diff --git a/raincloudy/core.py b/raincloudy/core.py
index 17038b7..6795792 100644
--- a/raincloudy/core.py
+++ b/raincloudy/core.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def _authenticate(self):
         __location__ = os.path.realpath(
             os.path.join(os.getcwd(), os.path.dirname(__file__)))
 
-        cert_file = Path(__location__ + "/wifiaquatimer_com_chain.cer")
+        #cert_file = Path(__location__ + "/wifiaquatimer_com_chain.cer")
 
         # to obtain csrftoken, remove Referer from headers
         headers = HEADERS.copy()
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def _authenticate(self):
         # initial GET request
         self.client = requests.Session()
         self.client.proxies = self._proxies
-        self.client.verify = cert_file.resolve()
+        #self.client.verify = cert_file.resolve()
         self.client.stream = True
         self.client.get(LOGIN_ENDPOINT, headers=headers)
 
diff --git a/raincloudy/faucet.py b/raincloudy/faucet.py
index 267d754..e5ebec4 100644
--- a/raincloudy/faucet.py
+++ b/raincloudy/faucet.py
@@ -233,11 +233,17 @@ def name(self, value):
 
     def _set_manual_watering_time(self, zoneid, value):
         """Private method to set watering_time per zone."""
-        if value not in MANUAL_WATERING_ALLOWED:
-            raise ValueError(
-                'Valid options are: {}'.format(
-                    ', '.join(map(str, MANUAL_WATERING_ALLOWED)))
-            )
+        if isinstance(value, str):
+            if value not in MANUAL_WATERING_ALLOWED:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    'Valid options are: {}'.format(
+                        ', '.join(map(str, MANUAL_WATERING_ALLOWED)))
+                )
+        else:
+            if (value < 0 or value > MAX_WATERING_MINUTES):
+                raise ValueError(
+                    'Valid options are 0-{}'.format(MANUAL_WATERING_ALLOWED)
+                )
 
         ddata = self.preupdate()
         attr = 'zone{}_select_manual_mode'.format(zoneid)