Replace your lawn sprinkler controller

www.GemSprinkler.comAuthor: Craig Borglum, CIC CID CLIA Author: Craig Borglum, CIC CID CLIA

Copyright 2007 Copyright 2007

Replace Your Lawn Sprinkler Replace Your Lawn Sprinkler ControllerController

Changing out an old Changing out an old controller to a new controller to a new one is quite simpleone is quite simple

After you have done it After you have done it once, you will realize once, you will realize how easy it ishow easy it is



Follow These Simple StepsFollow These Simple Steps

Step #1Step #1 Write down the Write down the

existing program of existing program of the old controller.the old controller.

You can change it You can change it later, if you prefer, on later, if you prefer, on the new controller.the new controller.

Don’t lose the old Don’t lose the old program just yet.program just yet.




Step #2Step #2 After writing down the After writing down the

program, unplug the program, unplug the transformer from the transformer from the wall socket wall socket oror

Turn off the breaker. Turn off the breaker. Either way, disconnect Either way, disconnect

the high power input.the high power input.




Step #3Step #3

After testing for voltage After testing for voltage with a meter (with a meter (make make sure power is OFFsure power is OFF) ) disconnect the 120 disconnect the 120 volt, now “non-live” volt, now “non-live” wires from the wires from the controllercontroller




Step #4Step #4 Remove the face plate.Remove the face plate. There are many different There are many different

brands and models of brands and models of controllers.controllers.

If you are having trouble If you are having trouble determining how to open determining how to open the face plate to get to the face plate to get to the wiring, just break it the wiring, just break it open. open.

It’s going in the trash It’s going in the trash anyway.anyway.

www.GemSprinkler.comwww.GemSprinkler.comAuthor: Craig Borglum, CIC CID CLIA Author: Craig Borglum, CIC CID CLIA



Step #5Step #5 Disconnect the field wires Disconnect the field wires

and label them as you and label them as you remove remove each one.each one.

The common wire will be The common wire will be labeled as either “C” or labeled as either “C” or “Com”“Com”

This wire has to be placed This wire has to be placed in the same labeled in the same labeled terminal in the new terminal in the new controller or none of the controller or none of the zones will work.zones will work.

(Continued next slide)(Continued next slide)




Step #5 ContinuedStep #5 Continued If your system has a If your system has a

pump start or a pump start or a master valve, this master valve, this wire is just as wire is just as important as the important as the common wirecommon wire It will be labeled either It will be labeled either

“master valve” or “MS”“master valve” or “MS” Or it could be labeled Or it could be labeled

“PS” or “pump start”.“PS” or “pump start”.



Follow These Simple StepsFollow These Simple StepsStep #5 ContinuedStep #5 Continued

If you have a four zone system, If you have a four zone system, and you mix up wires (1-4), it is no and you mix up wires (1-4), it is no big dealbig deal

The common and pump start The common and pump start wires are the only wires are the only criticalcritical ones that ones that have to be correct.have to be correct.

Most systems on city water or re-Most systems on city water or re-claim do not have a master valve claim do not have a master valve or pump start wire.or pump start wire.

If your controller has one, identify If your controller has one, identify it.it.

Frequently, all the wires in the Frequently, all the wires in the controller will be different colors.controller will be different colors.

This is easier.This is easier. Just notate on a piece of paper Just notate on a piece of paper

which color corresponds to which which color corresponds to which terminal (common, master valve) terminal (common, master valve) maybe 1,2,3,4, ect.maybe 1,2,3,4, ect.




Step #8Step #8 Unscrew the old Unscrew the old

controller box and controller box and mount the new on.mount the new on.

Pull the field (valve) Pull the field (valve) wires and power wires and power wires into the new wires into the new controllercontroller




Step #9Step #9

Reconnect the power Reconnect the power wires andwires and

Turn on the breaker Turn on the breaker or plug in the or plug in the transformertransformer




Step #10Step #10 If you have a rain sensor If you have a rain sensor

(Florida law requires a rain (Florida law requires a rain sensor), connect on of the two sensor), connect on of the two rain sensor wires.rain sensor wires.

One of the rain sensor wires One of the rain sensor wires connects to the common (it connects to the common (it makes no difference which makes no difference which one).one).

The remaining rain sensor wire The remaining rain sensor wire connects to the common connects to the common terminal of the controller terminal of the controller (continued next slide)(continued next slide)



Follow These Simple StepsFollow These Simple Steps Step #11Step #11 NOTE:NOTE:

If you have a pump that is If you have a pump that is controller by a pump start, controller by a pump start, connect to the pump connect to the pump start/master valve wire start/master valve wire instead.instead.

Why? You do not want the Why? You do not want the pump running, it will burn pump running, it will burn up.up.

If you have a pump with a If you have a pump with a pressure tank, connect the pressure tank, connect the rain sensor to the common rain sensor to the common wire. The pump will not wire. The pump will not start unless there is a start unless there is a water demand (valve water demand (valve opening).opening).




Step #12Step #12 Reconnect the rest of Reconnect the rest of

the field wires.the field wires.




Step #13Step #13 Program the new controllerProgram the new controller

Replace your lawn sprinkler controller

Education

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