Junior™ MAX

Controller

stations

Operating Instructions
 Thank you for purchasing this advanced, highly featured Irritrol Systems Junior
MAX controller. The Junior MAX is the latest addition to the Irritrol Systems Junior
Series. The Junior Plus, Junior DC and now the Junior MAX make this the most versatile,
highly featured and economical controller series on the market today.
The following pages will describe the features of the Junior MAX and give you
clear directions for using them and getting the most out of your new controller.
We at Irritrol Systems are confident that you will be impressed with the power of
the Junior MAX and pleased with its quality and value. If you have any suggestions for
other control features that you’d like to see in one of our controllers or a future product,
please write to us at Irritrol Systems. We’d love to hear from you!

Irritrol Irrigation Systems

International Product Manager
5825 Jasmine Street
Riverside, CA 92504 U.S.A.
______________________________________________________
About the Junior MAX memory
This controller is equipped with "on board" back up battery that will keep the program
memory for a few years in case power is not available.
If you wish to program the controller without connecting it to AC power,
install the 9 volt alkaline battery.
The 9 volt battery will turn on the display. To turn on the programming guide light, press
one of the keys. (any key) The programming guide light will turn off after 10 seconds if
no key is pressed.
Automatic Circuit Breaker
The Junior MAX controller is equipped with an automatic circuit breaker making fuse
replacement a thing of the past. A short circuit in the field wiring or the valve solenoid
will cause the automatic circuit breaker open and stop electrical output. The automatic
circuit breaker will reset itself after some time. This sequence will continue until the
program advances to the next station. To verify that there is a short circuit problem, go to
the manual mode and start the station. If it doesn’t start or turns off before the set run
time, troubleshoot the field wiring and valve solenoid.
Power failure indication
During a power failure the “24V” will start flashing, if a 9 volt battery is connected.
"24V" will stop flashing as soon as power resumes.
Electrical Specifications: Station Output Power:
Input power: 24 VAC
120 VAC, 50/60 Hz (Plug-in transformer, CUL approved) 6 VA (0.25 amps)
230 VAC, 50/60 Hz (Plug-in transformer, CE Mark) per station maximum
240 VAC, 50/60 Hz (Plug-in transformer, SAA) 6 VA (0.25 amps)
pump start/master valve
60 W (0.50 amps) maximum 2 12 VA (0.50 amps) total load
INSTALLATION:
Programming
guide light

AUTO LCD INLAY -

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
System off Set Time/Day To place or replace
Year look at instruction
Month Semi-Auto Run Times inside the plastic bag.
Day
Time Manual Water Days

Station Start
% Scaling Start Time 9 volt
battery drawer
Reset electronic fuse

TRANSFORMER

RESET

SENSOR

install in a
protected area.

Master
Valve

c o m m o n t o a l l v a l v e s
Remove the lower cover. Place the unit on the wall using the top screw slot. Level
the controller, then insert screw into the lower screw hole under the terminal block.
Connect the solenoid wires to the terminal block. Connect one wire from the solenoid to
its respective station number on the terminal block and the other wire to the C-common
terminal. Connect the transformer wires to the 24 VAC terminal.
9 VDC battery. The 9 volt battery compartment is located on the right side of the case.
Push to unlock and slide out the battery drawer. The 9 volt battery powers the LCD
display in the absence of AC power and allows “Arm Chair Programming”. Program
information is retained during power outages by an on-board lithium battery.

NOTE: Only after all the wiring is completed and checked should the trans-
former be plugged into AC power.
3
Sensor connection and operation:

AUTO
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
System off Set Time/Day
Year
Month Semi-Auto Run Times
Day
Time Manual Water Days
% Scaling Start Time
Station Start

TRANSFORMER

RESET

SENSOR

install in a
protected area.

SENSOR

To connect a rain sensor, remove the jumper wire from the sensor terminal and connect
one wire of the Irritrol Rain Sensor to the C-common terminal and the other wire to the
N.C. (normally closed) terminal. As soon as the Rain Sensor contacts change from the
N.C. position to the N.O. (normally open) position, irrigation will be suspended.
Irrigation will resume as soon as the Rain Sensor dries and its contacts return to the N.C.
position.

When irrigation is suspended due to the Rain Switch, the display shows: OFF

4
Block Diagram presentation of the programming sequence of the 3
irrigation parameters: Run Time, Days and Starts for each program.

Run Time Run Time Run Time

Prog. A Prog. B Prog. C

DAYS DAYS DAYS

Prog. A Prog. B Prog. C

Starts Starts Starts

Prog. A Prog. B Prog. C

% Scaling
* As you press PROG the programming guide light will
Prog. A
jump back to Run Time position.

