SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

1) Replace the controller, or send it back to Hunter for a repair. You don't mess with the circuitboard components.

2) Add a pressure relief valve to your pump outlet

I have the Hunter ICC 32 Station Controler. We have waterfront property and the pump is on the boat dock. One rainy day I noticed that the water was shooting out of the pump when it shouldn't be running. It blew the union joint apart. while repairing the PVC I noticed the relay buzzing on and off at about 2 second intervals. When testing the controller I found the relay voltage cycling from 3 vdc to 8 vdc in the off position. On position was ok at 24 vdc. On cloudy overcast days the 8 vdc was enough to pull up the relay and with no stations open it would blow apart the pvc joints. I put a toggle switch on the hot side of the relay voltage to keep from constantly repairing pvc. Question is, how do I resolve my cycle problem? I think it is one of the timers on the mother board, but I cant tell which one, and I couldnt fix it if I could. Please Advise, Robb T.

As far as an end all test to determine if your controller is bad or not would be a process of elimination which you've been doing. You've basically done everything except installing brand new modules or replacing the faceplate.
You've determined the wiring and the valves are ok by testing them on the base module. I inquired one time if I could buy just the base module. They told me no. But I don't believe anything 100% I hear at this Ewing branch. I've been mis-informed on many occasions.
You have the older style module. Those might be hard to find. I read once but don't quote me on this that after Oct. 2006 the Pro-C only uses the newer modules. The manufacturing date of your controller is in the battery compartment. Your best bet is to take the controller with you to an Irrigation supply store. Such as Ewing. They should test it for free. Unfortunetly your older modules wont work with a new Pro-C. From what you've described I'm betting you need a new controller. I was thinking you had the wrong modules but you said everything used to work. That's all I can do for you from here. One more thing. Maybe the controller is still under warranty. Good luck!

mrfixit,

they are grey, approx the same color as the controller door.

http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?6fae8d9079.jpg

Well I'm confused once again. What color are the modules? Are they grey, approx the same color as the controller door, or are they a much darker color?
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Here, take a look at the two different modules.
A. http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?a09e5eb33f.jpg
B. http://img3.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?6fae8d9079.jpg

mrfixit,

i have reset the system as you have described and get the same results.

next, i have the newer pro-c with the lock.

i also believe that 2 modules can not go wrong at the same time. lastly, i would like to add that it seems to me that it is possible to replace the base module. however i am puzzled that if the controller is not working correctly, why it recognizes and shows ALL stations? it also shows that zones are watering when i turn on to non-working zones.

so, is there any litmus test which tells if the controller is faulty??

thx

I see on another post you say the controller doesn't turn the pump on for the stations that aren't working. There's your answer. Each stationed can be programmed individually as to whether or not the pump comes on. If you have it programmed to pump on and it's still not working, then the controller's bad. I can say that simply because you tested each station on the main module and they worked. You also stated everything used to work which means you have the correct modules for your controller. The odds of two modules going bad at the same time in my opinion is about zilch. Once again I stress how important it is to reset everything before coming to a conclusion.

Did you unplug the timer and take out the modules? The pro-c wont recongnise the modules unless they're installed with the controller unplugged. You need to reset everything to verify the controller is bad. I'm assuming you have the older model pro-c. If the controller's hard wired and you can't unplug it. Yes then disconnect those three wires but don't let them touch each other. Here's your problem. If the controller is bad you'll have to buy new expansion modules as well. The re-designed pro-c is not compatible with your older modules. Big mistake by Hunter if you ask me. Supposing your modules are bad. Which I doubt. I don't know if the new modules will work in the older pro-c. I haven't tried it myself and I get different answers when I inquire about it. Some say yes and some say no. The re-designed pro-c is not compatible with your older modules. If the modules have a locking mechanism then it's the newer model pro-c. If not it's the older model. Yes it sounds like all your wiring is ok from what you've described. If you reset the controller in the manner I've described and the modules still wont work. Then it's time to replace the controller. I don't believe the base module has anything to do with it. You can't replace just that part anyway. You have to buy the whole thing.

mrfixit,

appreciate your help.

Now this is what i got after going thru some drills.

* i have verified that only the base module has power and only those zones connected to it are working. i am glad to tell you that ALL of my zones work fine IF they are connected to the base module.

* hence it seems to me that :- 1. pro-c controller/timer is working fine. 2. all solenoids are fine and 3. wiring is fine. Am i correct here???

* now, could it be the base module thru which everything passes thru? i mean, the two non-working expansion modules are not getting power because of the faulty base module?
**** So my million$ question is "How can i verify which module is faulty (i.e either A. base and/or B. expansion module(s)"??? ****

thanks again.

Just unplug it from the wall. Then take out the modules. Wait ten minutes. Install modules. Plug the timer back in. Turn on one of the stations you know wasn't working. Test at the terminal to see if it's working. You said only two are working on the main module. I'm assuming that's one of the first three stations that isn't working. If that's the case then your timer's bad. I would disconnect the sprinkler wire from the station number you're testing before testing.