Soildrops Manual Hose Timers

Soildrops Manual Hose Timers come in two models. Both use the same intuitive dial-and-button interface with an LCD screen — the only difference is the number of independent watering zones you get.

MHT-001 — 1-Zone

One outlet, one schedule. Compact and straightforward. Ideal if you only need to automate a single hose, sprinkler, or drip line. Set your program once and forget about it.

MHT-002 — 2-Zone

Two independent outlets with separate schedules. Each zone has its own valve, so you can water your lawn on one schedule and your garden on a completely different one — all from a single faucet. The MHT-002 adds dedicated A and B buttons for switching between zones.

Quick Comparison

Both models ship with the same accessories — everything you need to get watering right out of the box.

Package Contents

• 1× Manual Hose Timer (MHT-001 or MHT-002)
• 1× 1/2" hose adapter — for smaller-diameter faucets
• 1× spare O-ring
• 1× inlet filter — catches debris before it reaches the valve
• 1× Quick Start Guide

You'll Also Need

• 2× AAA batteries (not included)
• A standard 3/4" outdoor garden hose faucet
• 1 garden hose (MHT-001) or 2 garden hoses (MHT-002 — one per outlet)

Installation takes about two minutes and requires no tools. The process is the same for both models.

Step 1 — Insert Batteries

1. Slide open the battery compartment on the back of the timer.
2. Insert 2× AAA batteries, matching the + and − markings inside.
3. Close the cover. The LCD screen should turn on.

Step 2 — Prepare the Inlet

1. Drop the inlet filter into the water inlet at the top of the timer.
2. Check that the O-ring is sitting flat in the inlet groove — this creates the watertight seal.

Step 3 — Connect to Your Faucet

1. Thread the timer's inlet onto your outdoor faucet by hand. Tighten until snug — no tools needed.
2. MHT-001: Connect one garden hose to the single outlet.
3. MHT-002: Connect a hose to Outlet A and another to Outlet B.

Step 4 — Turn On the Water

1. Turn the faucet on all the way.
2. Check every connection for drips. If you see any, tighten slightly or reseat the O-ring.

The LCD gives you a quick overview of what the timer is doing and what's coming next. Here's what you're looking at.

Display Elements (Both Models)

• Clock / Current Time: Used for scheduling — your start times are based on this clock.
• Duration: Shows how long the timer will water (in minutes).
• Frequency: Shows how often watering repeats (hours or days).
• Water droplet icon: Appears when water is actively flowing.
• Battery indicator: Shows remaining battery life. Replace when the icon is empty.

MHT-002 — Additional Display

The 2-zone model adds a zone indicator (A or B) showing which zone's settings you're viewing. Press the A or B button to switch between them. Each zone's settings are completely independent — what you see depends on which zone is selected.

What the Display Shows During Watering

While a watering cycle is running, the screen shows a countdown of the remaining time. When idle, it shows the next scheduled start time.

The clock needs to be correct for your watering schedule to start at the right time. On the MHT-002, both zones share the same clock — you only set it once.

How to Set It

1. Turn the dial to SET CLOCK.
2. The hour will flash. Use the + and − buttons to set the correct hour. Hold the button to scroll quickly.
3. The minutes will flash next. Use + and − to set them.
4. Turn the dial to AUTO RUN when you're done.

Programming is done with the dial and two buttons. You'll set three things: when to start, how long to water, and how often to repeat. That's it.

For the MHT-001 (Single Zone)

1. SET START TIME: Turn the dial here. Use +/− to choose when watering begins. Check AM/PM.
2. SET HOW LONG: Turn the dial here. Set the duration — anywhere from 1 to 240 minutes.
3. SET HOW OFTEN: Turn the dial here. Choose your repeat interval — every 1–23 hours for frequent watering, or every 1–15 days for less frequent.
4. AUTO RUN: Turn the dial here to activate. You're done.

For the MHT-002 (Dual Zone)

1. Press the A button to select Zone A.
2. Program start time, duration, and frequency using the same dial positions as above.
3. Press the B button to switch to Zone B.
4. Program Zone B's schedule independently.
5. Turn the dial to AUTO RUN to activate both zones.

