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205 Valve/Solenoid Puzzle
My irrigation system has a 4 zone box below grade. The valves are Richdel 205s. Valve 3 was working at very low pressure. Opening the bleed screw fixed the problem temporarily. Once this was done pressure was fine until it cycled and then it would need to be bled again. Reading some of the posts it seemed that it might be either the valve or the solonoid, so I replaced both with an Irritrol 205 with flow control. The result is that now I get zero pressure but again it will go to good pressure only when I open the bleed screw. Any help would be immensley appreciated. Thanks.
So, you replaced the entire valve?
Or did you just top the valve?
If you topped it..my bet and my money are on pinched nipple under the solenoid....
Sprinkler Solutions, Inc.
Arizona and Colorado
www.sprinklersolutions.net
I replaced the whole bonnet including the solenoid. If its a pinched nipple would this be solved with an extra washer? What is your suggestion? How do we unpinch it? Thanks?
I just topped it replacing the guts and solenoid. Thanks.
The 205 can be tricky to re-assemble with that big spring pushing the diaphragm away from the bonnet. I like the Sprinklerguys answer. If he's right just open it back up somehow. You'll know what to do. If it breaks off, time for a new valve. No you don't need a second washer? Also make sure there isn't any debre in that port. On occasion I've seen that valve re-assembled wrong so the diaphragm itself is blocking the port. You may have to bonnet turned slightly out of position. No matter what you need to take the bonnet back off to find the problem. Good luck!
If I can't fix it, it's broken!
Thanks to all for your help. It turned out to be a pinched nipple. I had assembled the Irritrol in the Richdel body and not CAREFULLY engaged the nipple into the reciprocating orifice. It turns out that I have two more zones under a foot of dirt somewhere so it appears my education will continue. Thanks again.
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