Installed Toro Rain Sensor not working

13 years ago

I hope someone can help me - I'm a self-confessed newbie to this and learning on my own. My 2-year-old Toro controlled sprinkler and drip system has been working great and this year I decided to install the optional Toro Rain Sensor-Wired version.

I've installed it and per the manual I attached the 2 wires to the sensor terminals and clicked the "Sensor" switch. I then pushed the top of the sensor (per instructions) to test the system. On the control unit, in the upper-right corner, the raindrop appeared with a circle and "/" (I think it indicates the unit is off).

But now the unit doesn't work at all - sprinkler system is off.

Am I missing something? Did I not wire it correctly? I believe the sensor is supposed to be a "continuous loop" sensor (i.e. break the loop connection and the unit is off). But this doesn't seem to be how it's working. I read another forum that said to use the Common wire, but this seems to be counter to the manual that came with the Toro Rain Sensor.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

lehua49
13 years ago
Hi GIF,

Let see. Please explain in detail how you hooked up the rain sensor to the controller. Use the Guide Manual Link below to follow the steps in your description. There was some specific information that was said not to do. So make a point how you didn't do those things. You will have to relate these things to the Toro experts so this is a good dry run.

http://www.toro.com/sprinklers/timers/53769.pdf

The next Link is for actually contacting Toro with "Contact Us" and describe your problem if you can't fix it.

http://www.toro.com/sprinklers/irrmisc/rainsensors/index.html

Four things come to mind.
1. Check your controllers guide for particulars on hooking up rain sensors.
2. Do you have specific terminals for hookup of a rain sensor or not?
3. Did you spit on the sensor when you installed it?
4. It may be a faulty part and need to have Toro replace the sensor.

Aloha
homr
13 years ago
Never used a toro wired rain sensor, but I would suggest that you check your rain sensor and see if it is a "normally open" or "normally closed" type sensor. t.Most controllers I believe take a "normally closed" sensor but I sort of remember way back that Toro is different in that their controllers use a normally open set up.It does seem odd that you have a Toro controller and sensor and it is not working. They are very easy to wire up. Maybe reread your directions to insure you did not miss something.
Related Professionals
Barrington Hills Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Benbrook Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Milford Landscape Contractors · Bellefontaine Neighbors Landscape Contractors · Bowie Landscape Contractors · Choctaw Landscape Contractors · Davis Landscape Contractors · Fairview Landscape Contractors · Hollywood Landscape Contractors · Merced Landscape Contractors · Palatine Landscape Contractors · Post Falls Landscape Contractors · West Chester Landscape Contractors · Reisterstown Landscape Contractors · Saratoga Solar Energy Systems
toro-delano
13 years ago
Is your controller a DDC series controller made by Toro? The reason for the questioning is because we had an issue with the firmware on this unit in the earlier stages of production. Any unit with a date code of 0811(11th week 2008) or earlier does allow the controller to continually stay in the hold position (umbrella) even if the switch changes status from normally closed to normally open then back to normally closed. Email me back if this is the case and I will send you out an updated unit.

Thank you,