The app tells the controller to send current down a wire to the valves, which open electro-mechanically until told to turn off. It does not know how to check if the signal executes its function though, be it bad wiring connection or bad valve. That’s for you to verify now. Check your valves, turn them on manually to make sure they’re physically working as they should. And check your wiring connections, make sure they’re all tight and nothing is cut. If your valves are working manually and you have a signal coming to it and they’re still not working I would replace the valves. Something internal is not opening to allow the water to flow.

 

Thank you, Corneliani! I am able to manually turn on the valves in the ground. They work, and, again, sometimes the system works. What confuses me is that there are six valves, so why do all six fail at the same time? Anyway, will try replacing one solenoid and see if that makes a difference.

 

If all are cutting on then a bad controller or you have a wiring issue.

You replaced controller so thats out. So that leaves the fun one — wiring. Go to Lowes or HD and buy some waterproof twist wire connectors and re-terminate all the connections in the valve box(es). Test system over a few days since you say it is not consistent.

If still not working right, go to this next step

Lift and tag all the wires except for the common. Lay down Z1. Try it thru app. What happens?

Lift that wire and lay down Z2. Try it. Go thru every zone like this.

Let us know what the results are.

 

Thank you - I had an expert look at the issue. There was an old rain sensor connected and its wires had been (ever so slightly) nicked by a weedwhacker. Replaced the wires and the sensor and all is good again. So, there was no issue with controllers, valves or solenoid. Next time I'll know.....

 

I don’t like using sensors since I don’t trust them. Since I can control from phone I just manually adjust. Sometimes it rains just enough to trigger sensor but its not what I wanted.

 

Kind of off topic but you all better be running a GOOD electrical surge suppressor on your irrigation controllers. I even unplug mine in the winter to save it from electrical hits.

This goes for modern refrigerators, washing machines and especially your A/C compressor unit outside. My 5 ton unit pulls 175 amps at 240 volts every time the compressor kick on. That is a 42,000 watt surge people.

This is why some systems quit working.