiod.Prior

toreplacement,K‐Rainreservestherighttoinspectandauthorizethedefectivepartorparts;all

defectivesmustbeauthorizedinwritingbyK‐Rain.Liabilityunderthiswarrantyislimitedsolelytothe

replacementorrepairofdefectiveparts.

Thiswarrantyisgivenexpresslyandinplaceofallotherexpressedorimpliedwarrantiesincludingbut

notlimitedtowarrantiesregardingfitnessforuseofmerchantability.Noagentorrepresentativehas

authoritytowaiveoralterthiswarranty.

FCCNotice



SensorFCCID:2AHQM‐3208WRFS



ThisdevicecomplieswithFCCrulesPart15.Operationissubjecttothefollowingtwoconditions:

1.Thisdevicemaynotcauseharmfulinterferenceand

2.Thisdevicemustacceptanyinterferencereceived,includinginterferencethatmaycauseundesired

operation.



ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforclassBdigitaldevices,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.However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccur

inaparticularinstallation.Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevision

reception,whichcanbedeterminedbyturningtheequipmentonandoff,theuserisencouragedtotry

tocorrecttheinterferencebyoneormoreofthefollowingmeasures:



•Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna

•Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandthereceiver

•Connecttheequipmenttoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiverisconnected

•Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp



Theuseriscautionedthatchangesandmodificationsmadetotheequipmentwithouttheapprovalof

themanufacturercouldvoidtheuser’sauthoritytooperatethisequipment.



Thedistancebetweenuserandproductsshouldbenolessthan20cm



FCCDeclarationofConformity



ThisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywiththelimitsforclassBdigitaldevices,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.However,thereisnoguaranteethatinterferencewillnotoccur

inaparticularinstallation.



Ifthisequipmentdoescauseharmfulinterferencetoradioortelevisionreception,pleaserefertoyou

user＇smanualforinstructionsoncorrectingtheproblem.Theundersigned,herebydeclarethatthe

equipmentspecifiedaboveconformstotheaboverequirements.



NOTES

K-Rain 3208-HRFS Owner's Manual and Installation Instructions

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