Troubleshooting the RC Controller
Contents
1. To adjust RC Controller station timing micro switches For course adjustment loosen the right hand mounting screw rotate the station dial to rest position and turn the adjust ing screw clockwise until the back of the metal switch actuating arm is 1 32 inch from the switch body For fine adjustment L Adjust each station knob to the minimum timing mark The pointer will not always fall on the center at this mark 2 Turn the controller to the AUTO position 3 Move the station dial clockwise from rest position and allow it to stop at Station 1 After the dial stops at Station 1 immediately rotate it just past Station 1 It should now advance and stop at Station 2 Repeat this for all stations Now turn the adjustment screw clockwise in one quarter turn increments until the dial fails to stop at a station When that happens turn the adjusting screw back a quarter turn counterclockwise Make sure that the dial stops at every station and that the gap between the actuating arm and the switch Is at least 1 64 inch Check the wafer switches The wafer switch is the distribution point for the valve voltage As the center hub turns with the station dial the wafer switch is connected to the station dial shaft As it turns a tab on the wafer switch touches the station contact point and powers the valve Problems occur when dirt accumulates on the tabs or contacts You can carefully clean2. RAINY BIRD Technical Newsletter Special Issue IN THIS ISSUE RC Controller Troubleshooting 5000 Series Rotor Rain Bird Contest Online Irrigation Answers Hour Dial Auto Off Switch Fuse Day Dial Station Dial Published by Rain Bird Sales Inc Turf Products Fall 1999 Troubleshooting the RC Controller Learn to Identify and Correct the Most Common Electromechanical Controller Problems When an irrigation system fails the controller is usu ally the first component to be blamed However in reality 30 50 of con trollers returned actually have no defects With a few troubleshooting tips and techniques you can easily save yourself and your customer valu able time and money Rain Bird s RC Controllers are designed with basic functions that mini mize maintenance and provide solutions as simple as the design itself All you need isa basic knowledge of AC voltage and a volt ohmmeter Covering the Basics Here are a few basic checkpoints for trou bleshooting your RC Series controller Wafer Switch Station Microswitch Day Dial Shaft Assembly Pivot Shaft Timing Rapid Hour Timing Assembly Motor Advance Dial Shaft Motor Motor Assembly Resistor W ran a lt a 5 Reduction Microswitch Hour Microswitch Gear Shaft Station Dial Assembl y Auto Off Fuse Switch Holder e Check the programming This includes the start time time
3. Questions Herearesolutions to specific problems you re most likely to encounter in the field Problem Clock stopped Hour dial not turning Time of day is not correct Clock stops between Station 4 and REST on any RC 4 model Controller recycles immediately without stopping in the rest position Day and hour dials function correctly but cycle will not start correctly Stations controlled si the top panel on the RC 1860AB or RC 2360AB operate correctly duri ng an automatic cycle schedule but the set of stations con trolled by the lower panel do not water Cause Circuit breaker tripped RC C and RC AB models only Fuse blown RC Bi models only No power to controller Faulty timing motor Faulty resistor There is a factory built in 20 minute delay on four station controllers Insufficient cycle time was allowed It takes about 20 minutes for the hour dial pin to sweep past the micro switch This allows the hour dial start pin to move off the micro switch The micro switch must be open or it will allow another start In other words if the total time on all stations is less than 20 minutes the controller will go past the final station advance to rest and immediately initiate another cycle start Off auto switch isin wrong position Pins on day and hour dial not pro grammed correctly Day and hour micro switches out of adjustment Defective day or hour micro switches The RC AB Se
4. internal parts to ensure pop up and retraction In addition a heavy duty retract spring ensures positive pop down A durable rubber cover is standard The rotor also offers fast forward arc check and optional Seal A M atic SAM check valves to prevent low head drainage in elevations up to seven feet Backed by Rain Bird s five year warranty the new 5000 Series Rotor delivers reliable performance from the top down Online Irrigation Answers on the World Wide Web Have You Connected With Rain Bird The latest Rain Bird products and changes Technical tips Answers to some of the most frequently asked irri gation questions You ll find these tech nical resources and more at your finger tips at Rain Bird s site on the World Wide Web Here are a few of the things you can do online when you click on Turf Irrigation at www rainbird com e Access the entire catalog This is one of the most important benefits of the Web site for distribu tors said Rain Bird s webmaster Rebecca Ryan Hunter Rather than tearing out or copying catalog pages for customers you can print the actual pages you need directly from the Web site complete with product informa tion including performance charts Information on the Web site is actually even more accurate and up to date than that in the printed catalog because it is continuously updated Find entire product manuals Most of the printed manual that is usually distributed t