Need to water outside your schedule? Manual mode lets you run the timer on demand without changing your saved program.

How to Start

1. Turn the dial to MANUAL.
2. MHT-001: Use +/− to set the duration (1–300 minutes). Water starts flowing right away.
3. MHT-002: Press A or B to pick which zone to water, then set the duration. You can start both zones if you want.

How to Stop

Turn the dial to OFF to stop immediately, or to AUTO RUN to stop the manual session and return to your regular schedule.

Good to Know

• Manual watering doesn't affect your saved schedule. Once the session ends, the timer picks up its regular program automatically.
• On the MHT-002, running both zones at once is possible but splits the water pressure between them. For full flow, water one zone at a time.

It just rained — why water again? Delay mode skips the next scheduled cycle without erasing your program. Once the delay expires, everything resumes automatically.

How to Set a Delay

1. Turn the dial to DELAY.
2. Use +/− to set the delay period (in hours or days).
3. Turn the dial back to AUTO RUN.

What You Should Know

• On the MHT-002, the delay applies to both zones at once. There's no way to delay just one zone independently.
• Your saved program stays intact — nothing is erased or changed.

Off mode does exactly what it sounds like — it shuts everything down. No watering, no valve activity, nothing. But your saved programs stay safely in memory.

How to Use It

1. Turn the dial to OFF.
2. All valves close. No water flows.

When to Use Off Mode

• Winterizing: Before storing the timer for the cold months.
• Faucet maintenance: When you need to disconnect hoses or work on the plumbing.
• Extended pause: Going on vacation and want to stop all watering.

To resume, turn the dial back to AUTO RUN and your schedules pick right back up.

The MHT-002's two independent zones open up a lot of flexibility. Here are some real-world setups to give you ideas.

Popular Configurations

• Front yard + Back yard: Zone A waters the front lawn with a sprinkler every 2 days for 20 minutes. Zone B runs a drip line through the backyard garden daily for 45 minutes.
• Morning + Evening split: Zone A waters flower beds at 6:00 AM when it's cool. Zone B waters vegetables at 7:00 PM after the heat breaks.
• Thirsty plants + Drought-tolerant plants: Zone A runs a short daily cycle for water-loving plants. Zone B runs a longer cycle every 3 days for plants that prefer drier soil.
• Lawn + Container plants: Zone A drives a lawn sprinkler. Zone B feeds a manifold that distributes water to multiple pots and planters.

Full specifications for both Manual Hose Timer models.

Physical Dimensions

Performance (Both Models)

• Operating pressure: 14.5–116 PSI (1–8 bar)
• Operating temperature: 37–113°F (3–45°C)
• Max water temperature: 104°F (40°C)
• Flow rate: Up to 8 GPM (30 L/min) per zone

Connection (Both Models)

• Thread: 3/4" GHT (Garden Hose Thread)
• Included adapter: 1/2" for smaller faucets
• Outlets: 1 (MHT-001) or 2 (MHT-002)

Power (Both Models)

• Batteries: 2× AAA (not included)
• Battery life: Approximately 6–12 months

Programming (Both Models)

• Duration: 1–240 min (auto), 1–300 min (manual)
• Frequency: Every 1–23 hours or every 1–15 days
• Control: Rotary dial with +/− buttons (MHT-002 adds A/B zone buttons)

A blank, flickering, or partially lit LCD is almost always a battery issue. Start there.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Replace the batteries. This fixes the issue the majority of the time. Use fresh alkaline AAAs — not old ones from a drawer.
2. Check battery orientation. Make sure the + and − ends match the markings inside the compartment. It's easy to get one backward.
3. Look for corrosion. Open the battery compartment and check for white or green residue on the metal contacts. If you see any, clean it off with a dry cloth or a pencil eraser.
4. Dry out moisture. If the compartment got wet (rain, sprinkler splash), remove the batteries, dry everything thoroughly, and wait 30 minutes before reinserting.

If the timer should be watering but nothing's flowing, work through these checks. The fix is usually simple.

