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

I have a 4-zone irrigation system with 3 Richdel 250-S valves and 1 Richdel 2400-S valve. Recently, 2 zones have quit working. There are a couple questions I have about the repair.

First, any links for diagrams of these series of valves would be most helpful. <b>You should have a supply house in your area to get those....I don't know if SW sells parts..if you cannot find one, let me know I can get them for you.</b>

Anyway... about the repair. I was informed the diaphrams were most likely the culprit. I need to know what parts would be compatible.

A specific problem I had was when I notived the 2400 valve. I noticed after trying to get it to work this time it was making a little quiet "put-put" noise despite being OFF on the timer. I wiggled the black solenoid on top and suddenly the zone came on. Problem - I could NOT shut it OFF!<b>Solenoid may be loose..it threads into that area...tighten it and see what happens.....it could also be broken....make sure it is hand tight.</b> I now have my water shut off at the main. My question with why this happens fits in with the next question:

How do these valves work? Are they PUMPS at all? Or do they simply use current to open and close a valve, plain and simple? Could the problem with my 2400 valve be that it no longer will shut off, maybe because the diaphram is SO shot?
<b>
There is water on top and on the bottom of the diaphram when it is closed...this is equal "pressure" on top and bottom. When the timer activates the solenoid...which also has water inside of it....the plunger in the solenoid lifts up...there is a port under that solenoid that allows the water to come off the top of the diaphram....thus allowing the diaphram to open and allowing the water to run through the valve....When the plunger goes down after its cycle..it seals the port, allowing water back on top, which closes the diaphram, stopping the water. If the diaphram has pin holes or a tear..this cannot work properly...effectively not allowing water to remain on top or to port off the top...

Therefore, if you replace the diaphrams the problems should be solved...in most cases </b>

With the 2400, might I also need the solenoid, too?
<b>Solenoids last a long time in most cases...but I would buy the valves themselves and replace diaphrams, solenoids, and all other parts..bonnet spring etc. </b>

Anyway... last piece of information I need to know is this: how do I open the 2400? The 205 series look like there are a number of screws. Does the whole top of the 2400 unscrew? If so... I'm not sure what kind of tool I could use for this purpose. I surely couldn't fit the handle of an oversize pipe wrech down into that hole!

<b>You should be able to unscrew by hand...use a towel or leather gloves to get a good grip...you can also use large channel lock pliers in a vertical position...be careful not to squeeze to hard though.</b>
Please help as I need to take care of this.

Jer

P.S. Would Home Depot have what I need? <b>Nope</b>

<b>Good luck</b>

If the solenoid threads are damaged that can be a problem....also, is the plunger encased in the solenoid or is it loose....or is it even present?

What color is the 2400 valve....?

The lawn genie valve will work in a pinch..look in yellow pages under irrigation supplies....then start calling them.

Look for a distributor of irrigation supplies. If you can't find one, look harder. They're there. They don't care one whit about sales to homeowners, the contractors are where their money comes from. But if you show up, they'll sell to you. After they take care of the contractors.

I have a 6 station Richdel 205 valve system powered by a new Orbit controller. 5 of the 6 valves function correctly. I have checked the following on the malfunctioning valve:

a) the 24volt signal at the solenoid is on and off as it should be when the controller is manually activated for this station;

b) the solenoid is new, clean and functioning; others also tried;

c) the diaphram is new, clean, installed properly; the spring is good; others also tried;

The only control over valve functioning is the manual valve handle: as it is opened to the normal position, water flow commences and can not be shut off except by closing the manual handle.

Any thoughts?

Try this ~ remove the new solenoid, and pry out the white plastic retainer ring. Replace the solenoid.