Question
Guillermo, I need to replace my sprinkler controller. It is a Rainbird RC7Bi, which I know is no longer available. My question is: I have 7 zones. Based on your expertise which controller do you recommend to replace it with and more importantly, it is something a novice can do or do you recommend calling an irrigation specialists? Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer
Hi John

You can use the Rain Bird ESP 4Mi 4 station controller (About $70) plus an ESP SMS 3 station module( About $ 27)

This in not complicated, you can do in your own:

1-Turn Off the circuit breaker for the controller.
2-write witch wire color go to each zone.
3-Disconnect the power wires on the controller (wires black, white and green)
4-Disconnect all the wires from the zones ports
5-Disconnect the COM wire (the white wire)
6-Using the template form the box drill the holes on the wall
7-Affix the new controller on the wall
8-Connect the power wires to the controller (left bottom wires) first the green,the white and the black.
9-Connect the COM wire (White) on the COM port
10-Install the expansion module  into the controller
11-Connect the zones wires according with the colors
12-Connect the rain sensor if you have one.
13-Turn on the circuit breaker
14 You are done

Good Luck

Guillermo