The Rain-Bird ESP-TM2 irrigation controller is designed for simplicity and ease of use and can control up to 6 individual stations. Follow this step-by-step guide to get your ESP-TM2 Controller set up and running for optimal irrigation management.

Getting Started

Before programming your ESP-TM2, ensure that it’s installed correctly, and the power is on. Your controller should display the time and day once it’s powered up.

Set the Current Time and Date

1. Navigate to the Date/Time settings: Press the left or right arrow buttons until you reach the ‘Date/Time’ setting.
2. Set the current time: Press the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons to adjust the hours and minutes. Use the ‘AM/PM’ toggle if your model uses a 12-hour clock.
3. Set the current date: Continue using the arrow and ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons to set the Month, Day, and Year.
4. Once set, leave it for a few seconds, and the controller will save your settings and return to the main screen.

Zone Setup

Each zone or station corresponds to a specific area or type of vegetation in your landscaping that will be watered together.

Naming Zones (Optional)

The ESP-TM2 allows you to name each zone for easy reference:

1. Navigate to ‘Zone Setup/Review’ using the arrow buttons.
2. Select a zone number, then press the ‘+’ button to enter the zone naming function.
3. Use the arrow keys to choose each letter and the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ keys to move to the next character.

Programming Watering Start Times

Program when you want each zone to begin watering:

1. Select program: Press the ‘Program’ button to choose Program A, B, or C (for different watering schedules).
2. Enter start times: Navigate to ‘Start Times’ and set the desired start time using the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons.
3. Make sure to set different start times far enough apart to prevent overlap if you have more than one.

Setting Watering Days

Choose the specific days for irrigation:

1. Navigate to ‘Water Days’ using the arrow buttons.
2. Choose between custom days of the week, odd days, even days, or cyclical schedules.
3. Adjust using the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons.

Station Run Times

Set how long each zone will water during each cycle:

1. Navigate to ‘Station Run Times’ using the arrow buttons.
2. Select each zone by pressing the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ buttons.
3. Use the arrows to set watering duration for each selected station.

Seasonal Adjust Feature

Adjust irrigation levels according to the season:

1. Navigate to ‘Seasonal Adjust’ using the arrow buttons.
2. Use the ‘+’ or ‘-‘ to adjust the watering percentages from 5% to 200%.

Manual Watering

To manually activate zones:

1. Navigate to ‘Manual Operation’ using the arrow buttons.
2. Use the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ to select which zone to start manually.
3. Press ‘Right Arrow’ to start the manual watering on the selected zone.

Additional Features and Troubleshooting

• Review zone setup and run times for accuracy before leaving the controller.
• Use the ‘Rain Delay’ feature to stop scheduled watering for a set number of days without affecting the stored program.
• Regularly check for software updates or firmware improvements.

By following this guide, your Rain-Bird ESP-TM2 Controller should now be programmed for your 6 station needs. Remember to review your settings periodically to ensure they match the changing requirements of your lawns and gardens throughout the seasons. If you face any issues with operation or receive error messages, refer to the official Rain-Bird ESP-TM2 user manual for troubleshooting or contact Rain-Bird customer support.