5. the wafer switch hub with the eraser of a pencil being careful not to bend the contacts To clean the back side of the switch remove the mounting screws and lift the wafer switch off its shaft The wafer switch can also be damaged by lightning Burn marks would indi cate this type of damage Noticeon thefront wafer switch that thetab is in contact with Station 1 RAINY BIRD Put On Your Thinking Cap Put Your Knowledge of Rain Bird RC Controllers to the Test and Earn Your Free Rain Bird Cap Try your hand at correctly answering the following questions If you are one of the first 100 to submit the right answers you will receive a FREE Rain Bird hat Choose one of the following answers for each Circle your answers on the form below and submit it to Rain Bird by fax 520 434 6289 or by e mail rwaller rain bird com The correct answers will be published in the next issue Allow 4 6 weeks for del dial of mel hat roles aaan to Paice RONA many different start times per day a 1 24 b 1 23 C u number a 3 60 minutes in one minute increments b 6 60 minutes in two minute increments c 6 60 minutes in one minute increments lt n TATE short circuits a fuse b circuit breaker C a release Plug a Station dial b MODE switch c day dial Name Company Address City State Zip Phone FAX E mail address RAINS BIRD Quick Reference To Most Frequently Asked
6. an be caught right there For example if the con troller tests OK the trouble may be in the field wiring or primary power sup ply Identifying this quickly saves the contractor time in the field Testing may yield some important clues enabling a more rapid field diagnosis By the way Rain Bird receives numer ous Inquiries regarding Year 2000 com pliance for RC Series controllers l m not kidding Call ita hunch but I think they ll work just fine Rod Waller Authorized Service Center Manager 520 434 6259 rwaller rainbird com Rain Bird Sales Inc 6640 South Bonney Ave Tucson AZ 85706 continued from front power off to the valves The controller will run as programmed but no water ing will occur e Check for the correct time day The controller should always show the correct time and day as long as it is con nected to the primary power source If the time or day is not correct check the primary power transformer circuit breaker or fuse e Check the primary power Verify that 117 volt VAC power is on and correctly con nected If power is above 129 or below 105 contact a certified electrician e Check thetransformer The output should be between 24 and 28 VAC If not replace it e Check thearcuit breaker or fuse If it is blown it s most likely caused by afield wiring short The electro mechani Timing Motor above Resistor below en cal controller will stop on the s
7. e is programmed so the lower panel cycle begins before midnight RAINS BIRD Put Performance Over the Top With New 5000 Series Rotors Durability performance and the convenience of arc adjustment from the top These are a few of the benefits you ll find in the rugged mid range 5000 Series Rotor the newest addition to Rain Bird s residential and light commercial line The unique 5000 Series Rotor offers easy adjustment to the arc from the top with no special tools only a flat head screwdriver The arc can be adjusted from 40 to 360 degrees This versatile rotor also offers the conve nience of reversing full or part circle Operation in one product said product manager J R Bergantino A non reversing full circle only model is also available The rotor uses a proven water lubricated gear driven design and offers a unique reinforced flow path for additional side load strength explained Bergantino It also provides special O ring seals for better performance in gritty water The new 5000 Series Rotor is available in four six or 12 inch models with a TREE of six low angle nozzles with a 10 trajectory angle three Radius nozzles for a throw of 29 to 50 feet and six standard Rain Curtain nozzles with a trajectory of 25 and a throw from 23 to 40 feet Customers can also choose either a 2 0 or 3 0 GPM pre installed Rain Curtain nozzle A pressure activated multi function wiper seal blocks debris from the rotor s
8. es Your con troller s micro switches are small switches that when activated instruct the controller to perform a certain function If a micro switch fails or is out of adjustment the controller will not perform as programmed Your controller relies on a day micro switch hour micro switch and timing dial micro switch To determine whether or not a micro YEL TO VALVES STATION 1 MASTER VALVE switch has failed turn off primary power to the controller and conduct a resis tance test using a volt ohmmeter Resistance should be below 2 ohms when closed and infinite when open Remember the button of the micro switch should not be depressed until the program pin is locked into position to activate the switch To adjust the micro switches see be ow Adjusting micro switches in your RC Controller To adjust RC Controller hour day dial micro switches FU SE TRANSFORMER ba VOLTAGE 1 Loosen the two screws holding the switch bracket to the front panel 2 Pull out all but four equally spaced day or hour pins on each dial 3 Set each switch bracket so the four pins remaining barely touch the surface of the switch breaker arm before coming into contact with the ramp Na 4 Tighten both mounting screws while holding the switch bracket in place to prevent shifting 5 Pull out the remaining four pins on each dial All retracted pins should clear the switch bracket actuator arm
9. o customers is available on the Web This reduces the distributor s workload to handle other issues more efficiently Download SpecDraw drawings These detailed Auto Cad drawings of Rain Bird can be downloaded instantly from the Web site e Sdect Site Reports and Point of Connection newsletters Print only the newsletters you need to significantly cut down on paperwork The choiceis yours Print information save it as text files or download images Site maps and other features make it easy to browse You ll find all the instructions you need for traveling throughout the site and using its Information online Even though Rain Bird does not sell any turf products directly from the site it serves as a great technical and information resource with 24 hours a day for you and your customers Use the feedback form found at the site to share your ideas with us It s a great way for distributors to let us know what they re thinking and how we can improve the site for them explained Rebecca Hunter The Rain Bird site is constantly changing and growing said Rebecca Hunter who encourages distributors to check back frequently for updated information the latest charts and more The Rain Bird Web site is a technical resource that is constantly evolving based on your feedback to better service your needs
