Cheers guys thanks for the help.
Will see if i can get it fixed and try again with an AC plug.
Would be awesome if Rachio could set up a how to make it work in NZ resource.
Pics attached .
Gene -
16 zone, many spare zones available. Why did you ask?I see the issue, reason why your power supply and Rachio both released the magic smoke. The transformer you’ve used is nothing more than the plug adapter, switching open socket to another without effecting the voltage. You’ve essentially doubled output voltage of the original adapter to 48 Volts, probably blowing out the surge protector.
I’ll let you know why I’ve asked about available zones in a follow up post, stay tuned 
Looks like the black transformer above is 24V DC not 24VAC
Thanks @Gene, its all starting to make sense now. Hopefully can get the side surge suppressor fixed and try with a 24V AC plug. @MDNZ you are correct, how are you finding yours? Im looking forwards to getting mine up and running.
Alright, now on to the reason for my question about the extra zones. Rachio comes with the surge suppressor on every zone.
Here (link) is a sneak peak (thanks FCC) into what your Rachio looks like on the inside. On page 2 and 3 you will see the side of the PCB with all of the components, the row of components closest to the output connector (blue strip) are the surge protectors. On the PCB they are labeled MV1 to MV18. MV1 is responsible for output of zone 1, MV2 for zone 2… MV16 for zone 16, MV17 for master valve and MV18 (not far from the red connector on the photo) is the primary side surge suppressor, the part that is likely blown on your Rachio.
Having available zones means that someone can take a working surge suppressor from the unused zone (such as MV16 from zone 16) and use it to replace MV18 component without needing to order spare parts. Make sure to mark (and never use) zone 16 as inactive in case you decide to go this route.
Alternately, you could get a replacement part, like this one from digikey NZ (link). In order replace MV18 and/or restore MV16 in case the unit starts operating with the above switcheroo fix.
Thanks Gene,
That’s awesome. You are a fountain of knowledge.
Much appreciated.
Owain
Hi Gene,
Do you know what this is in the photo. It’s blown too. FB1 we think it says. Where can we get one?
Cheers
Owain
It is unlikely that it is blown, as it is a filter coil and should normally show very little resistance (for anything other than high frequencies).
For reference, here (link) is this part blown on the Gen 2 board, unless yours looks similarly charred, you are OK.
Cheers,
Gene
Hi Gene,
Looks like the filter coil blew completely, it’s disintegrated. Just trying to find replacement on digikey but links in other thread seem to have expired. Would you mind linking them again please.
Cheers
Owain
Did you plug power transformer straight to the 24V + and - terminals? In that case, yes the filter would blow up as these terminals are not designed to handle the full power input, please do not try to do so again.
Have you tried using the power input plug since the blowout? In case you were using the terminals to connect the power plug, your surge protector may still be functional.
Good news is that you don’t really need to replace this part with the actual filter, especially in case you are not using any accessories which would normally use 24V power port. You can simply short the pads that the filter was connecting to in order to restore functionality to the power output port. It should work well, unless you are connecting a very long line to the 24 - terminal.
Just out of curiosity, did you ask the Jaycar staff for what you were looking for? Did you ask them for an AC transformer?
A point to note, and not to rub salt into the wound. There are generally two type of transformers: Linear and Switch Mode (sometimes called universal). Many people don’t realize that linear transformers (bigger, heavier, cheaper) are input voltage dependent (i.e. you can’t plug a 120VAC linear transformer into a 240VAC supply…otherwise sparks will fly and you will fry whatever it’s plugged into). Most modern electronic devices (phones, laptops etc.) come with switch mode supplies. We are used to using them anywhere in the world, when we travel for example. It’s a simple mistake. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switched-mode_power_supply).
It’s always a good idea to read the specifications of any transformer noting the supply voltages (usually in very tiny writing). Switch mode supplies will read something like “INPUT: 110VAC to 265VAC”. Linear will have a very specific input voltage like “INPUT: 240VAC”. Often AC is designated using a tilde symbol ‘~’.
