Quick wiring question before i order holiday gift

post by IxsharpxI on Nov 12, 2018

I know what to do with the zones obviously and the pump and the 24v ( is there a positive an negative?) but for the VC wire… can it just put that into one of the common connections in the rachio 3? just a little peace of mind that it will work.

thanks

post by DLane on Nov 12, 2018

@IxsharpxI - VC stands for Valve Common and will go to a C(ommon) terminal (there are 2 or 4 of them depending on the model) on the Rachio. For the 24 V question, the voltage is AC not DC - so there is not a positive or negative. And it really doesn’t matter as those wires will be abandoned as Rachio comes with its own power supply that plugs into the device.

Enjoy your gift and welcome to the community.

post by spscoutenPhD on Nov 12, 2018

I replace tons of those Irritrol Rain Dial controllers. They are simple and easy to transfer to a Rachio controller just as @DLane pointed out.

I also noticed that you have an auxiliary pump on there and your Rachio 3 controller has a terminal for that too.

Welcome to the Rachio community. We are loaded with many professional and experienced irrigation people that can guide your comfortably through a painless installation.

That does look like the outdoor version of the Irritrol controller. If you are installing outdoors, don’t forget to get the original Rachio outdoor box.

post by IxsharpxI on Dec 17, 2018

One difficulty I’ve encountered is that there’s no obvious power plug. I thinks it’s wired directly into the fuse box and it has a separate breaker labeled sprinkler system. I assume they have some sort of step down in between but I dont know. I can take multimeter measurements

post by DLane on Dec 17, 2018

@IxsharpxI - I believe there has to be a transformer somewhere. It could be internal to the Irritrol.

The Rachio just needs a normal 120 power outlet to plug its power adapter/brick into that will provide the proper 24 VAC power. I might just turn the breaker labeled sprinkler system off and then cap/wire nut off the power wires going to the Irritrol if you can’t find the transformer.

post by tmcgahey on Dec 17, 2018

It also sounds like this might be an outdoor installation, so OP will also need the outdoor enclosure as well…

post by IxsharpxI on Dec 17, 2018

No it installed inside the garage. Next to the fuse box. No other plug ins nearby… it’s a head scratcher i have a feeling there may be a built in transformer but need to find it

post by tmcgahey on Dec 17, 2018

Follow those 24v wires. Usually those types of controllers have a built in transformer. On those clocks, it would be under that gray and blue cover to the right.

That is where the 120 is hardwired from the panel. You will probably need to have an electrician terminate a standard plug for you in order to plug the Rachio power brick into…

post by IxsharpxI on Dec 19, 2018

Yes this is exactly what I’m expecting to see when i pull the cover off. I’m electrically savvy… a simple plug is quite easy.

post by tmcgahey on Dec 20, 2018

Perfect! Then all you need to do is mount an outlet to the wall, swap the irrigation wiring over to Rachio and you’re all set!

Then the fun begins of learning more about your yard than you ever thought you needed to know! It might even become a bit of an obsession!

post by IxsharpxI on Dec 20, 2018

Thanks everyone I’ll report back after christmas

post by tmcgahey on Dec 28, 2018

It’s after Christmas…

post by IxsharpxI on Jan 27, 2019

Got it all loaded up and signed in on the app. Wasn’t able to setup zones and other things because everything is winterized but…success!

post by franz on Jan 27, 2019

Looks great, let us know if you have any questions.

post by spscoutenPhD on Jan 27, 2019

Welcome to the Rachio family.

post by IxsharpxI on Jan 28, 2019

Thanks this is controller #2 in the family. trynna convince my dad also haha

post by Davidgar44 on Apr 11, 2024

Not working what am I doing wrong ??

post by DLane on Apr 12, 2024

@Davidgar44 - wiring looks correct. Where is the black wire in the Rachio 12 zone in the original controller.

Was the original controller run before and all zones working before switching over to the Rachio?

Is the Master Valve/Pump Start Relay option on in the Rachio app?

Is water turned on to the sprinkler system (i.e. can you manually activate a valve and have water coming out)?

Can the resistance down the white (?) common wire and a zone wire be measured?

Is there a master valve in the system or a pump start relay?