RainMachine - Wiring existing sprinkler terminations for a rainmachine

[paulbates]

This is an approach to wiring an existing sprinkler system for newer controllers. Managing the wiring terminations can be one of the biggest challenges during installation.

 

I recently replaced ezfloras with a rainmachine after chipmunk damage to a master valve and an ezflora  .  The house came with a 1980s Rainbird controller that also was the termination point. The rainbird had a large work area and large, spaced terminals making it easy to bundle multiple commons and master valve connections. The irrigation system was wired with 3 bundles of 13 connector sprinkler wire, not easily connected to the new Rainmachine. When I installed the ezfloras originally, I kept the rainbird as the termination point (see pic). Now, I wanted to get rid of it and neaten up the space.  

 

The Rainmachine HD-16 has very small "hobby" style terminals that can take 1 wire each. Its wiring area is very limited. I need to wire 6 Commons to 3 Rainmachine terminals, and control 2 master valves off 1 reserved zone. I used terminals in the box to combine wires and ran only one to each rainmachine terminal. The 3 bundles were also a challenge so I dedicated a terminal block to each, sized based on the number of terminations required, so I didn't stress them. I used one side of the terminal blocks for the rainmachine, the other side for the matching irrigation system wires.

 

Attached is a storyboard of a way to do it, if you are considering a newer controller. I took pictures of the existing state and documented / labeled. I measured and wired the new box for the rainmachine, mounted it and terminated the rainmachine. Then I added the 3 existing, one at a time, testing each.

 

The box is Carlon junction box,it and the terminals came from my local HomeDepot. The have sprinkler wire by the foot as well if needed.

 

Paul