On a Rain Bird© ESP-TM controller it is very simple to run your sprinkler outside of the automatic schedule by manually starting your program.
1) Start with the controller dial in the AUTO position
2) Check to make sure you are in the program you want. This will be visually displayed on the left side of the display window. Most systems have their full programming on program A. If this is it the case for you it should say PGM A in the window. If you are wanting to run any other program in your controller you will need to select that first with the circular PROGRAM SELECT button to the right of the display and choose B, C or D. Again, *most* simple programming is on A. If you have gardens, hose bibbs, quick couplers, drip irrigation or a sprinkler with more than 12 zones you may have run times on alternative programs.
3) Press the RIGHT ARROW button below the display to run the program you have chosen. Your sprinkler will start on the first zone and continue through all programmed zones until the end and then stop.
4) If you would like to advance zones at any time during the cycle simply press the right arrow button again. This will move the sprinkler to the next programmed zone.
Three Notes:
1) If your system skips zone when when you manually start your system you have held the button down too long, to cycle back to one you can either manually advance through all the zones to get back to one or simply turn the dial to the OFF position to stop the manual run. Turn it back to the AUTO position and press RIGHT ARROW.
2) Any time you wish to stop your manual water cycle, regardless of what zone you are on simply turn the dial to the OFF position for 5 seconds to stop the manual run. If you intend to water automatically be sure to turn the dial back to AUTO after the system has stopped.
3) Manually operating your system does not change or interrupt the automatic settings. As long as you leave the dial on AUTO RUN it will run the next time it is scheduled.