Hunter Node Manual⁚ A Comprehensive Guide
This manual provides a comprehensive guide to the Hunter Node irrigation controller, covering everything from installation and setup to advanced programming features and troubleshooting. Whether you’re a seasoned irrigation professional or a homeowner looking to manage your watering system effectively, this manual will equip you with the knowledge you need to maximize the performance of your Hunter Node.
Introduction
The Hunter NODE is a battery-operated irrigation controller designed for isolated sites and power-restricted areas. Its compact size and robust construction make it ideal for a variety of applications, including residential gardens, parks, medians, and even greenhouses. This manual serves as your guide to understanding the features, benefits, and operational details of the Hunter NODE, empowering you to effectively program, manage, and maintain your irrigation system.
This manual will equip you with the necessary knowledge to navigate the Hunter NODE’s user-friendly interface, allowing you to set watering schedules, customize program settings, and troubleshoot any potential issues.
Features and Benefits
The Hunter NODE boasts a range of features and benefits that make it a reliable and versatile irrigation controller. Its intuitive design allows for simple push-button programming, while its large liquid crystal display (LCD) provides clear and easy-to-understand icons for navigating various functions. The NODE is available in single-, two-, four-, or six-station models, offering flexibility to accommodate different irrigation needs.
The NODE’s battery-operated design eliminates the need for AC power, making it ideal for remote or off-grid locations. It operates using standard nine-volt alkaline batteries, with the option to use two batteries for extended battery life. The NODE also features a battery-life indicator to keep you informed about remaining power levels.
Installation and Setup
Installing and setting up your Hunter NODE is a straightforward process. The NODE can be easily mounted on any Hunter plastic valve using a specially designed valve mounting clip. This clip simplifies installation, eliminating the need for screws, drills, or additional wires. Once mounted, the NODE is ready to be powered by one or two 9V alkaline batteries.
Connecting the battery is a simple matter of unscrewing the rear body of the NODE to access the battery compartment. The NODE can operate with either a single or two 9V batteries, providing flexibility for different irrigation schedules and power needs.
For multi-station controllers (NODE-200, NODE-400, and NODE-600), solenoids are not included and need to be purchased separately. Hunter DC solenoids (P/N 458200) are compatible with all Hunter Plastic Valves and can be easily installed.
Mounting the Node
The Hunter NODE is designed for easy and secure mounting on any Hunter plastic valve. A specially designed valve mounting clip is included with the NODE, simplifying the installation process. This clip eliminates the need for screws, drills, or additional wires, making mounting quick and effortless.
The mounting clip securely holds the NODE in place, ensuring its stability and preventing any accidental dislodgement. Once the NODE is mounted, it’s ready for the connection of batteries and solenoids;
The NODE’s compact size and secure mounting system make it suitable for a wide range of irrigation applications, from residential gardens to commercial landscapes.
Connecting the Battery
The Hunter NODE is powered by one or two standard nine-volt alkaline batteries, providing a reliable and convenient power source for your irrigation system. To install the batteries, unscrew the rear body of the NODE to access the battery compartment.
Insert the batteries according to the polarity markings inside the compartment.
The use of two batteries is recommended for extended battery life, ensuring consistent operation of your NODE controller.
The battery life indicator on the NODE’s display provides a visual indication of remaining battery power, allowing you to anticipate and plan for battery replacements.
Attaching Solenoids
The Hunter NODE-100 model is conveniently supplied with a solenoid already attached to the controller, simplifying installation. For the NODE-100-LS model, a solenoid is not included and needs to be acquired separately. The NODE-200, NODE-400, and NODE-600 multi-station controllers are designed to operate up to 2, 4, or 6 solenoids respectively, but these solenoids are not included in the package.
To connect DC solenoids to the NODE, attach the black leads from each solenoid to the single common wire (black lead) originating from the NODE. This connection establishes the electrical pathway for the solenoids to receive power and activate the valves.
Remember that the NODE requires the use of DC latching solenoids, specifically the Hunter DC latching solenoid (P/N 458200) or any other compatible DC latching solenoid.
Programming the Node
Programming the Hunter Node is a straightforward process that allows you to customize your irrigation schedule to meet the specific needs of your landscape. The Node’s user-friendly interface features a clear LCD display with intuitive icons, making navigation simple.
To begin programming, you’ll need to set the date and time, which provides the foundation for your watering schedules. Next, you can define the start times for your watering cycles, choosing from four different start times for each program. The Node allows you to specify the days of the week on which watering will occur, providing flexibility for your irrigation needs.
The Node also offers the ability to manually activate a program, allowing you to initiate watering at any time. Additionally, you can adjust the duration of your watering cycles, ensuring that your plants receive the optimal amount of water.
Setting the Date and Time
Before you can program your watering schedules, you need to set the correct date and time on your Hunter Node; This ensures that your irrigation cycles operate at the appropriate times. To set the date and time, press the center button on the Node’s control panel. You’ll be presented with a series of options, including the date, time, and other programming functions.
Use the left and right arrow buttons to navigate through the choices, and use the plus and minus buttons to adjust the displayed item. Once you’ve selected the date and time, press the button to confirm your selections. The Node will then store this information, allowing you to proceed with programming your watering schedules.
Setting Watering Start Times
Once you’ve set the date and time, you can start programming your watering schedules. The Hunter Node allows you to create up to three different programs (A, B, and C), each with four separate start times. To set the start times, press the button until the icon is displayed. This indicates that you’re entering the start time programming mode. You’ll see the program letter (A, B, or C) on the screen, along with the current start time for that program.
Use the buttons to adjust the hour and minute settings for each start time. The Node’s display will show the flashing hour and minute values as you make changes. Once you’ve set the desired start time, press the button to proceed to the next start time within the same program. Repeat this process for all four start times within each program.
