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.

post by rhawley on Mar 20, 2025

I’m having the same issue with internal flooding while my other timer is perfect.

post by Davico on Apr 22, 2025

I have the same issue in one of my devices, but both of them are not working as expected anymore. Water leaks from inside the device.

post by ecobuilding on Apr 28, 2025

Hi- I too am having the flooding issue. The two valves I’m running were showing as disconnected and I found the flooding when I thought it was a battery issue.

I turned out the two screws holding the battery compartment to the valve body. The design is such that the flooding was confined to the battery compartment, and the circuit board and solenoid are sealed. Tried to capture in the photos.

post by cmschoell on May 9, 2025

Same here. Just replaced my batteries for the first time and I have the same little pool in the battery compartment, corrosion, etc. Poor design for an outdoor product.

post by justinappleby on Aug 20, 2025

Same problem here. The battery compartment flooded and corroded the batteries and the internal terminals. I tried thoroughly cleaning the terminals and the interior of the battery compartment with 99% Isopropyl alcohol, just a blue flashing light with new batteries. This ‘smart’ timer valve has a dimwitted design.

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.

post by jamielau on Sep 20, 2025

Just had this issue on one of my hose end timers. Thought it was something I did wrong until I saw this thread. My other timer has not had any issues, but it has not been in use as long. Will be extremely disappointed if this is an ongoing issue.