Elk m1g drip irrigation control

[jmprader]

I have an M1G, a 2440 transformer, and an M1-XOVR. I want to control an eight 24vac solenoid valve drip irrigation system using rules. I have the rules down.

However, even after reviewing many of the sprinkler related posts here, including wiring diagrams, I am still confused about the necessary Elk components and wiring.

Can anyone help with a quick wiring diagram and, if additional equipment is needed (like Elk Relays?), id what I am missing, as well.

Juxtaposed thumbs were just the first step for neanderthals like me.

Thanks.

 

[Ira]

1. One of your 24Vac wires from the transformer will go to "one side" of each of the valves, in parallel.

2. The other wire from your 24Vac transformer will connect to the "common" terminals for each of the eight relays on the M1XOVR. You can wire it directly to the first relay's common terminal.

3. Cut seven short "jumpers" that daisy chain all of the commons on the M1XOVR together, e.g., a jumper to connect relay 1's common to relay 2's common, a jumper to connect relay 2's common to relay 3's common, and so on. So you will have two wires in each of the common terminals, except the last one which will only have one.

4. Connect each solenoid's remaining wire (the one that you didn't connect in step one) to its relay's N/O terminal on the M1XOVR.

Your M1G rules will turn the output/relay associated with specific valve on or off when you want to open or close the valve. So if your M1XOVR is using address 2 (which means it uses outputs 17 thru 32), when you want to open the solenoid connected to relay 1's N/O terminal, you will turn output 17 on in your rule.

You should have a nine conductor cable going from the can containing your M1XOVR to the valves...one wire between each terminal and its relay, and another one for the wire in step 1.

Of course, you need to connect the M1XOVR to the M1G's data bus, either wiring it directly or using an M1DBH data bus hub.

At least, that's how I'm doing it, with a few other things thrown in for grins.

 

[nov0798]

This also may help.

http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/215/5912/1024/Sprinkler.jpg

 

[jmprader]

1. One of your 24Vac wires from the transformer will go to "one side" of each of the valves, in parallel.

2. The other wire from your 24Vac transformer will connect to the "common" terminals for each of the eight relays on the M1XOVR. You can wire it directly to the first relay's common terminal.

3. Cut seven short "jumpers" that daisy chain all of the commons on the M1XOVR together, e.g., a jumper to connect relay 1's common to relay 2's common, a jumper to connect relay 2's common to relay 3's common, and so on. So you will have two wires in each of the common terminals, except the last one which will only have one.

4. Connect each solenoid's remaining wire (the one that you didn't connect in step one) to its relay's N/O terminal on the M1XOVR.

Your M1G rules will turn the output/relay associated with specific valve on or off when you want to open or close the valve. So if your M1XOVR is using address 2 (which means it uses outputs 17 thru 32), when you want to open the solenoid connected to relay 1's N/O terminal, you will turn output 17 on in your rule.

You should have a nine conductor cable going from the can containing your M1XOVR to the valves...one wire between each terminal and its relay, and another one for the wire in step 1.

Of course, you need to connect the M1XOVR to the M1G's data bus, either wiring it directly or using an M1DBH data bus hub.

At least, that's how I'm doing it, with a few other things thrown in for grins.

Thank you for the confirm that I have the right gear to get this done and the clear explanation of the hookup to the valves (and the M1DBH connection, which is as far as I got before scratching my head and crying for help). The N/O confirm also helps, as I thought N/C was the way to go...oops.

 

[jmprader]

This also may help.

http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/215/5912/1024/Sprinkler.jpg

Thank you for your response.

I had seen that diagram and it confused me. It has (2 x) 912 relays and a "controller". Apparently no 912 relays are necessary with the M1XOVR and it was not clear what the "controller" in the diagram actually is.

I'm hoping I didn't miss something between your reply and the prior response. I will find out real time tomorrow!

 

[BraveSirRobbin]

http://www.cocoontec...h=1

Look especially at the 'relay control schematic'

I'm not sure which are the 'optimal' Elk relays to use as their are two. Use the one with the least amount of voltage turn on required to activate the relay (I think it's the one with the dual relays on one board).

You can also use a relay expander board is desired (i.e. you don't want to use the separate relay method). The general wiring schematic would be the same.

