Understanding Sprinkler Timers with Sprinkler Master Repair (West Jordan, UT)
BASIC FUNCTIONS
The sprinkler timer is the brain of the sprinkler system. It tells the valves when to turn on and off, and gives the user more control at the interface. Every sprinkler timer has a slightly different interface, with some being easier to use than others. But, the best way to understand all of them is to break down what they do. All sprinkler timers have the same 3 essential functions.
How To Program All Sprinkler Timers
These are the 3 settings and functions you’ll need to review on your timer to ensure it’ll water at proper times and put out the right amount of water for each zone. After checking that the date and time are correct, you’ll need to review the 3 functions on every timer to make sure they are programmed correctly.
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What days to water: This automates the system to water only on days you select
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What time of day to water: You should try and have your sprinkler turn on when it’s just before sunrise to prevent water from evaporating. Watering early morning or early evening is most effective to get the water to soak deep in the soil.
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And how long to water each zone: This will allow the sprinklers to only water as long as you tell it to before automatically shutting it off.
Check out this video for more information! At Sprinkler Master Repair (West Jordan, UT) we can help you in setting or fixing a faulty sprinkler timer. One call is all it would take to have the problem solved in no time, at (801) 988-9671.
Common Problems With Sprinkler Timer Functions
1. No Power: Check if the timer is properly plugged in and getting power. Usually, there is no power going to the outlet, and a breaker may be tripped.
2. Too Many Start Times: The start time is when the sprinkler will start and run through every valve on the whole system. Usually there is only one start time. If you have 2 start times, say one at 9 pm and another at 4 am, it would start and run through the entire sprinkler system at 9 pm, then start again at 4 am. Unless you have problems with water runoff you should only have 1 start time, at early evening or early morning.
3. Programs: Different programs can also be confusing. These are usually labeled a and b, or abc and d. These allow different saved presets of settings to quickly be selected. For ease of use, only use the first program.
4. Wiring Problems: Wiring either breaking or shorting out and connecting with other wires can mess up the timer and cause it to not function and display an error or fault warning. Check in the timer and the valve box that none of the wires are touching. If not, you’ll have to use a multi-meter to figure out where the problem is. If there is a broken wire, usually the best option is to re-connect the timer and the valve to a different spare wire in the bundle.
If you think there is a problem with one of the zones, or with wiring, timers have a setting usually labelled “manual” that will allow you to manually activate and deactivate valves.
If none of these solutions fix the timer, just replace the timer. We can help you install or try to fix your timer with ease at Sprinkler Master Repair (West Jordan, UT). Call us at (801) 988-9671 to schedule an appointment today!
Tips and Tricks
It’s generally best to only have a single start time on the “timers setting.”
One solenoid wire must be connected to the zone wire, while the other is connected to the common wire. It doesn’t matter which goes to which, as long as the zone wire and common wire don’t directly touch each other.
Conclusion
Sprinkler timers can be very intimidating, but they all share the same functions and once you break them down, they’re quite simple. At Sprinkler Master Repair (West Jordan, UT) we won’t only fix the problem, but we’ll help show you how to fix it for yourself. Our biggest concern is you, the customer. We install the best and repair the rest at Sprinkler Master Repair (West Jordan, UT). Call us today at (801) 988-9671 to see how we can help you with sprinkler timers and more!
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