How to perform a Zone Quick Run?

RickB · April 10, 2020, 11:13pm

I have watering schedules running all day long - mostly just waiting out various cycle and soak times. Every now and then I’d like to be able to quick run a zone. I cannot find a way to start a quick run. There is no quick run button on the app home screen. When I pick a zone, there also isn’t a way to start a quick run.

If I stop my watering schedule, then I can do a zone quick run. However, I also cannot figure out how to start the schedule again without waiting until it starts again the next day.

I can’t be this difficult - what am I missing?

Kubisuro · April 11, 2020, 2:00am

There should be a blue play button in the lower right corner of the app on the a Home screen. That’s quick run. Latest version on iOS has it, anyway. I’ve been using it to ops check my drip irrigation.

RickB · April 11, 2020, 2:04am

Thank you for the suggestion, unfortunately, I only have a blue circle button with 3 dots in it. There is no play button on the app home screen.

Kubisuro · April 11, 2020, 2:12am

Weird. Do you have the latest app update? I recall a few versions ago quick run was missing. Other way I can get to it is tap Zones tab, tap a zone and then a play button appears lower right of the zone card.

RickB · April 11, 2020, 2:41am

Yes, latest ios app is installed. I’ve tried going to zones, picking a zone, and there is only the blue circle with 3 dots in it. Like I mentioned, if I stop all schedules I’m able to perform the quick runs. But stopping all schedules screws up everything until the next day. Additionally, I’m not finding a way to restart all of the schedules. There has to be a better way.

Kubisuro · April 11, 2020, 2:45am

Hmm well only one zone can run at a time so if a schedule is watering then that explains the lack of quick run.

Anthony · April 11, 2020, 2:56am

Tap on your Rachio name on the upper left corner quick run was move to the main controller selection page hope this help

RickB · April 11, 2020, 2:42pm

Even if the schedule is not watering (soaking), the app does not allow a quick run on any zone. With many schedules, and lots of soaking, it doesn’t seem ever possible to turn on any other zone for a quick run. Seems broken to me.

Linn · April 11, 2020, 10:22pm

I’m not sure I’ve ever been able to do a quick run while a schedule is running (soak time is part of running). I think the quick zone run capability is only available if you are not otherwise watering.

RickB · April 11, 2020, 10:32pm

Thanks for the feedback - we’ve established it is not possible to do a quick run on any zone while any schedule is running. Since for my application schedules will be running all day everyday, this rules keeping the schedule running.

Next - I’ve tried pausing all schedules. However, when the schedules are paused the app still does not allow a quick run of any zones.

As a last resort - I stopped the schedules. Now I can do a quick run. But - how do you restart the schedules to keep them going for the day?

Linn · April 12, 2020, 4:32pm

Dumb question. It kinda sounds like you have a lot of schedules, and perhaps only a zone or two in each schedule. Is there any reason you can’t combine them into one schedule? That way one zone is watering while another one is soaking. I’m a Flex Daily user, and I have all my zones in one schedule – it keeps it running efficiently. And then you might not have so much need to do a quick run.

RickB · April 13, 2020, 3:42pm

I actually only have a couple of schedules, but do have 16 zones. The problem is that I need to have one of these schedules run about 12 hours a day doing a very short cycle every 3 hours. Because the schedule is running (but only watering occasionally), this blocks the app from allowing a zone quick run. Yes, I could setup 4 or so separate schedules for these short cycles and I may do so. But the app should be able to do these things without blocking quick runs.

The need to do a quick run is for all kinds of things and would not be reduced by combining schedules.

I don’t understand why the app blocks the ability to perform zone quick run in this manner.

Linn · April 13, 2020, 4:17pm

My guess is that this request would be very low priority to have them change. In my 4 years or so of participating in this forum, this is I think the first time I’ve seen this request. Your best bet would be to just set up 4 different schedules, and then things should work a little better for you.

inkahauts · April 15, 2020, 7:48am

Any chance you can adjust when these schedules are running to more night time or morning so you can do tests in the afternoons, or something of that nature?