Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller: 16 Zone | Simple Auto Schedules, Quick Run, Local Weather Intelligence. (Save Water w/Rain, Freeze & Wind Skip)

Finally figured out annoying zone Fault error for master valve operation when multiple master valve connected to the M terminal along with the regular zones Operation for about less than $20 wiring work, Really simple wiring and thanks to amazon for selling such simple devices to help rescue in this matter. It’s shame that rachio engineers didn’t design enough power for each channel especially when there is M terminal available for use. Customer should not need to buy anything else to make it work all together. At least they should have allowed up to 5 Amps of power usage for simultaneous multiple zones operations and multiple master valve operation. Which is very common these days. Anyways. I highly recommend, using individual master valves for front and back if you have multiple pipes feeding irrigation at your home, to save on leaks, and protect your irrigation and extend valve life using these available master valve terminals on Rachio 3. It is very simple, to wire up. I got all links for the product and wiring diagram shown below that has been tested and work prefectly. This is all you need. I have got 2 Master valves (1 for front yard, 1 for back yard), hooked up to external power source of 24VAC plugin type, using this simple DIN mount $10 24vac contactor, https://amzn.to/46q988x And this power supply, 24VAC, https://amzn.to/3I0UI6B wired externally to power up these master valve it works flawlessly, I am using these master valves https://amzn.to/4mck5QJ which shows 5W power consumption which is great for the application, however always have higher rated power supply purchased, to be safe to handle inrush (higher current for start up) current of valves when they open initially. I was able to simplify the circuit and use these externally powered master valve with any zones without any zone fault error or compatibility issues with Rachio 3. The product I shared above have been tested by myself, and I guarantee it works as long as you wire them correctly. if you have any questions then please let me know. If you use my link to purchase, it would tremendously help me provide support for your need, feel free to text me here if you have any questions. Hopefully, these photos with wiring diagram helps you out. If not just shoot me question here. The wiring for external pump would be very similar, but I can help you with that if you have unique situations for your case. Just ping me here and be happy to prepare your circuit diagram.

This controller is a great replacement for my old Rainbird 16-zone. I really like being able to use my phone or alexa to turn-on zone 13 for 10 minutes while i'm in the back yard with the root feeder staked in the ground.. Makes for quick watering without having to walk the 1/2 acre back and forth 18 times. I was also able to connect my old wireless rain/freeze sensor.

I purchased the Rachio 16-zone controller to replace my aging Weathermatic controller. I have 9 zones; of course, Murphy's Law, Rachio only makes an 8-zone and a 16-zone controller; hence, I had to buy the larger one leaving me with 7 unused zones. Online reviews imply that Rachio has both a mobile (smartphone or tablet) and desktop (web app) programming interface. Actually, this was one of my primary criteria for purchasing the Rachio - I'm "old-school" and prefer a web-based interface. 🙂 However, I ran into problems when trying to create (add) a schedule using Rachio's web app. I contacted Rachio Support about this and was told, "[Rachio] no longer recommend[s] using the web app for managing schedules or making any changes to your account. Unfortunately, the web platform hasn't been updated in quite some time, which can lead to bugs, inaccurate information, or other unexpected issues, such as the one you're currently experiencing." Boo! 😕 So, looks like it's the mobile app or nothing. I live in the Dallas (north Texas) area which typically imposes watering restrictions during summer months (for example, one or two days a week, and only during restricted hours). Rachio offers three types of schedule: Fixed, Flex Monthly, and Flex Daily. A Fixed schedule allows you to explicitly specify the day(s) of the week when the schedule is to run, and is recommended by Rachio for localities (such as ours) with watering restrictions. The other two schedule types rely on the controller to "do its own thing" watering on day(s) and at times when it deems necessary, based on factors like plant type, temperature, rainfall, wind, etc. Flex schedules are inappropriate for our area since they would violate watering restrictions. So, looks like I can't make use of Rachio's "smart" features, and I've set up a fairly straightforward Fixed schedule specifying one day a week during the overnight hours and a fixed time for each zone to be watered. In this area, it's commonplace to build homes with "foundation drip systems" to keep the clay soil around the foundation moist, preventing it from drying out and shrinking away from the foundation. The foundation drip systems are a zone in the sprinkler system, and consist of buried, perforated plastic tubing. While the Rachio controller supports a variety of zone types, there's no zone type for "foundation". So you just have to pick any of the supported types. These are a few of my "first impressions" on setting up the Rachio controller. I'll update this review to let you know how well the Rachio controller actually works.

I scored a “Like New” Rachio that was an absolute steal. Luckily, it had never been registered, so I didn’t have to contact support to get it removed from someone else’s account. The unit looked untouched — the only sign it had been opened was that the power connector was unwrapped and everything inside (mounting hardware, instructions, etc.) was still intact in the box, exactly as it left the factory.I did factory default it before the install and it even worked with my rainbird rain sensor I had on my Gen 2 Rachio.

I have a Hunter sprinkler system that we had installed about a decade ago. It works great, but the controller had outlived its usefulness. I decided to upgrade. I wanted a controller that I could access from my iPhone. I wanted a controller that would be easy to program and easy to use. I wanted a controller that would take the guesswork out of when to water and for how long. My research led me to purchase the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller ... and I am completely satisfied with my purchase! My purchase decision came down to the Rachio 3 and the Hunter HydraWise. I probably deliberated longer than I needed to ... but that was because I have a Hunter sprinkler system and I had a bit of anxiety about buying a controller not made by Hunter. I was ultimately swayed by Rachio's app capabilities ... and professional reviews. The Rachio 3 seems like a sprinkler controller reinvented. The Hunter HydraWise seems like an old fashioned sprinkler controller with an app. 21st century technology (Rachio 3) vs. 20th century (Hunter HydraWise). I am a futurist ... 21st century for me. The Rachio 3 is an app-based controller ... there are no programming buttons or knobs on the controller itself. The app is easy to navigate and simple to program. I opted to let the Rachio 3 determine when and how long to water. The app uses weather data from several resources to determine when to water my lawn. The app sets the duration using a creative method of alternating the watering time per zone to maximize water retention in the soil. I'm a gadget guy, so I had to give this a try ... though I was skeptical about the "intelligence" of this system. Well, I am convinced the app has the right approach. My grass looks fantastic! The soil is never dried out ... no brown patches ... no soggy soil from over-watering. The plants in our garden look great, too. The app set my sprinklers to come on overnight. In the morning I wake to a notice that the watering cycle is complete. If I want to see how long the sprinklers were active I merely have to look in the app ... all the data is there ... and I can access historical watering data, too. I have received alerts that the Rachio app is postponing watering due to rain and due to high winds. If I want to turn on the sprinklers all I have to do is open the app and tap the zone I want to water then set the duration. Simple. The Rachio app takes any manual watering per zone into account for future watering cycles. This app is so cool! The Rachio 3 was simple to install. It took me less than 30 minutes to disconnect my Hunter sprinkler controller and then install the Rachio 3. I powered up and connected to wifi without issue. Setting up the app took another 10 minutes ... over which about 5 minutes was me just exploring the app. So easy and simple. I consider myself technically adept at installs like but by no means an expert. That means I am confident I can do it ... but still need to follow the directions step-by-step. If I could install this controller, so can you. There is no charge for the Rachio 3 app. All that functionality is paid for upfront when you buy the controller. Seems like an incredible value to me. I am extremely pleased with my Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller ... and highly recommend this unit to anyone with an in-ground sprinkler system. An enthusiastic five stars!