Question
QUESTION: I have a K-Rain Timer and want to install a Rainbird ESP controller. The K-Rain only has a power cord and then a single black wire coming out of the bottom and going into the ground, my question is where are the valve wires, I have six different zones, is the black wire running to all six valve wires or do I have to locate each valve and run irrigation wire to the new controller. I know how to hook the controller up if know where the wires are located.

ANSWER: Hey David, that black wire should have all the wires inside of it. If you look in the back of the existing controller, you should see a terminal strip. The strip should be marked #1, #2 etc. and then you will see a terminal marked C(common). As you disconnect the wires from the existing controller, mark them as you take them off the terminals, and also mark the wire hooked to the common. Then when you go to hook up the new controller, you will hook the same numbered wires to the terminal in the back of the new controller. The black wire you talk about is called a multi-strand wire, in that all the strands of wire are inside the black plastic jacket. Good luck and have a great day.

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QUESTION: There is only one wire inside of it. It's a thin black single wire not multi strand. The controller is just a timer that has the big wheel with the pins you push for the time and day you want it to come on. There should be six different wires for each valve and a common but they are not attached to the timer. This system was put in during the 80's

Answer
Hey David, what I suspect you have, is a rotator valve. Basically how this works, is that you only have one automatic valve that is turned on by the controller. This valve puts water into a rotator valve. What this valve is, is basically a hub with 6 different pipes that come off of it. When the water pressure is on, there is a turbine that rotates a hub, this hub turns and allows water into 1 pipe at a time. Once it is done with one, it rotates to the next outlet(pipe), and then this pipe is pressurized and that zone has pressure and the heads come on. What I would suggest, is to install 6 new automatic valves, and feed each of the 6 pipes coming off of the rotator, with its own valve. I hope this helps. Good luck and have a great day.