Articles: Miracle/Aquanet Troubleshooting

Miracle/Aquanet Troubleshooting

Miracle DC Controller/Aquanet 3/4" & 1" Valve Troubleshooting Checklist
Netafim's history with Miracle Controllers and Aquanet Valves has been outstanding. However, because the DC concept is new to some people, they may install it wrong the first time, and then assume the products are defective. This troubleshooting guide highlights the most often-found mistakes. Note: Not wiring the valve "polarity specific" (red = power, black = common) is the most common mistake.

General:

Ensure the controller is a Miracle DC, and that the valves are Aquanet DC.

Ensure that the Miracle controller is in a sheltered location unless using an approved weatherproof cabinet (such as 25-MRP-PROF-CAB or MIRPED).

Point of Connection:

Ensure that the water supply is turned on at the source.

Ensure that the water supply is not crimped, cutting off the supply.

Electrical:

Is the battery new, fully charged, and installed correctly?

If using a pump, ensure all wiring is correct and the pump start relay operates with DC.

Are all splices waterproof?

If using multi-strand wire, ensure that no strands are "cross-connected" to other terminals
(touching another terminal).

Ensure that wire run lengths from the controller to the Netafim Aquanet valves are not too
long. Maximum runs:

• 12 gauge: 3,150 feet
• 14 gauge: 1,950 feet
• 16 gauge: 1,230 feet
• 18 gauge: 780 feet
• 20 gauge: 480 feet

If the valves are not Netafim Aquanet:

• Are they 12VDC latching solenoid valves? (24VAC valves will not work).
• Wire run lengths, in general, should not exceed about 75' for non-Aquanet valves.

Check wiring from the controller to the valve. RED = POWER & BLACK = COMMON
If wiring is incorrect, just re-wiring the valves correctly is not enough - THIS IS CRITICAL:

• Remove battery and let the controller completely lose power...about 3 - 5 minutes,
• Correct the wiring - Each valve's red wire connects back to a numbered station (zone)
on the terminal strip. All of the valve's black wires are connected together as the
"common" feeding back to the "common" (COM) on the controller's terminal strip,
• Reinstall a new, fully-charged battery after the controller has been powered down for
3 - 5 minutes, and
• Reprogram the Miracle controller per the instruction manual.

When using wire that has been spliced in the field and no stations are operating, ensure
that the wire connecting all the black common wires in the field is the same wire that is
being attached to the "common" (COM) on the controller's terminal strip.

If you move the station/zone (red) wire on the terminal strip from a station that is not running
to an unused station, and it still does not operate properly, probable causes could include:

• Incorrect wiring - See above,
• The valve is installed backward - Reinstall properly,
• The ON/OFF/AUTO knob is not completely in the AUTO position, - set to AUTO - and/or,
• The flow control knob under the valve is turned to the fully closed position. Open the flow
control knob. (See "Valves #3 below).

Valves:

Ensure the valve is a Netafim Aquanet DC valve.

Check the flow-direction arrow on top of the Aquanet valve. The flow direction arrow should
be pointing downstream.

Check the flow control knob on the underside of the Aquanet valve.

• It should be pointing downstream (fully open).
• It should be pointing downstream (fully open).
• When the flow control knob is fully open, the knob is "pointing" downstream
(12 o'clock position).
• It can be turned counterclockwise to about the 7 o'clock position.
• This reduces most, but not all of the water flow and is designed to reduce misting of
sprays and rotors.

Ensure that the Aquanet DC valves are all in the "AUTO" position.

• If the valve is in the "ON" position, the valve will be in the "manual on" position. It will
not turn off, or operate with commands from the controller.
• If the valve is in the "OFF" position, the valve will be in the "manual off" position. It will
not turn on, or operate with commands from the controller.

If the valve has been disassembled in the field, has it been reassembled properly,
including proper installation of both diaphragms?

• The large, round diaphragm should be installed with the cup shape downward.
• The smaller "Command Diaphragm" must be installed properly over the command ports.
The raised rubber lip of the diaphragm surrounding the center hole must be pointed upward.

If the valve is not an Aquanet valve:

• Is it a 12VDC "latching solenoid" valve?
not turn off, or operate with commands from the controller.
• If it is a 24VAC valve (the most commonly used valve in the Landscape industry) that has
been modified with a 12VDC-adapter kit, has it been assembled correctly?
• Has it been wired back to the controller "polarity specific"? (See Electrical #7 above).
• Is the wire run length from the valve to the controller under 75'?
• Most irrigation controllers are wired "normally closed". The Miracle controller must be wired "normally open".

General:

Mini-Clik (rain shutoff device) hook-up - Must be wired to the Miracle controller as "normally open".

• Mini-Clik is a brand name and is the most popular rain shut-off device.
• Most irrigation controllers are wired "normally closed". The Miracle controller must be wired
"normally open".
• Contractors should refer to the instructions that come with the device to properly wire the
controller for "normally open".

When reinstalling the battery, make sure it is fully charged.

When the battery is re-installed, the controller will send an "off signal" to each valve as it counts out the valve numbers on the LCD screen. Once it completes this task,

Refer to the owner's manual for proper programming instructions. This checklist is not meant to supercede the instruction manual. Please refer to it for programming information and other troubleshooting tips.