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

I appreciated all the earlier help on my valves so I'm back with another problem.

At my Rainbird ESP-6 Controller, I get a power off notice. Power appears to be good to the until as the ground fault is set and the rain sensor is working. I've pretty much ruled out lightening.

The transformer (?) gets real hot so I am also reading that as power is available to the unit.

Where do I go from here?

Many thanks,

Bob

Thanks for the response Alex.

Switch in correct postion.
Rain sensor cleaned and working.
Blowing fuses as fast as I can put them in there....

Bob

Yes on both. It's a 1.5 amp fuse...the original was the one that blew first after two years. The 1.25 amp option is scratched out by the installer.

Power is same as it always has been.

Thanks,

Bob


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Bob,
Do you have the correct power to the controller? Do you have the correct fuse? Check in the manual to see if you are using the right fuse.


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..any more ideas?

thanks~!

Alex and others (?)....

I went the route of putting a new controller in place (got a pretty good deal) and the system "almost" works now. It runs zones 1-2, Zone 3 errors, and zones 4-6 are okay. Checked the controller by moving zone 3 wire to another post and it errored there too so the new controller is okay.

I can turn on zone 3 with power on the system by backing off the valve solenoid a turn or two manually. Can't get it on any other way.

The pump start relay does open momentarily and close as the controller moves to zone 3, errors, and moves on to zone 4 automatically.

I'm also concerned that the transformer in the new unit seems to be running pretty hot with the system on...almost too hot to the touch and rainbird (and Alex) tells me that is not typical.

Any more help available, please???

Bob





Edited by - Bob H on May 28 2003 7:32:49 PM

Alex... I don't want to talk myself (or you) out of the possibility of a lightning strike, what is there besides the controller that could have failed at this point (and recall it's been replaced) ?

I just went out and yes, all the solenoids have pigtails above them (including the one I replaced a few months back). It's just the one zone that is not working unless I turn it on mannally by backing off the solenoid as well.

My original problem of "no power" has been removed by the changing of the control box.

Pending a response here, I had also turned the unit to "off" and even with the rotary switch at off, the transformer stayed real hot so I've now openned the cb to take power all the way off the unit. No sense burning up something....

Re: the possible lightning, wouldn't I have lost more? Wouldn't a solenoid or two be blown? I have above ground lighting on the same circuit and they are fine and no cb's were ever opened which I would have expected from lightning...but again, I can't rule it out...there are just no signs that it happened.

I dunno.... appreciate the ideas.

Bob



Edited by - Bob H on May 28 2003 8:30:02 PM