Mini-8 crashes after starting program
This morning, my zone 1 program started, but stopped after a few min (I heard the water stop/valve close). After a few minutes I checked the app, I was connected so I started the program again. Again, it stopped after 5min. I checked the Mini-8 and confirmed it was on/connected. I noticed in the app that the "up time" was about 7 minutes (about the amount of time elapsed from when the program stopped). I would conclude that a bug caused the device to "reset". The GFCI in the outside box was not tripped. There was no watering data for the day. I manually reset the device (unplug outlet), restarted and ran a manual watering and that completed fine. I encountered a similar situation months ago, but at that time I just ran a manual watering (didn't attempt to re-run the zone program) and it worked so I didn't report it. I sent the diagnostic after the first "reset". I'm on the latest firmware and IOS app.
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Update- next scheduled watering was today. Water program started 5:45a, stopped approx 30min in. I checked the app (iPad) at 6:52am (I could no longer hear the water running) and mini8 was connected in app, but uptime was 30min, program not running with no stop notification. I scheduled a manual watering for 140min and that completed fine. I was able to check in (via app on iPad) and monitor the progress, but about ~1hr30min in, the app failed to connect...device was offline. Confirmed visually on the mini8 - Wifi icon was flashing while manual cycle running. I allowed it to complete and checked in later, maybe 1-2hours and the app was/is now reconnected to the Mini8 (back on Wifi). Not sure what to make of all of this, but in summer here in Tempe, AZ watering is not something to be skipped. I need to be able rely on this timer and right now I'm not sure I can. Please advise.
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What causes the unit to reboot mid watering is a power surge. This is one of the only things that can cause the unit to reboot mid watering.
If you unplug the wires from the unit, does it still restart? I'm pretty sure it would not restart without the wires, due to no surge.
Brandon
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Hi. I have to assume you were referring to the load wires to the valve solenoids. I have 2 zones (1 is unused, the main line became blocked, perhaps roots) and tonight I checked with DMM = 59ohms (zone used), 47ohms (unused zone). Per some websites I looked at solenoid resistance can be 20-60ohms typical, so this seems reasonable. I disconnected the unused zone wire for now, to help rule out that as an unexpected issue. The power surge with solenoids would be more expected at start of water cycle, and that isn't what is happening here, at least what I can observe. I have physically seen the unit reboot, and there is no other power surge event occurring I can detect in the home. Last Sat was the next scheduled watering day after my last report, the program started at 5:45am and stopped after about 1 hour (the start notification listed 3hour 10min cycle). I had the app open to monitor progress and noticed the app had stopped connecting (mini8 listed as offline) so I walked out to the unit to check it, in the 1min it took to get there the device had rebooted (I walked past emitters running but then the nearest emitter stopped running just about when I got to the box) and was in the boot cycle when I opened the box. After reboot completed I ran a manual cycle to finish the remainder, and that ran awhile(I forget exactly how long) and stopped again (another device reboot), and I was also trying to monitor progress with the app. I ran another manual water and finished the cycle (only 20min remaining at that point). Today, the next scheduled watering day, the system ran the full 3hr 19min cycle without issue (I monitored it every 5/10min- I can hear the water in pipes running in the bathroom, so that is somewhat convenient for that) starting at 5:45am and got the app completion notification just after 9am on the iPad. During the water cycle today I did not attempt to access the device with the app. I might open the Mini8 up and take a look to check the power supply components for any obvious sign of failure (I'm a long time analog/digital hardware guy). A schematic or service diagram could be helpful if something were available. I'm not a software developer so have no insight to what else could be happening. I was glad to see a successful cycle today, but after three failed full cycle attempts out of 4, it is currently failing more than it is working, so perhaps this unit needs replacement? Thanks.
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