12-08-2015, 09:10 AM
Hey gang...looking for some input from some irrigation pros...or those with more experience than I have.
I'm having a problem with my RainDial RD-900. A month ago, two zones decided to stop working. It sounded as if the solenoid was fluctuating. I started focusing on the valves themselves but then realized I had an issue with the controller itself.
Basically the thing is chewing thru backup batteries...and when the battery begins to die...the system won't run any zone. I had a pro out to take a look and even he didn't believe me...stating that the battery is only there to hold the programming when the power fails. I agree with his logic, but demonstrated that swap the battery with a fresh one and things start to work again. With a dying battery...the LCD screen is a little distorted...like waves...(almost as if cold) and when it tries to start a zone...the waviness increases...then the timer flashes and it gives up. I've tested that the transformer is sending 25V to the input on the board, so I have a feeling that the controller simply needs to be replaced. Given the fact that two zones decided to fail at the exact same time also makes me think the problem is farther up the chain and not in the valves.
So....question is...what's a good replacement? I have 8 zones today...so I'm looking for something that would run those as well as maybe an additional 1 or 2 (no real plans to expand...but I do have an unused valve in one of my manifolds so I don't want to limit myself down the road.
Thanks for any input/opinions!
Kevin
I'm having a problem with my RainDial RD-900. A month ago, two zones decided to stop working. It sounded as if the solenoid was fluctuating. I started focusing on the valves themselves but then realized I had an issue with the controller itself.
Basically the thing is chewing thru backup batteries...and when the battery begins to die...the system won't run any zone. I had a pro out to take a look and even he didn't believe me...stating that the battery is only there to hold the programming when the power fails. I agree with his logic, but demonstrated that swap the battery with a fresh one and things start to work again. With a dying battery...the LCD screen is a little distorted...like waves...(almost as if cold) and when it tries to start a zone...the waviness increases...then the timer flashes and it gives up. I've tested that the transformer is sending 25V to the input on the board, so I have a feeling that the controller simply needs to be replaced. Given the fact that two zones decided to fail at the exact same time also makes me think the problem is farther up the chain and not in the valves.
So....question is...what's a good replacement? I have 8 zones today...so I'm looking for something that would run those as well as maybe an additional 1 or 2 (no real plans to expand...but I do have an unused valve in one of my manifolds so I don't want to limit myself down the road.
Thanks for any input/opinions!
Kevin