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About Jim Schaefer
Expertise
Any question regarding sprinking systems,installation,repair, and trouble shooting.

Experience
I have been installing and repairing sprinkling systems since I was 15 years old. Have owned my own sprinkler system contracting business for over 26 years. It is basically the only job I've ever done, except for being a paper boy when I was young.

Education/Credentials
High School diploma and 3 years college credits.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Style > Landscaping > Irrigation > Rain Bird Controller

Irrigation - Rain Bird Controller


Expert: Jim Schaefer - 11/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: Can I replace my ESP 6TM myself, or should I hire a professional? I think I need a new controller because the system won't come on. The controller lights up, but it does nothing else. It does not advance -- even manual advance.
Thanks.

ANSWER: Hey Judy, I hope this helps. It is not very hard to replace this controller. The main thing, is that the field wires that are marked on the bottom terminal strip, need to be hooked back up the same as when you take them off. For instance, the wire marked #1 on the terminal strip needs to be connected to the new controller back on the terminal marked #1. As you take off the wires, mark them with a piece of tape and write the number of that wire so you know how to hook it back to the new controller. Also there will be a wire marked C (for common) this also needs to be hooked back up to C on the new controller. Also in the back of the controller, there will be three wires that hook to your 110 volt supply, green, white and black. Make sure that the 110volt power source is shut off before you take off and re-attach the new wires. Let me know if I can be of anymore help, thanks and have a great day.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much -- I appreciate your fast response. I plugged the system in again and the sprinklers worked with manual advance for a couple minutes, then shut off. So, I replaced the controller with a new SST-6001, but the sprinklers still will not come on. The wiring was pretty easy. The display looks normal. Any other suggestions? Am I missing something?
Thanks again.

Answer
Hey Judy, it sounds like maybe you have a short in the system. Do any of the stations work? Try to manually from the controller turn one station on at a time. It could be that an individual valve has a bad solenoid, or the wiring to the valves has a short in it. Try turning one valve on at a time to see if any of the valves work. If none of them work, then you probably have a wiring problem. If just one doesn't seem to work, then you probably have a problem with the solenoid on this particular valve.  Try this and let me know what you find out. Have a good day.

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