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To add a question, go to the bottom of the page, fill in the comment and click Post Comment.
Please look at the DIY Troubleshooting section before posting; answers to most questions can be found there.
You can also reply to other people’s questions if you like. (Thanks for helping)
Please try to include the following with your question, list:
1) the date code (located under the battery),
2) the model number shown on the face of the controller (usually below and to the left of the dial, e.g., RD-600 or RD-600-R).
3) Color (mostly Gray or Blue) based on the example rainDials shown at the top of the page.
Dear Sir,
I have an Irritrol RD 900 R that just makes the actuators tick and the water pulses as it comes out.
Any ideas on troubleshooting?
Thanks
Hal
Hi Hal,
Send it on in following the instructions on the page in the menu above that talks about how to get it repaired. We’ll get it back to you quickly and you’ll never have that problem again 🙂
I sent you a separate email as well.
Brian
Did not find a reply from this site; however I was able to fix the problem by “rebooting”, down powered the AC in and removed the 9V battery and waited a few minutes fixed the problem. Actuators working normal now! I did have to re-enter the water times as they went to default values.
Hope this helps someone!
Hi All
I have a RD-600 Grey controller. Since replacing the battery it has developed a peculiar problem that would not allow me to adjust the RUN times anymore.
Setting the rotary switch to any valve number displays CLOCK i.e. hours:minutes and AM or PM rather than a timer display. I have tried removing the battery disconnecting the main AC power for at least a week hoping to reset the controller but it did not fix the problem. Incidentally all other prgramming features at their respective switch settings seem to work.
Any help and guidance in fixing the problem would be greatly appreciated.
Best Regards
ik
Hi ik,
If it’s a -R model, do a factory reset. If not, send it on in for repair, we’ll get it fixed up for you.
Regards,
Brian
Can I pay without a PayPal account and simply use a Visa Card? I had a bad experience related to fraud with PayPal years ago. Do you take Zelle payment?
Hi Victor,
Yes, you can easily do Zelle; just use the information on the page ‘make a payment or donation’ Be sure to follow the specific information for Zelle as it isn’t necessarily the email address or phone number.
Thanks Victor,
Brian
Greetings Brian, I’m trying to help my sister and I don’t know the 1st thing about irrigation and even less about how to program her RD 600 R controller. As of today a zone in her front yard gives the impression she has a leak. Yet sometime its completely dry. She did comment that someone might have messed with controller. Is there a way I can completely reset it and try to set a new schedule? Thanks..
Hey Barry,
I dropped you a separate email, let me know if you have other questions…
Brian
my r900 works fine in manual mode no error code but when i use the timer for normal watering it will not water on set time or any other time. i have repaired it years ago and has worked fine for 25 years then this prob. i replaced the timer and mother board and still same problem. i have verified the time, zone, and all valves operate normal any idea
Hi Daniel,
I dropped you a separate email, let me know if you have other questions…
Brian
Hello,
My RD-900 will only allow current times between 12pm and 11:59pm. I can only set runtimes between 6pm and 11:59m. I have tried the factory reset removing the battery and ribbon cable but it flashes a time of 12:00 pm when being reconnected. Is there something else I can do to get it to show am?
Hi Kellie,
If the factory reset didn’t work, send it on in; we’ll get it taken care of for you .
Regards,
Brian
Hi, I’m hoping you can help me. I’ve just replaced a RD1200 with a new controller. The old controller was giving strange readings; 42 volts from VC to the valve terminals and now I’ve installed the new controller I’m getting the same readings!?
The system runs on a pump, which on the old controller was reading AC 30-32 volts on MV and VC. Now the new controller is installed, the pumps trips the controller into off mode and then gives a FUS message. When I remove the pump wires and reset the controller the message disappears, so I think there’s an electrical issue with the pump connection.
However the thing that’s getting me is the 42 volts reading which seems to persist. If you can figure it out, I’ll make a donation.
Thanks in advance.
Grant
We’ve gone back and forth a few times on emails, but I wanted to close out this comment. Its likely that your pump relay is failing if you see the FUS message and more than one station number listed with it at the top of the LCD. If you see just one number with the FUS, it’s telling you which station is bad. Simply replace the solenoid for that station and everything should be good to go.
Hello, we have a Rain Dial system RD600-INT that stopped working. We replaced the D battery but that didn’t work. When we turn it on, nothing happens. Please I hope you can help.
Serial No: 374885
Date Code 10/19/2007
We conversed over email; I’m glad it was repairable and everything is working again.
Brian
How do you change the Control Module Ribbon Cable on an Irritrol RD-1200-R controller?
Date code: 03-18-25
Color: Blue
Unfortunately, there isn’t really an easy way to replace the ribbon cable. I would suggest sending an in for repair. I can take care of the cable back terminal board and also refurbish other parts that often fail overtime. That way you’ll know everything is good to go for a long time.
