Q&A for How to Replace a Lawn Sprinkler Timer

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Question

Do all sprinkler timers come with a 24-volt connection that goes to a contactor to start the irrigation pump?

TC Williams

Community Answer

Most all controllers have a pump control port, but in most cases that only sends a signal to a separate Pump Start Relay that matches to the specific pump in horsepower and voltage to actually start the pump running. In some controllers the 'Master Valve' port may double as a pump control.

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Question

I bought a replacement Rainbird timer and it does not seem to put out enough current to open all my valves. Why is this?

TC Williams

Community Answer

The controller only sends a 24-volt charge to the valve solenoid and usually only to one valve at a time in sequence. There is also a certain distance and correct size of wire to be used to carry the correct load. There may also be damage to the wire, exposing it to short out, incorrect wire connections and\or a bad controller to valve ground\common connection.

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Question

My timer for the time of day works and manually the sprinker heads come up, but not on the time and day I have chosen. What do I do?

TC Williams

Community Answer

Make sure the correct day, month and time is programmed first to keep the controller accurate from day to day. Check to see if there are multiple start times for valves as there only needs to be one start time for whole series of valves and check other programs (A,B,C) do not have start times and days programmed as well.

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Question

How much does a timer cost?

Community Answer

Timers can be as low as $30.00 or less to start and into the hundreds from there. It depends on how many stations it has and and how programmable it is overall.

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Question

What if there is no MV terminal?

TC Williams

Community Answer

You may be able to use the pump control port. There is an option that can be installed called "The Doubler", which allows the operation of 2 separate valves on 1 hot wire and 1 common wire.

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