Why Does My Retic Just Keep on Running?

Posted on September 9, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

This is a common question.

And the answer is usually very simple. Generally speaking this happens when more than one start time is set.

Unless there is a watering exemption in place you are only allowed to water once a day which means you only need one start time.

Often people get ‘start times’ and ‘run times’ mixed up. So get this :

YOU ONLY NEED 1 START TIME!

Most errors are made when people set 5.00am as a start time, then 5.15, 5.30 and so on.

So when you set your controller make note of which function you are operating in the dial and just set the one start time.

If you get stuck then just give me a call!

Time to Turn Your Reticulation Back On?

Posted on September 4, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

It’s pretty miserable outside today but Sunday and Monday are looking very nice!

Call us to ensure you’re retic Controller is working and set correctly.

Reticulation Installation in Jindalee

Posted on September 3, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

Today’s job was to install a backyard system for a client in Jindalee.

There was no retic in the place at all so we began with the sprinklers plumber, then the master valve and just one station solenoid to serve the lawn using MP Rotators.

The trencher got a good workout in the established turf and we finished in good time.

If you need retic installed in your backyard then be sure to give us a call!

Installing Irrigation in Established Lawn in Two Rocks

Posted on August 22, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

It’s what we do.

We can often get a whole house done in a day, like this one up in Two Rocks that we did this week.

If you have an established lawn then our trencher will cut thru it and we will get the new system installed neatly and quickly. We can supply soil to fill those trenches and get everything looking clean and tidy at the end.

So if you’re looking for a new system then give us a call! Generally we will discuss the project with you on the phone, give you a ballpark price range and then if we are working from the same budget then we will come out and meet you onsite to talk thru the job more carefully and work out what you need.

Reticulation Servicing in Yanchep and Two Rocks

Posted on August 13, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

Yanchep is a lovely part of the world and is our homebase, so we love to work there.

Whether it’s a new installation of retic and turf or whether it’s a tune up of your existing system, we can be there promptly and will get the job done in fast time, with quality components and a guarantee to come back if there are any problems.

We have been operating now for 11 years and have developed an excellent reputation for top quality work and friendly, polite service at a fair price.

Should I Use Netafim Dripline on My Garden?

Posted on August 13, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

If you want to achieve maximum water efficiency then there is no question that Netafim Dripline is your friend!

Here is a job I did recently in Yanchep where new native plants had been installed and the client wanted to ensure minimal wastage of water. Now that the Dripline is in he can mulch the area.

If you are on a bore then you may like to consider ‘bore line ‘, similar but not pressured compensated – which usually isn’t an issue on a bore.

This dripline is extremely effective at dripping water right next to the plants and is designed to resist root invasion of the drip emitters.

While there is no digging involved in a project like this dripline is a more expensive product and generally works out a little more costly than sprays.

What Does the Fuse Message on an Irritrol Kwikdial Controller Mean?

Posted on August 8, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

Ok – possibly the single most common issue I hit each year is this problem.

First up – there is no fuse and no battery in the controller! Silly I know – to have a ‘fuse’ message and a battery symbol at the same time.

The average DIY would look for a dodgy fuse or a faulty battery.

What the message actually means is that there is either a fault in the controller or a fault in a solenoid.

The way to determine the issue is simply to remove wires and keep resetting the controller and testing it. If it operates perfect with one of the wires out then it’s more than likely a solenoid coil sending a ‘fault’ message.

However if the controller display is flickering or if the fuse message only appears intermittently then chances are very high that the box itself is at fault and will need replacing.

If You Look Hard Enough

Posted on July 24, 2019 by reticcontrollerman

Yesterday I went to try and sort out why the retic pipe kept bursting on a bore in Ridgewood.

Usually there is an obvious answer. The first step was a new controller and then a check that the solenoids were all opening as they should have been.

All good there.

I dug a hole and found two 25mm pipes going to the rear yard – but with no water coming out of the sprinklers.

I drilled small holes at various points along the pipes and water cane out. Hmmm… water is definitely getting thru, is there a blockage somewhere? Has someone capped off the line and not told me?

The pipes were under pavers so it wasn’t easy to test them. Eventually after 90 minutes of trying to locate the problem I lifted a slab right at the end of the run to the back and discovered that each pipe had a filter attached and the filters were completely blocked.

I have never seen filters at that place in a pipe before but once I removed them water flowed freely.

Moral of the story = for every problem there is a solution if you look hard enough (and long enough)

If you have a tricky problem then give me a call. I reckon I can fix it 🙂

Spring Reticulation Servicing

Posted on September 7, 2018 by reticcontrollerman

As well as specialising in control boxes we also do general service work. Its that time of year when you can turn your sprinklers back on.

Chances are that when you do you will find a few issues and that’s when you can make multiple trips to Bunnings and try to find the right parts you need – or – you can call us and we will fix any problem on the post often within an hour or so. We can give you a ballpark price before starting work, or we may choose to send a detailed written quote if it is a large job.

We carry a full supply of virtually every kind of part you can imagine and on the off chance yours is an unusual job we are usually only a few minutes from a retic store.

So for fast, hassle free service at fair prices give us a call. All of our work has a 12 mth warranty and in the event of something not working as it should we promise to come back and make it right.

Call Andrew on 0400044236

The Irritrol Kwikdial Fuse Message

Posted on September 4, 2018 by reticcontrollerman

Its that time of year when I get a multitude of calls asking about the fuse message on Irritrol Kiwkdial controllers.

So firstly – if you have spent time looking for the ‘fuse’ then you will be frustrated because there isn’t one.. And the battery symbol with the line thru it doesn’t mean that the battery is dead, because there isn’t a battery either…

Ok – so whoever designed these wasn’t thinking ease of use!

What does the fuse message mean?

a) You have a solenoid coil that is faulty and causing the controller to fail.

b) The controller has a problem and needs replacing.

Usually I can tell by looking at the controller which is the most likely scenario. If your controller is old, outdoors and looking like its been exposed to rain then chances are it will need replacing. If the error is intermittent then its almost certainly the controller and if the screen is flickering just a little then that is another clue that the controller is about to die.

If your controller is in good condition, maybe inside a garage and the display is stable then it may be that one of the solenoids is the problem. We can determine that by removing solenoid wires and testing to see if it fails with various solenoids disconnected.

As a guide, a solenoid is usually around $150-250 to locate and replace while a controller is around $385.00 to replace.