Ask your questions here – (They will appear shortly)

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Please look at the DIY Troubleshooting section before posting; answers to most questions can be found there. 

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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.

1,205 thoughts on “Ask your questions here – (They will appear shortly)

  1. I have a Raindial. Dialing through the zones I notice that sometimes the times I have previously entered do not display, and I have to wiggle the dial to get them to show. This makes for a frustrating experience when programming the zone as I am never really certain that i have succeeded in programming the timemin the zone I think I am programming. I hope this makes sense, it is difficult to explain.

    • I’m bill,

      Yes, that makes complete sense to me. I’d be happy to adjust the dial, and update other parts in the timer that typically fail. That way it will last you a long long time.
      If you have any other questions, just let me know. Just follow the instructions in the menu on this site titled ” how to get it repaired ”

      Thanks,
      Brian

  2. Hello,

    I have a rd1200-ext-r and this morning I found it stuck if OFF mode.
    I’ve removed the battery but the display still reads OFF.
    I checked the circuit breaker and didn’t see any issues there.

    Anything else I can check?

    Regards,
    Rich Ford

    • Hi Rich,
      Make sure the bottom switch is not in the left most position. If it still says off, you can try a factory reset. You can find this under the “DIY Troubleshooting” tab, item D, on the website. Let me know how it goes.

      Brian

  3. I had turned the power off looking to find a breaker by mistake. Now the unit does not activate the valves. when I try and manually run it nothing happens.
    Thanks,
    Bruce

    • Hi Bruce,
      I got your other messages describing it. I would recommend you follow the instructions in item D on the DIY Troubleshooting page on this site. Spunds like it might just need a reset. Let me know if that doesn’t work, we’ll work from there.
      Thanks,
      Brian

    • Hi Harry,

      this is usually due to either a programming issue, or a failing timer/backboard.
      I can help if I more information:
      1) what model is it?
      2) do you ever see the display flashing?
      3) when the water is on, and shouldn’t be, do you see a number in the top row of the display. If you do, put the dial on that station number and note what it shows on the display. if A, B or C is followed by a number, the letter tells you what schedule is currently running.

      try also doing a factory reset (see the diy page for instructions) and the reprogram.

      Let me know the answers above and we’ll go from there
      Brian

  4. Date Code: 01/19/09
    Model: RD-600
    Color: Blue

    My timer works intermittently at best. The display was completely blank without the battery. I could not get it to do anything. I checked all electrical connections and the power supply including the circuit breaker. All is ok. Still nothing. I then placed a battery in the unit. I was able to program and run all zones without any problems. I then removed the battery and the timer display was again functional. The correct time was displayed so I started a manual run. The 1st zone started to run properly, but after 3 or 4 minutes the unit shut down once again. The display was again blank as if the power was shut off. I repeated the above process again installing the battery and then removing it. The timer will not operate through an entire function without the battery.
    I do not want to run the unit just on the battery. It would not last too long. Can you suggest a solution? Thank You.

    • Hi David,
      That sounds like the type of problem we typically repair. Go ahead and send in both the controller and back connector board. I will send you an email with repair details.

      Meghan – The RainDial Doctor in Training

  5. I have an Irritrol RD-1200 that is flashing “of8”, this has not happened before. I am watering with the manual mode right now, but I am not sure it will run through the whole cycle?? Is this something I can fix? I cannot find that code (of8) anywhere. What does it mean?

    • Hi Judy,
      We have information about the OF message here on the website. Go ahead and read through that and see if it helps. Let me know if you have any other problems with it.

      Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training

  6. I have a RD-900-R. I used your instructions to clear my program and then reprogramed. I deleted some days and started others. My system still sprinkles on the deleted day. When I check the settings it says its off but it still sprinkles. I live in the Phoenix area. If it needs to be repaired do you have a recommendation.

    • Hi John,

      It’s possible there’s something wrong with the programming switch, you can bring it by for me to take a look. But it’s more likely there’s still programming that isn’t expected. The timer will have a default schedule A of 7am, 10min every day of the week for every valve. Make sure you change that if you don’t want it.

      Take a look and if you still need further assistance, drop me an email at rainDialDoctor@gmail.com

      Regards,
      Brian

      • I used your directions to clear the program memory. Another thing I noticed. It is powered by a transformer connected to the 24 Vac connections. Also it does not have a battery backup installed. Can you give me some more help clearing the program, at restarting the unit.

        • Hi John,
          If you have the gray timer, just unplug the ribbon cable. If you have a blue timer, you have to follow the detailed reset instructions on the website.

