What is a solenoid valve and how does it work?
Solenoid valves are control units which, when electrically energized or de-energized, either shut off or allow fluid flow. The actuator takes the form of an electromagnet. When energized, a magnetic field builds up which pulls a plunger or pivoted armature against the action of a spring. When de-energized, the plunger or pivoted armature is ...
How do you install solenoid on sprinkler system?
Instruction to Install a Solenoid on a Hunter Sprinkler System
- Disconnect the control box from the power source.
- Remove the wire nuts attached to the existing solenoid wires and disconnect the two wires. ...
- Unscrew the existing solenoid in a counterclockwise direction to remove it from the valve.
- Screw the new solenoid into the valve in a clockwise direction. ...
How to repair an irrigation solenoid valve?
How to Replace a Sprinkler Valve
- Turn off the power and water. To replace a solenoid sprinkler, turn off the water to the system and turn off electricity to the system at the control panel.
- Temove the solenoid connectors and assembly. Locate and open the valve box. ...
- Reattach the solenoid. ...
- Turn the power and water back on. ...
What does a solenoid do on a valve?
The valve uses a solenoid as its power source, which allows it to open and close for various appliances. Usually, its body is made of plastic, aluminum, brass or stainless steel. These elements are chosen because they are nonmagnetic and can work with the fluids or gases they regulate.
How do you know if a sprinkler solenoid is bad?
Signs You Have a ProblemThe Water Won't Shut Off. If you have this problem, it's very likely the solenoid. ... Low or Uneven Water Pressure. The solenoid controls the water pressure. ... Water Leaks. There are many points in a sprinkler system that can leak. ... Current Testing. ... Valve Inspection. ... Parts Replacement.
How much does it cost to replace a solenoid in a sprinkler system?
The average cost to replace a sprinkler solenoid is between $85 and $150. This includes the cost of parts and labor.
Where are sprinkler solenoids located?
In newer lawn irrigation systems, the valves should be installed in valve boxes set into the earth. Often these are easily visible. In small yards, there is often a single valve box located near where the irrigation pipes enter the ground from the water source.
Can a bad solenoid cause an irrigation valve to leak?
Signs that Your Sprinkler Valve Solenoid is Bad This will keep the sprinkler running even when the system tries to turn it off. Water leaks: High pressure from a broken solenoid can put a lot of stress on your sprinkler system and burst small or large leaks throughout it.
How do you replace a sprinkler solenoid?
0:211:26Replacing the Solenoid: Rain Bird Residential Valve TroubleshootingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst shut off the main water supply to your irrigation. System disconnect the wires to the solenoidMoreFirst shut off the main water supply to your irrigation. System disconnect the wires to the solenoid. By cutting them or by unscrewing the wire nuts. Turn the solenoid counter clockwise to remove.
How deep are sprinkler lines buried?
In most areas, burying the pipes 8 to 12 inches below the surface is adequate. This measurement is from the top of the pipe to the surface of the soil, which means your trenches must be slightly deeper to accommodate the pipes.
How do you test a sprinkler solenoid?
1:454:44Sprinkler System Solenoid Troubleshooting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHold one on your red. Lead. And one on your black lead it doesn't matter which wire goes to red orMoreHold one on your red. Lead. And one on your black lead it doesn't matter which wire goes to red or black. And you see that.
Why are my sprinklers not turning on?
When the sprinkler zones do not turn on at all, it is generally a problem with the electrical signals running from the controller to the valve solenoids. More rarely, it is caused by a faulty valve that needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
Why would my sprinkler system stop working?
If your sprinkler system is not getting water, a number of things could be the culprit: The backflow may be off. If the handle on your backflow valve gets inadvertently shut off, it restricts any water from flowing past the backflow and to the sprinkler system valves. Your rain sensor might be faulty.
How long do irrigation solenoids last?
Because the irrigation system's pipes are underground and made of durable material, they can last up to 40 years before needing to be replaced!
What happens when solenoid valve goes bad?
The most common symptom of a bad VVT solenoid or oil control valve is a check engine light on your dashboard. You may also notice issues with the performance like rough idle, rough acceleration, increased fuel consumption, or low engine power.
How often do irrigation valves need to be replaced?
