Raindial RD-600 to Rachio 3

Troubleshooting Wiring
1

I currently have a RD-600 and just acquired a Rachio 3 with an external container. This link is a picture of the RD-600 wiring setup. Zone/Valve controllers are on the left and power on the right:
Google Photos
With those two fixed pipes coming up from the ground, I’ve got two issues.

  1. The holes on the RD align with those pipes; Not so with the Rachio.
  2. The RD has power on the right and valves on the left; just the opposite of Rachio.
    Basically, without turning this into a major project; what can I do?
    Dave
2

@drbrandman / Dave, there are several options that I can think of. I don’t know if they crept into the “major project” area or not. Here you go:

  1. Use flexible liquidtite pipe (e.g. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-3-4-in-x-6-ft-Ultratite-Liquidtight-Flexible-Non-Metallic-PVC-Conduit-Whip-58004607/203447593) connected to the electrical line (the transition could be made closer to the ground) to move the electrical line to the proper position for the Rachio enclosure.

  2. Find another outdoor enclosure that is big enough to house an electrical box for an outlet box along with the Rachio. Wire in the electrical outlet to plug in the Rachio transformer and drill holes where the existing pipes are.

  3. Go below ground level to find the end of the sprinkler valve field wire pipe (left pipe above) and move it to the other side of the box. I don’t expect this pipe to go beyond the depth where the sprinkler valve field wire is run. This may require a splice in the wires if there is not enough slack in the existing box. Be sure to use waterproof wire nuts on the connections (https://www.homedepot.com/p/DryConn-Aqua-Orange-Waterproof-Wire-Connectors-4-Pack-62104/202889869). You may have a choice on where to make the splice - in the Rachio box or underground where the wire enters the PVC pipe to keep thing clean. Lowe’s or Home Depot should have sprinkler valve field wire that you can buy by the foot with x number of conductors to match up (or get close) to your existing wire (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-By-the-Foot-18-10-Black-Solid-UL-Sprinkler-System-Wire-49270299/204724972).

Hope this helps. Feel free to post back with further questions.

3

I have the same problem with the similar RD-900. I think I have an easier idea: Cut out the existing outlet to allow the control wires reach the controller and add a Hinged Straight-Blade Plug that attaches directly to the electrical conduit and into which I can plug the transformer.

For example

I would go for your liquidtite pipe idea except I don’t have room to move the enclosure to the right.

4

This last idea may have a problem: It may not adequately separate the high voltage and low voltage wires.

On the other hand, I could shorten both PVC conduits and use two liquidtite pipes to swap them both leaving the new enclosure in the same place. My electrical PVC has a Type C Conduit Body just below the existing enclosure and I presume this belongs above the liquidtite pipes just before entry to the new enclosure.

Given that Rain Dial is a long time established brand, it would have been nice if the enclosure could support both left and right handed conduits.