Hard Wire

post by Stgate on Apr 5, 2023

I am replacing my old system. The old system is hard wired under VAC. I noticed the Rachio 3 device has input for 24 VAC + - can I just connect the same wires there or do I need to connect and use the power adapter supplied?

post by Thomas_Lerman on Apr 6, 2023

Rachio does not have a place to run hard wires to. The only place is the barrel connector without opening the controller and soldering which I do not recommend. If you absolutely cannot use the supplied power supply and know what you are doing, you might be able to connect the old wires to a new connector. If it were me, I might be nervous about messing it up and causing issues.

post by Gene on Apr 6, 2023

No, even though it may seem like they are the same, 24v terminals are fed through a small filter and not protected by the input fuse or surge protector.

Running the controller via terminals may work for a short time, but eventually those terminals or the controller itself will fail.

I recommend you keep the original supply as a test/reference unit. And get a short 5.5x2.1 barrel cable to terminate your old wires. I recommend you avoid a wire nut connector; and use inline conductor instead.