10 to 15 yearsValves will give you 10 to 15 years of service, while controllers 5 to 10 years.
How do you find the reticulation solenoid?
0:131:02How to find and locate reticulation solenoid valves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd getting that clacking noise once. Again. Okay so when you connect it you're able to walk outMoreAnd getting that clacking noise once. Again. Okay so when you connect it you're able to walk out circulate around the garden. And track down those solenoid valves. So thanks for watching.
Where is the main sprinkler system valve usually installed?
In newer lawn irrigation systems, the valves should be installed in valve boxes. These can often be seen easily. There is a single valve box located near where the irrigation pipes enter the ground in small yards.
Why is one sprinkler zone not working?
If only one zone isn't working, the field wire is damaged. If none of the zones in a control valve box is working, the common wire is damaged, although the field wires could also be bad.
Where is my sprinkler master valve?
0:312:51Lawn Irrigation: Where to find your sprinkler shut off valve - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe way to find the shut-off valve it'll be located directly under the backflow preventer to turn itMoreThe way to find the shut-off valve it'll be located directly under the backflow preventer to turn it off what you're gonna do is just turn the handle to where it's perpendicular to the pipe.
What is a solenoid valve?
A water irrigation solenoid valve is an electrically controlled valve to regulate the flow of water. By applying a voltage over the coil, the valve opens and the liquid can flow through. Solenoid valves are also called electromagnetic valve, water valve, electric valve or electro valve.
What is the difference between direct and indirect solenoid valves?
There is a number of solenoid valves with different types of operating principles, such as direct operated, semi-direct operated and indirect operated. (Semi)-direct operated valves operate from 0 bar pressure, while indirect operated valves require a minimum pressure for proper operation. Please note that the solenoid valves from the ST-IA series are indirect controlled. This means that these valves make use of the supply pressure for opening and closing of the valve membrane. This allows a small coil to operate a large flow of water. With this principle of operation, it is necessary that there is always a minimum pressure of at least 0.5 bar in the supply pipe. This is not a problem if the valve is connected to mains water or a pump, but if a unpressurized supply tank is used, the pressure can be too low to properly open and close the valve. In this situation, a semi-direct operated solenoid valve (such as the DF-SA series), or an electric ball valve is a better choice. Ball valves are less sensitive to dirt, consume less electric power, but have a higher price and need to be installed in a dry place. A pressure gauge is placed to monitor the pressure in the system, to learn more about this read our article on pressure gauges for water applications .
Which is better, a solenoid valve or an electric ball valve?
In this situation, a semi-direct operated solenoid valve (such as the DF-SA series), or an electric ball valve is a better choice. Ball valves are less sensitive to dirt, consume less electric power, but have a higher price and need to be installed in a dry place.
Where are solenoid valves mounted?
The solenoid valves are mounted on a central location or in valve boxes, so they are protected and out of sight. Besides the water supply pipes, a control cable is required. Each solenoid valve is connected to the irrigation controller. In this way, each zone can be controlled. The irrigation controller can be programmed with a sprinkling schedule.
How does an irrigation system work?
Most irrigation systems operate with a main supply pipe that branches to different zones. The zones should be determined based on the required water capacity, location and type of vegetation. Each zone or area is provided with a solenoid valve.
What is the minimum pressure needed for a water valve?
With this principle of operation, it is necessary that there is always a minimum pressure of at least 0.5 bar in the supply pipe.
What is a float switch irrigation controller?
If being used in a more remote or water sensitive area with a water tank, a float switch is often used to monitor the water level and trigger the controller/valve.
Troubleshooting Irrigation Solenoids
Troubleshooting Irrigation Solenoids is the first step in the electrical troubleshooting process. In this article we will look at a step by step approach on how to quickly identify if you have a bad solenoid which is not operating correctly.
Step 1 - Check Hydraulics
Ensure hydraulics are working correctly before any electrical troubleshooting! Manually operate the valve and ensure that the selector switch is in the 'Auto' position. Check to make sure that all shut off and isolation valves are open.