Both Models

1. Is the faucet fully open? The faucet needs to stay on at all times. The timer controls flow — the faucet provides it.
2. Check the dial. It should be on AUTO RUN (for scheduled watering) or MANUAL (for on-demand watering).
3. Replace the batteries. Low power can prevent the valve from opening. Swap in fresh AAAs.
4. Clean the inlet filter. Unscrew the timer, pull out the mesh filter, rinse it, and reinstall.
5. Verify water pressure. The timer needs at least 14.5 PSI to operate.

MHT-002 — Only One Zone Not Working?

1. Press A or B and confirm the non-working zone actually has a schedule programmed (start time, duration, and frequency all set).
2. Test it in manual mode — select the problem zone and set a short run. If water flows manually, the valve is fine and the issue is with the schedule settings.
3. Check that the hose is properly connected to the correct outlet and not kinked.

A drip at the faucet or hose connection is usually a 30-second fix.

What to Check

1. O-ring. Unscrew the timer from the faucet and look at the rubber O-ring inside the inlet. If it's cracked, flattened, or missing, replace it with the spare that came in the box.
2. Hose washers. Each hose connection should have a rubber washer inside. Check that they're in place and in decent shape.
3. Connection tightness. Disconnect and reconnect, making sure the threads catch cleanly without cross-threading. Tighten by hand until snug — never use pliers, which can crack the plastic threading.
4. Teflon tape. For a persistent leak on the faucet side, wrap 2–3 turns of Teflon (PTFE) tape around the faucet threads before reconnecting. This fills any tiny gaps in the thread seal.

If the water flow through the timer seems weaker than you'd expect, here's what to look at.

Common Causes (Both Models)

• Clogged inlet filter: This is the most common culprit. Remove the timer, pull out the filter, rinse it clean, and reinstall. A gunked-up filter can cut flow dramatically.
• Faucet not fully open: Make sure you've turned the handle all the way.
• Kinked hose: Walk the full length of the hose and check for bends or kinks.
• Low municipal pressure: The timer requires at least 14.5 PSI. If your home has naturally low pressure, the timer may not be able to deliver a strong flow.

MHT-002 — Low Pressure on Just One Zone?

• Both zones running at once: Since they share one inlet, simultaneous operation splits the flow. Stagger your start times to avoid overlap.
• Outlet blockage: Disconnect the hose from the weak outlet and run a short manual cycle. If water flows freely from the outlet itself, the issue is downstream (in the hose or sprinkler).

If your manual timer starts watering at odd hours, ignores its schedule, or keeps running past its set duration, one of the following almost always explains it.

1. Close the faucet to stop the water while you check things.
2. Check the clock — especially AM/PM. A clock set 12 hours off makes every watering fire at the "wrong" time while the schedule itself is correct. See Setting the Clock.
3. Re-read the schedule you actually set. Frequency-based schedules are the usual trap: "every 6 hours for 1 minute" means four short runs a day, around the clock — including at night. Confirm the frequency and duration on the display match what you intended.
4. Replace the batteries with fresh, name-brand ones. Erratic behavior — running at random times, then not turning on at all — is the classic signature of dying batteries. Cheap or old cells can hold enough charge to run the display but not to drive the valve reliably.
5. Check your water pressure. The valve closes against the incoming flow and is rated for a maximum of 116 PSI — city water is almost always below this. Deep wells and multi-stage pumps, though, can push past it: the valve may not seal, and sustained high pressure will eventually cause it to fail. If you're not sure about your pressure, an inline flow restrictor (about $10) between faucet and timer protects it.
6. Check your water quality. The valve seals against a small seat inside — sand, sediment, or debris in the water can lodge there and physically stop the valve from closing. City water is filtered and rarely causes this, but well water, pond or pump systems, and other unregulated sources often carry sediment. Close the faucet, remove the timer, clean the inlet filter (see Cleaning & Filter Maintenance), and flush clean water backwards through the outlet. On unregulated supplies, an inline pressure regulator with a filter between faucet and timer prevents both the pressure and the debris problem at once.

A few minutes of seasonal maintenance protects your timer from freeze damage and keeps it running reliably year after year.

