Is the Rachio Controller compatible with an indexing valve?
Last Update:Oct 19 2023 7:21pm • Est. Read Time:Est. Read Time: 2 MINHow an Indexing Valve works
Indexing valves are activated by sufficient water pressure being turned on and off. Therefore, no electrical wiring is required to the valve. All that is needed for an indexing valve to operate is a controller to turn on and off the water supply (pump or solenoid). This article will help you understand if your Rachio controller is compatible with an indexing valve and how you can wire this type of setup.
Video Guide
Indexing Valve FAQ
How do I wire up an Indexing Valve with my Rachio controller?
To connect an indexing valve to the Rachio controller, simply connect the wiring from your old timer (usually an Intermatic) to the Master Valve terminal on the Rachio controller, enable the terminal in the app ( "Settings Wheel" at top right> "Controller Settings" > "Advanced Wiring (M Terminal)" > Select "Well or Pump Start Relay" even if you don't have a pump) then configure each "chamber" of the Indexing valve as its own zone within the app.
What if I have an Index Valve and a Pump?
It's important to know if your water supply is coming from the house (city) or a well (pump). If pump fed, a pump relay is required to run your system. A pump relay is an electrical device that uses the power from the Rachio controller (24VAC) to switch the high voltage supply to your pump (110VAC-220VAC).
How do I create watering schedules with an Index Valve?
Our Delay Between Zones setting is a way to set up schedules on an indexing valve. With the delay between zones feature enabled, you eliminate the need for separate schedules.
To activate the Delay Between Zones feature, you must enable a well or pump start relay within your controller settings. You can learn how to enable this here.
When enabled, we suggest setting a 5-minute delay between the zones.
Are there any limitations to indexing valves and the Rachio controller?
Yes, there are 3 limitations to indexing valves:
- Since we cannot activate individual "chambers" on demand (see animation above), indexing valves are not compatible with Flex Daily Schedules. You may use Fixed or Flex Monthly.
- Indexing valves require you to run the valves in order to rotate through the valve chambers accordingly. As such, you cannot manually run an indexing valve, as it will cause your chambers to get out of order with your zones. You can, however, manually run your entire schedule once the Delay Between Zones is set up.
- Since indexing valves are dependent on the water supply being turned on and off, our Smart Cycle feature cannot be used with an Indexing Valve without causing your chambers to get out of order with your zones. But you don't have to manually disable it. The Delay Between Zones will take its place once you've set it up.
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