Techniques to Troubleshoot Your Rain Bird RC2 or ARC8 WiFi Smart Controller - Rain Bird Connected Device Support (2024)

Topic(s): TroubleshootingRC2- ARC8 – ST8

Rain Bird controllers are designed and manufactured with the highest quality components and processes for trouble-free operation. However, sometimes issues do arise. The following was developed to guide you through the most common issues so that your Rain Bird RC2 or ARC8 WiFi Smart Controller returns to its expected performance level.

Controller STATUS automatically switches from WiFi broadcast mode to AP Hotspot broadcast mode:

Issue: Your local WiFi signal may be down or the signal strength is fluctuating, putting the controller out of range from your router.
Solution: When a nonexistent or weak WiFi signal to the controller occurs, the controller will automatically switch to AP Hotspot broadcast mode (STATUS alternating red and green) to maintain a connection to your mobile device. The controller will automatically attempt to reconnect to your local WiFi network at specific intervals. When a strong connection to your router is reestablished, the controller STATUS will turn solid green.

Controller is in automatic or manual watering mode, but the system is not watering:

Issue: Water source is not supplying water.
Solution: Verify there is no disruption to the main water line and that all other water supply lines are open and functioning properly.

Issue: Wiring is loose, not properly connected or damaged.
Solution: Check that wiring is securely connected at the controller and in the field. Check for damage and replace if necessary. Check wiring connections and replace with watertight splice connectors if needed.

Issue: Connected rain sensor may be activated.
Solution: The Rain Bird App will give indication if a rain sensor is activated. Let the rain sensor dry out or disconnect it from the controller terminal block and replace it with a jumper wire connecting the two SENS terminals.

Issue: Jumper wire connecting the two SENS terminals on the terminal block may be missing or damaged.
Solution: The controller will not function if the jumper wire is removed and a rain or rain/freeze sensor is not connected. Jumper the two SENS terminals on the controller terminal block by connecting them with a short length of 14- to 18-gauge wire. If a rain sensor is installed, ensure both rain sensor wires are properly seated in the SENS terminals.

Excessive watering:

Issue: Programs may have multiple watering run days and start times that were set unintentionally.
Solution: Watering run days and start times apply to the entire program, not individual zones. Programs (A, B or C) only require a single start time to run.

Watering even after turning the controller off:

Issue: Issue with one or all the valves or supply lines.
Solution: Clean, repair or replace the valve. If that does not resolve the issue, contact a licensed contractor.

Seasonal adjust is not altering the schedule:

Issue: The controller is not connected to WiFi to make automatic adjustments.
Solution: Mobile device needs to be reconnected to the controller or connected for the first time and Seasonal Adjust must be toggled to “on” in the program settings. Note that seasonal adjust is set by program and should be properly adjusted in all active programs.

No LEDs are visible:

Issue: Power not reaching the controller.
Solution: Verify the power outlet is operational and the main AC power supply is securely plugged in and working properly.
Solution: Verify the orange power supply wires are connected to the controller “24 VAC” terminals.

Controller is frozen and is not responding to manual operations at the controller interface:

Issue: An electrical surge may have interfered with the controller’s electronics.
Solution: Press and release the RESET button in the controller wiring bay. This will temporarily disrupt the controller from getting power from the input. If there is no permanent damage, the controller should accept programming and resume normal operation.
Solution: Unplug the controller for two minutes, then plug it back in. If there is no permanent damage, the controller should accept programming and resume normal operation.

Resetting the controller:

Reset only WiFi settings back to Quick Pair broadcast mode
(Note: This action will reset WiFi back to factory default settings and cannot be reversed; watering schedules will be retained.)

Hold PAIRING MODES button on the controller interface for approximately five seconds:
1) STATUS will turn solid amber
2) Once rebooted, STATUS will blink blue

If you have previously connected to the controller from your mobile device, you will need to first delete the old controller card. The controller can then be reconnected to your mobile device by launching the Rain Bird App, tapping the “Add Controller” icon and following the on-screen instructions.

Reset only programmed watering schedules to factory default settings
(Note: This action will reset all programmed watering schedules back to factory default settings and cannot be reversed; WiFi settings will be retained.)

Simultaneously hold AUTO, OFF and NEXT buttons on the controller interface for approximately five seconds:
1) AUTO will blink green
2) OFF will blink red
3) MANUAL will blink green
4) Once rebooted, AUTO will turn solid green
5) STATUS will remain unchanged from the current state

The default program will water each zone for 10 minutes every day until overwritten with a custom program. Additional programs can also be added (if desired) by selecting +PGM. Each program in use should have the desired watering start time(s), run day(s) and duration(s).

Restore the controller to its factory default settings
(Note: This action will reset both WiFi and all programmed watering schedules back to factory default settings, and cannot be reversed.)

Simultaneously hold AUTO, OFF, NEXT and PAIRING MODES buttons on the controller interface for approximately five seconds:
1) STATUS will blink amber
2) AUTO will blink green
3) OFF will blink red
4) MANUAL will blink green
5) Once rebooted, AUTO will turn solid green
6) Once rebooted, STATUS will blink blue

If you have previously connected to the controller from your mobile device, you will need to first delete the old controller card. The controller can then be reconnected to your mobile device by launching the Rain Bird App, tapping the “Add Controller” icon and following the on-screen instructions. When paired, watering program(s) will need to be set-up in the Rain Bird App. The default program will water each zone for 10 minutes every day until overwritten with a custom program. Additional programs can also be added (if desired) by selecting +PGM. Each program in use should have the desired watering start time(s), run day(s) and duration(s).

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