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Be an Expert:

LX Series Controller Programming

Christen Brooker

Product Manager, Commercial Controllers

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ESP-LX Series Controllers

ESP-LXME Traditionally-Wired ESP-LXD 2-Wire Decoder

ESP-LX Series Controller OptionsFeature Comparison

YesYesUpgradeable to central control satellite

508 or 12Controller base station capacity

44Number of simultaneous programs

754, 8, or 12Station module capacity

YesYesFlow, power, and station management

YesYesUpgradeable to smart controller

8

8

4

4

5

5

200

Two-Wire

Decoder

ESP-LXD

5Number of simultaneous stations per controller

5Number of simultaneous stations per program

1Number of weather sensors

4Number of programs

1Number of master valves

1 (optional)Number of flow sensors

48Maximum station capacity

Traditionally

Wired

Type of controller wiring

ESP-LXMEFeature

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ESP-LX Series Controller Optional Cartridges Feature Comparison

NoYesNoNoProvides shared weather sensors/MVs

YesNoNoNoProvides barcode scan data entry

YesYesYesNoProvides program/configuration backup

NoYesYesNoProvides site logs and alarms to PC

NoYesYesNoProgram/manual operation from a PC

NoYesYesYesProvides program day cycle adjustments

NoYesYesYesProvides station run time adjustments

LXDLXME/LXDLXME/LXDLXME/LXDCompatible with

None

Individual

Controller

Program/

Backup

PBC-LXD

Program

Backup

Multiple

Network up

to 150

Central

Control

IQNCC

Server &

Client

Satellite

Individual

Controller

Individual

Controller

Controller/Site application

Multiple

Central

Control

IQNCC

Direct

Satellite

PagingCommunication Options

ET–Smart

Controller

Type of cartridge

ETC-LX

ET

Manager

Feature

ESP-LX Series Controller Optional Modules Feature Comparison

N/A

Factory

installed

Double

0

Adds IQ

hardwire

connections

ESP-LXD

IQCM-LXD

Connection

Module

Base

Module

Base

Module

N/AN/AReplaces

Factory

installed

Factory

installed

N/AStation

numbering

label sheet

Terminal

identification labels

DoubleDoubleSingle4 & 8 single,

12 double

Single or double

height module

ESP-LXMEESP-LXMEESP-LXDESP-LXMECompatible with

0

Adds flow

sensing and

IQ hardwire

connections

IQFSCM-

LXME Flow

Smart

Connection

Module

0

Adds flow

sensing

FSM-

LXME

Flow Smart

Module

1, 2, 3, or 41, 2, 3, or 4Installs in module slot

Increases

station

capacity by

75 stations

ESPLXD-

SM75

Station

Module

Increases

station

capacity by 4,

8, or 12

stations

Module function

ESPLXM-

SM4, SM8,

SM12 Station

Modules

Feature

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ESP-LXD Decoder Controller

Modular Two-Wire - 50 to 200 Stations

Large Display and Extra Simple Programming

with self-prompting display in multiple languages makes

programming fast and easy; Current flow rate displayed if

optional Flow Smart Module installed. Program Review lets

you easily review programming information

Advanced Water Management Features

• Cycle+Soak™ by station

• Water Window by program

• Station Priorities • Rain Delay™

• Calendar Day Off™

• Sensor Input override by station

• Master Valve operation selectable by station

• Normally closed or open Master Valve control• Station Delay by program

• Optional Flow Sensor input

• Flow, Power, and Station Management

• Total program and station run time review

Optional Features

• Flow Smart Module

• ET Manager Cartridge

• IQ Central Control

Communication Cartridges

Enhanced Diagnostic Feedback™ with Alarm

light that is visible through the external cabinet door and

screen messages identifying conditions preventing watering;

RASTER™ wiring test identifies wiring or solenoid problems

4 Independent Programs with Stack

or overlap operation; Simultaneously operate up to 5 stations including multiple stations per

program

Contractor Default Program™

(backup program) with restore timer letsyou save a customized copy of your

programming that can be automatically

recalled up to 90-days in the future; This

allows for a temporary program for seed germination or a quick-fix if someone

accidentally changes the program

Seasonal Adjustment Percentage

by program or by month provides automaticstation run time adjustment for each month

of the year simplifying water savings

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expandable to 48 stations in

4-station increments with

4, 8, and 12-Station expansion

modules

8 or 12-Station Base ModelOptional Flow Smart Module

add flow sensing capabilities with

Learn Flow Utility, High-Flow and

Low-Flow Detection and Reaction,

and Flow Totalizer Logs

Removable Front Panel

programmable under battery

power. Non-volatile memory

retains programming, date &

time for up to 10+ years

and Metal Pedestal constructed

of powder-coated steel.

