New Setup - Converting from RainDial

post by jeremysm1 on Oct 17, 2016

Hi Everyone,

I’m ready to jump into the new tech age of technology irrigation. I currently have a RainDial 6-zone unit (RD600-EXT-R) and want to get up and running. I’m in Scottsdale, AZ if that matters. I think I’ll need the following:

1. Rachio 8-zone
2. Waterproof enclosure
3. Flow Sensor

Sound about right? Any suggestions as to which flow sensor works the best or is most cost effective?

post by mckynzee on Oct 17, 2016

Hi @jeremysm1 !

Super excited to have you join the team! Sounds about right if you are installing outside! The only thing I will say is getting a flow sensor is definitely optional... Once you have gotten your controller up and running I recommend taking advantage of their knowledge when it comes to getting your settings fine-tuned to your landscape!

post by Modawg2k on Oct 17, 2016

Welcome @jeremysm1. I have 5 zones on my system so I went with the 8 zone Rachio. Sounds like you should get the 8 zone system unless you have plans for any type of renovation of your irrigation system... And with flow sensors, I don’t personally have one so I can’t comment on that...

post by jeremysm1 on Oct 17, 2016

Thanks for the welcome messages! I ordered the Rachio and enclosure today but will hold off on adding the flow sensor after feeling out the system for a little while. I’m going to shoot for installation over the weekend–so keep an eye out for my frantic posts then.

post by Linn on Oct 18, 2016

I hope you love your Rachio as much as I do, @jeremysm1! I also do not have a flow sensor. I may install one some time in the future as I travel a lot and can’t always monitor my yard... the community will be happy to help you out.

post by jeremysm1 on Oct 20, 2016

Got the Rachio in the mail. Here is a pic of my current RainDial. Is this a simple unplug from here and plug into the Rachio setup?

Also, my electricity is piped into the RainDial on the right side, but needs to be on the left for the Rachio... I’m assuming that I just need to shut off the breaker box before playing with the electricity, right?

post by Modawg2k on Oct 21, 2016

@jeremysm1 I’m no electrician, no landscaper, and no Rachio employee, but I’ll try to help you as best as I can! ... If you got the Gen 2, I’m not sure what the box has in it.

post by jeremysm1 on Oct 25, 2016

Got the Rachio gen 2 installed yesterday. Had to run to Home Depot to get some connectors so the outside case is connected to the feeder pipes properly. Today, I need to setup the programs. The great thing is that I don’t have lawn, just desert landscape.

post by mckynzee on Oct 25, 2016

Welcome to the team! I’m sure some of our Arizona members will chime in- they are some of the best on here.

post by jeremysm1 on Oct 31, 2016

I finally was able to go through that link in order to confirm/find the soil type...

1. Momoli gravelly sandy loam, 1 to 5 percent slopes.

Please let me know your thoughts and next steps. Thanks!

post by Modawg2k on Oct 31, 2016

You can set it to something like “Sandy Loam”, but then go into advanced settings and change your ‘Available Water’ (AW) to 0.08. ...

post by jeremysm1 on Nov 1, 2016

Flex sounds like the ideal solution. I have a couple more questions: 1. How do I turn Flex on? ...

post by Modawg2k on Nov 4, 2016

Go to a zone, click on the moisture graph, and you’ll see the graph on November 3rd reflect a slight increase due to rain. Hit the More Detail button and you’ll see how much it accounted for precipitation.

post by jeremysm1 on Nov 21, 2016

So far, nothing seems to be dying and the watering schedule seems to be working! ... How is that figure being calculated?

post by rbeck on Nov 21, 2016

The amount of water is figured as rate of nozzle (e.g., 0.5"/hr) multiplied by the time run and by the area for the zone...