Troubleshooting guide
29 | C y b e r - R a i n X C I S m a r t I r r i g a t i o n C o n t r o l l e r T r o u b l e s h o o t i n g G u i d e
Flow Alert on Zone 0
Flow alerts attributed to Zone 0 in the System Details are known as “global alerts”. Global alerts occur when no zone is running. This means the system detected
flow when there was irrigation taking place. There are three conditions that trigger a global flow alert. Each condition will be described, followed by
troubleshooting techniques to correct the issue:
1. Electronic Noise associated with bad wiring is causing the controller to pick up false flow sensor readings.
a. Make sure that shielded and armored burial signal cable is used when attaching the flow meter to the Cyber-Rain controller. Cyber-Rain
recommends a Paige Spec P7171D-A-Rev 7, which is an 18 AWG, 4 Conductors/2 Pair cable. It is rated for direct burial, meaning you will not
need to put it in conduit.
b. Do not ground either of the signal wires. The shielding around the signal wires should be grounded to minimize signal noise.
c. If possible, run the signal cable in a different wire jacket than the valve wires. This reduces the chance of crosstalk between the wires.
2. One or more of the zone valves is malfunctioning and not closing all the way after a zone run is complete.
a. If a spray or rotor valve is not closing completely, it is often easy to find. If the valve controls drip irrigation systems or an underground irrigation
line, detecting a valve leak is more difficult. Often the easiest way to detect a faulty valve is through direct inspection of the landscape. Look for
soggy grass or soil. The activity log can also be used to find out which zones were run before the overflow event occurred, as the faulty valve is
likely in that line.
b. Once the fault valve has been pinpointed, have the valve fixed by a professional landscaper.
3. A leak occurred in the irrigation pipes between the zone valves and the flow sensor.
a. If a leak in the irrigation system is suspected, first make sure all valves are closed. The valve wire harnesses can be disconnected from the
controller to ensure that no valve is opened electronically.
b. Examine the landscape between the flow meter to each valve to try to determine the source of the leak. Consult a landscape professional to
replace any broken pipes.