Rachio 3 Install Checklist

20-minute install · 6 sections · 32 checks

Don't let a camera catch you fumbling WiFi pairing.

Run through this once before you unbox — especially the Wi-Fi pre-flight. Rachio 3 swaps 1:1 with Rainbird wiring, but 2.4 GHz networking is where most installs stall.

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Before you touch a wire

Photograph every wire terminal on the old controller (front + angled).

Include a shot of any sensor wires in the S1/S2 terminal.

Label each zone wire with masking tape.

Z1, Z2, … Zn, plus C (common), M/MV (master valve), S1 (sensor). Rachio includes labels but they peel over years.

Note the running program schedule.

Start times, zone durations, days. You'll regenerate smarter, but good to compare.

Check your Wi-Fi band.

Rachio 3 requires 2.4 GHz. If you run Unifi/mesh with band steering, temporarily broadcast a 2.4 GHz SSID or use the Unifi "Advanced → Radio" settings to allow 2.4 GHz clients on your main SSID.

Kill the breaker feeding the controller.

Turn it off at the panel. Verify with a voltage tester or just try powering the old controller back on — nothing.

Unbox + mount

Verify box contents.

Controller, wire labels, 2× masonry anchors, 2× screws, mounting template, setup card.

Tape the mounting template to the wall.

Level matters — ~5 ft from floor, close to the old controller's footprint.

Pre-drill holes (1/4" bit for masonry anchors).

Indoor drywall: use drywall anchors if no stud.

Mount the back plate.

Screws snug but not crushing. Plate should feel solid.

Wire it up

Confirm breaker still off.

Last chance to verify.

Route wires through the bottom cutout.

Strip 3/8" if needed. Twist strands together if they're frayed.

Common (C) into C terminal.

Usually white. Rachio uses a single C terminal — all commons go here.

Master valve / pump relay (M) into M terminal.

Only if you have one. Most residential systems don't.

Rain sensor (S1/S2) into Rachio's sensor port.

Optional. Rachio's weather intelligence usually replaces the physical sensor's logic.

Zone wires into 1, 2, 3, …

Match each label to its terminal. Tighten screws firmly.

Double-check no strands are touching across terminals.

Shorts will cause false zone triggers. Trim any stray whiskers.

Plug in AC adapter last.

Cable enters the bottom of the back plate.

Power + pair

Flip breaker back on.

LED on Rachio should glow. Typically green/blue.

Install the Rachio app.

iOS App Store / Android Play Store. Create account or log in.

Tap "Add a controller" → select Rachio 3.

App prompts you to hold your phone close. Bluetooth pairing first, then Wi-Fi.

Select your 2.4 GHz SSID.

If your network only shows 5 GHz, go temporarily broadcast 2.4 GHz on Unifi and retry.

Name zones to match real yard locations.

"Front Lawn," "North Bed," "Pool Pots" — not "Zone 1."

Set zone properties.

Nozzle type, soil, sun exposure. Rachio uses these for Flex Daily — we override with our own Water Budget math.

Verify + connect TurfPulse

Run each zone for 30 seconds manually.

Walk the yard. Confirm right head set activates. Catch bad wiring before it hides.

Get your Personal Access Token.

Rachio web app → Account Settings → Get API Key. Copy it.

Paste token into TurfPulse Rachio Connect.

Opens live zone data. Translate your Water Budget → Program A/B/C cheat sheet.

Enter the cheat-sheet schedules into the Rachio app.

Create Fixed schedules (not Flex) so the physics math stays in charge.

Disable Flex Daily if Rachio enabled it by default.

Otherwise Rachio's defaults fight your Water Budget schedule.

File the rebate

Save your Amazon/retailer receipt PDF.

Round Rock needs itemized: date, vendor, amount, description.

Open TurfPulse Rebate Helper.

Generates the application PDF + email draft in 60 seconds.

Email to jwoods@roundrocktexas.gov.

Within 90 days of purchase. Include receipt + generated PDF.

Check arrives 2–4 weeks later.

If they want a post-install inspection, they'll contact you first.

Unifi gotcha

If your Unifi SSID is running band-steering (2.4 + 5 on one name), the Rachio pairing will fail because the controller only sees the 5 GHz advertisement. Temporarily create a 2.4 GHz-only SSID (Network → Wi-Fi → Add Network → Advanced → Radios = 2.4 GHz only), pair, then you can disable it.