WGL Rain8 8-Zone X10 Irrigation Controller — Installation Instructions

Installation instructions for the WGL & Associates Rain8 — an 8-zone irrigation controller that executes a complete watering schedule triggered by a single X10 command, or by assigning a unique X10 code to each zone.

Verify Shipping Container Contents

• Power line interface (PSC05 or TW523) — required for operation; included only if the Rain8B (bundled) was ordered
• Rain8 controller with detachable terminal block in place
• 110 to 24-VAC 300mA (7.2VA) wall-mounted transformer (US & Canada only)
• Special data cable with modular connectors on both ends
• RS232 serial cable, DB9 both ends

Installation

Controller Location

• Mount close to an electrical outlet and the valve wires that will connect to it.
• Do not expose to water; use a weatherproof housing for outdoor installations (see wgldesigns.com/r8outdoor.html).
• Mount to a smooth, dry surface using the enclosed Velcro strips.

Connecting the Valve Wires to the Controller

• Insert each valve wire into its respective terminal-strip position and gently tighten the setscrew.
• Connect the common wire from the valves to the terminal labeled "common."

Connecting the Transformer & Interface

• Connect the two transformer wires to the terminals labeled "24-VAC in."
• The Rain8 must connect to a power line interface (PSC05 or TW523) using only the furnished data cable.

Preparing to Program

The Rain8 terminal strip is removable — gently unplug the screw-head portion from the socket on the PCB, remove the Rain8 from the wall, and bring it to the PC used for programming. Connect the DB-9 connector to a serial cable, with the other end plugged into a PC serial port. No external power is needed for programming — the unit derives power from the serial port.

Wiring the Valves

• For runs under 600 feet, use a single 20-gauge plastic-insulated wire per valve.
• Each valve has two wires; all common valve wires can be joined to one wire going to the controller.
• Use wire nuts in grease caps for all connections to prevent corrosion.
• Connect only one valve per zone.
• Rated output is 24 VAC at 0.25A (250mA) per zone — valves that draw more current briefly on opening are fine as long as they drop to 0.25A or less.

Setting Up the PC / Software

1. Download the software from wgldesigns.com/rain8.html.
2. Select the correct serial port number in the Serial Port box (lower left corner).
3. With only the serial cable connected (power is derived from the serial port), click "Apply" to test. A "Rain8 module detected" response confirms it's ready to program; "module not responding" means you should verify connections and port assignment.

Programming for Individual Zone Control

1. In the "Manual" drop-down (upper left), select the desired House Code and bank.
2. Below it, enter run times (0–250 minutes, 1-minute increments) for each of the 8 zones — set them a bit longer than your home automation program's normal usage as a safety fallback in case an X10 "OFF" command is lost.
3. Click "load module" to upload the values to the Rain8, then "read module" to confirm the upload.

Check out: unplug the serial cable, return the Rain8 to its install location, and reconnect the terminal strip and TW523/transformer. Example: sending X10 "E1-ON" opens the valve on terminal 1; "E1-OFF" closes it; with no command it auto-shuts-off after the programmed run time.

Programming for Stand-Alone Operation

A single X10 command (from an X10 Mini Timer or handheld remote like the Palm Pad) can trigger a complete 8-zone irrigation sequence — each zone runs for its stored time, then the next zone starts automatically. Two independent schedules (A and B) are supported, each with its own X10 trigger assignment and run times.

1. In the "Auto A" (or "Auto B") trigger drop-down, click "Enable" (grayed-out boxes become editable).
2. Select the House Code and Unit Code to trigger the sequence.
3. Enter run times (0–250 min) for each of the 8 zones; a setting of 0 skips that zone.
4. Click "load module," then "read module" to confirm.

Example: sending "A9-ON" opens valve 1 for 250 minutes, then automatically advances to valve 2, and so on. Send "A9-OFF" to abort an in-process schedule.

Other Features

• Skip: assigns an X10 code that stops the currently active valve in a stand-alone program and advances to the next valve in sequence. Must be enabled first; not functional in individual zone control mode (no preordained sequence exists there).
• Inhibit: works with both control types — lets you pause all sprinkler activity for a period (e.g., rain forecast). Example: after enabling and sending "A16-ON," all X10 commands are ignored until "A16-OFF" is received.
• An error check runs before uploading to prevent duplicate X10 code assignments across functions (e.g., using the same code for Inhibit and a trigger produces an "Unable to load duplicate assignments" message).

Troubleshooting

Rain8 does not respond to X10 signal

1. Connect the unit to a PC serial port with the RS232 cable, open rain8.exe, and click "Apply."
2. Select "A" and zone "1" in the Manual box, enter 10 (minutes) as the test run time for zone 1, and click "load module." The Rain8 is now set to turn on zone 1 upon receiving X10 "A1-ON."

Verify the X10 signal reaches the PLC's outlet

1. Plug an X10 lamp/appliance module (with an indicator device) into the same outlet as the PLC, set to address "A1."
2. Send "A1-ON" — if the indicator device turns on, the X10 signal transmission is verified.

Verify wiring connections at the Rain8

• Confirm transformer wires connect to the far-right pair of screw connections and the transformer is plugged in.
• Confirm the special data cable connects the right-hand RJ11 modular jack and the PSC05 PLC; the PLC's red LED should indicate it's powered.
• If the data cable was altered or replaced, verify modular connectors are wired for data (a regular phone cable will not work).

Check operation with a voltmeter

• Verify 25–28 VAC across the two transformer screw connections.
• Send "A1-ON" while watching the PLC LED — a blink confirms the X10 signal is received.
• Measure voltage between the first screw terminal and "common" — if it doesn't match, possible causes are a bad data cable, bad PLC, or bad Rain8 unit; request an RMA for return/replacement.

Support

WGL & Associates, 5418 Lancashire, San Antonio, TX 78230. Phone: (210) 342-2858. Email: wgl@wgldesigns.com. Web: www.wgldesigns.com