So let’s say the load side of the starter relay is energized without 24v going through the low voltage wires, does that mean my starter is bad? I keep frying the 24v transformer in my sprinkler controller so I’m not sure if it’s the relay, the pump or maybe a short somewhere in a solenoid.
Appreciate the video, made it a little easier to understand what I'm doing. I did have a question about the zone wires in the relay box. (Rainbird) I see the master wire and common wires, but my zone wires don't appear to be connected to anything. Right now my entire system runs as 1 zone.
In my case I have a rainbird timer with 8 zones. Does low voltage run from the timer to the relay always as long as it’s going through the program for all 8 zones? Or wold I have to connect all 8 low voltage wires on a pigtail to the relay so each zone keeps sending low voltage to the relay powering the pump? Thanks for your help and great content!!
If your sprinkler timer has a terminal for a master valve or pump start relay, the timer will automatically energize that when all eight zones are running. If it does not then you will have to wire it to energize the pump start relay
Very helpful. One question:I'm about to put one of these systems in, but am curious what happens when eventually one of the valves fails and doesn't open, but the pump relay of course still turns on (since it doesnt know that the valve failed to open). It seems like your pump would burn up trying to push the water with nowhere for it to go. Do you know how that situation is prevented, because sooner or later a valve is going to fail. Thanks!
I did a little bit of research and a dead head relief valve seems to be somewhat of a controversial topic on sprinkler pumps. I'm going to give it a try though. I just ordered this one from Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S0UFK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_GKGaFbRD47960
@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC Interesting. That does seem like a possible solution. I'm new to all this so I really have no idea if there is a standard solution, but millions of people use a pump so seems like there must be a standard fail safe of some kind built in to make sure the valve is actually open before activating the pump relay. Hmmm
@@bran-qt7ds I'll certainly let you know once it arrives! I know there is a slight delay between the time the pump comes on and the time the timer turns on the first solenoid. The pressure does spike at that time. should be interesting to see if this pressure relief valve opens up at that same time as well
Thanks! On my timer, which is a rainmachine mini 8, zone 1 connects to either a master valve or a pump relay. In my case zone 1 is connected to the pump relay.
Hello, any way you can show how to hook up to a k-rain pump start relay, i just don't understand how it works🤔 trying to do it myself. Trying to connect my rain bird timer and my pump into the relay
I don't have one unfortunately but they all work pretty much the same way. The sprinkler timer will typically energize a 24 VAC low current coil in the start box/relay. Once energized, that mechanically connects the high voltage terminals on the line in side to the motor terminals. So, in a 240 VAC application, you will have line 1 and line 2 coming in from the breaker wires to the line side of the relay. You will have the motor wired to the load side of the relay. And you will have your 24 VAC wires from the timer that energizes the relays coil to make the connection. Hopefully that makes sense!
Your question is very timely... Last week, I shut my sprinkler timer off from my phone but for some reason, despite all of the zone valves being closed, the pump was still energized and it blew apart some of the plumbing on the pump discharge line. No permanent damage. I do have a pressure relief valve on the discharge side, but it might be too strong. I've been giving some thought about wiring some kind of interlock so the pump CANNOT come on unless a zone valve is already open. My timer can only handle about 500 mA of current if I recall so I need to be careful here... still thinking about it. I was also thinking about using a well pressure switch of some kind to cut off the pump if it dead-heads again. That has the added advantage of dealing with a solenoid that works electrically but fails mechanically.
@@markmiller3516 thanks! I think I solved the problem, or at least have a decent workaround. Turns out that pressure regulator that I installed is adjustable, even though it isn't advertised to be. Removed a cap and turned an adjusting screw so that the pressure relief valve just barely doesn't vent at sprinkler pressure. Problem solved!
I believe on my Rainmachine, zone 1 can be configured for either a master valve or a pump start box/relay. I have zone 1 running to the pump start box and zones 2 onwards running to the individual zone solenoid valves.
Here is a link to the manual showing what I am referring to: support.rainmachine.com/hc/en-us/articles/228000228-RainMachine-Mini-8-Quick-Installation-and-Setup-manual-?mobile_site=true
Hey great video! How did you hook up your wifi? I dont see any cables going to a a byhve or rain machine.. Thanks, trying to di the same here in Pembroke
So simple a jar head can understand thank you . Probably saved me several hundred dollars
Great video. unable to find any other video explained to this details
Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful!
So let’s say the load side of the starter relay is energized without 24v going through the low voltage wires, does that mean my starter is bad? I keep frying the 24v transformer in my sprinkler controller so I’m not sure if it’s the relay, the pump or maybe a short somewhere in a solenoid.
Thank you for making this video
Appreciate the video, made it a little easier to understand what I'm doing. I did have a question about the zone wires in the relay box. (Rainbird) I see the master wire and common wires, but my zone wires don't appear to be connected to anything. Right now my entire system runs as 1 zone.
Ok, you probably have one of those mechanical indexing valves then, right (as opposed to individual electrically controlled zone valves)?
