The sprinkle doesn’t Stop

post by joseprus on Mar 25, 2020

Hello!

I’m from Spain and I’ve just configured today my Rachio 3.

All is ok except the sprinkle doesn’t stop. If I do a manually I can not stop it with the pause or stop option. I’ve tried to do a schedule of 1 zone and it starts but doesn’t stop. Have somebody has the same problem? Thanks!

post by DLane on Mar 25, 2020

@joseprus - post a picture of the label of the power supply being used. This is a symptom of a DC power supply. Rachio needs an AC power supply (1 Amp or 1,000 milliamp capacity). There are other posts that mention this exact problem and the solution is a 24 V AC power supply.

post by joseprus on Mar 26, 2020

Hello!

Thanks for your Help.

I attach a picture of the one I’m using.

Isn’t it ok to run with Rachio?

post by Stewart on Mar 26, 2020

That one has a DC output and not suitable. You need a transformer with 24 VAC out, capable of supplying at least one ampere.

post by joseprus on Mar 26, 2020

Thanks again for your Help.

I have an old transformer of my Hunter machine. The one you can see at the Picture 1. Do you think is it ok to use with my Rachio? If it is not ok, do you know or recommend a website where to buy it in Europe?

If the old one is valid to use, can I connect directly to the Rachio in the 24 VAC hole shown in the picture 2? As you can see my wire doesn’t have the 5.5 mm connector (picture 3) and I can only connect putting inside the VAC hole. THANKS!

post by DLane on Mar 26, 2020

@joseprus - the Hunter power supply will work! Just cut the plug off the Rachio or other power supply and connect the two wires from the Hunter to the plug. It doesn’t matter which wires are connected to which one on the plug.

post by Gene on Mar 26, 2020

@DLane is right. To his advice I will add that you should NOT try using 24v terminals such as those you’ve shown on the last picture. They are not rated for the full system load and as such cannot be used for power input.

post by joseprus on Mar 27, 2020

Unfortunatelly the Hunter power supply doesn’t work :(. I’ve connected each wire to each 24 VAC hole in the Rachio but nothing happens. Do you know where I can buy one AC power supply that could work? Some e-commerce / webpage / Amazon that can send me to Spain? Thanks!

post by tmcgahey on Mar 27, 2020

Read @Gene comment. DO NOT plug the strands from the Hunter adapter into the 24VAC terminals. You will need to cut the plug end off of the adapter that came with your Rachio and splice it into the Hunter unit.

post by mamphoto on Mar 28, 2020

Hola Jose,

I had the same problem here in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The system will start but not stop. I was able to stop it by manually turning the relief valve with a screwdriver.

After much troubleshooting, I found the problem was solved by changing the diaphragm in one of the valves that was not stopping. A very inexpensive and easy way to troubleshoot and isolate part of the process.

post by Gene on Mar 28, 2020

@joseprus does the Rachio still power up with the KFD AC/DC Adaptor?

post by joseprus on Mar 28, 2020

Unfortunatelly it doesn’t work. If I connect the 2 wires of the old Hunter Adaptor with the connector of the Rachio, no power arrives to the Rachio device. Maybe the Hunter adaptor is now damaged ¿? … I’m a little desperate.

post by Gene on Mar 28, 2020

You can try reaching out to Rachio support to see if you can get the controller replaced. If you don’t use all of your 16 zones, you could use one of the MOVs from an unused zone to repair your controller.

post by joseprus on Apr 3, 2020

I’ve tried to change the connector as you can see I’m the picture and nothing happens. No signal arrives to the Rachio. This is not normal. It has to be broken.

post by Gene on Apr 3, 2020

Did not mean to have you make such a permanent conversion, but it works! Next step is to remove the front cover of your Rachio by removing the screws on the back side and taking a picture of the board.

post by joseprus on Apr 7, 2020

I’ve repaired the Rachio! Now it works perfectly, thanks a lot for your help!

The problem was the Varistor, that I’ve changed for a new one and a rectifier too that was spoiled and been changed.