Before Freezing Weather

1. Turn the dial to OFF.
2. Turn off the faucet.
3. Disconnect the timer and all attached hoses.
4. Turn the timer upside down and shake it thoroughly to drain any trapped water from the inlet, outlet(s), and internal valve chamber(s). The MHT-002 has two valve chambers — make sure both are drained.
5. Remove the batteries to prevent corrosion during storage.
6. Store indoors in a dry spot.

Spring Startup

1. Inspect the O-ring and inlet filter. Replace anything that looks worn or cracked.
2. Insert fresh batteries.
3. Reconnect to the faucet and attach your hoses.
4. Turn on the faucet and check every connection for leaks.
5. Set the clock and reprogram your schedule(s).

The inlet filter catches sediment and debris from your water supply before it reaches the valve. Keeping it clean ensures consistent flow and prevents blockages.

Cleaning the Filter

1. Turn off the faucet and unscrew the timer.
2. Pull the filter out of the inlet.
3. Rinse under running water. For mineral buildup, soak in white vinegar for 15–30 minutes, then rinse again.
4. Reinsert and reconnect.

Cleaning the Timer Body

• Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth as needed.
• Don't submerge the timer — keep the battery compartment dry.
• Avoid harsh chemicals or solvents on the plastic housing.

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

• Filter cleaning: Once a month during active watering season
• O-ring inspection: At the start of each watering season
• Battery replacement: At least once a year, or when the battery icon shows low

Both models use 2× AAA batteries, typically lasting 6–12 months. The MHT-002 may go through batteries a bit faster since it's operating two valves.

Signs It's Time

• LCD shows the low battery icon
• Display looks dim or flickers
• Valve(s) fail to open at the scheduled time
• It's been over 12 months since the last change

How to Replace

1. Turn the dial to OFF.
2. Open the battery compartment on the back.
3. Remove old batteries, insert 2 new AAA alkaline batteries matching the + and − markings.
4. Close the compartment.
5. Reset the clock — the time resets when batteries are removed, but your schedule(s) stay saved.

Quick answers to the questions we hear most about the Soildrops Manual Hose Timer family.

Does it work with drip irrigation?

Yes. Both models work with drip systems, soaker hoses, sprinklers, and micro-sprinklers. On the MHT-002, you can run different irrigation types on each zone.

Will the timer work without batteries?

No. The batteries power both the LCD display and the electronic valve(s). Without batteries, the valve stays closed and no water flows.

Will removing the batteries erase my schedule?

No. Your programmed schedules are stored in non-volatile memory and survive battery removal. The only thing you'll need to reset is the clock.

Can I use rechargeable batteries?

We recommend standard alkaline AAAs. Rechargeable NiMH batteries run at 1.2V instead of 1.5V, which can trigger the low battery indicator sooner and may reduce valve reliability.

What if my water pressure is too low?

The timer needs at least 14.5 PSI to open the valve. If your pressure is below this, the valve may not fully open. Most residential outdoor faucets run 40–60 PSI, so this is rarely an issue. On the high side, the timer is rated for a maximum of 116 PSI. City water is almost always below this, so most homes need nothing extra. Deep wells and multi-stage pumps, however, can push past 116 PSI — and sustained high pressure will eventually cause the valve to fail. If you're not sure about your pressure, add an inline flow restrictor (about $10) to protect the timer.

MHT-002: Can both zones run at the same time?

Yes, but they share a single water inlet, so the pressure splits between them. For best results, stagger your start times by at least 15–30 minutes.

MHT-002: Can I use only one zone?

Absolutely. Just program the zone you want and leave the other one unprogrammed. The unused valve stays closed.

MHT-002: Does rain delay work on both zones?

Yes. The delay applies to both zones at once — you can't delay just one independently.

Is the timer waterproof?

It's designed for outdoor use and is water-resistant. The battery compartment should be kept as dry as possible — avoid leaving the timer in standing water or direct sprinkler spray.

How does this compare to the Smart Hose Timers?

Manual timers use a physical dial — no phone, Wi-Fi, or gateway needed. Smart timers connect to the Tuya Smart app for remote control, app-based scheduling, watering history, weather delay, and voice assistant support. Choose manual for simplicity, smart for convenience.

What's the warranty?

Both models include a 1-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects. Contact support@soildrops.com for warranty claims.