Sprinkler Systems.

[bleeb]

So our sprinkler system is no longer functional. I turned on the water in the irrigation system and know that water is running through the pipes. However, when I tried to use the "manual" setting to test each of the sprinkler heads, it no longer works. The junction box appears to be functional (I can set the time, and watering times, etc.) but when I slide the settings to "manual" to manually turn on specific sprinkler head, it doesn't work.

Do you guys have any suggestions on what I can look for to fix this problem?

 

[skyking]

It probably uses a different power supply for the solenoids, and it is non-functional. do some electrical troublshooting.

 

[Zach]

Originally posted by: skyking
It probably uses a different power supply for the solenoids, and it is non-functional. do some electrical troublshooting.

Good idea. If you have a multimeter you can measure it. Mine uses 24 volts AC I think.

Some of my valves also allow me to manually turn them on, just to sanity check that my plumbing is OK.

 

[BoomerD]

What brand is your timer? Many of the companies (like Toro) have on-line manuals.

 

[D1gger]

It is likely that some of the control wires than run from the controller to the valves out in the yard have been cut or have shorted out. Most valves also have a screw on the top that opens the valve to test each zone.

I would simply run a check on the wiring from the controller to each valve and see if it is fit to carry current. If it is then it is likely that the controller solenoid is shot.

 

[BoomerD]

If the system works normally, then it's not the wiring or solenoids. Most likely, something in the timer or programming. OR, user error. Mine requires more than just setting it to manual. You have to tell it to run after you do that...

"1. Ensure the control dial is in the AUTO/ON
position.
2. Position the PROGRAMS switch to select a
program you wish to start.
3. Press the MANUAL START button two times.
4. To select additional programs, repeat step
2 and 3.

 

[brandonbull]

if you have a rain guage, check that.

 

[arcas]

1) You turned on the water to the system (presumably you mean that you have a valve near the street). Did you check that your backflow preventer valves are open? Sometimes folks close them off when they winterize the system (which is bad) in addition to closing the valve at the street.

2) Try to operate your valves manually. Most valves have a bleed knob that will let you bleed air out of the system but it also lets you engage the valve manually. Try this and make sure your valves are operational. If your valves -still- don't operate, my guess is that you don't have water in the lines (check your backflow preventer/main valve/etc).

3) Many controllers have a fault LED that will illuminate if there's a short somewhere (mine will even tell you what zone has the short so you can narrow it down to a particular valve). But you implied that none of your valves are operating. Do you know if your controller's power supply is dead?

4) Checking the rainfall detector is a good idea. If you have one, make sure it's functioning properly.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Call someone who installs/maintains them and pay him to fix it FTW!!!