Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT Bluetooth battery-operated irrigation controller - 6 zones

Six irrigation zones without mains power

The Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT 6-zone controller is the largest model in this range of battery-operated Bluetooth irrigation controllers. Up to six separate irrigation circuits can be automatically controlled and individually programmed, making it ideal for larger gardens with several lawn areas, flower beds, hedges or drip irrigation systems.

Its key advantage is the combination of battery operation and convenient smartphone control. No 230V mains connection is required at the valve box, while all important settings can be configured via Bluetooth using the Rain Bird 2.0 app.

Once configured, the ESP-BAT-BT independently carries out its stored irrigation schedules. Your smartphone is not required for normal automatic watering.

Divide your garden into six separate zones

Six stations allow an irrigation system to be divided precisely according to plant type, area and water requirements. For example, two lawn areas, a front garden, flower beds, hedges and a vegetable garden can each be operated as a separate irrigation circuit.

This is convenient and also makes hydraulic planning easier. Sprinklers and drip irrigation systems with very different water requirements do not need to operate from the same valve. Each zone can have a watering duration appropriate for the irrigation equipment connected to it.

A zone represents one irrigation circuit controlled by one valve. Several pop-up rotors, spray heads or drip lines can be installed within one zone provided that the available water pressure and flow are sufficient for the combined demand.

Simple installation with four AA batteries

The ESP-BAT-BT does not require a mains electricity supply. Four AA alkaline batteries power the controller, allowing installation even where no electrical cable is available.

The six irrigation valves connect to their respective station wires. The 6-zone version provides two common wires, making it easier to organise the wiring of multiple valves inside a larger valve box.

All electrical connections inside the valve box should be made with suitable waterproof wire connectors. The controller itself can be securely mounted inside the valve box.

9V DC latching solenoids required

The ESP-BAT-BT requires compatible 9V DC latching solenoids for valve operation. Rain Bird provides the TBOSPSOL solenoid for this purpose. A short electrical pulse changes the valve state, making this type of solenoid particularly suitable for battery-powered irrigation systems.

Conventional 24V AC solenoids cannot be operated directly. When converting an existing irrigation system to the ESP-BAT-BT, check which type of solenoid is currently fitted to each valve.

Programming with the Rain Bird 2.0 app

The controller is configured using the Rain Bird 2.0 app for Android and iOS. Your smartphone communicates directly with the ESP-BAT-BT using Bluetooth Low Energy.

Within the app you can configure all six stations, create irrigation programs, change watering times, start manual watering and check battery status. Multiple controllers can also be managed and assigned to different locations.

Four programs with eight start times each

Four independent programs, A, B, C and D, are available for automatic irrigation. Each program provides up to eight start times per day, while individual stations can be flexibly assigned to different programs.

This allows lawn areas to be irrigated early in the morning while drip irrigation for beds and hedges operates according to a completely different schedule.

A station can be assigned to none, one or several programs, providing considerable flexibility for more sophisticated irrigation schedules.

Precise watering duration

The ESP-BAT-BT provides a wide range of station run times, making it suitable for short irrigation cycles as well as slow-running drip irrigation systems.

Global monthly seasonal adjustment from 0 to 200% allows watering durations to be adapted to changing seasonal conditions without rebuilding the underlying irrigation programs.

Flexible watering day selection

Watering can be scheduled using selected weekdays, cyclic intervals or odd and even calendar days. Permanent no-water days can also be configured.

Up to 15 individual calendar days per year can additionally be excluded from irrigation, which is useful for planned garden maintenance, events or other occasions.

Automatic coordination of six zones

With six irrigation circuits, effective scheduling is particularly important. The ESP-BAT-BT operates stations independently and sequentially. If programmed watering times overlap, they are automatically stacked and carried out in sequence.

This prevents multiple irrigation circuits from unnecessarily demanding water at the same time and makes it easier to operate the system from a water source designed for one active zone at a time.

Rain sensor connection

The ESP-BAT-BT includes a dedicated sensor input. A compatible rain sensor can interrupt automatic irrigation when sufficient natural rainfall occurs.

Rain sensor shutoff can be configured globally or by station, providing additional flexibility when different areas of the garden have different requirements.

Dedicated master valve or pump output

A dedicated master valve/pump output is provided in addition to the six irrigation stations. This means that none of the six normal station outputs needs to be sacrificed when a master valve is required.

For pump installations, the output controls an appropriate external pump control system. The irrigation pump itself is not powered directly from the ESP-BAT-BT batteries.

Up to five years of battery operation

The controller operates with four AA alkaline batteries of the AA, LR6 or LR06 type. Rain Bird specifies three full years of battery operation and a potential maximum battery life of up to five years depending on batteries and operating conditions.

The removable battery compartment makes replacement straightforward. Stored irrigation programs are retained when the batteries are replaced.

IP68 waterproof enclosure for valve boxes

The ESP-BAT-BT is designed for demanding irrigation environments. Its IP68-rated enclosure provides complete protection against dust and water ingress. Rain Bird specifically designed the controller for valve box installations, including locations that may experience flooding.

