SC24/36 Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about something? Read through our Frequently Asked Questions and click on them to find the answers you're looking for. Consult your user manual for additional information, most common questions are covered there.

If you don't find the answer to your general question below you can contact our support department at support@acclima.com

Does the Pipe Break error refer to excess flow detected on a zone pipe only? Will the pipe break error indicate which zone has excess flow?

The SC36 monitors flow rates based on a global threshold – not based on a per-zone setting. This means that a broken pipe in a drip zone may never be detected. It also means that multi-zone watering may cause a pipe-break detection if not set properly. This is how the flow meter operates: Every minute, the flow meter is read and compared to the Emergency Shut-off threshold in the flow management screen. This threshold is only visible if a flow meter is present.

The flow reading must be higher than the critical threshold for two consecutive readings (2 minutes) before an error occurs.

If an error occurs, all the zones that are currently watering are shut off. An error message is generated that lists the zones that were on. The system enters Pipe Break mode for 3 minutes, during which all zones should be off, the pump is forced off, and the master valve remains on.

During pipe break mode, the controller continues to read the flow meter every minute. Two consecutive non-zero readings (starting one full minute after the last zone went off) will cause the system to detect a water main break.

If a main break is detected, an error will be recorded showing a main break. The system will enter MAIN BREAK mode for 8 hours. In this mode, all start times will be prevented. The Master Valve shuts off.

After the break modes are over, or the tests result in NO FAILURE, the controller will resume watering in automatic mode.

Does the flow sensor cause the the master valve to shut down only in the case of detected flow when all valves are turned off? Does the master valve shut down when the available water supply value is exceeded? If the latter is true, at what percent above the available water supply value does the master valve close?

The Emergency shut-off threshold defaults to 125% of the Maximum allowed flow rate for the system. However, the operator may adjust this threshold as desired. If no flow meter is installed, no zone is ever prevented from watering. If a zone has its required flow rate set higher than the available flow, it will be forced to water by itself – but it will still water. This behavior is different than in the CS3500 controller.

Explain the surge protection built into the SC36?

Each sensor contains a gas discharge tube to protect the sensor rods and can divert up to 5000 amps into the 2-wire system. All Acclima controllers contain this same gas discharge tube in them to divert this energy into the ground rod that should be installed at the controller. If the distance from the controller to the sensor is considerable, and lightning risk is high, we recommend installing an additional lightning arrestor across the 2-wire system at the sensor. Also, each remote device and controller contains a Transient voltage suppressor across the 2-wire system that prevents the voltage on one wire from becoming dangerously high with respect to the other wire. This means that lightning strikes may travel down both wires in the 2-wire system.

The SC36 has additional Varistor protection for each of the valve wires. The Varistors can handle up to 250 amps and protect the Traics from over-voltage.

With all this said, NOTHING can protect from a direct hit. Lightning strikes may carry millions of amps and can be incredibly devastating.

Do the sensors for the SC36 have serial numbers?

Question: As far as the sensors themselves ... I know that with the CS3500, the sensor have serial numbers that are entered into the software, but do the sensors for the SC36 also have serial numbers or need to be ordered "special" for that controller? We're about to install the CS3500 and we have a couple of CS3500 (serial numbered) sensors. Can we use these with the SC36?

Answer: The SC36 and SC24 controllers automatically detect the serial number of the sensor and perform the setup during the scan operation. The only drawback is that only one device is allowed per wire (instead of a two wire system like the CS3500). Still, the sensors that are used on the CS3500 are the same sensors that are used by the SC36 and SC24.