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Hunter EC "NO AC" After Thunderstorm: Surge Damage Likely

Hunter EC showing "NO AC" with verified 22–26 VAC at the controller terminals after a thunderstorm = surge-damaged AC detection circuit on the main board.

Last-Ditch Reset

Remove 9V battery.
Unplug 110V / turn off breaker.
Wait 30 seconds.
Restore power, don't reinstall battery yet.
Display work? If yes, reinstall battery. If no → board dead.

Replacement

Buy new Hunter EC (or upgraded X-Core) at irrigation supplier (Ewing, SiteOne, John Deere).
Call ahead with model # for stock check.
Install surge protector (Intermatic IG1240RC3) on 110V feed.

Surge damage is the #1 killer of Hunter EC controllers. The reset works ~20% of the time; usually it's replacement.

Irrigation: Hunter Pro-C Programming: Start Times Are for Programs, Not Individual Stations; Hunter ICC All Zones Come On Together: Controller or Wiring Crossed; Hunter XC Controller Stuck on Wrong Time – Reset Procedure; Hunter EC Controller – Accessing Wiring Compartment; Irritrol RD-600 Only Outputs 15VAC: Controller or Wiring Fault?; Hunter SRC Controller No Power – Replace with Rain Bird or Irritrol; Hunter EC Controller Stations 1&2 Not Working: Power Surge Damage; How to Reset and Reprogram a Hunter EC Controller After a Power Outage; Hunter ICC "NO AC" With Good Transformer Voltage: Board Failure; Hunter EC Controller Won't Reset After Power Outage: Master Reset Procedure

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