common wire if adding additional controller

[Greg G]

I did submit a support ticket about this, but I thought I’d post it too, as perhaps someone else has some input too. I’ll update the thread when I find out the answer, in case anyone else is in the same situation. I did try searching for my issue, but to no avail.

I just purchased 2 more OpenSprinkler controllers in hopes of being able to open more zones at the same time. Due to my limited electrical knowledge, now I’m not sure it’s going to work.

I currently have 2 OpenSprinkler controllers running 8 zones on each. Each controller has 8 wires (1 for each solenoid) plus a common.

For simplification, let’s just say I had 1 controller that I would like to open additional zones in sequence. I figure that getting another controller should work. (Ideally, the idea that has been posted about sequential groups would be the best solution to my issue, but I understand it takes a while to implement correctly, and I don’t mind paying for additional controllers if it will accomplish what I want).

Is it possible to achieve what I want easily, without damaging the equipment? I was planning to just move 4 zones from the old controller to the new one, but I’m not sure how to handle the common wire. Can I just have a jumper wire from the old controller’s COM port to the new one’s COM port?

Hopefully it’s something simple, along the lines of what I stated above. I don’t think I’d be up for running a new common wire to those 4 solenoids.

I can take a picture of my setup or draw a diagram if what I wrote isn’t clear.

Thanks!
Greg

P.S. I have an idea for implementing the sequential groups (opening multiple valves simultaneously). It’s likely you all have already thought of this, but perhaps the easiest way to implement it would be to treat it as whole different controller, virtually; like what I am trying to do physically. So it would just be another site in the “Manage Sites” page. It might keep it fairly simple for people who do not need this function.

I don’t know if this would be the best way to implement the sequential groups feature, but it seems like you have most of the feature already built-in if you do it this way. I could be way off base though, as my programming skills are practically non-existent.

[larryglz]

hi,

i might not be understanding how you’re implementing the 2 controllers, but it seems that if all 16 solenoid wires are going to the same location, then 1 controller + an extender would work better. This would give you 24 stations. But based on how you described, since you have to power 2 controllers, then the commons are independent for each set of 8 zones.

the virtual part of your question is straight forward. let’s call them controller A and B. you can add virtual stations to controller A that connect via IP to controller B. just add another 8 stations in “station handling” in options in controller A. you will now see 16 stations. so for stations 9-16, configure each one (in advanced configuration of the station) as a remote station type connecting to one of the station in controller B. I would assume you would configure stations 9-16 in controller A to connect to stations 1-8 in controller B.

hope that helps.

[Greg G]

Thanks for the reply Larryglz. Your second assumption is correct, my 2 commons are independent for each 8 zones.

Sorry, looking back at it, my first post isn’t very clear. I’ll try to describe it better:

Let’s just say I have 1 controller. I want to be able to water twice as fast, so 2 zones on at the same time.

Here are some photos that may be helpful.

The photo with 1 controller has all 8 zones used, with 1 common wire. I think it’s a pretty standard setup. I can only water 1 zone at a time. (If I wanted to water more than 1 zone at a time, I would have to disable sequential flags and schedule start times manually for 4 zones. Or I could connect two wires to one port. Those solutions are too troublesome for how I use the sprinklers.)

The photo with 2 controllers is how I think it would work best for me, as long as it works electrically. That’s my stumbling block. I want to split the 8 zones between 2 controllers. Then, can I just jumper a common wire from 1 controller to the other, like I have the bare copper wire in the photo?

[Greg G]

Oops…here’s the photos.

Attachments:

1. 

   1-controller.jpg
   

2. 

   2-controllers-scaled.jpg
   

[larryglz]

got it. i think the safest bet, electrically, is to use the same 24VAC adapter to power both controllers. depending on the rating of it, you may be able to get away with powering 2 solenoids simultaneously. the other option is to wire the 24vac adapters (transformers) in parallel to deliver the same 24VAC but at higher current capacity. e.g. if both are 24VAC rated @ 1A, and you wire in parallel, then you get 24VAC @ 2A, losses notwithstanding. then use this “big” transformer to power both controllers. but they have to be identical. so, safest is to use 1 adapter to power both. and then keep the commons were they belong; similar wiring as your 1st controller.

[Greg G]

Great! Thanks for the help!

It looks like I could try either of your solutions.

I have tried powering 2 solenoids on one controller by disabling the sequential flag in the software and it works fine. The amperage is still under what the transformer is rated for.

Also, I do have 2 identical transformers.

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