Rotary heads typically have a much lower precipitation rate than fixed spray nozzles (rotary's typically apply the water at approximately 1/3rd the rate of fixed spray). So it's expected that your run time would be three times as long vs somebody who's running fixed spray heads. Still, the run time seems excessive, the cycling helps. In reality, most of the feeder roots are in the top 12" of soil, especially in clay. I think the theory of deep watering is good up to a certain point, if overdone you're just wasting water. Thanks for putting up the vid.
please follow up with a comment about how the automatic water setting worked, I'm pretty sure that if I ran water for an hour it would all be in the gutter. I may not understand the best way to water so would be interested if watering deep but seldom is the best way. thanks
By the way, the Rachio video on the company site shows that you push a pin with a screwdriver and the wires go right in. Not as hard as you indicated. Mine goes in tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
Yeah I was going to mention the same thing, saw someone on another video use a small screwdriver to push those wire holders down and then the actual wire goes right in.
although you said that you don't need to push the buttons, you actually do. I was trying to jam them in and it didn't work, and went on to rachio website and their support page said to use a screw driver. perhaps we have different models.
+J Dub It did, but it used a cycle system to rest each zone for 15 minutes and then water for 15 minutes. And then it didn't require watering again for a couple weeks. The strategy it seems to be using is really deep watering every couple of weeks. I'm really curious to see how it evolves through the next few months.
Not sure if you see my comment up above. It waters for 15 minutes and then lets ground soak in for 15 minutes, and will do this cycle over and over, which can double your watering time.
Ah, sorry. It still waters for long sessions about every 10 days or so. The real heat of the summer hasn't quite hit yet, but my lawn and flowers are doing great. I personally prefer deeper watering less often than short watering every day.
I don't have a flow sensor yet but it's something I want to do eventually. It will help you realize if there is a leak or if your sprinklers start getting clogged over time. It's the only way to know how much water you really use.
+Robert Bessell Even though I've been reviewing other sprinkler controllers I've left the Rachio up and running without any zones connected to see what kind of watering schedule it would create. It has been rainy here and getting warmer in Northern California, and the Rachio went up to once a week with a long watering.
+backslide311 The Rachio FAQ talks about soil sensors here: support.rachio.com/article/419-soil-moisture-connectivity But it doesn't list any specifically compatible sensors. In another article they show wiring sensors for the Toro Soil Sensor: support.rachio.com/article/366-toro-soil-sensor Then in another article they talk about wanting to integrate WIRELESS moisture sensors eventually: support.rachio.com/article/234-moisure-sensors That Toro unit is $100, so you might just want to stick to their smart watering formula!
Thanks, man! I did not get the rebate because I have been receiving review units from these companies. The Rachio is pretty great. There is a cheaper 8-zone generation 2 version now as well.
You may need to push down on the buttons above the wire holes like I am with my thumb at 1:42. Or just contact Rachio support and they'll help you out!
I am trying to set up the Rachio Generation 2. I opened my old system box and there are 8 wires, which correspond to my 8 zones. Besides, there is a wire for PUMP… WHERE DOES THIS WIRE GO? Thanks for any comment.
Try reading the instructions before making the video. ugh. I want to see how to install it...I could bumble my own way through it too if I really wanted to, but I don't.
NOPE!!!! Not even accurate to how this install is. Pain in the ass and just a rough install all the way around. Hopefully quitting the day job wasn't in your plans, this company kicks ass this controller install and review are trash though. Just a bit of honest feedback.
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Rotary heads typically have a much lower precipitation rate than fixed spray nozzles (rotary's typically apply the water at approximately 1/3rd the rate of fixed spray). So it's expected that your run time would be three times as long vs somebody who's running fixed spray heads. Still, the run time seems excessive, the cycling helps. In reality, most of the feeder roots are in the top 12" of soil, especially in clay. I think the theory of deep watering is good up to a certain point, if overdone you're just wasting water. Thanks for putting up the vid.
+finegardenslandscape Nice, thanks for the info.
please follow up with a comment about how the automatic water setting worked, I'm pretty sure that if I ran water for an hour it would all be in the gutter. I may not understand the best way to water so would be interested if watering deep but seldom is the best way.
thanks
By the way, the Rachio video on the company site shows that you push a pin with a screwdriver and the wires go right in. Not as hard as you indicated. Mine goes in tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
Ah, good call! Hope you enjoy it.
