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

Looked at upgrading my current RainBird ESP-ME controller to WiFi capability. When I contacted RainBird, the LNK2wifi module would not work with ESP-ME before Nov 2016. So I looked at getting the ESP-ME3. Well, you can get it but then you still have to buy the LNK2wifi module - it doesn't come with it!!! So I looked around and so glad I found Rachio 3!!! As advertised, I was connected in 15 minutes!!! Cavet, 2 of 3 mounting holes fit from the old system and I had already labeled my station wires from the last time I dinked around with the old controller. So just putting in third mounting hole and connecting the wires was a breeze. Downloaded the APP and it was pretty straightforward to set up the zones, take pictures of my zones, etc. With push of a button my zones were active. Seamless integration! All for MUCH LESS than what RainBird would have cost!! The only issue was connecting my Hydro Rain HRC-100 sensor. It actually was bad either but there was some conflicting discussion on the Rachio forum. The Rachio controller already has connections ready for the sensor like this. Still quite not working but that is due to the HRC-100 transmitter - batteries died. I like the fact the Rachio APP looks at local forecasts to monitor whether it is going to rain or not. The one dig is Rachio wants to charge an additional $30.00 for their valve sensoring diagnostics. Debating whether it's worth it or not. In any case, the Rachio 3 definitely was what I was looking for to control my sprinkler system when not home. It is at a good price. Easy to install and get going. I do agree with another reviewer in that the controller LED should cycle back 'n forth like the Ceylon bots from BattleStar Galactica. That would have been so cool.

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.