SPRINKLER TALK FORUM - You Got Questions, We've Got Answers

Sure had all of us going, and in differnet directions.

Thanks for the follow up.

Anyway, I will remember to add it to the things I check.

Glad it is resolved. Especially with out you having to trench yur yard.

Jeff

I'm sure this was not my original problem. but the new valve is working. I had read not to over-tighten the bleed valve, so I left it a little backed off causing it to be open. Oh well, I atleast cleaned up my wiring and learned something in case I decide to do irrigation full time.

Thanks to all for the ideas.

Hi, you say there are three wires at valve number 5. Two white and one red. This next part is important. Are the two white wires hooked up together or is one white wire connected with the red? If it's connected to the red wire then I would suspect that that one of those two wires is somehow crossed with the master valve wiring. This way valve number 5 would come on anytime ANY station ran. If the red and white are hooked up together try disconnecting one of them and see what happens. Then visa versa. Also, the reason I asked before if your controller was in a metal box is I've seen the symptoms you've described with the funny voltage few times and it always seems to be the same model controller. It's an irritrol I think but I can't remember for sure. It's in a yellow metal cabinet.

Good luck!

let me try to clarify. I just spent another hour troubleshooting

no debris in valve
removed solenoid and unwired all wires at the zone5 valve

in this configuration no zone runs, VC loop disconnected (this is what I would expect)

the VC wire from controller ties into 2 whites at the spot in the ground where all controller wires meet their valve

at the faulty zone (zone5) valve, there are 2 whites and 1 red.
if I turn on zone1 and measure the voltage at zone5

control wire

the controller wire is disconnected at the controller for zone5
red to 1 white - 16V
red to other white 3.5V
white to white 26V

next up, continuity test from controller wire area to zone5

That is probably the solution, but sounds like a lot of work. Have you ruled out the controller, just a thought before digging. I assume you have, just wondering. No valve debrie? I thought the valve was sticking open after the solenoid was disconnected?

Sorry if I am confusing a confusing situation, but I'm learning vicariously.

Jeff

not a problem...
I've uncovered all the controller wires. they were just buried in the ground. My plan is to mark and clean up all the connections and put them in a ground control box. If that does not fix it I will run a new control wire above ground to the controller to see if I can narrow it down. I would guess it would not be a problem with the Valve Common wire connections. If these attempts fail, I'll call in the experts.

Well, sounds like an electrical problem.

So, probalby a short or controller problem. Nedd someone more experienced than I. An idea is to isoate the problem, by powering each of the zones vlves from the controller wires using 3 9 volt batteries hooked in series, to see which valves are actuated. Iff each valve works (individually) when powered this way, I think your problem is likely the controller. If not, then looks to me like a short.

BTW, are there any extra unused wires from the controller to the valves?

I'm curious, when you opened the valve, did you find debrie?

Again, I await more experienced advice, and your results, We all learn that way. Sorry if I offened by using "me", didn't mean it that way.

Jeff

the valve is clean. today, when I try to run any zone with the zone5 control wire and solenoid removed, nothing runs. if I leave the solenoid removed and just connect it up, I get water at zone5 and the other zone. A new solenoid installed and connected produces the same results.

first, thanks to everyone.

valve and solenoid was replaced yesterday.
zone5's solenoid wires are disconnected and zone5 still runs when ANY other zone runs.
when power is removed or the zone that is "active" stops, zone5 stops also
I have a master valve

ME, I did not install the valve, my landscaper did it.

this was the exact symptom before the valve/solenoid was replaced and I attributed it to the damaged diaphragm.

The good thing about these types of forums is people can get a variety of opinions. Hey Five, are you on a master valve or a pump? Let "ME" know. What valve did you install? Let "ME" know.