Having said all that, I don’t think you can get AC-AC switch mode power supplies easily. They do exist, for changing AC frequencies, but they are very expensive. So once you get the Rachio fixed you need a 240VAC-24VAC linear transformer like this one from Jaycar: https://www.jaycar.co.nz/mains-adaptor-24vac-1a-unregulated-bare-ends/p/MP3032 It should do the trick but it might pay to check the driving current (in milliamps ‘mA’) of your solendoids/valves.
I live in Auckland, have a Rachio 2, and use a DIN rail mounted 24VAC linear transformer that is hard wired.
check the international category…
Hi team
Just wanted to let u know how things turned out.
Thanks for all the advice and helps guys. Ended up getting it fixed via Gene’s suggestions for using zone 16’s mv16 to replace the destroyed mv18 surge suppressor. Got around the filter coil by splicing the American input plug to a kiwi ac adaptor plug. Now up and running and working beautifully.
Marty - yes took original American version in with me to jaycar, but must been a mix up somewhere along the line.
Cheers
Owain
Hey there Marty,
We are in New plymouth.
Your post has been very helpful to us.
The general electric adapter that you have in the picture is a very neat looking one from general electric, I have googled the model but can not find a similar one in NZ, would you be so kind as to let us know where we could purchase the same/similar transformer. We will have 6 PGV hunter 24vac valves(Heavy-duty solenoid: 24VAC (475mA inrush current,
230mA holding current, 50 cycles) (370mA inrush
current, 190mA holding current, 60 cycles)).
OR would anything on ideal electric work?
Kind regards,
Dave
Hey there Gene,
You are such an inspiration, blessing to the Rachio community.
Your post has been very helpful to us.
The general electric adapter that you have in the picture is a very neat looking one from general electric, I have googled the model but can not find a similar one in NZ, would you be so kind as to let us know where we could purchase the same/similar transformer. We will have 6 PGV hunter 24vac valves(Heavy-duty solenoid: 24VAC (475mA inrush current,
230mA holding current, 50 cycles) (370mA inrush
current, 190mA holding current, 60 cycles)).
OR would anything on ideal electric work?
Be greatly encouraged in what you do
Kind regards,
Dave
Hi Dave,
I don’t have the Rachio anymore as we sold our house and left the Rachio behind.
Do you need a DIN rail (mounts on the rail in a switchboard) transformer?
Basically, you need a reasonable 24v AC power supply.
I’m sure you should be able to find something at an irrigation shop as most irrigation systems use 24vAC.
E.g. HR-Hunter and Orbit Plug in Transformer - 750ma - Irrigation Express
24VAC 1A Unregulated Power Supply BareEnds | Jaycar Electronics New Zealand
Not sure exactly how much current you need. 230mA x 6 if all solenoids are open at once I guess. BUt usually people don’t run all zones at once due to water pressure issues.
M
Thanks for the reply Marty,
I hope you are enjoying the house you are currently in now.
I had a look at irrigation express it is a 26V and not a 24v transformer.
The jay car one is noted. I would like a DIN transformer. ( as it will be neater).
However, most DIN I have come across have a higher amperage.
I checked online, and some people seem to think that the device will only pull out the amps it needs.
So even though the amperage of the original rachio transformer is 1A, a third party transformer with 1.5A would be fine( so long as they are the same voltage).Do you believe this?
Would hate to fry my controller.
Kind regards,
Dave
I think that link you posted is to a DC power supply.
Also, 26VAC should be fine and there is usually a slight voltage drop along a length of wire. I would imagine that the Rachio has some sort of voltage regulator in it anyway.
And yes, a device will draw only as much power as it needs. The voltage is fixed, but the current depends on how much the device draws. So you need to have a power supply capable of supplying the combined current of all the devices drawing from it. So using a 1.5A supply for a 1A device is perfectly fine provided the voltage is fixed. Hope that makes sense.
That is very helpful.
Makes a lot of sense, thank you for your wisdom.
