This video gives you step by step instructions on how to use a volt ohm meter to test the electrical wiring on irrigation controllers. The video shows how to test the station output, continuity, and solenoids.
Very well done. Clear, concise and well organized. I've always troubleshooted my system by running back-and-forth like a lunatic between the controller and valve! This will save a lot's of time and energy. Many thanks.
excellent no frills video, it helps if a person understands the basics of how an irrigation systems works in general, then simply jump right to this video for the step-by-step testing. Great job.
Thanks to your video I got my reticulation working again. Took all day,but after watching your video I tested the transformer and it was shot.thank you!👍
Very helpful, thank you. Just an update, just saw a RainBird PDF that says if a solenoid is between 20 and 60 ohms than it's good. I had a solenoid with 18 ohms and due to it the fuse was always blowing, this video helped me find that solenoid for replacement.
Thank you so so much. This logical process turned what I thought would be a 4 hour part changing process with the associated part cost into 10 minute tighten a wire nut dream.
your video was the best that I found on trouble shooting my orbit controller to see if the controller was bad or had bad wiring as all the stations where no longer working. I will now test it as I believe I have a bad transformer in the controller. thanks a bunch saved myself a hassle and the cost of a 100 dollar maintenance call.
Thanks man. Using your video, i diagnosed a burned out common white wire. None of my 5 station sprinklers were firing. Luckily I had 3 other wires which were not used and I just rewired it to use one of them.
Thanks for your video, helped me identify and fix the problem with all sprinklers. When I disconnected the rain sensor and connected the white/common wire to all solenoids- it worked again!
I’ve been looking for a video that explained these tests/systems for over 2 days now. This is the only video that talked about the transformer (wall plug)…And that’s exactly what’s wrong with my system. When it comes to testing these systems and parts, and the processes of doing so, this is w/o a doubt the BEST video I’ve found on this topic! Thank you! 🙌👏
Hello, I can't seem to get the second step of testing to work for me. I get a 0.00 reading when testing station output. Does that mean that the timer unit is bad? Every other test passed except this one.
You probably have your answer already.. But if you have power at your 24 VAC terminals, but zero at the stations, make sure that you are activating each station before you test it. If it is not activated, you will get 0.00. If the station is activated, and you are getting 0.00, this means that your circuit board is probably shot.
How do I know which wire is the common wire? Also, do I need to connect all the wires from the stations (on the output bank) before I check them for power to common? The video doesn't show any wires hooked up, except one.
My observation: checking between common and individual station terminals, I am not getting power only at the running station output, it's at 2 or 3 other stations also. I'm getting pretty confused...
What is wrong when the controller is turned on manually and system runs for 5-10 seconds and shuts down or may not operate at all,also have replaced water valve with new one, that is working fine,I have measured transformer voltage and it 26 volts, is there a bad register or component in the control.board, if so do you know which one ? Is there a detailed video on the repair of the controller ?? Thanks
I have a rain bird controller and it has power but it reads off and when I move the knob to program a weekly schedule it still reads off any suggestions need help
When checking that I have the 24-28VAC on the active station using meter between common and that station, what should the other stations read? My system is down and all my stations measure ~28VAC even though I am only calling for water on station 1. Is this normal?
What if one of my zones is not showing as an option when "manually" watering/testing. Zone 5 has a wire tied in, but 5 is not an option when going through the zones??? Does this mean a wire has been cut?
I ran an Ohm test on that valve at the controller...volt meter set on 200 ohm, controller off, positive lead on common, negative on the screw for the zone that's not showing digitally on the controller. That zone ohm test showed 45, while the others are slightly lower, but not too different. Can't be a split wire? Would a faulty valve cause the zone not to show digitally? It's not showing when I set to manual run all stations...doesn't show the number like the rest.
how old is the controler? new timers comes preset to how many "station/zones " you need. 4,6,8,12 and so on. old one's need a modual to add stations or zones....... that maybe what is not working. new timer i would reset the timer.
@@raquelpobes902 Mine is reading 30 so I bought a new one. Out of the box, it read 24, but once i connected it to the controller, it ready 30 again. It feels like the controller is damaging the transformer. Is that possible?
My multimeter doesn't have a 200 ohm or 200 anything. It's Ohms, volts, etc. I am not an electrician so this doesn't help because he assumes we all have the same kind of voltmeter and/or have a background in electrical work.
"if the resistance reading is..." and then without skipping a beat it sounds like he swallows a fly maybe then continues "... the solenoid, then look for faults in the wire." What was that?
How do I know which wire is the common wire? Also, do I need to connect all the wires from the stations (on the output bank) before I check them for power to common? The video doesn't show any wires hooked up, except one.