Optional Metal Cabinet

ET Manager Smart Controller and IQ Central Control System

Communication Cartridges

Optional Communication Cartridges

with internal primary

power junction box,

bottom and back

knockouts for power, station & options wiring

Spacious Cabinet

Controller Basics

• Move switch to Bypass

if not using a weather

sensor or if you want

the controller to ignore

the sensor.

• Move switch to Active if

using a weather sensor

and you want the

controller to obey the

sensor inputs.

Weather Sensor Switch

Program Switch

• Move switch to the program you are currently programming or reviewing.

• Four programs are available (A, B, C & D). Each can utilize 8 separate start times

and can stack or overlap runtimes.

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Auto Position

• Date & Time

• Station number

currently running

• GPM is FloWatch is

“ON”

• “FloWatch Off” if this is

set to Off.

• Any active Alarms

occurring in your

system

Display

Functions

• Add or subtract minutes for any station currently running.

• Advance the running program to the next station.

• To CANCEL the program / station running, turn dial to OFF position.

Set Current Date

• Current date and year

set in the controller.

Display

Functions

• Change the date to make it current.

• Use the + and – buttons to adjust the settings.

• Press “next” to highlight the field you want to change.

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Set Current Time

• Current time set in the

controller.

• Confirms “AM” or “PM”

setting.

Display

Functions

• Change the time to make it current.

• Use the + and – buttons to adjust the settings.

• Press “next” to highlight the field you want to change.

Set Watering Start Times

• Up to 8 start times for

each program.

• Start times for each

program change as you

move the Program

Switch

Display

Functions

• Program new start times for each program (A, B, C, D)

• Use the + and – buttons to adjust the settings.

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Set Days to Water

• The program and day of

the week being set.

• If you currently allow

watering on that day for

each program.

Display

Functions

• Schedules each day as “allow” or “prevent” for watering start times each day of

the week. (A, B, C, D)

• Repeat this for each day of the week by moving the dial to each day on the

controller.

Set Station Run Times

• The program and

station number being

set.

• Hours and minutes

each station should run.

Display

Functions

• Schedules the duration that each station should irrigate per program (A, B, C, D)

• Move program switch to the four various programs to review or set various run

times.

• Use the + and – buttons to change the station number or run time minutes.

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Test All Stations / Check System

• Submenus to review

current programming in

controller.

Display

Benefit: Helps to troubleshoot unexpected watering behaviors and review your work!

Confirm Programs

• Each of the four programs is shown – A, B, C, D.

• A run time, start time, and water day is required for a program to irrigate. This will

show you any gaps or errors in programming.

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Review Program

Review Programs

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Program Run Time

• Change the program switch to toggle between various program totals.

• Any stations setup to run Cycle / Soak will not display the soak time estimated,

only the total cycle time for the station.

• Total program runtime does NOT reflect stations running simultaneously if

Simulstations are designated in the controller.

Station Run Time

• Press the + and – buttons to advance to other stations.

• Any stations setup to run Cycle / Soak will not display the soak time estimated,

only the total cycle time for the station.

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Test All Stations

• Press the + and – buttons to adjust the test run time for each station.

• Turn the dial to the “Auto” position to see the testing station and advance to the

next station in your test.

Auto Dial Position

Raster Wiring Test

• The RASTER test will begin automatically. Do not remove or insert station

modules during this process.

• Once the test is complete, the results will be displayed. The + and – buttons will

scroll through all stations to display any opens / shorts.

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Weather Sensor Status

Each sensor will display one of five possible status conditions:

1. Monitoring – Sensor is active

2. Inactive – Installation has not been completed or the sensor is not used by

any stations.

3. Pausing – Current weather has caused the sensor to pause irrigation.

4. Preventing – Current weather has caused the sensor to prevent irrigation.

5. Bypassed – Current weather has caused the sensor to bypass irrigation.

Master Valve Status

• The state, opened or closed, of the master valve is shown.

• The type, normally opened or normally closed, of master valve is shown.

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Seasonal Adjust

• Option to choose a

method of seasonal

adjust.

• By Program

• By Month

Display

Functions

• Setting multiple seasonal adjustments compound each other. Consider only

using one method of seasonal adjust.