See the menu above for information on how to get it repaired.
Hi Team,
I have a RD600-R (06-22-17). My issue is I have 2 stations (4 & 5) that go on at the same time as opposed to in sequence thus impacting the water pressure. Simple programming involved, only one cycle (C) running at one time. I tried to the system resets (both old & new). No change. I’m happy to purchase a new controller from you but I’m concerned about a rare issue that you mentioned in the troubleshooting section. A faulty diaphragm with one of the valves? How do I diagnosis which valve is bad? If I buy a new controller I could end up with the same problem. Thanks.
Hi Jerry,
I would disconnect the wire for one of the valves, then run through your sequence and see if it still turns on without the wire attached. If so, then it’s a valve issue that’s responding to the change in pressure instead of the electrical stimulus. If that doesn’t work, try the other wire and see what you get. Hopefully that will narrow down the issue.
Let me know how it goes, and if this is helpful, please leave us a donation. Thanks.
Good morning,
Owner of a irratrol 600 d that’s not cycling through all the zones ( showing fus error 1-5) Was reaching out to see if you’re still operating.
Thanks,
Evant
Hi Evant,
You’ll find everything you need to know about FUS on the DIY Troubleshooting page. If you don’t, let me know your specific question and we’lll go from there. Regards, Brian
p.s., if it’s helpful, please leave us a donation, if it’s not, let me know where it fell short.
Regards,
Brian
Hi. The 24vac coil in my contactor to turn on the bore pump only has 5.8ohms resistance. I believe it is making the controller go to fault. R1200r. Is this likely and if so, what can I do to rectify this?
Hi Craig,
I sent you an email with a lot of information on that; but It’s likely a problem with the bore pump relay/contacor; replace it and it’ll be taken care of.
Regards,
Brian
Hi I have a irritrol life 4 channel programmer I cannot get to show the day if the week only the date help please
Hi Kevin, you must have it set in skip days mode. Just set the dial to the skip days position and hit the – until you get down to zero or off. Then the days of the week will show up as you expect.
If this is helpful, please leave us a donation 🙂
The “manual” button is not working on my RD-900-R.
Hi Scott,
I’m happy to help with that Irritrol RD problem; just send it on in for repair; I’ll take care of it and refurbish the whole thing so it’ll be good to go for a very long time. See the RD600 repair details in the menu above ‘how to get it repaired’
Regards,
Brian
Hello Team, I do have KD6 unit and its been working very good. But today I didn’t see any display (its a blank). And then I unplugged the power supply and put it back, but still not working. I also checked my fuse which tied to garage and sprinkler controller. So, I am seeking help to see what can be done to restore it. Thanks
Hi Ramana,
Can you check to see if you have 24VAC? You can get a multimeter from harbor freight for around $8 to check. Also check here https://raindialdoctor.com/sprinklers-dont-come-on-when-they-should/ and look at item C
Brief power outage caused reset even though I have battery backup. All days were set to ‘one’. Bad battery or something else?
PS I’ve diagnosed a bad solenoid using your troubleshooting guide. Thanks for that.
PPS You repaired my timer almost 2 years ago and it’s still going strong!
Hi Gary, I thought I replied earlier, but I don’t see it now.
Yes, it should maintain your programming through a power outage as the battery is good. You might check the battery and then test this by turning the power off to the timer. The display should still show the time in the program should be maintained. If it doesn’t, let me know and we’ll figure out what to do. Perhaps the battery connections have failed or something like that.
Let me know what you find out. I’m glad your time has been working so well for you after all these years. Regards, Brian.
Grey
RD-600-ext
Today setting is showing SU and it will not change days when push + or -.
What is way to change
Double check that you have the bottom center switch in the middle position which says set programs.
That should allow you to change the day of the week by pressing the + and -.
You might try moving the switch back-and-forth a few times and make sure that it’s seated in the middle properly.
Let me know how it goes
Brian
First, my RD600-EXT-R has been malfunctioning for a few months, going off program and watering for long stretches outside the program. Sometimes the unit displayed the wrong time. A few days ago, I tested the backup battery and found it was bad and replaced it. The unit reprogramed ok. But this morning when I checked the unit (we are expecting unusual rain) the display was blank. I followed the instructions for resetting the older models, once and the instructions for the newer models twice. The display is still blank although it may be lit.
As an additional complication, I ran over the fuse with my car, The glass is gone but the fuse still fits in the brackets and the filament is intact. Let me know if I need to replace the fuse before I can proceed. Pictures are available
Hi Richard, I also got your email and we’ve kind of closed out this conversation that way. If you have any other issues, just let me know.
I’m glad We were able to get it all repaired and working like new again.
Brian