Yeah I was going to mention the same thing, saw someone on another video use a small screwdriver to push those wire holders down and then the actual wire goes right in.
although you said that you don't need to push the buttons, you actually do. I was trying to jam them in and it didn't work, and went on to rachio website and their support page said to use a screw driver. perhaps we have different models.
Did it really water your lawn for 1 hour? And flowers for 2? I water 7 min 3 times a week during the hottest of days and the lawn is fine. Thx
+J Dub It did, but it used a cycle system to rest each zone for 15 minutes and then water for 15 minutes. And then it didn't require watering again for a couple weeks. The strategy it seems to be using is really deep watering every couple of weeks. I'm really curious to see how it evolves through the next few months.
+The WiFi Garden interesting. Looking forward to an update once summer hits
Not sure if you see my comment up above. It waters for 15 minutes and then lets ground soak in for 15 minutes, and will do this cycle over and over, which can double your watering time.
Ah, sorry. It still waters for long sessions about every 10 days or so. The real heat of the summer hasn't quite hit yet, but my lawn and flowers are doing great. I personally prefer deeper watering less often than short watering every day.
do you have a flow sensor hooked up? it would be extremely cool or dorky to see all that glorious data on our water usage.
I don't have a flow sensor yet but it's something I want to do eventually. It will help you realize if there is a leak or if your sprinklers start getting clogged over time. It's the only way to know how much water you really use.
how is it going? you say it's watering deeply every two weeks??? is your weather not that hot right now?
+Robert Bessell Even though I've been reviewing other sprinkler controllers I've left the Rachio up and running without any zones connected to see what kind of watering schedule it would create. It has been rainy here and getting warmer in Northern California, and the Rachio went up to once a week with a long watering.
how about a video of your garden showing all your zones.
+backslide311 I like that idea. Gotta mow my lawn first!
Great Install Review. I'll replace my old rainbird "dum" controller soon. Thank You !!!
I’m confused, where do those wires come from? I don’t have wires in my garage.
how do you hook up soil sensors to it? what sensors do you recommend?
+backslide311 The Rachio FAQ talks about soil sensors here: support.rachio.com/article/419-soil-moisture-connectivity But it doesn't list any specifically compatible sensors.
In another article they show wiring sensors for the Toro Soil Sensor: support.rachio.com/article/366-toro-soil-sensor
Then in another article they talk about wanting to integrate WIRELESS moisture sensors eventually: support.rachio.com/article/234-moisure-sensors
That Toro unit is $100, so you might just want to stick to their smart watering formula!
It doesnt seems that hard to install at all. Would it be more difficult if the previous unit was a rainbird??? Thanks!
I noticed your zip was 94591! Vallejo?
Yup yup!
nice me too. Great Videos by the way, I'm trying to convince the wife to let me get one of these controllers. Did you get the Solano rebate?
Thanks, man! I did not get the rebate because I have been receiving review units from these companies. The Rachio is pretty great. There is a cheaper 8-zone generation 2 version now as well.
+The WiFi Garden yeah I seen that one. I have to count my zones when I get home. Thanks again for the video!
I'm not finding a way to attach the station wires.. have watched the videos and still am missing something..
You may need to push down on the buttons above the wire holes like I am with my thumb at 1:42. Or just contact Rachio support and they'll help you out!
thank you... I got it working
I am trying to set up the Rachio Generation 2. I opened my old system box and there are 8 wires, which correspond to my 8 zones. Besides, there is a wire for PUMP… WHERE DOES THIS WIRE GO? Thanks for any comment.
Hey Oswaldo, my guess is that wire goes to the "common" wire marked C in this diagram: support.rachio.com/article/472-wiring-label-gen-2
RTFM before reviewing it next time.
try editing out your mis wiring and you can shorten the video to something under 4 minutes that is more watchable
best time for watering is before evaporación ocurre to mi rachio is waist money is just someting fency but not beneficial
This helps- thanks!
If you read the instructions before you start you'll see its not hard at all to install
Try reading the instructions before making the video. ugh. I want to see how to install it...I could bumble my own way through it too if I really wanted to, but I don't.
So you're not INSTALLING it, you're replacing the head unit that already exists with a different brand.
0001937
NOPE!!!! Not even accurate to how this install is. Pain in the ass and just a rough install all the way around. Hopefully quitting the day job wasn't in your plans, this company kicks ass this controller install and review are trash though. Just a bit of honest feedback.
how is it going? you say it's watering deeply every two weeks??? is your weather not that hot right now?