I recently experienced the same problem. By replacing the solenoid (which failed to open the valve automatically but closed it after I manually opened the valve using the bleeder control), the problem resolved itself.
Good point. Do you know where I can find/buy a Hydro Rain valve top? I managed to strip the solenoid socket on one of the valves (should have pulled out the plastic box in the ground around the valves first!) and now the new solenoid will not screw in properly and function. I'd sure like to avoid replacing the whole valve (in the ground). Thanks!
Good news! I replaced the solenoids and the valves now work fine. I guess all 3 valves failed and, for the time being, the new solenoids have fixed the problem. Thank you for all your assistance!
Thank you for the useful response. I will check the current flow through the wires (where they connect) while the control panel is activating the solenoid, making sure that it's 24V. As a next test, is it possible to purchase stand-alone solenoids for valves, install them, and see if this fixes the problem? I'm not sure how the solenoids are physically attached to the top valve cover. I thought that I had to buy a whole new valve to get a new solenoid but then did a Google on solenoids and got s...
Since my first email, I have collected some more data. I used a volt meter to measure the current flow through the hot wire to the valve box: 24 volts at the control box and 24 volts at the valve box, a good thing. This means, I believe, that the ground wire is working fine, since I used the ground wire to complete the circuit with the volt meter. I was able to make all 3 valves function propertly by turning the bleed screw on all the way. So I know that the valves are mechanically sound. When I...
I have an old HydroRain 9 zone controller. Three valves that share a common box do not turn on electronically. The valves do work correctly, however, when I turn on valve (via the control box) AND turn the bleeder screw on the individual valves. I changed the diaphragm and spring in one of the valves last night, but this did not fix (or change) the valve's behavior. My hypothesis is that the solenoids of the 3 valves are not properly grounded (they share a common ground wire). Is this a reasonab...