Setting Watering Days
After setting the start times for each program, you need to specify the days of the week when each program should activate. To set the watering days, press the button until the icon appears. The program letter (A, B, or C) will be displayed, along with a visual representation of the days of the week. The arrows will point to the days on which watering is scheduled. Use the buttons to scroll through the days of the week, and press the button to toggle the watering status for each day.
If the arrow is pointing to a day and the day is highlighted, it means that the program will activate on that day. If the arrow is pointing to a day, but the day isn’t highlighted, it means the program will not activate on that day. Once you’ve selected the desired watering days for each program, you can move on to other programming functions.
Turning the System Off
While the Hunter Node is primarily designed for automatic irrigation, it also allows you to manually activate and deactivate the system for specific situations. To turn the system off, press the button until the icon appears. This will initiate the “Manual Watering” cycle. The program letter (A, B, or C) will be displayed on the screen, indicating the currently active program. If you need to switch to a different program, press the button until the desired program is displayed.
To stop the Manual Watering cycle, press the button until the icon disappears. This will effectively shut down the system, preventing any further watering. Remember that turning off the system manually will override the pre-programmed settings, so it’s important to ensure you return to the desired automatic mode after completing your manual watering session.
Sensor Operation
The Hunter Node is designed to work seamlessly with a variety of Hunter Clik-type rain sensors, including the Mini-Clik, Freeze-Clik, and Wired Rain-Click. These sensors act as intelligent safeguards, preventing unnecessary watering during periods of rainfall or freezing temperatures. The Node also supports many other interrupt-type devices/sensors that don’t require external power, enhancing its versatility and adaptability to different irrigation setups.
To connect a sensor to the Node, simply cut the yellow wire loop and connect it to the sensor wires. This establishes a communication pathway, allowing the sensor to signal the Node when appropriate conditions are met, such as rainfall or freezing temperatures. The Node will then automatically adjust its watering schedule to conserve water and protect your landscape.
Advanced Programming Features
The Hunter Node offers a range of advanced programming features that empower users to customize their irrigation schedules with greater precision and control. These features allow you to fine-tune your watering system to suit specific needs and optimize water usage;
One key feature is Easy Retrieve Memory, which enables you to save your preferred watering program to permanent memory. This ensures that your preferred settings are readily available, simplifying program adjustments and minimizing the need for repetitive setup.
The Node also includes a Master Valve Operation feature for multi-station controllers, allowing you to designate a specific station as the master valve. This function can be particularly useful in situations where you need to control the overall flow of water to your irrigation system.
Easy Retrieve Memory
The Easy Retrieve Memory function is a valuable tool for streamlining your programming experience. It allows you to save your preferred program settings to permanent memory, eliminating the need for repetitive setup and ensuring that your desired watering schedule is readily available.
To utilize this feature, simply navigate to the advanced programming options in the idle mode, which displays the time, day of the week, and battery life indicator. By accessing the Easy Retrieve Memory function, you can store a program that meets your specific needs, such as a watering schedule for a particular season or a customized watering pattern for specific plant types.
This feature simplifies program adjustments and saves you time, as you can quickly retrieve your preferred settings without having to re-enter all the parameters.
Setting Master Valve Operation
The Hunter Node offers the flexibility to designate a specific station as the Master Valve, providing centralized control over your irrigation system. This feature is particularly useful for multi-station controllers like the NODE-200, NODE-400, and NODE-600, enabling you to manage the flow of water to all stations from a single point.
To set the Master Valve operation, navigate to the advanced programming functions in the idle mode. Press the button once, and the MV icon will appear on the screen, indicating that Station 1 is now functioning as the Master Valve. This means Station 1 will control the flow of water to all other stations, effectively acting as the main valve for your system.
Remember that once a Master Valve is designated, it will no longer be available for individual programming within the system.
Programmable Shutdown
The Hunter Node offers a valuable feature for optimizing water conservation and system maintenance – Programmable Shutdown. This feature allows you to temporarily disable your irrigation system for a predetermined period, preventing unwanted watering during periods of inactivity, such as vacations or seasonal changes.
To activate Programmable Shutdown, access the advanced programming functions. The Node allows you to set the duration of the shutdown period, ranging from 1 to 99 days. By specifying the number of days, you can confidently ensure that your irrigation system will remain inactive for the desired length of time.
This feature is particularly useful for managing your water usage during extended periods of absence, ensuring you avoid unnecessary watering and conserve water resources.
Quick Check
The Hunter Node’s Quick Check feature provides a convenient way to rapidly verify that your irrigation system is functioning correctly. This handy diagnostic tool allows you to quickly test the operation of each station individually, ensuring that valves are opening and closing as expected.
To initiate Quick Check, navigate to the advanced programming functions and select the Quick Check option. The Node will then cycle through each station sequentially, activating each valve for a brief period. This allows you to visually inspect each station’s operation and identify any potential issues with valves or solenoids.
Quick Check is an invaluable tool for proactive irrigation system maintenance, enabling you to quickly detect and address any problems before they escalate into more significant issues.
Troubleshooting
While the Hunter Node is designed for reliability, occasional issues may arise. This section provides guidance on troubleshooting common problems.
If your Node fails to operate, begin by checking the battery life. Ensure the batteries are fresh and properly installed. If the batteries are fine, examine the connections between the Node and the solenoids. Loose connections can disrupt power flow.
If stations are not activating, verify that the solenoids are compatible with the Node. Incorrect solenoid types can cause malfunction.
Should the Node be unresponsive, try resetting it. This will erase all program data and restart the controller. If the issue persists, consult the Hunter Node manual for further troubleshooting steps or contact Hunter customer support.