Irrigation
RAIN LING RL-CA08 Eight-Station Irrigation Controller
The RAIN LING RL-CA08 is an eight-station irrigation controller for small and mid-size zone systems. The product page names an AC version (CA08) and a DC version (CD08); the detailed table covers RL-CA08, with AC 220 V 50 Hz input and AC 24 V 1 A output. Scheduling runs on weekly, odd/even-day or interval calendars, with up to six start times per zone and a seasonal adjustment that scales run times across all zones. Before buying, confirm the power package, the valve load the output can carry, and the real unit weight.
Lingxing Irrigation Technology (Ningbo) — RAIN LING ↗
Build my procurement briefWeekly, odd/even and interval schedules
RAIN LING lists three calendar modes plus up to six start times per zone. Write out the schedule you actually need, then have the supplier run it on the firmware you will receive. Watch how mode, duration and overlapping starts behave. Sites with more zones than this can step up to the RL-CA13 / RL-CA16 modular controllers or the RL-CJ100 decoder controller from the same maker.
| Schedule type | What to set up and check |
|---|---|
| Weekly | List watering days and each zone's starts and durations. Ask which settings are per zone and which are shared, and request the menu guide. |
| Odd/even days | Check what happens when a month ends on an odd date, and whether the clock keeps the date through a power cut. |
| Interval | Set the spacing and the start date. Ask what happens when an interval start meets another start or a manual run: queue, skip or run together. |
| Six start times | Enter your planned starts and durations and test duplicate or overlapping entries on the controller. |
Published specifications
Read each value with its stated conditions, and ask the manufacturer for any limit not listed here.
| Specification | Published value | Meaning / limit |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed-table model | RL-CA08 [1] | CA08 is the AC version and CD08 the DC version. Ask for a separate electrical table if you want CD08. |
| Controlled stations | 8 [1] | Eight valve outputs. Ask how many can run together and the load allowed per station. |
| Operating input | AC 220 V, 50 Hz [1] [3] | Mains input for RL-CA08. Request the transformer or power unit supplied and the wiring drawing before connecting. |
| Operating output | AC 24 V, 1 A [1] | Ask whether 1 A is the total or per station, and the inrush and holding current the output accepts. |
| Published dimensions | 161 × 152 × 36 mm [1] [2] [3] | Length, width and height as listed. Ask whether they include the cover, power unit and fixings. |
| Scheduling modes | Weekly; odd/even day; interval [1] | Three calendar types. Ask how month ends, overlapping starts and power cuts are handled. |
| Start times | Up to 6 per zone [1] | Six start entries for each zone. Program counts and concurrent valves are separate questions. |
| Seasonal adjustment | Increase/decrease durations across all zones [1] | Scales run times manually. Ask for the adjustment range and step; no weather sensor link is listed. |
| Published net / gross weights | 19.05 kg / 21.35 kg; basis unclear [1] | The page also lists 20 PCS/CTN, so these may be carton weights. Ask RAIN LING for unit and carton masses. |
| Packing | 45 × 33 × 38 cm; 20 PCS/CTN [1] | Carton size and quantity for freight planning. |
Power supply and valve load
RL-CA08 takes 220 V AC 50 Hz and outputs 24 V AC at 1 A. The terminal photo shows a 24VAC connection. Ask for the full power-supply drawing showing where mains ends and the low-voltage side begins, and wire to that drawing only.
Request the transformer or power unit supplied, the controller revision and the connection drawing. For each valve, record coil voltage, type and inrush and holding current, then get the allowed total and simultaneous load. If you prefer the CD08 DC version, ask for its own electrical data. Where the valves are RAIN LING's own EVA/EVD solenoid valves, request their coil sheet in the same reply.
Terminal block labels
With the cover open, the photo shows outputs numbered one to eight and terminals marked 24VAC, SENS, COM, MV and 485A/485B. Use these labels to frame your compatibility questions, and ask for the wiring manual and approved device list for your revision.
| Label on the terminal | Question for RAIN LING |
|---|---|
| Stations and COM | How coils connect, how many outputs may be on at once, and how the 1 A is shared. |
| SENS | Which sensors connect here, the signal type, and how a sensor signal pauses or skips programmes. |
| MV | What this output does, its load limit and timing, and whether it can start a pump relay. |
| 485A / 485B | Whether the port is active on your revision, which protocol it uses, and its documentation. Ask too whether it links to the CJ100 HSBUS system. |
Seasonal adjustment and manual control
RAIN LING describes a seasonal adjustment that lengthens or shortens watering across all zones. The front photo shows manual, auto and off controls. The page gives no adjustment range or weather link, so see the function run before relying on it. Other makers' controllers in our irrigation category make a useful cross-check on how seasonal adjustment is offered.
Set a baseline
Keep the original durations and calendar visible. Check which value the adjustment changes and whether short runs are rounded or capped.
Compare run times
Compare displayed and actual duration on a few zones after adjusting. Set the water amount from your crop or turf needs.
Manual, auto and off
Start and stop a zone by hand, return to auto, then test overlapping starts and power restoration. Check at the valve as well as on the screen.
Weight, size and siting
The page gives 19.05 kg net and 21.35 kg gross, and separately 20 pieces per carton in a 45 × 33 × 38 cm box. It does not say whether the weights are per unit or per carton. Get a dated packing sheet before you quote freight or design a mounting.
| Published data | What to request |
|---|---|
| Unit and carton weights | Separate figures for the controller, the power unit and accessories, the inner box and the full carton. |
| Installed size | Confirm whether 161 × 152 × 36 mm includes cover, power unit and fixings, plus cover-opening and cable-entry space. |
| Environment | This model page lists no IP grade, temperature range or outdoor rating. Ask for them, and plan an indoor or sheltered location until you have them. |
| Delivery package | The build and manual version, included power and connection parts, packing sheet and written support terms, all settled before a trial. |
Buyer questions
Does the electrical table cover CD08?
The table is for RL-CA08 with AC input and output. Ask RAIN LING for the CD08 DC supply and coil data separately. [1]
Does every station get 1 A?
The table states AC 24 V 1 A without saying how it is shared. Ask for the simultaneous-output limit and the coil inrush and holding current allowed. [1]
Does the 485 terminal support Modbus or HSBUS?
The photo shows the label only. Ask which protocol the port uses on your revision and for its documentation. [3]
Is 19.05 kg the weight of one controller?
Probably not, since the page also lists 20 pieces per carton. Ask RAIN LING for corrected unit and carton weights. [1]
Prepare a model-specific brief
Write your actual conditions below. This local worksheet is not sent, uploaded or saved after reload. Copy or print it before leaving.
Sources
Specifications come from the manufacturer's publications listed below, with the date each was checked.
- Official eight-station controller description and RL-CA08 table
manufacturer · Checked 2026-10-11
Names CA08 AC and CD08 DC, with the RL-CA08 electrical table, scheduling functions, dimensions, weights and packing.
- Original official eight-station controller front image
manufacturer · Checked 2026-10-11
Front panel with calendar, schedule, seasonal adjustment, manual and auto keys.
- Original official eight-station controller terminal image
manufacturer · Checked 2026-10-11
Open terminal block with 24VAC, SENS, COM, MV, station 1–8 and 485A/485B labels.
Report a correction through our contact form, quoting RL-CA08 and the relevant specification.