Ask your questions here – (They will appear shortly)

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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.

1,317 thoughts on “Ask your questions here – (They will appear shortly)”

  1. I have an Irritrol RD-600 controller and I’m having a serious issue with water continuing to flow after my programs finish.

    The Problem:
    – Stations 1 and 2 complete their 45-minute drip cycles normally
    – Controller display shows “OFF” when cycles complete
    BUT: A “3” appears in the upper display area and Station 3’s valve stays wide open
    Water meter shows extreme flow – burning through 650+ gallons per hour!

    What I’ve Tried:
    – Performed a hard reset and complete reprogramming
    Issue persists after hard reset!

    Current Symptoms:
    – Controller believes it’s done (shows “OFF”)
    – Display shows “3” in upper corner
    – Station 3 valve physically won’t close
    – Massive water flow continues at meter

    Question: Is this a controller programming issue or a physical valve problem? The fact that the controller shows “OFF” but Station 3 won’t close makes me think it’s the valve itself, not the programming. I have completed a couple of 2-3 mimnuted manual cycles on the valve, and the solenoid appears to close. Has anyone experienced this before?
    Any help appreciated – my water bill is skyrocketing!

    Thank you in advance

    Reply ↓

    • If you see a number in the top row the display for the station that is on, it means the timer is definitely turning it on. That means it’s a programming problem not a valve problem. The program could’ve been corrupted. A lot of people contact me that believe they have it programmed correctly, but in reality, it isn’t quite right. Here are some thoughts and questions.

      If you follow the instructions on the do it yourself troubleshooting page to reset it to factory defaults, you should’ve seen the programming get erased and set back to the factory default. It would also reset the time back to 12 o’clock.

      Question one: did you see the programming reset?

      Question two: what are your start times set for?

      Question three: how many programs are you using, for example, do you use program a, B and also C?

      Let me know and we’ll go from there

      Reply ↓

      • thank you for the reply.

        answer 1: yes. dis the sequence, set swithc to B, dial at 12 o clock position, remove the battery, pull the black ribbon cable – wait and got the 12:00 message

        answer 2: 6 am for valve station 1 and 2

        answer 3: using two – A for both front and rear drip to run valve 1, then valve 2. B for shrubs on completely different run times, days and times.

        I also switch the dial to skip days and selected to 1:on

        If it’s not a faulty controller, I think it has to do with the stack of program A. I am thinking to seperate front and rear drips to different program so drips will use A and B and shurbs on C?? – thank you

        Reply ↓

  2. I have irratrol RD-1200 that sends an intermittent current to all of the sprinkler valves so they click on and off but never turn all the way on. I have reset it several times to no avail. Can this be repaired?

    Thx RP

    Reply ↓

    • Yes, I’ll email you details, or you can also just follow the info on the ‘how to get it repaired’ menu.
      regards
      brian

      Reply ↓

    • Yep, and I’ll reburbish it complete so you won’t have other issues either.
      See the ‘how to get it repaired’ menu for details.
      regards,
      brian

      Reply ↓

  4. My plus and minus buttons appear to no longer work. Reparable? If not, can a use a modern new controller with my existing wires, values, etc.? Thank you

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Chuck,

      fyi: if you are wanting me to repair it you don’t need to take it off the wall, just remove the parts.
      If you want it off the wall, you can sometimes just push it upward off the screw mount and then it’ll pull off. If not, then remove the back terminal board and look behind it for screws that hold it to the wall.

      does that help?
      Brian

      Reply ↓

  6. I just moved into a house with a Rain Dial RD600-ext-R no date, blue controls with gray cover. Is it possible to figure out to what the 3 programs are set?

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Carol,

      Yes. Just follow the instructions on this site for the programming tips and tutorials. If you go through the steps to program the unit, you’ll be able to see what the programming is currently set to. Then you can change it if you want.

      Regards,
      Brian

      Reply ↓

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