How To Turn Off Second Watering Time On Rain Bird

Disabling a second watering time on your Rain Bird controller involves navigating its programming menu to adjust start times or clear specific zone schedules.

Maintaining a healthy landscape often means fine-tuning your irrigation, and sometimes, a second watering cycle from your Rain Bird system is simply too much. Whether you’re conserving water, preventing overwatering, or adapting to changing seasons, taking control of your controller’s programming is a valuable skill. Let’s walk through how to precisely adjust your system for optimal plant health and water efficiency.

Understanding Rain Bird’s Multiple Start Times

Rain Bird controllers are designed with flexibility, often allowing for multiple “start times” per day. These aren’t just for different zones; they’re opportunities to initiate a full watering program (all active zones, with their programmed run times) multiple times within a 24-hour period. This feature is particularly useful for a “cycle and soak” method, where you water for a short duration, let the water penetrate, and then water again later.

For instance, you might set a start time for 6:00 AM and another for 10:00 AM. Each start time triggers the entire programmed schedule for all active zones. While beneficial for certain soil types or plant needs, having an unnecessary second start time can lead to saturated soil, runoff, and wasted water, especially in cooler weather or with established, deep-rooted plants.

Identifying Your Rain Bird Controller Model

Before making any adjustments, it’s helpful to know your specific Rain Bird model. While the core principles are similar, the interface—whether it’s a dial, buttons, or a digital touchscreen—will dictate the exact steps. Common residential models include the ESP-TM2, ESP-RZXe, and older ESP-Me series. The programming logic generally revolves around a “Program” (A, B, C) and “Start Times” within each program.

Most controllers feature a main dial or dedicated buttons to navigate between settings like “Set Time,” “Set Date,” “Start Times,” “Run Times,” and “Water Days.” Familiarizing yourself with these basic controls will make the process smoother.

Rain Bird Model Series	Typical Interface	Programming Approach
ESP-TM2, ESP-Me	Dial & Buttons	Program (A/B/C) based, multiple start times per program.
ESP-RZXe	Buttons & LCD	Zone-based programming, fewer global start times.
RC2, LNK WiFi Module	App-Controlled	Mobile app interface for remote programming.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Turn Off Second Watering Time On Rain Bird

The process generally involves navigating to the “Start Times” setting for your active program and either turning off the unwanted start time or setting it to an invalid time.

For Dial-Based Controllers (e.g., ESP-TM2, ESP-Me):

1. Turn the Dial to “Start Times”: Locate the dial on your controller and rotate it to the “Start Times” or “Set Start Times” position.
2. Identify the Program: If your controller has multiple programs (A, B, C), ensure you are in the program that is currently running the unwanted second watering cycle. Use the “Program” button to cycle through if needed.
3. Cycle Through Start Times: Use the “Next” or arrow buttons ( / ) to scroll through the programmed start times. You will typically see “1,” “2,” “3,” etc., indicating the sequence of start times.
4. Disable the Second Start Time:
   • When you reach the second start time (e.g., “Start Time 2”), use the / buttons to adjust the time.
   • Continue pressing the button until the display shows “OFF” or “—” for that specific start time. This effectively disables it.
5. Confirm and Exit: Rotate the dial back to “Auto” or “Run” to save your changes and return the controller to its normal operating mode.

For Button-Based Controllers (e.g., ESP-RZXe):

1. Press “Start Times” Button: Look for a dedicated “Start Times” button on the controller face and press it.
2. Select Program (if applicable): If your model has programs, use the “Program” button to ensure you are modifying the correct one.
3. Navigate to the Second Start Time: Use the arrow buttons to scroll through the existing start times.
4. Turn Off the Start Time:
   • Once the second start time is displayed, use the / buttons to change its setting.
   • Adjust it until “OFF” or “—” appears on the screen, indicating it’s disabled.
5. Save Changes: The controller usually saves changes automatically as you navigate away, but always return to the main “Run” screen to confirm.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program highlights that overwatering is a common issue, and adjusting your irrigation schedule, including reducing start times, can significantly cut outdoor water use by up to 30%. Visit EPA.gov for more insights on efficient water management practices.

Advanced Programming: Skipping Specific Cycles

Some Rain Bird controllers offer more granular control, allowing you to temporarily skip specific cycles without fully deleting a start time. This is often found in more advanced models or through their associated mobile apps (for controllers with LNK WiFi modules).

