Not sure if this is an Iro issue or not but after my cycle finished this morning my 8th zone just kept running. When I realized this I checked the app and it showed finished. I tried turning on sleep mode and unplugging the unit entirely, no luck. I finally had to just shut off the water to the system entirely so I could go to work.
Anyone had this issue?
@hd04 Please contact our support at support@rach.io and they will give you immediate assistance. It sounds like a stuck valve. Thanks!
I’m having this same issue with my Zone 1. Did you ever figure out what the issue was?
Thanks!
Hey everybody, when this happens, pull the power on the iro. This should no longer provide power to keep the solenoid running. If it doesn’t close, it’s a bod solenoid on the valve. If it does stop, this is an iro issue.
If you have hunter valves, these things are notorious in my area for sticking open.
I’ve had Rainbird valves stick open. Very likely there is dirt in the valve preventing the solenoid from closing. Or could just be a failed solenoid.
@inphx2, here’s a reference resource put together by Rain Bird that’s worth a read if you’re still experiencing issues. While it shows Rain Bird valves, the principals are universal to all valve types & makes. Let us know if you’re still having issues or have any questions after reviewing this field reference.
I have exactly the same issue but with 6 different zones. I was told that the pumps and solenoids were not clean, and that there were electrical issues. I had the WHOLE sprinkler system rewired and I change every single solenoid. By the way the previous ones were totally clean, but now I am to prove a point which is that the units are defective. My whole experience so far has been a disaster. Bad AC-DC 24 V adapters that don’t work, a system that opens valves but won’t shut them off, and when I leave it on, it will run and not stop - so if I leave home it will keep water open the whole day until I get home and turn off the water system. My grass is damaged by now… and no support from Rachio. I’m returning the system and moving on. This is truly a complete DISASTER.
Here to help with our customer support team. Our motto is no controller left behind and I’m sure we can help you with this. Feel free to PM me or contact me at franz@rachio.com. We are listening and want to ensure every customer has a great experience.
@Mopi – I’m reviewing your support ticket and it appears you have DC solenoids. Can you please send us photo of your rewiring or post here for review?
DC solenoids are not compatible with our controller, as outlined in our technical specs both on our website and support site. For more information on the common misunderstanding of AC and DC solenoids, please see this 3rd party article.
I understand your frustration, however Rachio has been very responsive to helping you since January 7th. We’ve offered to replace the controller and/or take it back. This offer stands – I’ll personally reply to your support ticket with options moving forward to make things right for you.
Without creating a new post. I am having the same or similar issue with my Zone 1 (I have 3 zones). All was working fine up until a couple of weeks ago. My issue is that Zone 1 will come on fine and according to the app and the notifications will start and stop as scheduled, manual or on schedule. The issue is that zone 1 water will continue to run for an additional 10 minutes or so past the actual end time. Any suggestions. Love my Rachio and hoping that this will be an easy fix for me.
@delton35 - if debris gets in the valve diaphragm I believe that can cause this behavior. I would go to the valve box and activate the solenoid manually and then shut it off, if it continues to run then it is the valve. Turn off the water to the sprinkler system and take the top off the valve and clean it out. Others have posted that if one can find the same valve, buy a new valve and just replace the guts without cutting the old valve out is an easy solution too.
I am. I had another member provide some helpful insight. I have narrowed the issue down to the valve. The app and Rachio is not the issue. I have disassembled the valve (Silver Bullet Water-Matic). I cleaned it out (sand in the valve)… problem appeared to be resolved. A day later the issue reappeared. I ordered a new valve and plan to change out the diaphragm and solenoid. I will report back.
Sounds good, thanks for the info. Looking forward to hear if replacing it does the trick.
It’s good that you bought a whole new valve. Best to rebuild it.
That valve is a Weathermatic Silver Bullet. I rebuild those all the time. They are known to stick open. I’ve found that the diaphragm ports, on older diaphragms especially, will swell shut causing it to stick open. Sometimes debris causes this too. Some of those valves will also start to scream like a banshee trying to close when they start to fail.
You could also use an eighteen gauge copper wire and push it through the two ports on the diaphragm to give it a little more life in a pinch, but it would fail again eventually. Go ahead be ready for the other’s to fail too.
I know you’ve already taken the valve apart, so you noticed this already, but it may help someone else. When the valve’s apart, be careful to notice the o-ring on the solenoid port or in the valve body. The new valve will have an o-ring too. Only use one o-ring. Use the new one. Also make sure the manual on/off lever is horizontal (off), not perpendicular (on) to the valve. Have fun!
@mckynzee @Sprinklerman @DLane,
Thanks for all of your help! I replaced all the top half components of the value including the upper valve housing… I have run a handful of tests:
Very happy and relieved.
I’ve been running with Weathermatic Nitro N-100 valves on my 32-zone residential system since 2003. My experience over these 14 years has been miserable at best.
From my experience, the following are ways these valves fail open:
In all of my ownership experience with these valves, I have never been able to run my system reliably and for more than a week or two w/o having to repair some component to stop a zone that didn’t shut off.
I had this problem today. Turning off the power did not work. Turning off the zone with the Rachio app did not work. I went outside to where the valves were located but saw that the valves were not labeled. So using the Rachio app, I cycled each zone on/off to determine which valve belonged to each zone. Luckily and thankfully, cycling on/off the zones somehow turned off the zone/valve that was stuck. Someone told me that the valve for that zone needed to be replaced.
