Posted: 2/16/2026 10:13:19 AM EDT
[Last Edit: urbanredneck][Edited]
 Going to install an indexing valve and a timer to my sprinkler system. It looks like they ripped the guts out of the original timer. But took a look in the box yesterday and saw there were only two wires running to the pump. The breaker box has a double breaker (two 20amp breakers) for the pump so I'm going with it being a 220v pump but I was expecting to see a black/red/white set of wires but there are only two coming in with a ground. The yellows coming from the breaker box and connecting to the blacks to the pump. So looking at schematics and I see that this is another standard wiring set-up for pumps. Anyone want to take a stab and explain why you would wire this using the ground wire instead of a neutral (white) line? Otherwise, will this timer that I ordered work with this set-up? The pump is a gator 1.5 hp irrigation pump. Does it matter which of those yellow wires I use as L1 and L2 when I'm hooking up the new timer? Pump timer |
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Originally Posted By davekd7ds: 230 VAC doesn't require a neutral, unless you want to split out 2 120 VAC circuits. The actual power is on the 2 legs, the ground is for safety. This, except that in this country, it's 240 volts, not 220 or 230. Some 240 devices, such as ovens or driers, use 120 volts for the controls and 240 for the heavy load. That's why they require a neutral. Either leg to neutral = 120 volts. Leg to leg = 240 volts. |
9 lives - 9 pellets... Coincidence?
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Mechanical timers suck. I’d recommend a WiFi unit. I have a pool pump controlled off the one below. Love it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZP682FR The app is very easy to use and to set up times. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: Mechanical timers suck. I’d recommend a WiFi unit. I have a pool pump controlled off the one below. Love it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZP682FR The app is very easy to use and to set up times. I am anti wifi as much as possible. I see it as a way for manufacturers to force you into upgrading. You are at their mercy if they decide to stop supporting the apps. I've had mechanical timers on my pools and sprinklers in the past and I don't think it is a big deal. Just flip the switch when you want to start watering everyday. Currently I have 8 wifi cameras that all died Jan 4th because the servers were apparently shut down. I'm waiting for Honeywell to kill my two thermostats and Bosch to kill my fridge currently (hopefully they won't). I don't want to add another future victim to the list. |
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Originally Posted By urbanredneck: I am anti wifi as much as possible. I see it as a way for manufacturers to force you into upgrading. You are at their mercy if they decide to stop supporting the apps. I've had mechanical timers on my pools and sprinklers in the past and I don't think it is a big deal. Just flip the switch when you want to start watering everyday. Currently I have 8 wifi cameras that all died Jan 4th because the servers were apparently shut down. I'm waiting for Honeywell to kill my two thermostats and Bosch to kill my fridge currently (hopefully they won't). I don't want to add another future victim to the list. I’m not trying to sell you on anything. But….it’s a $60 box. If they stop supporting it, I’ll just buy the next thing. It’s easy to install and remove. There is also a physical switch on the box so it can be activated and deactivated manually if you so choose. I used to be somewhat anti WiFi controls but I have warmed up to it. Now, I love it. I switched from a manual pool timer to this one. Now that I have had this one, if it ever dies or is no longer supported, I’ll get the next WiFi thing. Out of curiosity, what cameras did you have? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Thanks for the help. Only thing I really noted that was messed up was it looks like the ground wire was not actually grounded back to the panel. Even though it is connected in the picture it went went back to a gang box that had an on/off switch for the pump. The ground was just hanging loose in there. So I grounded it to the box and got everything hooked back up.  Almost professional looking. Grand total for valve/timer/PVC... about $85. |