If your controller has a “Seasonal Adjust” or “Water Budget” feature, you can reduce the run time of all zones by a percentage, which can mitigate the effects of a second watering cycle without disabling it entirely. However, for a complete cessation of the second cycle, disabling the start time is the most direct approach.

Issue	Potential Cause	Resolution Step
Controller waters twice.	Multiple start times programmed.	Disable second start time in “Start Times” menu.
Zone waters at wrong time.	Incorrect program selected or wrong start time modified.	Verify active program and start time settings.
Changes not saving.	Not returning to “Auto” or “Run” mode.	Ensure dial is set to “Auto” or “Run” after adjustments.

Troubleshooting: When the Second Time Won’t Disappear

Occasionally, you might find that even after adjusting the “Start Times,” your system still initiates a second watering. This can be frustrating, but a few common culprits are usually at play:

• Multiple Programs Active: Your controller might have multiple programs (A, B, C) set up, and the second watering is originating from a different program than the one you modified. Check all active programs for their start times.
• Incorrect Start Time Modification: Double-check that you truly set the specific start time to “OFF” or “—” and didn’t accidentally adjust a different one.
• Rain Sensor Override: While less common for creating a second watering, a malfunctioning rain sensor could potentially interfere with normal scheduling. Ensure your rain sensor is working correctly or temporarily bypass it for testing if suspected.
• Controller Reset: As a last resort, performing a factory reset can clear all programming. However, this means you’ll need to reprogram your entire schedule from scratch, including all zone run times, start times, and water days. Consult your specific model’s manual for reset instructions.

For detailed manuals and further troubleshooting, the Irrigation Association provides extensive resources on proper irrigation system management and maintenance. Their guidelines can help ensure your system operates efficiently and effectively. You can explore their resources at Irrigation.org.

Optimizing Your Watering Schedule for Efficiency

Disabling an unnecessary second watering time is a significant step toward efficient irrigation. Consider these additional tips for optimizing your schedule:

• Water Deeply and Infrequently: Encourage deep root growth by watering for longer durations less often, rather than short, frequent bursts. This allows water to penetrate deeper into the soil.
• Monitor Soil Moisture: Regularly check your soil’s moisture levels. If it feels damp several inches down, you might be watering too much.
• Adjust Seasonally: Plants require less water in cooler months and more during hot, dry periods. Adjust your run times and start times accordingly throughout the year.
• Consider “Cycle and Soak” for Clay Soils: If you have heavy clay soil, a single long watering can lead to runoff. In this case, two shorter watering cycles with a soak period in between might be more effective than one long run, but ensure the total water applied is appropriate.

How To Turn Off Second Watering Time On Rain Bird — FAQs

Why does my Rain Bird controller have multiple start times?

Rain Bird controllers include multiple start times to provide flexibility for different watering strategies, such as the “cycle and soak” method. This allows for water to be applied in shorter bursts, preventing runoff on sloped areas or heavy soils, with absorption time in between. It ensures water penetrates effectively without saturating the surface. You can also use multiple start times to water different programs at various points in the day.

Can I disable a second watering time for just one zone?

No, “start times” on most Rain Bird controllers trigger the entire program (A, B, or C) to run all zones assigned to it. If you disable a start time, it applies to all zones within that program. To prevent a single zone from watering during a specific start time, you would need to set that zone’s run time to zero for the program in question.

What is the difference between “Start Times” and “Run Times”?

“Start Times” dictate when your irrigation program begins watering for the day. Each start time initiates the entire sequence of active zones within its program. “Run Times,” on the other hand, specify how long each individual zone will water once its turn comes during a scheduled start time. You can have multiple start times, but each zone has only one run time per program.

My controller keeps watering twice even after I adjusted it. What’s wrong?

This often happens if you have multiple programs (A, B, C) active, and the second watering is coming from a program you haven’t checked or modified. Ensure you’ve navigated through all active programs and set any unwanted start times to “OFF.” It’s also possible you didn’t save the changes by returning the dial to “Auto” or “Run” mode.

Is it better to water once for a long time or multiple times for shorter durations?

For most established landscapes, watering once for a longer duration is generally preferred. This encourages deeper root growth, making plants more drought-tolerant. Multiple shorter durations can be beneficial for new seedlings, sandy soils that drain quickly, or heavy clay soils where a “cycle and soak” approach prevents runoff. Always observe your plants and soil to determine the best method.