Why does my controller say P:On or P:Off

The RD600/900/1200-R RainDial Timers may display P:On or P:Off on the LCD.

This is one of the features in the new -R series of Irritrol sprinkler timers.  It’s described in the manual in more detail but basically does this.  The Sprinkler timer has a pump control signal that normally turns on when a particular valve is turned on.  Most people I know don’t have a pump to boost pressure in their irrigation system so it’s not a common feature for the general urban irrigation system.   If for some reason you did not want the pump to come on when a particular valve was on, you can turn it off.

You can change the P:ON/OFF setting by doing the following:

  1. setting the main switch to the Set-Programs position,
  2. Set the dial to the valve you want to change the pump on/off settings for,
  3. Press the Manual-On button.  It will toggle between P:On and P:Off each time you press Manual – On.

If you don’t have a pump, it doesn’t matter whether you turn this feature on or off.  If you do have a pump, you’ll know what to do.

If you’re not expecting this to appear on the LCD, you probably need to slide the switch to the “run” position instead of “set programs.”

How does this happen? Some people try to manually turn on a valve but accidentally have the switch in the set-programs position instead of ‘run’ when they add minutes.

I hope that helps,
The RainDialDoctor

9 thoughts on “Why does my controller say P:On or P:Off

  1. I have a rd 600r controller.I turned it of for the winter season and noticed a malfunctioning on one of my stations where it would sometimes not come on just before I turned it off for the season.I have turned it back on for the spring season and now 3 out of the five stations come back on full but not two.The two that are malfunctioning turn the valves on but all i get is a puddle of water from the sprinkler heads like i was not getting enough water pressure in the lines.I dug up the lines to see if i had any leakage and there was none.I also took the sprinkler heads off to see if there was any debris in the lines and there was none .I was wondering if the controller could possibly have an effect on the 2 stations?Also all the valves and solenoids are new and the manual button is not turning on any of the sprinkler at all.I have to use the semi-automatic button to turn the sprinkler on.thank you for any feedback.

    • Hi Joey,

      Thanks for the detailed information. I believe it is a timer problem for sure. The low pressure is often due to the valves cycling on and off. They can do this at any imaginable rate from 1/second to buzzing. I’d suggest sending both the timere and back terminal board in for repair. Just follow the directions in the ‘how to get it repaired’ menu above.

      Thanks for posting,
      Brian

  2. I’m a landscape contractor and I always use you timers because it’s so easy for the homeowners to program. I have one I put in awhile ago and the called me and said it has a code p0n please let me know if I can fix it or do I have to buy another one

    • Hi David,

      I have some information about this message here on our website. If you still have trouble with it, let me know and we can troubleshoot further.

      Thanks,
      Brian

  3. Have RD-600-R. Seem to have had this problem forever. System will not turn on manually from mid- to late morning on; yet it will early morning. I’d this some kind of circuit board logic of a flaw? My workaround is to bypass the controller by turning the valves on.

    Also did the blank screen battery replacement procedure recently. When that happens, does it reprogram the system?

    Thanks

    • Hi Jerry,

      That sounds like the type of problem we typically see – you can send it in for repair. I will send you an email with repair details. Thank you,

      Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training

  4. Brian:

    You had looked at my RD 600 on 7/22/15 but found nothing wrong with it. I have your address & hence I would like it so that I can UPS it to you.

    Manually adding time to any station the unit works watering the station programmed. The display is working.

    Have a happy 4th July.

    Dhiren J. Mody

    • Hi Dhiren,

      Thanks for thinking of us again.

      My address is here.

      I hope you had a happy 4th of july as well!
      Brian

  5. Brian:

    You had looked at my RD 600 on 7/22/15 but found nothing wrong with it. I have lost your address & hence I would like it so that I can UPS it to you.

    Manually adding time to any station the unit works watering the station programmed. The display is working.

    Have a happy 4th July.

    Dhiren J. Mody

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