Smart hose timer internal flooding

Post by Fymaxwell on Jun 26, 2024

I’ve got water flooding into the battery chamber of my Rachio smart hose timer. I’ve been through this in the past with two units that Rachio replaced, and I am starting to wonder if it’s me or Rachio that’s to blame.

I am currently running four timers. Three of the timers are trouble-free. The one that is malfunctioning was bought at the same time as the two others that previously failed, so perhaps there were manufacturing issues with that batch? I’d appreciate any insight that the community might be able to offer, as this is starting to drive me mad.

Top replies

Post by Thomas_Lerman on Jun 26, 2024

I have one timer with no issues.

Post by franz on Jun 26, 2024

@Fymaxwell I’m having our support team reach out to you. They will take care of you!

Post by WaterMunkee on Oct 9, 2024

Same here. Twice. First time I thought maybe I could’ve incorrectly installed the battery door. Lots of corrosion inside after 45 days, device quit working. After cleaning thoroughly, I installed fresh batteries and battery door and ensured everything was snug. New batteries completely rusted/corroded within 45 days again, and again device quit working. Obviously this unit’s battery compartment is not waterproof. Frustrating!

Post by bgorbet on Oct 24, 2024

Same problem. I’ve only had this device a few months and its already all corroded inside. Doesn’t seem like the waterproofing works well enough!

Post by PamL on Nov 18, 2024

I have only 1 timer and I have the same problem with it flooding and the batteries corroding.

Post by Jkuri on Dec 15, 2024

Hello,

I seem to have a similar problem with the battery compartment. When I went to swap out the batteries the compartment had water inside.

I am quite sure that it was installed properly and I am not subject to freezing temperatures.

Images

Post by franz on Dec 16, 2024

@Jkuri I’ll have someone from our support team reach out to you. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Post by Jkuri on Dec 31, 2024

As a follow up and some may find this useful.

The support team did reach out and solved my issue quickly and easily and I am back up and operational. So a big thank-you for the great customer service and supporting your product.

Post by am817 on Jun 2, 2025

Hi, I'm having the same problem as everyone else here. Second time this has happened, and I’ve made sure to screw in tightly.

Post by Rcca223 on Jun 9, 2025

Hello - I purchased 3 of these and 2 of them are having this same issue - water coming through the chamber and the batteries corroding. I also made sure the screws were tight.

Post by train_wreck on Jul 2, 2025

Well, I just had this happen on a hose timer I bought exactly 40 days ago new from Amazon. The app notified me that one of the timers was disconnected, opened it up and saw the same brown corrosion and dead batteries as everyone else. I cleaned the contacts with isopropyl alcohol and put new batteries in it, but it seems likely that it will happen again based on the reports in this thread. Please advise, I have 4 total hose timers so hope it won’t affect all of them…