Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best way to use the ET Water system?
We advise setting up the controller online and configuring the landscape stations before installing the controller. This way the controller will download a full schedule and be ready to execute the schedule at the next scheduled irrigation time.

2. When is the controller going to irrigate next?
A. Log in to ETwater Manager and view the forecasted watering schedule
B. If the controller is operating in offline mode, press the ‘view program’ button on the controller keypad to see the watering schedule for any station.

3. When did the controller last irrigate?
A. Log in to ETwater Manager and click a station name. The resulting page displays a watering history calendar. The water drops in the calendar represent confirmed irrigation events.
B. If the controller is operating in offline mode, press the ‘view program’ button and enter the station number. Use the ‘down’ arrow to view the last watered date.

4. Is the controller contacting the ET Water servers?
Log in to ETwater Manager. On the controller overview page – towards the bottom of the page – is a Communications Report. The report displays the date and time of the last connection as well as the date and time of the next connection. Note: if you’ve made changes to irrigation schedules, make sure the changes are completed before the next connection occurs.

5. What is the local weather being used by the controller?
Log in to ETwater Manager. On the controller overview page – towards the bottom of the page – are some weather statistics. You can see the last rain date, the name of the local weather station and the evapotranspiration rate (based on a 7 day rolling average). Note: refer to the evapotranspiration rate for a quick understanding of how the controller will be irrigating.

6. I need to change the account email login and/or password.
Log in to ETwater Manager. Find the ‘account profile’ link at the top of the page and make any necessary changes.

7. Can I add “managers” to the account so more people can receive the email alerts?
Yes. Please send email to support@etwater.com to start the process.

8. Can I add a “view-only” user to the account so someone can look at what the controller is doing but not be able to make any changes or receive alerts?
Yes. Please send email to support@etwater.com to start the process.

9. Which remotes work with the ET Water smart irrigation controller?
A. A TRC remote will plug directly into the six-pin connector on the base module. Make sure your customer has the correct DCI (direct connect interface) cables. If they are connecting via a
permanent board assembly, the DCI cable is not needed.
B. A Rain Master remote will attach directly to the station terminals on the modules. To power the remote harness, make sure the 24 VAC and Common wires connect to the small auxiliary board on
the base module.

10. Need a rain sensor for the controller?
Try Hunter Industries’ Mini-Clik, or wireless Rain-Clik.
1. In either case, do not interrupt the common wire, use the rain sensor terminals.
2. Use the ‘sensor setup’ button on the controller keypad to enable the rain sensor.

11. Does the controller operate with a “doubler” device?
ET Water Systems, Inc. does not recommend attaching a doubler to the controller.

12. What is the easiest way to adjust the irrigation schedules?
Click the name of the station you want to adjust. Find and click the ‘adjust watering’ link at the top of the page. Use the water budget selection to change run time and use the target soil moisture depletion to change irrigation frequency.

13. Do you suspect the controller isn't watering?
A. Is the controller contacting the server?
i. Log in to ETwater Manager and review the communications report
ii. Attempt a test dial at the controller.
iii.Did the "successful call complete" message display?
iv. Did a modem or connection message display? (call 888.685.5505)

B. Have the stations been configured online?
i. Log in to ETwater Manager to confirm / verify stations have been configured.

C. Is the controller operating in offline mode? Has a schedule been entered for each station?
i. Press the "view program" button on the keypad to view the schedule
ii. If there are schedules, "re-save" the schedule for station 1

D. Will the controller water via the "manual water" button?
i. Are station wires attached? Is the valve common wire attached?
ii. Does a resistance (ohms) check indicate good circuits for each station?
iii: Is the boost pump operating? Does the master valve open?
iv: Are there more than one valve common wires?

E. Is there a "module failure" message on the LCD display?
i. Contact the distributor where you purchased the controller for replacement modules
ii. Identify problematic module by removing the first module on the far right. Press the reset button.
iii. Is "module failure" message gone? Remove the next module on the right, etc. until process of elimination indicates which module is problematic. The first module on the left is the "base module"

F. Are stations being "bumped" because the water window is too short?
i. Increase the water window
ii. Reduce run times
iii. Use Multi-valve watering feature

G. Is the controller suspended or are stations restricted?
i. Log in to ETwater Manager to view any restrictions.

H. Possible tests: you can place catch cans or similar receptacles within the zones that are scheduled to water next. The presence of moisture in the receptacle indicates the controller was active. Also, you can set an establishment schedule for a zone using ETwater Manager. Does the zone activate at the designated time?