** Program C is a looping program. See page 11

5
PROGRAMMING:
It is recommended to press the RESET button to clear the memory.

Press NEXT to advance to SET TIME/DAY

Program Position: SET TIME/DAY

Set the current YEAR, MONTH, DAY & TIME.
Set the YEAR with +/ON or -/OFF
Press
Set the MONTH with +/ON or -/OFF
Press
Set the DAY with +/ON or -/OFF
Press
Set the TIME with +/ON or -/OFF
Press if you wish to go back to YEAR setting.

NOTE: If you press and hold either +/ON or -/OFF continuously, the digits
will advance quickly.

Press NEXT to advance to RUN TIME

Program Position: RUN TIME

This controller has 3 independent programs: A, B & C. Select the stations you wish to
have for each program. Program A is the first program.
You can assign stations to a program by entering RUN TIME for these stations.
Unselected stations in a program will remain OFF.
Press PROG to select the program to be set.
Press +/ON or -/OFF to set the desired RUN TIME.
Press to advance to next station.

To RESET Run Time back to "OFF": Press BOTH +/ON and -/OFF for a few seconds
until OFF is displayed.
To disable the MASTER VALVE from working in this program:
Press until "M" starts flashing. The display show "On".

Press -/OFF to disable the MASTER VALVE. Press +/ON to resume its operation.

Press NEXT to advance to WATER DAYS

6
Program position: WATER DAYS

Calendar Interval
day Odd Even
Interval
Prog. A Prog. A start Prog. A Prog. A

There are 4 choices for your days selection:

CAL - Select days of the week. (Default all days are ON)
Int - Select days interval, 1-7 days, and the 1st day to start the interval
Odd - Irrigation on Odd days (31st day is skipped)
En - Irrigation on Even days.

In CAL position: Press +/ON for operating day or -/OFF to skip the day.

Press for Interval selection or NEXT for next programming step.

In "Int" position: Press +/ON or -/OFF to select your days interval.

Press to select the 1st day to start the watering using +/ON or -/OFF.

In Odd position: Press to select Even days.

NOTE: 31st day of month is skipped in ODD water days.
In Even position: Press if you wish to go back to CALENDAR.

Press NEXT to advance to START TIMES.

Program position: START TIMES

3 start times per day are available for each program.

Press +/ON or -/OFF to set the first start time.

Press for start #2 and #3 and repeat with +/ON or -/OFF to set the time.

To RESET Start Time back to "OFF": Press BOTH +/ON and -/OFF for a few seconds
until OFF is displayed.

After setting start times, you can Press PROG to start entering data for the next program.
The program position will automatically move back to the RUN TIME position of the next
program.
If you press NEXT you advance to the “% Scaling” position.

7
Program position: % SCALING (Seasonal adjust)
In this program position, you can increase or decrease the RUN TIMES of all stations in a
program by percentage scaling from 0% (program OFF) to 200% in 10% increments.

Press PROG to select the program you wish to % scale.

Press +/ON or -/OFF to change adjustment from 100%

The initial RUN TIME set represents 100%. Scaling increases or decreases this initial run
time. The new adjusted run time will be displayed whenever the program is operating.
The “%” icon will also be displayed whenever that program is operating or being
reviewed to alert you that the run time has been adjusted from the initial setting.

To set a program to "OFF"

If you wish to stop irrigation of a program, set percentage scaling to 0%.
The display will show that program is OFF.
To resume normal operation of that program, advance to "% SCALING" and increase the
percentage to your desired value. Increasing to 100% will set RUN TIME to its original
value.

Press PROG to select the program.

Press NEXT to advance to MANUAL.

Program position: MANUAL

In this MANUAL mode, you can set RUN TIME for each of the stations you wish to start
manually. Stations will start in sequence.

Press +/ON or -/OFF to set the station RUN TIME.

Press to advance to next station.

To turn ON the 1st station in the sequence:

Press NEXT to AUTO-RUN position.

Press -/OFF (in AUTO-RUN position) to turn OFF the sequence.

All stations with RUN TIME will be displayed. Operating stations will flash and the
display will show the remaining RUN TIME of the station (count down).

Press NEXT to advance to SEMI-AUTO.

8
Program Position: SEMI-AUTO
In this dial position you can start a sequence of all stations programmed in the selected
program.

Press PROG to select the program you wish to operate.

Display shows all the stations programmed in the selected program

Press if you wish to select another station as the 1st station.

Press +/ON to turn ON the sequence.

Press to skip from a working station to the next one in the sequence.