@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC Correct. (Honestly I had to look up what that was. That how lost I really am lol)
In my case I have a rainbird timer with 8 zones.
Does low voltage run from the timer to the relay always as long as it’s going through the program for all 8 zones?
Or wold I have to connect all 8 low voltage wires on a pigtail to the relay so each zone keeps sending low voltage to the relay powering the pump?
Thanks for your help and great content!!
If your sprinkler timer has a terminal for a master valve or pump start relay, the timer will automatically energize that when all eight zones are running. If it does not then you will have to wire it to energize the pump start relay
Hi, what makes the contacts in this box click on and off rapidly? Meaning not staying connected when pump is trying to start. Thanks.
Sounds like the voltage going to the box is wrong. Might be a problem with the timer or a voltage mismatch between the timer and the box
Very helpful. One question:I'm about to put one of these systems in, but am curious what happens when eventually one of the valves fails and doesn't open, but the pump relay of course still turns on (since it doesnt know that the valve failed to open). It seems like your pump would burn up trying to push the water with nowhere for it to go. Do you know how that situation is prevented, because sooner or later a valve is going to fail. Thanks!
It's actually a really good point. I hadn't considered that. Maybe I should install some kind of pressure relief valve on the end?
I did a little bit of research and a dead head relief valve seems to be somewhat of a controversial topic on sprinkler pumps. I'm going to give it a try though. I just ordered this one from Amazon. www.amazon.com/dp/B00X4S0UFK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_GKGaFbRD47960
@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC Interesting. That does seem like a possible solution. I'm new to all this so I really have no idea if there is a standard solution, but millions of people use a pump so seems like there must be a standard fail safe of some kind built in to make sure the valve is actually open before activating the pump relay. Hmmm
@@bran-qt7ds I'll certainly let you know once it arrives! I know there is a slight delay between the time the pump comes on and the time the timer turns on the first solenoid. The pressure does spike at that time. should be interesting to see if this pressure relief valve opens up at that same time as well
@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC Thanks Joe, looking forward to it.
thanks for the video. I just wish you showed a 220v wired version (I want to install a 220 pump) and will be using a rainbird start relay).
Hello thanks for the video very helpful the master valve or valve (1) is that what i would connect to the pump relay?
Thanks! On my timer, which is a rainmachine mini 8, zone 1 connects to either a master valve or a pump relay. In my case zone 1 is connected to the pump relay.
@@JoesGarageProductionsLLC thank you very much for the information big help
Hello, any way you can show how to hook up to a k-rain pump start relay, i just don't understand how it works🤔 trying to do it myself. Trying to connect my rain bird timer and my pump into the relay
I don't have one unfortunately but they all work pretty much the same way. The sprinkler timer will typically energize a 24 VAC low current coil in the start box/relay. Once energized, that mechanically connects the high voltage terminals on the line in side to the motor terminals. So, in a 240 VAC application, you will have line 1 and line 2 coming in from the breaker wires to the line side of the relay. You will have the motor wired to the load side of the relay. And you will have your 24 VAC wires from the timer that energizes the relays coil to make the connection. Hopefully that makes sense!
Question for you. Do you need a time delay relay? Would that help so that the pump isn't running without a valve open?
Your question is very timely... Last week, I shut my sprinkler timer off from my phone but for some reason, despite all of the zone valves being closed, the pump was still energized and it blew apart some of the plumbing on the pump discharge line. No permanent damage. I do have a pressure relief valve on the discharge side, but it might be too strong. I've been giving some thought about wiring some kind of interlock so the pump CANNOT come on unless a zone valve is already open. My timer can only handle about 500 mA of current if I recall so I need to be careful here... still thinking about it.
I was also thinking about using a well pressure switch of some kind to cut off the pump if it dead-heads again. That has the added advantage of dealing with a solenoid that works electrically but fails mechanically.
Crazy. I can tell you are a good dude. Thank you for all you do and best of luck to you.
@@markmiller3516 thanks! I think I solved the problem, or at least have a decent workaround. Turns out that pressure regulator that I installed is adjustable, even though it isn't advertised to be. Removed a cap and turned an adjusting screw so that the pressure relief valve just barely doesn't vent at sprinkler pressure. Problem solved!
So what wire come from the clock? Common wire & what else
I believe on my Rainmachine, zone 1 can be configured for either a master valve or a pump start box/relay. I have zone 1 running to the pump start box and zones 2 onwards running to the individual zone solenoid valves.
Here is a link to the manual showing what I am referring to: support.rainmachine.com/hc/en-us/articles/228000228-RainMachine-Mini-8-Quick-Installation-and-Setup-manual-?mobile_site=true
Hey great video!
How did you hook up your wifi? I dont see any cables going to a a byhve or rain machine..
Thanks, trying to di the same here in Pembroke
The black cable coming out the bottom heads to a RainMachibe Mini-8 in my garage. I use zone 1 to control the sprinkler pump
Thank you sir....
220 wiring
Sorry, was there a question there?