SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

This thread is awesome! I fixed my rainbird (and I am the leasy handy person you know!!)

Quoted from "None"

Your 7 year old thread remains helpful!
System reboot (pull and replace battery) did the trick!

Correction - 11 year old thread!!

Your 7 year old thread remains helpful!
System reboot (pull and replace battery) did the trick!

Thank you for presenting a set of solution strategies. I was able to work through the suggestions like a trouble shooting tree. If , then, if then, else . SOLVED. Muchas Gracias.

Quoted from "kjaaka"

Notice the PR OFF this morning. Followed the following steps:

1. tried another outlet/checked that original outlet worked - all fine, PR OFF
2. switched fuses (though original looked fine) - PR OFF
3. shut off power to house for one minute - PR OFF
4. stewed - PR OFF
5. found this thread - PR OFF
6. removed lithium battery and fuse - PR OFF
7. put fuse back in - back to normal
8. put battery back in - still back to normal
9. much happier

Great thread all, thanks

It worked for me as well Thank you so much

My issue was that I could not get the PR OFF message cleared from the controller. The fuse did not appear to be blown. I spent several hours reading this site and other sites on the internet. I kept trying the fuse since most of the posts below mention the fuse. However, one comment below mentioned checking the breaker panel. Well, it wasn't the breaker, but it was the GFI in the garage. I guess the GFI had tripped in a recent storm. I incorrectly assumed that the controller had power since the PR Off message continued to show, no matter what I did. Based upon my efforts to resolve the PR OFF error, my recommendations are as follows in the order shown:

1) Unplug the controller for a few minutes, then plug it back in (easiest thing to do)
2) Test whether the outlet has power (use something else that you know works), which is the way I found my problem.
3) Check your breaker panel
4) Check the GFI outlet
5) Change fuse
6) Change battery

Good luck, and thanks to all who previously commented!

ric',index.php?page=Thread&postID=14942#post14942]Thanks for posting this. Just unplugged after trying everything else and it worked. Saved me a bunch of time and money.

Thanks![/quote]

I unplugged, pressed the gfci trip and plugged it back. It worked. It was simply lack of AC power. As outlined in the manual linked below.

http://www.rainbird.com/documents/turf/man_ESPsi.pdf

Quoted from "NJ-home"

I have Rain Bird ESP 8TM Model that has been in service for 8 years. it started to display PR off after thunderstorm. the first time it ever happened. voltage meter reading on wires on transformer was ok. fuse looked ok. I unplugged transformer, fuse, lithium battery, and then put all of them back. The power came back on.

I have the ESP-8Si that was installed before I purchased my home. After having the problem with it (display blank), I opened the wiring panel and noticed that 7 stations and the common are wired but there is a Grey and Pink wire with the ends stripped but not connected. The MV and station #8 is not being used and other blogs have mentioned that the MV is only used as needed. Is it normal to have only 8 of the 10 wires in use? Not sure why they left the ends bare and not covered.

Also, I followed the help topics and decided to replaced the battery and fuses. I plugged it in and it reads "PR Off". I performed all of the steps in various post like: checking the outlet, replaced fuses, shut off power, and replaced battery, and performed a function from another blog that suggested holding the On (up arrow) and Off (down arrow) while plugging in the transformer and that took me to the normal screen but I am still unable to make any changes or program it. The screen changes from Monday to Wednesday when trying to program and that's about it. When I push the A/B button, it goes back to PR Off. Several repeats of everything produces the same results. I have a multimeter but not sure how to test a transformer, all of the blogs are confusing. I have photos of the wiring if that helps.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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I have Rain Bird ESP 8TM Model that has been in service for 8 years. it started to display PR off after thunderstorm. the first time it ever happened. voltage meter reading on wires on transformer was ok. fuse looked ok. I unplugged transformer, fuse, lithium battery, and then put all of them back. The power came back on.

Thanks for the information. I had the PR OFF showing after a thunderstorm. Followed your advice and it's working again. Most appreciated!