Press -/OFF to turn OFF the sequence (before it is completed).

The display will show the remaining RUN TIME of each operating station.

Press NEXT to advance to SYSTEM OFF.

Program Position: SYSTEM OFF

OFF Rain Delay

All Prog. 0-7 days

Press Press Press

Prog. Er. Prog. Er. Prog. Er.

Prog. A Prog. B Prog. C

3 main functions can be performed in this program position.

TURN ALL PROGRAMS OFF - Irrigation is suspended for all programs. It will
remain suspended as long as the programming
guide light stays in this position.

Press to set next function OR Press NEXT to advance to AUTO-RUN

RAIN DELAY: - Irrigation is delayed for the selected number of days.

Press +/ON or -/OFF to select the number of days.

The display will show the umbrella, DLY=DELAY and the day the irrigation will resume
(Flashing).
9
Press to set next function OR Press NEXT to advance to AUTO-RUN

PROGRAM ERASE – You can erase all data entered into a program. Can be
done for a selected program.
Press PROG to select the program you wish to erase.
Press +/ON to erase. PE will flash 5 times.
Press NEXT to advance to AUTO-RUN.

Program position: AUTO-RUN

AUTO Program Status

Review

This position is used to provide information regarding the operation as well as for
reviewing all data stored in the irrigation programs.
Following is the list of information you can observe on the display:
• Current Time & Day
• A program(s) in OFF position
• Information regarding the operating station: program, station and remaining run time
• Active Rain Delay
• If irrigation is suspended due to SENSOR input
• Power failure indication

To turn OFF the working cycle, press NEXT to SEMI-AUTO and press -/OFF.
If you wish to review what data you have in each program:

Press to PROGRAM REVIEW. Press PROG to select the program.

Press +/ON to start the review.

If you wish to have a complete status report on the operating station:

Press to STATUS.

Remaining station RUN TIME will be displayed as well as the operating program, station
number and active start time.

Press to return to AUTO-RUN position.

10
Program C – Looping Program

Program C runs as a regular program if only one start time is used. Using the second and
third start times changes program C to a looping program.
A looping program allows the stations assigned to program C to be run repeatedly
throughout a 24 hour period. A loop program is desirable for seed germination, asexual
propagation, misting and cooling. Sensors such as thermostats, humidity sensors, etc., can
be incorporated into the looping program.
NOTE:
1. If only one start time is entered, the controller considers Program C as a regular
program and station Run Time is in hours and minutes.
2. When a second start time is entered, the controller considers Program C a looping
program and station Run Time is in minutes and seconds.
3. Loop delay includes the station Run Times
4. Loop delay default time is 5 minutes

Example: You are germinating a seed lawn and wish to irrigate every half-hour between
7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Station run time is 2 minutes.

Run Time = 2:00 = 2 minutes

“Start 1” = 7:00 AM = Time the loop will start
“Start 2” = 6:00 PM = Time the loop will stop
“Start 3” = 0:30 = 30 minute loop delay

Watering time Watering time

Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 1 Station 2 Station 3
2 minutes 2 minutes 2 minutes 2 minutes 2 minutes 2 minutes

0700 0730

Loop Delay - 30 minutes

From start to start

11
 Junior MAX Custom Watering Plan
3 Program Controller
Date: Program A Program B Program C
Duration
Station Description Duration Duration (min. & sec.)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Program A Program B Program C

Irrigation Days Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa

Days Cycle
Start 1 Loop Start:
Start 2 Loop End:
Start 3 Loop Delay:
Electromagnetic Compatibility
Domestic: This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and if not installed and used properly, that is, in strict accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions, may cause interference to radio and television reception. It has been type tested and found to
comply with the limits for a FCC Class B computing device in accordance with the specifications in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules,
which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in a residential installation. However, there is no guarantee
that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of
the following measures:
• Reorient the receiving antenna.
• Relocate the irrigation controller with respect to the receiver.
• Move the irrigation controller away from the receiver.
• Plug the irrigation controller into a different outlet so that the irrigation controller and receiver are on different branch circuits.
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional suggestions. The user may
find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Communications Commission helpful:
"How to Identify and Resolve Radio-TV Interference Problems". This booklet is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, DC 20402. Stock No. 004-000-00345-4.
International: This is a CISPR 22 Class B product.

www.irritrolsystems.com
Ask for Customer Service
Irritrol USA Irritrol Europe Irritrol Australia
T: 1-909-688-9221 T: +39-0765-40191 T: 1300-130898
F: 1-909-785-3511 F: +39-0765-455386 F: 08-8243-2940