Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Question and Answer >> Irrigation

Richdel 446PR "FUSE" Error on All Zones

Interpreting the "FUSE" Error on a Legacy Richdel 446PR Controller

The controller displays "FUSE" on every zone attempt. The unit is 10+ years old.

What "FUSE" Means

A short circuit detected on the station output: either a bad solenoid or a shorted field wire.

Isolation Test

Disconnect the field wire from terminal #1.
Run zone 1. If "FUSE" still appears with the wire disconnected, the controller's output circuit is shorted—replace the controller.
If the error clears, the fault is in the valve #1 solenoid or its wiring. Test each zone similarly.

Probable Cause

Since all zones show the error simultaneously, it's unlikely all solenoids failed at once. The controller's circuit board or a common wiring fault (e.g., severed common wire touching hot) is more probable. Given the controller's age, replacement is recommended.

Irrigation: Rain Bird ESP Modular Controller "4 Err": Zone 4 Short Circuit Diagnosis; Hardie RD-600 Shows "7" and Freezes: Power Surge Reset Fix; Richdel 446PR One Zone Dribbles – Check Valve Obstruction or Leak; Richdel 476PRI Display Fading: Replace with Rain Bird ESP Modular; Richdel 446PR Storm Damage: Replace with Rain Bird ESP or Irritrol Rain Dial; Richdel 446PR "FUSE 7 16" Error—Controller Replacement Time; Richdel 446PR Controller Failure: Replace Controller, Not Entire System; Hardie Total Control "Short" Error – Reset and Check Fuse; Solving "FUSE" Errors on Richdel 446PR Controllers; Hunter Pro-C "Err" on Zone 3: Solenoid vs. Wiring Diagnosis

Garden Articles

Richdel 500 PRI Display Shows On But No Sprinklers: Test Controller Voltage Output

Richdel 446PR Hybrid Controller – No Valves Open

Hardie Total Control TC-15B "Error - 1" After Freeze

Hunter SRC "ERR" Message: Finding the Short Circuit

Richdel 476PRi Controller Shows Activity But No Water Flow

Programming a Richdel 446PR50HZ Controller for Specific Watering Days (Sunday & Thursday Only)

Richdel 446 Controller Shows Zone On but No Valve Response

Plants

Richdel 446PR: No Zones Work After Valve Repair — Controller Voltage Test Needed

Richdel 446PR Dead After 1990 Install: Replace with Irritrol Rain Dial

Hunter XC Controller “Err” Message – Bad Solenoid Indicated

Replace Richdel 446PRI: Use Irritrol Rain Dial

Richdel 446 Auto Mode Loops: Remove Stacked Start Times

Troubleshooting "1 FUS" Error on Richdel 446PR Controller

Irritrol Total Control "Short" Error on All Zones – Pump Relay or Controller