The Rain Bird ESP-TM2 is the most common timer we see that isn't a Hunter — and that's exactly what trips people up, because the buttons have different names. If you've programmed a Hunter before and feel lost staring at this one, you're not doing anything wrong; the words just changed. Here's the ESP-TM2 in plain English, with a translation up front.
How do you program a Rain Bird ESP-TM2?
It's four dial positions: set the date/time, set one start time, set each zone's run time, then choose the run days — and turn the dial back to AUTO RUN. If it waters more than once a day, an extra start time or a second program (B/C) is the cause.
The logic is identical to any other controller — clock, start time, run times, days. Only the labels differ. Get the vocabulary straight and the ESP-TM2 is genuinely simple.
Coming from a Hunter? Here's the button translation.
If a Hunter is your mental model, three name-swaps cover almost everything:
- Program Select = Hunter's PRG (switches between programs A, B, C).
- Back / Next = Hunter's ◄ ► arrows (move between fields).
- Run Days = Hunter's Water Days (which days it waters).
The + and − keys change values, same as ever.
How do I set the date and time?
Turn the dial to Date/Time. Use Back/Next to land on the field you want — month, day, year, hour, minute — and + / − to change it. Confirm AM vs PM before moving on; it's the most common reason a system waters in the afternoon by mistake.
How do I set one start time?
Turn the dial to Start Times. Press Program Select to choose the program (A for most homes), then set the time with + / −. The ESP-TM2 allows up to four start times per program, but you only need one: a single start time runs every zone in sequence, one after another.
Why does my Rain Bird water more than once a day?
Two causes, and it's worth checking both:
- Extra start times. In Start Times, move to an unused start time and minus out until OFF is displayed. Leave only one active.
- A second program running. Press Program Select to check B and C. A second program with its own start time and run times waters again on top of A. Zero the run times on any program you don't use.
How do I set each zone's run time?
Turn the dial to Run Times. Press Program Select for the program, use Back/Next to pick a station, and set the run time with + / − — anywhere from one minute to six hours. Repeat for each zone.
What's the difference between Run Times and Run Days?
This is the ESP-TM2's most-confused pair. Run Times is how long each zone runs. Run Days is which days the system waters. To set the days, turn the dial to Run Days, press Program Select for the program, and use + / − to toggle each day ON or OFF (it auto-advances). The ESP-TM2 also offers odd/even and cyclic schedules if your bylaw uses them.
What's the last step?
Turn the dial back to AUTO RUN. The ESP-TM2 only follows its schedule from AUTO RUN — left on a programming position, it won't water on its own.
Still running at the wrong time — or losing the time?
If it's set correctly and still drifts, or the clock resets after every power blip, the controller is the problem, not your settings. See why sprinklers run at the wrong time for the whole story.
Done fighting the timer?
The permanent fix is a WiFi controller you set from your phone — and yes, it reuses your existing valves and heads even though it's a different brand. A Hunter HPC-400 (Hydrawise) keeps perfect time through power outages, handles the daylight-saving change on its own, and skips watering when it has rained. It reuses your existing valve wiring and heads, so it is a swap at the controller, not a rebuild. For a typical Newmarket property that is up to $580 a year in saved water.
See the WiFi upgradeWhen should you call us?
If you're in Newmarket, Aurora, King City, Stouffville, Bolton or Woodbridge and you'd rather not fight the timer, we can program it, work out why it's misbehaving, or upgrade it — usually same-day through the in-season window across our York Region core. If the rest of the system needs attention, here's our sprinkler repair page.
Start with our AI diagnostic tool, call (905) 960-0181, or book online.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Rain Bird water more than once a day?
Either an extra start time is set (the ESP-TM2 allows up to four per program — minus the unused ones out until OFF shows), or a second program, B or C, has its own start time and run times. Zero the run times on any program you don't use.
How do I turn off a Rain Bird start time?
In the Start Times position, select the unused start time and minus out until OFF is displayed. Leave only one start time active so the program runs its full sequence once.
What's the difference between Run Times and Run Days?
Run Times is how long each zone runs; Run Days is which days of the week the system waters. They're two separate dial positions on the ESP-TM2, which is why they're easy to mix up.
How do I set the Rain Bird clock?
Turn the dial to Date/Time, use Back/Next to move between the date and time fields, and the plus/minus keys to set each one. Check AM vs PM before you turn the dial back to AUTO RUN.