Description
Add three more stations to your Rain Bird residential modular controller without pulling power or rewiring the cabinet. The ESPSM3 slides into any open module bay on an ESP-Me, ESP-ME3, ESP-SMT, or ESP-SMTe controller and is recognized within about 30 seconds — no programming reset, no “teardown” visit, no downtime on the zones already running. Two ESPSM3 modules in an ESP-ME3 take the controller from the 4-station base up to 10 stations; mix with 6-station modules to reach the full 22-station cap.
Why Irrigation Pros Pick It
- Hot-swappable — install or remove with or without AC power connected
- Slides into any open slot — no programming order required, controller auto-detects within ~30 seconds
- Adds 3 fully-independent stations to the host controller’s zone count
- Backwards compatible with the previous-generation ESP-Me, plus the smart ESP-SMT and ESP-SMTe controllers
- Bus-powered by the controller — no extra transformer, no separate wiring
- Inherits the host controller’s certifications when seated (cULus, FCC, CE, IPX4)
Where It Shines
- Adding a new zone after a landscape renovation without buying a bigger controller
- Service calls where the homeowner outgrew the 4-station base — swap in the field in under five minutes
- Phased property build-outs where stations are added as zones come online
- Replacing a failed module on an existing modular Rain Bird controller
Specifications
- Model number: ESPSM3
- Station count: 3
- Compatible controllers: ESP-Me, ESP-ME3, ESP-SMT, ESP-SMTe (per Rain Bird store listing)
- Hot-swappable: Yes — install with or without AC power
- Power: Bus-powered by host controller (no separate supply)
- Mounting: Slot-in module, plastic securing lever
- Recognition time after install: ~30 seconds
- Inherited approvals (in ESP-ME3 host): cULus, FCC Part 15b, CAN ICES-3(B)/NMB-3(B), NOM, CE, IPX4, RCM
- Warranty: Rain Bird trade warranty (matches host controller)
- Approximate weight: 1 lb (0.45 kg)
How Many Stations Can I Get?
The ESP-ME3 controller comes with 4 stations built in and accepts up to three expansion modules in its open slots:
- Base ESP-ME3: 4 stations
- + 1 × ESPSM3: 7 stations
- + 2 × ESPSM3: 10 stations
- + ESPSM3 mixed with ESPSM6 (6-station) modules: up to 22 stations total
Compatible Controllers — Quick Reference
ESP-ME3 (current Rain Bird modular residential controller): 4-station base, expandable to 22 stations, LNK2 WiFi compatible, 4 independent programs (A/B/C/D), 6 start times per program, 1-min to 6-hr station run time, Seasonal Adjust 5–200%, day-of-week / odd / even / cyclic 1–30 day schedules, IPX4 outdoor cabinet, 10-year battery, 3-year trade warranty.
ESP-Me: Previous-generation modular residential controller. The ESPSM3 is fully compatible.
ESP-SMT / ESP-SMTe: Smart Modular series. Listed compatible per Rain Bird’s store catalog.
Smart Home (When Paired with LNK2 WiFi)
When the host ESP-ME3 controller has the LNK2 WiFi Module installed, all stations on the ESPSM3 are controllable from the Rain Bird mobile app and via Amazon Alexa voice commands. Custom zone names, on-demand start/stop, and rain-delay extensions all work the same on expansion-module stations as on the controller’s base stations.
Stop by Garoppo’s to pick one up, or schedule local delivery within our service area.