          I hope that helps,
          Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training

  7. I just got my RD600 controller back from you after repair . I ‘ve got “A” programmed to run every other day and “B” programmed to run every day for hot spells during the summer . Everything works fine when if starting watering cycle manually but when sprinklers system is run in “auto” mode when the time elapses for the last station (6) after running the full program it retriggers the controller to repeat the entire cycle 1 thru 6 again for one more time .
    The controller LCD shows the proper station number displayed when this happens and if I toggle the “OFF -Program- Auto” selector switch to Off and then back to Auto it resets everything fine . Any ideas on the cause?
    Thanks, Ken

    • Hi Ken,

      I think there’s some unexpected programming. I’d suggest doing a full reset and trying again. Make sure that one schedule doesn’t over lap with the other. e.g., you cannot have A run on M,W,F at 7pm and another schedule running every other day at 7pm. They’ll overlap. Also make sure you don’t have a second start time begin before the first start time finishes all the valves.

      Let me know if that helps…

      Brian

  8. Hello,

    I have a 12 station controller, model number RD1200-INT-R. None of the stations will come on with the timer. Even when I try to turn them on manually they will not come on. The timer shows that they are working, none of the sprinklers will work. I cannot figure out what the issue is. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

    Scott

    • Hi Scott,

      That sounds very much like a problem I repair often. Do you have a volt meter to check the transformer? If not, there is a section on the DIY Programming page that offers some ways to test it. Check that first and we’ll go from there. I may follow up with an email…

      Let me know,
      Brian

  9. My Irritrol Rain Dial does not turn on the irrigation well pump. The Rain Dial is fully functional when using a municipal water source. The well pump does work. Thoughts??

    • Hi Vito,

      What sprinkler timer model do you have (e.g., RD-600 or RD-600-R) I suspect it’s a bad well pump relay. If you have a volt meter, check the voltage on the well irrigation pump terminals on the timer’s back terminal board when it should be on. If not, let me know and we can try some other things.
      Please let me know what you find and I’ll help further.
      Regards,
      Brian

  10. Hello I have a rd900 unit. My sprinkles do not turn on when either the timer is switched on or when I manually turn them on. I have checked for voltage on the transformer I have checked my fuse. I checked for voltage on the terminal when I turn on manually. None of the stations give any voltage readings. What can be going on?

    • Hi Miguel,

      That’s not a common problem, but I’m happy to help since that’s something I can repair for you. Simply mail the timer and back terminal board to me. I usually have it back in the mail to you the next day. Here’s a link on what to send and other repair information.

      Regards,
      Brian

  11. I just posted about pulsing of 1/2 of sprinkler heads. Think I have 2 problems. The second valve emits a buzz noticed it when went to 3rd station probably was buzzing all along

    • Hi Shirley,

      I believe they’re probably both the same problem; one is just pulsating faster than the other one… I repair that problem frequently and am happy to help. You can use look at the “how to get it repaired” tab above for more information and if you want to drop me a quick email, use the contact-us option above.

      We’re not too busy yet, so we typically get them back in the mail to you the next day.

      Regards,
      Brian – aka the Irritrol RD-600 series timer repair “Doc”

  12. I have an RD-900 on the first station 1/2 of the sprinklers to the left of the vlaves pulse and have low output to the right they are fine. Am in the process of checking out the system not ready to turn it on full time. Trying to be ahead of the game as it is an old system.

  13. I have an RD600-R (2011) that no longer works reliably. The sprinklers do not comes on with the timed setting tough they will in manual, there is no display when cold, the display returns when you press down on the back board, and it drains batteries. Not sure whether to send in the module, back board, or both. Please advise.

    Ken

    • Hi Ken,
      Send in both the timer part with a dial, and the back terminal board. I am familiar with that problem and we’re not too busy right now so will have it back to you in no time. If you have any other questions let me know, or drop me an email using the contact us form at the top of this page.

      Thanks,
      Brian

  14. I have a Hardy Rain Dial. It works fine manually but it odes not work on the automatic program. New battery and I have had this Rain Dial and know how to program it.

    • Hi Daisy,

      It sounds like you know what you’re doing. the only think I can think of that might cause that problem is if the bottom slide switch is not detecting that it’s in the run position or that the semi-auto button is pressed but not not being properly detected.
      I would suggest doing a full reset by powering down the unit with no battery connected, this should clear out any problems and leave you with a default schedule of every station for 10 minutes, every day at 7am. You’ll have to reprogram it to your preferred schedule.

      If that doesn’t help, I’d suggest you send it in for repair. We’re not too busy right now because it’s still ‘off season’ for most people.

