How do I program the RD600

For help programming the RainDial RD600-1200 series sprinkler/irrigation controllers, see the following programming guide and then review the manuals above. This is a quick guide, not the user manual.  If you’d like to see the full manual, click here.

Irritrol Programming Templates and Tips

10 thoughts on “How do I program the RD600

  1. Each season when I fire up my sprinkler system, I run into a problem that I have not been able to resolve.

    The RD-600 has 3 programming options and I have ‘A’ set to run one time per day and ‘B’ set to run 2 times per day so I can get enough water during the peak heat of the season. All of the zones work fine, but it doesn’t matter if I choose ‘A’ or ‘B’, the system will always run 2 times per day. How can I resolve this?

    • The programming schedules, a, B, C don’t quite work that way. Take a look at the programming tutorial and instructions that you can find in the do it yourself troubleshooting menu at the top of the page. There’s a few paragraphs near the top that explain a lot of the details that can be confusing.

      It should clear everything up for you. If not, let me know.

      If it helps, please leave us a donation 🙂

      Brian

  2. Hi I can change the times but not days. Also start time is set but controller will not activate automatically? I can run a water cycle on semi-auto?

    • Hi Mike,

      Is it possible that you have it set for ‘skip days’ which would make the days not be changeable.
      You can do a full reset to put it back to the default setting, but it might help to review the programming tutorial video on my programming page if you haven’t done so already.

      As for the semi-auto run, you just need to have something programmed in one of the schedules and then put the slide switch to the ‘run’ position and press the semi-auto button. It should cause the selected schedule to run.

      Does that help,
      Brian

  3. My clock on the controller flashes on and off.

    I can stop it by pressing the + button. It will work on testing and will later return to flashing time and not function as programmed.

    • Hi Ken,
      That sounds like a problem we typically see, I am confident we can repair it. I will send you a separate email with the repair instructions.

      Thanks for commenting,
      Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training

  4. My controller seems to work. When I select #1-5 and program the time then press “on” It shows M 5 (five minutes) but nothing happens. It won’t turn on that or any bank of sprinklers. The timer counts down but nothing actuated. By the way the system operates by a submersible well pump in the lake. I have power into controller but no power out to pump.

    • Hi Butch,

      I would suggest looking at the DIY page and follow the information on testing the transformer. If you determine that the transformer is good, then send bot the clock and the back terminal board in for repair. I suspect that will be the solution since transformers very rarely fail. I do these repairs often; if you have any question, feel free to email me (rainDialDoctor@gmail.com) or post back here.

      Let me know what you find out,
      thanks,
      brian

  5. Hi Eric,
    From the 2008 user manual – you can download it from the manuals page.
    Setting the Current Time and Day
    1. Place the Function switch in the Set Programs (center) position.
    2. Turn the Dial to the Current Time position.
    3. Press the or button to set the current time (note AM/PM).
    Note: When using the or button, press and release to
    adjust in steps, or press and hold to scroll.
    4. Turn the Dial to the Today position.
    5. Press the or button to select the current day (abbreviation).
    Note: If Odd/Even schedule or Monthly Water Budget is used, the
    current day of the week is preset and cannot be changed.
    6. Return the Dial to the Current Time position.
    7. Return the Function switch to the Run position

  6. I actually had my front and back yard on opposite days. I must not have the days set correctly with the date. I can see how to set the year, but not the actual date. I changed the days watering to everyday and did a trial with schedule c for directly outside my garage where I can see it go on and it went on instantly. I think the days are not set properly and I’m not quite sure how to do so wth the day, just the year. Any help to change date would be greatly appreciated thanks so much for all your help so far

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