• Setting seasonal adjust to 0% will cancel all irrigation.

• Do not use seasonal adjust if using an ET Manager Cartridge or IQ ET System.

Seasonal Adjust by Program

• Move the program switch to toggle between the four programs and set a

seasonal adjust for the entire program (A, B, C, D).

• Setting a seasonal adjust will increase or decrease the individual station runtimes

across all those assigned to a program. Seasonal adjust can be set between 0%-

300%. Leaving it at 100% will run the scheduled program time.

Benefit: Allows different watering schedules by program. Each program can be

designated a different plant type / soil type, etc.

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Seasonal Adjust by Month

• First select the % to adjust each month.

Benefit: Allows different watering schedules by the month of the year.

Seasonal Adjust by Month

• Second, select the programs you want to follow the monthly % adjust. Each

program must be a “YES” or the % Adjust will not affect it.

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Delay Watering

• Options to override

normally scheduled

irrigation.

Display

Functions

• Each setting will control if and when irrigation should occur, regardless of station

timing and start times. These override irrigation schedules.

Benefit: Control system level settings without the hassle of adjusting every station

on every program.

Rain Delay

• A system Rain Delay will affect all programs with irrigation stations. The only

stations NOT affected are those setup as “Non-Irrigation”

• Rain Delay can be set for 0-14 days. The next watering day will be shown on the

rain delay display and shown in the “Auto” dial position.

Benefit: Shut down irrigation after a heavy rain or manual watering.

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Calendar Day Off

• Calendar days off can be selected 365 days in advance, up to 5 different days of

the year (this is a great way to turn off irrigation for an outdoor event)

• This will affect ALL programs and stations, including Non-Irrigation stations.

Benefit: Don’t worry about people getting wet during special events. Plan them in

advance!

Program Water Window

• A water window will only allow irrigation to occur within the set time frame.

Irrigation scheduled outside of the water window, or still remaining from the last

cycle, will be PAUSED and will resume when the window opens again.

• Ideally, all irrigation occurs within the set water window.

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Station Delay

• Station delay will add system down time between two sequential stations.

• Press the + and – buttons to change the delay time from 00:00 – 10:00 minutes.

Weather Sensor

• The controller does not require a weather sensor, but here is where you setup

the type of sensor and the response you desire in the controller when the sensor

triggers a weather condition.

• Type of weather sensor options: Rain, Freeze, Wind, Soil Moisture, Custom

Pause, Custom Prevent, Rain/Freeze

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Advanced Settings

• Settings Include:

• Day Cycles

• Simulstations

• FloManager

Display

Functions

• The number of simultaneous stations to run at once can be set for the controller

and each program.

• FloManager can be programmed from here.

Benefit: Running multiple stations will cut down the total watering time!

Watering Cycle

• Custom Days / Week will review and change programming days scheduled on

the right hand of the dial. If these are already set, be careful if you change them.

• Cyclical days will allow you to program a number of days between watering.

“Water every X days” and give you a start date to begin the cycle.

• Move the program switch to toggle between the four programs and set days to

water for each.

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Simulstations

• Stations running simultaneously can be set specifically for a program or for the

entire controller.

• Each station module can run two stations simultaneously (to run 5 stations

concurrently, you must have at least 3 separate station modules installed).

• Maximum Simulstations for the LXME / LXMEF = 5. LXD = 8.

FloManager Overview

• FloManager is a standard feature in the LXME and DOES NOT require a flow

sensor.

• Requirements: Maximum system flow rate and user entered station flow rates.

• If FloManager is turned off, stations will run according to priority and runtime

duration.

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FloManager Flow Rates

• FloManager must know the maximum capacity of the water source.

• Use the + and – buttons to adjust the overall capacity in GPM.

Station Flow Rates

• The best way to enter station flow rates is by installing a flow sensor and doing a

learned flow exercise with the controller.

• Without a flow sensor, these can be entered flow rates to still use FloManager.

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Station / MV Settings

• Set station priorities

• Use cycle/soak for

sloping areas

• Set cycling for a NOMV

Display

Functions

• Module status will indicate the location and recognition of each station module.

• Station priorities will determine the order in which the stations run. They do not

necessarily run sequentially in order.

• Cycle / Soak should be used to schedule a long irrigation time split up into

multiple shorter runtimes…for areas with difficult soil or sloping hills.

Station Settings

• Enter details for each station setup.

• Set the station priority. Non-Irrigation is the highest priority.

• Specify the master valve and weather sensor for each station.