Why not just turn the Hunter off, and then use manual mode when you want to run a sprinkler cycle. Much less expensive rather than replacing it.

Thanks, I'll check that out.

Because it's COOL! :cool:

It sure sounds it. Was it a difficult process to install it? I'm not what you would call a skilled handy man![emoji106]

The Hunter is a programmable system. And, depending on where you live, the newer control is much more capable and doesn't have the old cork float rain gauge. No doubt though, the system Walter has is way cool!!!

Very easy to install. search you tube for Rachio 1st generation.

I'm pretty sure that the major difference between 1st and 2nd generation is the number of zones.......8 vs 16. I think the same app is used for both.

What you say is true but the Rachio controller does a whole, whole lot more. I'm a techie so I love to (try) and keep up with technology.

Let's see Alexa put out Thanksgiving dinner!

Me too, and I'd not heard of that system until you mentioned it. I am currently checking it out!

The meter is in a separate box from the controls, on the front lawn with a purple cover.

Water bill
 

The same exact thing happened to me last month. Insist that they send someone to physically check the reading. Turns out there was a problem with the water reading equipment. Saved me $241!!!

If you have the water sensor on, put it on bypass (bypass the sensor). I have done this with several neighbors when their sprinklers started running for 50 mins instead of 20 mins. The sensors often fails (most are faulty). Most on our street have it on bypass due to the many problems. I disconnected mine because it was tied to zone 5 and it want bad and if it fails then that zone won't work. Good luck.

If you live south of 466a, the newest irrigation systems are equipped with a feature called "seasonable adjustment." It adjusts your watering times for each zone every day at midnight. Depending on the weather conditions, it will increase or decrease the watering times, regardless of how you had set it. This is distinct from the rain sensor. If this feature isn't set up properly it can increase watering times significantly. Check your box to see if you have this feature. If so, call the water district and have them come out to adjust it and explain it to you.
My niece owns a home in Collier and her water usage jumped to 18000 gallons from 4000 last month. Neighbors on her block were also affected.