MDC2 Two-Wire Decoder Controller
The World’s Most Surge-Resistant Two Wire Decoder System

The Rain Bird MDC2 is the most reliable two-wire decoder system available to the irrigation industry.  A technology long since proven in Europe, two-wire decoder systems continue to gain popularity in the U.S. commercial market.   We took the good things about the Rain Bird MDC50200 clock and improved them.

Over 500,000 Rain Bird Two-Wire Decoders have been installed worldwide over the past 20 years. MDC2 Two-Wire Decoder systems provide cost-effective control of a large number of valves over two wires.  MDC2 is ideal for multi-phase projects where the two-wire cable can be stubbed out for future expansion. 

Two-wire decoders are simple switches that can be easily added at any time to the irrigation system anywhere along the two-wire path providing ultimate flexibility.. Decoders work just like conventional controller stations outputs but are installed with the individual valves in the valve box.  A two-wire cable interconnects the MDC2 Controller and the Decoders providing control of up to 200 valves/solenoids.

The MDC2 decoder controller also comes with free software that provides local or remote programming and management of the controller from a computer. The controller has modular expansion slots and can be expanded from 50 to 200 decoder address (in 50 address increments). 

New Benefits and Features

• Compatible with Rain Bird ET Manager™ (model number:ETMi) that manages irrigation based on real-time weather conditions.
• Enhanced flow sensing capability (up to 10 sensors) allows management from multiple water sources.
• Increased resistance to lightning strikes and power spike damage due to enhanced internal surge protection.
• Improved protection against the elements with enhanced water resistant sealed faceplate and cabinet.
• Improved touchpad user interface allows quick entry of decoder addresses and irrigation schedules.
• Easily  accessible serial connector and phone modem lets you control and monitor the system locally or remotely via computer – software provided with controller

A Cost-Effective Alternative
A simple wiring configuration and absence of protective enclosures keeps the cost of installation and maintenance low. Traditional controllers require dedicated wiring to each valve location. Decoder systems utilize a single two-wire path to connect to all valve locations saving money and labor.

Protect Against the Elements
All electronic components of the MDC decoders are fully sealed within a watertight enclosure, virtually eliminating damage from floods, frost, rodents or vandals.

Flexible Control
The MDC2 Two-Wire Decoder system offers the flexibility and confidence that has become synonymous with Rain Bird products. Whether your site requires an indoor or outdoor installation, a UL listing or an expandable option, the MDC controller will meet your needs.

Remote Control Options
The addition of decoders doesn’t mean the elimination of in-field control. MDC2 is compatible with the Rain Bird Freedom Remote Control system.  The Rain Bird Freedom Remote Control system comes in phone and UHF radio variants, allowing the user to access the MDC2 system from anywhere on site or in a remote location.

Right Amount of Control
Select different decoders to operate one, two, four, or six valves/solenoids. Five different decoders let you choose the amount of control you need.

DPU-210 Decoder Programming Unit tests and verifies operation of  decoders. Also allows for re-programming decoder addresses for maximum site set-up flexibility.

Controller Specifications

Model:
MDC2-50-200 is capable of controlling 50 decoder addresses, with expanded capacity of up to 200 addresses in increments of 50 utilizing MDC/M50D expansion modules.

Input voltage:
120V / 60Hz ±10%

Output voltage:
34Vpp (24V AC)

Maximum number of decoder addresses:
50/100/150/200 depending on model and number of expansion modules.

Maximum number of simultaneous valves:
10 irrigation valves plus 1 non-irrigation valve

Programs:
10 + 1 auxiliary

Maximum number of simultaneous programs:
2+1 auxiliary

Irrigation methods:
Steps

Days:
14, every X day (X=1-14)

Start times:
6 per program

Start methods:
Day and time start, every X day + first day

Pausing of programs:
Yes

Run time:
0-999 minutes

Water Budget:
0-250%

Pump Control:
1 master and 9 booster pumps

Manual operation:
Individual decoders or programs

Sensors:
One direct sensor input on controller:
on/off switch (rain or alarm.) 2 sensor
decoders (for one flow and one on/off
sensor) can be installed anywhere on
the line.

Flow Sensors
Maximum of 10 flow sensors per controller
 Seek and Eliminate Unexpected Flow (SEUF)
detects and isolates valves with high or low
flow while continuing irrigation to unaffected valves.

Overload protection:
Electronic

Test:
Built-in diagnostics

Monitoring:
Active decoders shown with remaining time,all actions logged in memory. Log has 1500 action capacity.

Remote Control:
Freedom for phone or UHF radio versions of the
FREEDOM remote control system are compatible
with MDC2-50-200.

Field Transmitter:
Optional

Models

Controllers

• MDC2-50-200 – Controls up to 50 decoder addresses; expandable up to 200 decoder addresses using MDC/M50D
• MDC/M50D – expansion modules for MDC-50-200; maximum 3 additional modules may be used on the MDC2-50-200