From what I have read the EZRain device use an external 24 vac to control the solenoids. I am concerned that there could be a conflict with Irritrol Controller being hook up in the circuit at the same time the EZRain is connected. I just wonder if the Irritrol Control is turn off is that adequate or do I need to have a switch that selects either Irritrol Controller or the EZRain device.
The company that is doing the installation has no experience in dealing with a Mac using Indigo in controlling the irrigation system.
I am planning to do this process in the spring 2016 and will need the time to find out any other issues in doing this type of setup. Are there any other issues I should be concerned about?
First, I believe that the EZRain (I have 3 of them) uses solid state relays, or SCR's or Triacs for switching, not mechanical relays which I suspect you
may have in the Irritrol. This may make things a little more stressful if you have simultaneous activation of same or even different zones; the reason is that solid state devices typically have a small voltage drop across the device when in the "ON" state which the mechanical relays do not. For this reason alone, I would consider disconnecting the Irritrol but I'm guessing you're not going to damage the EZRain if you try it. Especially if you leave the Irritrol unpowered... I hedge this statement with "I wouldn't do it; just disconnect the Irritrol completely from the valves" but again, I think you'd not blow up the ($125) EZRain.
Second, thought I'd mention that I've had no failures at all with my EZRain devices. I consider them to be reliable (had 2 of them for almost 3 years).
Third, if you do want to try (experiment) to run the EZRain and the Irritrol devices at the same time, make sure that you're 24VAC power supply can supply current for at least two valves simultaneously. Do not use separate power supplies like I show in my picture. Best of luck.
Fourth, again, if you do this, make sure that your wiring for the Irritrol and the EZRain are both using a common ground (or you risk connecting 24VAC directly to ground if you activate both at once); try to put them close together and maybe even in the same box. See picture and imagine one of them is an Irritrol.
Fifth, I bought and programmed my EZFlora's in advance of having the sprinklers installed. It made things really easy to hit the ground running once the system was in place.
Here is a picture of my outdoor install (water-resistant orbit enclosure). You might be able to get the Irritrol into the same box with an EZRain. I bought the enclosure from Amazon but Home Depot carries them too.