Question 1

I have a zone that is under cover and never gets rain. Does the Rachio 3 allow for one zone to run regardless of rain while other zones don't?

Accepted Answer

Despite the answers above, the answer is YES. You can create a separate schedule just for the zone you desire and make it a fixed schedule. You can turn off all the features and that will make it run even if it’s raining or windy or whatever. Than create schedules for the rest of the zones with all the weather features you like.

Question 2

Does this have a setting for a delay between zones? The controller i'm replacing does not have this delay,it switches between zones fast, hammers pipe

Accepted Answer

Yes, at least with my gen 3, a feature to reduce water hammer will turn on the next zone 10 seconds early allowing no abrupt stop at the end of a zone run.

Excerpt from Rachio help:

What is Rachio's "Minimize Water Hammer" setting?
With this setting, your Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller will open the 'next' scheduled zone to run in a watering schedule, 10 seconds prior to the end time of the current zone that is running.

Question 3

Can it be hard wired from the modem/router with cat5 or 6? no wifi where it would be installed. does it have an ethernet data port?

Accepted Answer

No data port — BUT, it works on both 2.4 and 5Ghz bands of wifi. Works very well and connected very easily. Access point is through a wall about 25 feet away.

Question 4

Can each valve be set up as it's own zone with independent start times and durations?

Accepted Answer

You have to understand that each zone needs to have it’s own solenoid in order to control zones separately.  Some homes use an index valve system, and you switch zones by turning off and on, and the water pressure turns the index valve to the next zone. That won’t work with Rachio or any of these kind of systems. You will need to remove the index valve, and rearrange each of the pvc pipes that connected to it. That can be accomplished with a days effort, but you’ll need pvc fittings, a pvc cutter and pvc cement, and a solenoid for each zone you have. Each solenoid has two wires, so you’ll also need  sprinkler cable with two conductors for each zone. So for a 5 zone system, your cable needs 10 conductors.

ASIN	B07CZ864Y9
Best Sellers Rank	155,636 in Garden ( See Top 100 in Garden ) 44 in Automatic Irrigation Controllers
Brand	RACHIO
Colour	Neutral, Multicolored
Customer Reviews	4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars (7,917)
Display Type	LCD or LED
Global Trade Identification Number	00680140538863
Included Components	Controller, power supply, quick start guide, screws and drywall anchors
Item Dimensions L x W x H	23.1L x 3.6W x 14.2H centimetres
Item Type Name	Sprinkler Controller, Works With Alexa
Item Weight	1 Pounds
Manufacturer	Rachio
Manufacturer Part Number	8ZULW-C
Material	Plastic
Model Number	8ZULW-C
Number of Items	1
Operating Temperature	4 Degrees Fahrenheit
UPC	850028614594 680140538863
Unit Count	1.0 count
Voltage	120 Volts

Rachio 3 WiFi Smart Lawn Sprinkler Controller, Compatible with Alexa, 8-Zone

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