Category Archives: Fix retic controller

Fix retic controller, Fix reticulation, Members ADIA & IAA, New reticulation system, Reticulation controller, ReticulationPerth

What is my reticulation controller battery for?

3 Comments

 

Why does it matter that my reticulation controller battery has gone flat? The answer is that it really matters if you have a water bore. Call us on 9246 0111.

Perth Reticulation controller
Pro 469 Reticulation controller

 

What does a retic timer need a battery for anyway? There is a lot of misunderstanding about what a retic controller’s 9 volt battery does. Retic controllers have batteries to preserve the memory of that has been programmed in the event of a mains power fail.

The battery is normally only 9 volts and does not have the power to operate solenoid valves or pump start relays. Solenoid valves and most other irrigation devices operate on 24 volts. Most retic controllers are 240 volt mains powered with a transformer that steps down to 24 volt to operate the individual irrigation devices. It may seem like a minor inconvenience if you have a flat 9 volt battery in your controller as at first glance one would think it is not a big issue if you lose mains power and the controller has to be reprogrammed.

9 volt battery

BUT it can have nasty consequences if the controller operates a bore.

If mains power is lost to quite a few brands of reticulation controllers and there is no back up battery then when mains power is restored the controller resets all programming to factory default which is often 10 minutes per station per day. This may then turn the bore on to stations that don’t exist and the pump runs with nowhere for the water to go. This can damage the pump or pipe work of the bore.

This season we attended 3 bores that had been affected like this from Ocean Reef alone. All after a power fail. These bores, incidentally should have had the unused stations ‘looped out’ to safeguard against this. Remember it is wise to change your disposable 9 volt battery at least once a year. Some newer model controllers have rechargeable batteries. You can test both types by simply turning mains power off and checking whether the display to the retic controller is still working and whether customer program’s have been retained when mains power is turned back on.

Please call us for any help on  9246 0111 or go to  our website.

Checking bore and reticulation for summer, Fix retic controller, Members ADIA & IAA, Reticulation systems

Perth reticulation controller needs replacing?

Leave a comment
Holman reticulation controller
Holman reticulation controller

Whether your retic timer is faulty or simply old and you are not able to program your required Perth watering days, we can help.

We replace reticulation timers in all Perth suburbs. We will fix your retic controller whether connected to mains water or a bore. If it is a plug-in style we send out our service man. If it needs hard-wiring to the mains power our electrician will attend.

Some retic controllers, like the Holman model pictured, look like they may be hard wired but this one actually had a plug pack transformer plugged into a power point in the roof.

We have compatible models to replace all brands of retic controllers including Holman, Rain Bird, Rainmaster, Hunter, Toro, Orbit, Richdel and Irritrol Rain Dial. We typically carry 6 and 9 station models in our mobile stock but we can get any size if required.

You can reach us on 9246 0111.

Fix retic controller, Members ADIA & IAA, Reticulation systems

Failed reticulation controller South Perth

Leave a comment

We had a call today from a customer in South Perth who reported her submersible bore was not working. She thought her Rain Master reticulation controller was OK because the screen still had a display.

Fix Retic controller
Rain Master Reticulation controller

We took out the 9 volt back up battery and the display disappeared. This simple home test showed there was either no mains power to the reticulation controller or its internal 24 volt transformer had failed. The reticulation controller needs a 24 volt output to switch the relay, that in turn starts the 240 volt single phase bore or 440 volt DOL starter in the case of a 3 phase pumps.

A bit of an investigation by our servicemen at the South Perth call out revealed that in this case the controller transformer HAD failed. We replaced the controller and there were smiles all round as the bore fired up and the sprinkler came on.

For any bore or reticulation repairs or maintenance in South Perth, Kensington, Como area and surrounds call us on 9246 0111 or book a retic service online HERE

Fix retic controller, Members ADIA & IAA

Reticulation Controller Bayswater

Leave a comment

 

Our reticulation service teams get calls from all over Perth to repair or replace reticulation controllers on 9246 0111.

Reticulation controller that needs replacing
Challenging reticulation service job Bayswater

It is hard to believe that one of these reticulation controllers was still connected and an operating part of the irrigation system in a Bayswater garden.

If you need to replace your retic controller we carry stock in our retic service vans so can do the job quickly.

Call us on 9246 0111 or book online We will repair any Perth reticulation systems whether off mains water or from a modern submersible bore