Rain Bird® ET Manager™
The New Standard in Weather-Smart Irrigation.

Although over-watering has always been something homeowners, public water agencies, property managers and landscapers tried to avoid, increasing water scarcity has brought this problem into the spotlight. No matter how efficient an irrigation controller’s watering schedule is, however, it must take into account constantly changing weather conditions – specifically evapotranspiration (ET) and rainfall.

ET is the amount of water lost from the soil through evaporation plus the plant’s water loss (known as transpiration), both of which are dramatically affected by weather conditions. Rain Bird ET Manager™ uses current weather information and ET to water your landscape only when it needs it. Since precise landscape water management is key to avoiding over-watering, the ET Manager can be an effective tool.

This simple, powerful irrigation management solution works with virtually any controller, converting a conventional irrigation system into a weather-smart one that adjusts itself according to accurate real-time weather data. The ET Manager helps to maintain the optimum moisture balance in your soil. As the weather changes, your ET Manager receives updates automatically every hour and only allows your controller to water when needed. The result: significant water savings, deeper root systems, and a healthier landscape. Whether you are a water agency, contractor, specifier, or homeowner, the ET Manager is the smart choice.

Why Install the ET Manager?

Unsurpassed Accuracy

The ET Manager is the most accurate product of its kind, featuring hourly (not just daily) wireless updates from local precision weather stations. ET Manager technology is based on the Irrigation Association endorsed, ASCE*-standardized ET equation, and includes data from all required climatic variables (solar radiation, temperature, wind, and humidity). An optional onsite rain gauge can further localize the weather data accuracy. With the ET Manager, your irrigation system will always be in tune with the weather.

* American Society of Civil Engineers

Healthier Landscapes

Increased watering schedule control means your irrigation system delivers water only when the landscape needs it. Best horticultural practices recommend deep, less-frequent watering. The ET Manager does just that. Through a process known as “Managed Allowed Depletion,” it allows your soil’s moisture balance to reach a user-set moisture level that increases oxygen and promotes deeper, healthier root systems.

Easy Setup and Installation

Installing the unit is simple: Mount it to the wall near your existing controller, connect the controller common wire(s) and enter the simple site-specific information. A one-page step-by-step installation poster and quick user guide allow for quick, convenient installation and setup. In just minutes, ET Manager is ready to receive hourly weather data from the nearest local precision weather stations. ET Manager Scheduler software, included free, makes it easy to program your ET Manager and existing or new controller. Best of all, you get the benefit of comprehensive weather station data without having to install and maintain one onsite.

Cost-Effective Solution

ET Manager is flexible and works with virtually any existing irrigation controller. Nearly any irrigation configuration – from the smallest residential yard to the largest commercial application – can benefit from ET Manager. Dramatic water savings mean that ET Manager is the smart choice for nearly any non-central control application: state agencies, water districts, universities, schools, parks, commercial buildings, planned communities, homeowner associations, apartment buildings, and more.

Rain Bird Reliability

Rain Bird has been a pioneer in the irrigation industry since 1933. We’re devoted to making your watering system smarter and more efficient. For more than 20 years, Rain Bird weather-based central control systems have used weather data and ET to automate irrigation control. Continuing the pioneering tradition of offering only the highest quality and most reliable solutions, the ET Manager now brings weather-based control to everyone.

To discover more about this revolutionary product, or to learn more about becoming a Weather Reach Signal Provider in your area, contact Rain Bird today at 1-877-351-6588.

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Find a Weather Reach Signal Provider in your area and download configuration info.. ET Manager Overview (PDF: 1,057 KB) ET Manager Brochure (PDF: 358 KB) Case Study: ExactET (PDF: 1,450 KB) ET Manager Water Savings (PDF: 1,430 KB) ET Manager Tech Specs (PDF: 69 KB) ET Manager Specifier Guide (PDF: 7 MB) ET Manager Written Specifications (RTF: 22 KB) ET Manager CAD Detail Drawings Software & Accessories (PDF: 289 KB) ET Manager Installation and Operating Manual (PDF: 2,819 KB) ET Manager Scheduler Software (EXE: 7.58 MB) Programming Update 1.12 (EXE: 2,158 KB) ET Manager Simulator (EXE: 1,215 KB) Become a Weather Reach™ Commercial Signal Provider (PDF: 313 KB) Become a Weather Reach™ Public Signal Provider (PDF: 351 KB)

ET Manager
Interactive Tutorial

Click here to learn about the new ET Manager Weather-Based Irrigation Control System.