10. of day that irrigation should begin run time length of irrigation for each station and days on actual days the irrigation will operate If any part of the programming is missing the controller will not activate some or all of the valves e Check the Auto Off switch Make sure the controller is in the AUTOMATIC or ON position e De amp erminewhether the system has ather rain or moisture sensors A sensor cuts continued on next page RAINS BIRD Editorial by Rod Waller Can you troubleshoot a Rain Bird RC Series Controller How skilled are you at repair We devoted this issue of the Technical Newsletter to electromechani cal controllers to challenge and inform you Plus if you area Rain Bird Authorized Service Center ASC Level 2 or higher you are asked to repair these units to maintain your ASC status As a reminder here is an excerpt from the 1999 ASC Program Guide e Level 2 Perform repairs on site or within your inter branch system on 75 of all electromechanical con trollers e Levels 3 amp 4 Perform repairs on site or within your inter branch system rather than sending them to outside vendors on 90 of all electromechani cal and solid state controllers If you are having trouble meeting these requirements please let us know how we can help Your success is important to Rain Bird An RC Series Controller can be tested in five minutes at the counter Fifty percent of the problems c
11. ries controllers havea three position day switch When the switch is all the way out it is off When the switch is half way in it operates pro qam A or the upper par stations only hen the switch is all the way in it operates both the A and B programs upper and lower panel stations The lower panel must begin operation before midnight on the watering day if the following day is scheduled as an off day Another option is to install a 6 a m change over hour dial Push reset If controller p again check field wiring for possible short circuits Replace fuse If fuse blows again check field wiring for possible short circuit Check transformer power If voltage is zero check line voltage and check pi mary power If zero check the uildings circuit breaker To check reset the time on the hour dial and check back in one hour Or try a resistance test The test should show about 300 ohms for a good clock motor without the resister on it With resistor in place add another 43 ohms Check the resistor it should read 43 ohms If not replace it with Part 651137 None this is a standard feature Adjust total run time for more than 20 minutes Move switch to the AUTO or ON position Re program as necessary See section on micro switch adjust ments above Test with volt ohmmeter and replace as needed To correct ensure the switch is pushed in to the appropriate position Ensure start tim
12. tation that caused the problem Reset the con troller in rest position replace the fuse or circuit breaker Manually advance to station 1 and allow it to run for one minute If it operates correctly continue to Station 2 and the other stations repeating the process until the fuse blows Disconnect the wire that operates that valve Be sure to test all stations because there could be more than one problem Check the clock motor or timing motor The clock motor must operate continu ously whether the controller is on or off in order to keep proper time therefore this motor may fail after an extended time Verify that the motor is receiving proper voltage Then set the hour to the correct time and wait one hour If the hour dial has not moved replace the motor Changethe resistor Each RC Controller has a 43 ohm 5 watt resistor wired in series to the timing motor The purpose of this resistor is to limit current and reduce heat in the timing motor Without it the motor will not last long When changing the timing motor you must change the resistor also Part 651137 Test the gears and clutches The RC Series electromechanical controllers all use gears to transfer the rotation of the clock motor to the hour and station timing If you suspect a problem try to very gently rotate the station dial and hour dial on the face plate in the opposite direction from the direction that the arrows show If it rotates back
13. wards without much force the gear and clutch assembly is stripped and it s time to replace it DO NOT EXERT EXCESSIVE FORCE FOR THIS TEST Check the advance motor or rapid advance motor This motor operates only when the controller is changing stations or returning to rest position To determine whether or not the motor is receiving proper voltage check the leads with a volt ohmmeter for 24 VAC By turning all stations off and manually rotating the station dial to the OFF or rest position you can apply power to the rapid advance motor STATION DIAL wrenur MICROSWITCH i YEL YEL E2 WHT GRY 1 o WHTIBLU g BRN Ad eee ca ah ae REST 18 E HOUR DIAL POSITION WAFER SWITCH BACK ar MICROSWITCH l D r n RAPID ADVANCE O T 1 MOTOR a rs a STATION l pe DIAL 1 HOUR b ES A 7 f DIAL i WIRE NUT L m oe 2 os AUTOIOFF y i m K TIMING A Fes WAFER SWITCH MOTOR AN oe FRONT BRN 43 ohm 5w DAY DIAL an ce WHT BRN Fi RESISTOR MICROSWITCH _ NEUTRAL AND VALVE COMMON 24 VAC TO STATION MASTER VALVE E vores vac If you do not have voltage at the leads the micro switch may have failed Check the micro switch see section below for testing micro switches Another good test is to apply 24 volt AC directly from another source If the motor does not turn it needs to be replaced If it does turn check the primary power and transformer e Test themicro switch
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