      Let me know if the reset works. you can also reach us via email at RainDialDoctor@gmail.com
      Regards,
      Brian – aka the RD-600 series Irritrol rain dial doctor

  15. My drip system is using 3 zones. When zone 3 comes on it shows “B4.9” on the screen and runs constantly until I turn off. It is watering flowers and set to anywhere from 10-25 minutes. Shutting down system and reprogramming does not fix problem.

    • Hi Michael,

      I believe this is a programming problem. The B refers to schedule B, and the 4.9 is saying that that valve has been set to 4.9hours.
      If you’re programming it to something else, it means that either the programming is done incorrectly or that the buttons, switch settings are not being correctly detected…

      You can try doing a factory default reset (see my DIY troubleshooting website). That should erase schedules B and C, and set schedule A to the default which is 10min on every station, every day at 7am.

      Try that and see if it clears out the B4.9 problem and then try reprogramming. If you can’t get it to accept your programming, send it in for repair.

      I hope that helps,
      Brian

  16. HI Brian
    My Irritrol Rain Dial RD-600 display was not working, so I installed a new battery, and reprogrammed the current day and time. Now not matter what I try to do, the display flashes 0F3 and the time.

    • Hi Janet,
      That is part of the rain delay feature. I have some information about it and how to turn it off on my website here. Hope that helps,

      Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training 🙂

  17. I have too many pop up sprinklers on 1 solenoid valve. How to split the station into 2. I have a 6 station irritol model and using 5 stations

    • Hi Clive,
      It looks like your message cut off a little early. If you have too many sprinklers connected to one Valve, you probably have to add another valve and re-pipe some of the pop-ups to a new valve.

      Does that answer your question?
      Brian

  18. I have reset my controller to factory settings, reset my times and when I turn on my water and timer a different section comes on and runs when nothing should be running. I have checked my valves. Everything is clean. what should I do next?

    • Hi Pablo,

      Give me some more details and i can help;
      1) what station/valve number is coming on when it should not be on?
      2) When it’s on, what valve number is shown on the top of the timer’s display ?
      3) how many valves do you have?

      The valves (not the timer) have a manual on/off setting. They should always be in the ‘off’ position. Make sure they are ‘snug’

      Let me know more and I’ll help more.
      Regards,
      Brian – aka the Irritrol rd600 series rain dial ‘doc’

    • Hi Peter,
      Short means that the solenoid has shorted out and is bad, or the wiring is crossed somewhere. It is usually not a timer problem. I would recommend replacing the solenoid for the valve that the timer is trying to turn on and can’t. It is a do it yourself job for about $15 to $20.

      Meghan – RD600 RainDial Doctor in Training

  19. Does my Raindial Irritrol Model# RD600 run on a battery? If so, what kind? At present I am not strong enough to open the door on the right.

    • Hi Roberta,
      No, it does not run on a battery. There is a 9 volt battery in the back of the timer on the top that is used to keep the clock running if the power goes out. The battery is not required for it to operate. The panel on the right is not intended to be accessed because it contains high voltage. If you describe what the problem is more, I can offer further assistance.

      Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training

    • Hi Robert,
      Thanks for the inquiry. That sounds like a problem we typically see. I would recommend sending both the controller and backboard in for repair. If you have a -R model, make sure to send in both parts. I will send you an email with repair information.

      Meghan – RD600 RainDial Doctor in Training

    • Hi John,
      I would recommend trying a factory reset. I have instructions on how to do a reset here. Let me know how it goes.

      Meghan – RainDial Doctor in Training

  20. I would like to send you a picture of my controller digital readout it is stuck on -94 and -AM and -HOUR and will not change, we have had power out for 5 days I hav changed the battery and still stays on that readout not sure what to do lawn is getting pretty dry, let me know what you think

  21. We’ve got an RD-900, station 6 is not working.Take it, RD900 only has 9 active stations although there are 12 stations to connect up to, that correct???

    • You’re correct. the backboards typically have screws and wiring for 12 stations, but the timers only implement circuitry to control what it advertises on the label. Thus, you won’t be able to move the wire for #6 to the wire for #10 or above and have it turn on.
      Try swapping wire #6 with #5 and see if 5 quits working. If so, it’s probably the solenoid. If 6 still doesn’t turn anything on then it’s a timer issue.

      I’d suggest sending the back terminal board in for repair with the timer and we’ll get it back good as new.
      Let me know if that answers your question and if you’re willing to send it in or drop it off (If you’re in the Phoenix area)

      Thanks,
      Brian

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