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

Have you tried plugging your "bad" transformer into another outlet? Have you checked the voltage on the "bad" transformer? Maybe you have established that your transformer is really bad but by your description you have not convinced me. I can think of no way that your outlet would cause transformers to blow and still read 120 V. So I would plug the transformer in and check volts. Sounds to me that the wires are likely loose somewhere. I would check that first.

What else is on that circuit?

Bingo. Appliance motors can do weird things to the voltage of their branch circuit. Best to get the controller onto another branch.

Motors can go bad, too. In general, you want to keep any sensitive electronics off of circuits shared with motors. Garage door openers go on their own branch. I know of folks with computers that couldn't operate them on a circuit with a freezer, unless they ran the computer from a UPS

Is the garage branch circuit run from a GFCI breaker?

Quoted from "Wet_Boots"

Motors can go bad, too. In general, you want to keep any sensitive electronics off of circuits shared with motors. Garage door openers go on their own branch. I know of folks with computers that couldn't operate them on a circuit with a freezer, unless they ran the computer from a UPS

Is the garage branch circuit run from a GFCI breaker?

Not to hijack this thread but I have a related question. I installed a new Orbit timer this spring. I believe my transformer is now toast. I don't know if it was due to a bad lightening storm we had or maybe because I had plugged in a small air compressor into the same outlet. I did replace the fuse but that was not the problem. Would the timer be at risk only when both the compressor and timer are running at the same time?? I'm just wondering if I can still use the same outlet for the compressor as long as the timer is not powering the sprinkler valves at the time I power up the compressor?



My current Orbit timer has a 24vac 300mA transformer. If I need to replace the transformer can I use the transformer from my previous non-Orbit timer? The old transformer is a Class 2 24vac 20VA transformer. I will most likely have to order a replacement transformer due to my local.