 

[Ira]

Thank you for your response.

I had seen that diagram and it confused me. It has (2 x) 912 relays and a "controller". Apparently no 912 relays are necessary with the M1XOVR and it was not clear what the "controller" in the diagram actually is.

I'm hoping I didn't miss something between your reply and the prior response. I will find out real time tomorrow!

Wiring to the N/O terminal means that if there is no power to the relay coil (i.e., the output state is "off"), the relay contacts will be open, so the zone circuit will be open, so the valve will be closed (the valve opens when power is supplied to it's solenoid). The N/C terminal results in the exact opposite.

nov0798's diagram has two 912's in addition to the M1XOVR because he's controlling nine zones and a master valve. The M1XOVR only has eight relays, thus the two 912's. For a little more cash, if you need more zones and you aren't already using the M1XOVR's voltage outputs, you can get an M1RB that plugs directly into the eight M1XOVR's voltage outputs to give you eight more relays.

There is one minor mistake in the diagram where it says "12v neg" on the controller terminal instead of "24v neg". It looks like this is a diagram that allows the zone to be controlled by the M1G (via M1XOVR and 912's) or by a "regular" irrigation controller. I think he didn't show all the wires between controller/M1XOVR/zones to keep the diagram from being cluttered. If you look at the green wire between the controller Z1, the M1XOVR output 17, and the Z1 valve...there will be the same wires for each of the other eight zones (and the master valve, as shown).

 

[jmprader]

...nov0798's diagram has two 912's in addition to the M1XOVR because he's controlling nine zones and a master valve. The M1XOVR only has eight relays, thus the two 912's...

That explains that headscratcher. Thanks.

 

[jmprader]

http://www.cocoontec...h=1

Look especially at the 'relay control schematic'

I'm not sure which are the 'optimal' Elk relays to use as their are two. Use the one with the least amount of voltage turn on required to activate the relay (I think it's the one with the dual relays on one board).

You can also use a relay expander board is desired (i.e. you don't want to use the separate relay method). The general wiring schematic would be the same.

Got it. So I will be using the M1xOVR board to provide the eight relays connected via rs-485 to the M1g. I will make sure I have set the address properly on the board.

 

[Big517]

I'm doing the same thing right now however i only want control of 1 Zone. The trick is that i need to turn on the Pump and the Zone. And here is the challenge: I'm trying to accomplish this with only 2 wires. I have tried the common going to 12v power and the n/o relay to pump or zone. It can turn one relay or pump on, or both on at the same time by running the Pump and zone in parallel but even if the relay is off, they are still wired in parallel at the controller side causing that zone to always be on when the Pump is running ie. normal operation of the irrigation controller.

I was hoping my voltage output relay m1xovr would be sufficient to trigger the solenoid and relay to Pump. But I'm not experienced enough.

In summary is there any way to turn on pump and single zone with 2 wires and not create the issue above? Thanks

 

[JimS]

Big,
 
I am a little unclear on what you are trying to do.  Sound like you have an irrigation controller that runs other zones and pump and also want to trigger zone 1 and pump with M1.  If that's the case you could could do that by adding a relay.  Put the relay coil in parallel with the zone valve and run from the M1 contacts.  Connect the normally open contacts of the relay  in parallel with the other controller for the pump.  Tuck the relay into your existing irrigation controller box and you only need 2 wires between the irrigation controller and M1.

 

[Big517]

I'm trying to wrap my head around this. Please forgive my ignorance but are you suggesting another piece of hardware that will be triggered by my 2 wires from the elk? Do have a link to hardware or diagram? Thank you

 

[JimS]

I'm unclear on your system as you mention 12V - that's not a normal irrigation controller voltage.  Most are 24 VAC.  It would really help if you tell us more about your system and/or a diagram.  If you have both supplies something could break if both are switched to a load at the same time.

 

[Big517]

I think you are right.  It's Rainbird E-9c. 25.5vac -650mA transformer.  

Tried to attach pic, but I can't for some reason...  I'll try another method.

 

[Big517]

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g01dqw6xso70z41/20130621_141712.jpg
 
I hope this helps.  
 
I COULD run another 2 wires (total of 4) to this box, back to my output expander if that simplifies things.  Please advise if it that would help, and how to wire correctly.  Thanks again!