The controller and irrigation valves can therefore be installed together inside an underground valve box. Positioning the controller close to surface level can help optimise Bluetooth signal strength and range.

Built-in Bluetooth without Wi-Fi

Communication between your smartphone and the ESP-BAT-BT uses Bluetooth Low Energy. Wi-Fi is not built in and is not required for normal operation. An LNK2 WiFi module is not required for this controller.

Bluetooth does not provide conventional internet-based remote access. Direct communication requires your smartphone to be within Bluetooth range of the controller.

Automatic irrigation is independent of the smartphone connection. Once programs have been stored in the controller, they continue to operate without a smartphone, Wi-Fi connection or internet access.

Technical data and specifications

• Manufacturer: Rain Bird
• Series: ESP-BAT-BT
• Model: ESPBAT-BT6
• Product type: Battery-operated Bluetooth irrigation controller
• Stations/zones: 6
• Controllable zone valves: 6
• Bluetooth: Yes
• Bluetooth Low Energy: Yes
• Rain Bird 2.0 app: Yes
• App support: Android and iOS
• Wi-Fi: No
• LNK2 WiFi module required: No
• Internet required for automatic irrigation: No
• Power supply: 4 x AA alkaline batteries, AA/LR6/LR06
• Batteries included: No
• Battery life: 3 years, potentially up to 5 years depending on conditions
• Required solenoids: 9V DC latching solenoids
• Rain Bird solenoid: TBOSPSOL
• Standard 24V AC solenoids directly compatible: No
• Programs: 4 independent programs A, B, C and D
• Start times: Up to 8 per program per day
• Station run time: From 7 seconds
• Seasonal adjustment: 0 to 200%
• Watering schedules: Custom, cyclic, odd or even days
• Permanent no-water days: Yes
• Calendar days off: Up to 15 per year
• Calendar: 365 days with leap-year support
• Automatic stacking of overlapping watering cycles: Yes
• Manual watering via app: Yes
• Rain sensor input: Yes
• Rain sensor shutoff: Global or by station
• Dedicated master valve/pump output: Yes
• Common wires: 2
• Program retention during battery replacement: Yes
• Backup program save and restore: Yes
• Short and open circuit detection: Yes
• PIN code protection: Yes
• Protection rating: IP68
• EU compliance: CE
• Bluetooth frequency range: 2402 to 2480 MHz
• Width: 14.22 cm
• Height: 10.16 cm
• Depth: 6.35 cm
• Weight including batteries: Approx. 680 g
• Suitable for valve box installation: Yes

Frequently asked questions about the Rain Bird ESP-BAT-BT 6-zone controller

What does six zones mean?

The controller can operate six irrigation valves and therefore six separate irrigation circuits. Different lawn areas, flower beds, hedges and drip irrigation systems can be controlled independently.

Can several sprinklers operate within one zone?

Yes. A zone represents one irrigation circuit controlled by one valve. Several sprinklers can be connected provided that the available water pressure and flow are sufficient for their combined water demand.

Can all six zones have different settings?

Yes. Stations can be assigned to different programs and use different run times, allowing areas with very different watering requirements to be managed separately.

Does the controller require mains electricity?

No. The ESP-BAT-BT operates with four AA alkaline batteries, so a 230V mains connection at the valve box is not required.

Which solenoids are required?

The controller requires compatible 9V DC latching solenoids. Rain Bird provides the TBOSPSOL for compatible Rain Bird valves. Conventional 24V AC solenoids cannot be connected directly.

Why does the 6-zone version have two common wires?

The four- and six-station models provide two common wires, helping organise the wiring of several irrigation valves inside the valve box.

Do all six valves operate simultaneously?

No. Stations operate independently and overlapping watering cycles are automatically stacked and carried out sequentially.

Can a rain sensor be connected?

Yes. A dedicated sensor input is provided for a compatible dry-contact rain sensor.

Can a master valve also be connected?

Yes. A separate master valve/pump output is provided in addition to the six irrigation stations, leaving all six station outputs available for irrigation zones.

Does the ESPBAT-BT6 work with the Rain Bird 2.0 app?

Yes. Programming and operation are handled through the Rain Bird 2.0 app on compatible Android and iOS devices.

Do I need an LNK2 WiFi module?

No. The ESP-BAT-BT communicates directly with your smartphone using built-in Bluetooth Low Energy and does not require an LNK2 WiFi module.

Can I control the controller remotely over the internet?

No. Direct communication uses Bluetooth and therefore requires your smartphone to be within Bluetooth range. Stored automatic irrigation programs continue to operate independently.

How long do the batteries last?

Rain Bird specifies three full years of battery operation and a potential maximum battery life of up to five years depending on battery quality and operating conditions.

Can the controller be installed in an underground valve box?

Yes. The IP68-rated waterproof enclosure is specifically designed for demanding irrigation installations including underground valve boxes.