Step 2 - Ohm's resistance test (Test a 'New Solenoid' off the shelf)
Take a new solenoid off the shelf and read what the Ohm's resistance of a new solenoid is. Most irrigation solenoids will read approximately 29 ohm's of resistance; yet, may vary depending on manufacturer. Reading a new solenoid will give you a baseline on what you should see in the field before taking field readings with your Voltmeter.
Step 4 - Check Solenoid Resistance (Ohms's) at the VALVE
A) Disconnect the field Solenoid at the valve from the Wire Circuit before testing.
What is the solenoid in a valve?
The solenoid has a light spring loaded metal piston that , when the valve is closed, covers the inlet port hole. The surface area that the water comes in contact with on top of the diaphragm is greater than the surface area on the bottom of the diaphragm, so the valve stays closed until the water in the upper chamber is released.
Where does water enter a valve?
Water enters the valve from the system main line and exerts a force against the center of the valve’s diaphragm. A small orifice in the diaphragm allows the water to flow through to the upper chamber between the diaphragm and the bonnet.
What is a solenoid in a sprinkler system?
The solenoid is what controls the water pressure. It receives an electric current from the controller to determine what adjustments need to be made. It uses a plunger to adjust the valve, and there are a few more moving parts in the mix. All of this is what allows an automated sprinkler system to run things for you and provide that great convenience. But when the solenoid is bad, you can get some weird sprinkler problems.
How to diagnose a mechanical solenoid?
If the problem isn’t electrical, it’s mechanical. The best way for us to rapidly diagnose mechanical issues in the solenoid is to take a good look at the valve. Sometimes the problem is apparent, and we can get straight to it. In other cases, we might need to disassemble, clean, and inspect the inner components of the solenoid. This will give us a close look at everything and help us find the faulty part.
Why does my sprinkler keep running?
A problem with the plunger can prevent the solenoid from closing the valve when it’s time. That means your sprinklers will keep running after they’re supposed to stop. If you run into this problem, the first step is to turn off the water. If you can’t get it off at a local source, you can shut it off at the main.
What to do if you have a solenoid problem?
Knowing more about the solenoid can help you with expectations and head off some frustration before it mounts. When you have a solenoid problem, know that Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage and Lighting is here to help. Even if your problem isn’t with a solenoid, you can give us a call.
Can a solenoid cause low water pressure?
Low or Uneven Water Pressure. The solenoid controls the water pressure. Knowing that, it’s not surprising that a bad solenoid can lead to water pressure issues. If your system isn’t delivering water to every corner of the lawn like it once did, the solenoid is one of the most likely culprits. This doesn’t constitute an emergency, ...
Do sprinklers work?
Sprinkler systems are great when they work. They make lawn care so much easier, and they’re likely to leave you with a much greener, healthier lawn. But when they stop working, they can be a source of unlimited frustration. The best way to prevent that frustration is to know how to spot signs of trouble early.
Can a sprinkler system leak?
There are many points in a sprinkler system that can leak. No matter the cause, leaks should never be ignored. They can run up a monstrous water bill. They can also cause additional damage. So, if you see a leak, get it fixed as soon as possible.
Step 1 - Check Hydraulics
Step 2 - Ohm's Resistance Test
- Take a new solenoid off the shelf and read what the Ohm's resistance of a new solenoid is. Most irrigation solenoids will read approximately 29 ohm's of resistance; yet, may vary depending on manufacturer. Reading a new solenoid will give you a baseline on what you should see in the field before taking field readings with your Voltmeter.
Step 3 - Check Ohm's Resistance at The Satellite
- *Before digging (nobody gets excited about this), it is always easiest to check the Ohm's resistance of the circuit from the Satellite. A) Disconnect the 'Common Wire' (White) from Terminal Strip in the Satellite. B) Measure the Ohm's resistance of the circuit by touching your Volt Meter leads across the circuit. The resistance reading on your voltmeter may read slightly highe…
Step 4 - Check Solenoid Resistance (Ohms's) at The Valve
- A) Disconnect the field Solenoid at the valve from the Wire Circuit before testing. B) Look for burned wires. (Very common and may be an indicator of a burnt Solenoid) C) Inspect the wire connections (DBY's) to ensure that there was not a bad splice in the field D) Look for any charred or burning on the Solenoid itself (This is an indicator that the solenoid is burned and the coil with…