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2 common wires update


Question
QUESTION: I replaced 2 selonoids and ran a 3 minute sysstem check and all was fine, I programed system to run that night and nothing happened.  I replaced battery and checked all connections to adapter and selonoids and all have current.  I took adapter ends off to see if would go on battery and AC symbol comes on display, so I reconnected adapter ends and symbol went away.  I tried manaul cycle, 3 minute test and regular system and nothing works, system kick off program and Ac symbol appears for a second and goes away.  I have a Nelson Smartzone EZ, any advice.  I can not find a reset button.

ANSWER: Hey Jenelle, there is a reset button on the back of the front panel, you need to unhinge the right side and it will swing out so you can get access to it. It could be that you either have a short in the system, or the transformer is not giving out he correct voltage. To tell if it is a short, unhook the common field wire from the backof the controller (the screw marked C). Now try a manual program, and see if the AC sign comes up, if it doesn't, then you have a short somewhere, if it does, then you have a prblem with the controller. To check the transformer, you need a volt/ohm meter. You will test the voltage from the transformer in the back of the controller marked 24 volt. If you don't get between 22 to 26 volts, then you need to replace the transformer. Good luck and let me know if I can be of anymore help. Thanks and have a great day.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I realized I have 2 white common wires in control box and I unhooked both wires and now it does cycle through a 3 minute test, so how do I tell where my short is, I previously checked all current in back valve box and those 5 zones had current, so do you feel it would be in front valve box with 4 zones. If I only plugged one common wire in would that tell me anything?? I also got a new control box diffferent brand but that only has one common wire hook up how would I deal with that since I have 2 common wires and would it matter to put both wires in one terminal??

ANSWER: Hey Jenelle, your on the right track, one of those common wires (more than likely) runs to one valve box, and the other to the other valve box. hook up one common wire at a time, and only the front valves or the back valves should run. I would run one valve at a time, and see if it either blows a fuse or start flashing "off" (depending on what controller you bought) then I would suggest replacing the solenoid on the valve that is giving you a short. And yes you can hook both common wires to the one common terminal. Good luck and let me know if you need anymore advice, have a great day.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So I found out the short must be in the front valve box with the 4 zones, so does that mean a selonid in that box is bad or all four?? Do I need to check current to all zones to see and do I need to trun off breaker to do so??  I changed 2 selonoids in rear valve box with 5 zones and those now work in 3 minutes cycle with other common wire unhooked from controller.  I never changed controllers because you said maybe I just have s short in the present system with old Nelson smartzone EX controller.

Answer
Hey Jenelle, it could be just one solenoid (more than likely) or it could be 2 or 3 or 4. If you can take them off and take them to an irrigation supply store, they could tell you if they are good or bad, or turn them on one at a time, and find out which valves work and which ones don't to narrow it down. Good luck.

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