Question
QUESTION: I recently purchased a rainbird sst400i controller to replace the main controller on my sprinkler system at the foreclosed home I purchased. In researching further. I discovered I have a Hydrotek 4000 4 zone device at the pump, which rotates zones whenever the pump is started and stopped. Will the pump actually be started and stopped by the SST controller, whenever the zones change, or does the pump run continuously. If it runs continuously, is there anyway to wire this controller to start and stop the pump to use the Hydrotek system, or do I need to return the controller and get a different one. If so, could you recommend one.

ANSWER: Hi William

You can't start the pump with the SST you need to add a pump start relay.

SST 600 Series Timers allow a master
valve or pump start relay to operate
whenever a valve is operating (pumps
are used in some places to draw
water from a well or other source).
If you are activating a pump from the
Timer, you must also install a Pump
Control Relay, such as Rain Bird抯
PCR-1. The PCR-1 can activate most
120?or 240杤olt pump motors up to
2 horsepower.

You can replace the SST with a mechanical timer like the Hydrotek or Intermatic those can start/stop your pump directly you must buy the one who matches the pump voltage and pole. Those controllers are designed to work with indexed systems like yours.

Regards
Guillermo

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the help so far, but I realize that I would need to add a pump relay, but the main question is, can the rainbird controller be wired and programmed to start and stop the pump relay when each zone is activated, such as wiring the 4 zones in parallel, to activate the pump relay whenever any zone is activated. The hydrotek, as does the Intermatic, require a minimum off time from the pump before restarting, to switch zones. If not maybe the easiest thing is to return the rainbird controller and get a mechanical timer, similar to the one that is presently installed.

Answer
Hi William

The valve Hydrotek 4000 requires a minimum time off to switch the zones. You can replace the index valve with 4 inline  electric valves (cost about $ 20 each one)and wire its to the SST, so you can control each zone individually. You always needs the pump start relay.

The SST has few features, you need a controller with features like several start times, and delay between the zones to be used with the index valve and the pump start relay. You can use the Rain Bird ESP Modular for this purpose.

Regards
Guillermo