Why would a sprinkler zone always run even when the control box is in the rest position?
Question:I have an older Rainbird sprinkler system. All zones seem to be working fines, except in my front yard it always runs. I have to turn the water on and off because the rest setting on the control box doesn't work! It works fine everywhere else! I need to see a wiring diagram or something. PLEASE HELP!!
Answers:
do this series of tests and you will know exactly what is wrong.
1. check your timer... you can see if your timer is sending out power to just this one zone all of the time. (very rare).
check by hooking up the common to a voltmeter(or a new valve's soleniod). and the other wire to the lead wire for that zone. and if it clicks or you get the power on the voltmeter, than your timer is bad. an easier way to check this is unplugging the timer, and removing the battery if it has one. and if still runs. than you have a bad valve, or a loose solenoid.
find the valve for that zone... if you do not know where it is, then you may need a wire locator to find it. (they are in little green boxes in your yard, sometimes in different sized boxes though.)
if you find the valve, try to see if the soleniod is tightened down all the way. It should be snug.
if this doesnt work , than turn off the water and open up the valve.- be carefull not to get anything in it. (rocks dirt etc.).
sometimes a small rock or other debris will get stuck in a valve and keep it open, alot like trying to close a door with your foot in it. it wont close.
if it looks like there is nothing in it holding it open, the diaphram is worn out and needs replacing.
if you cant find the exact valve to replace the parts with, then cut that valve out and replumb it in with PVC
make sure when you put it in new, you put the flow on the new valve facing the correct way, or it will do the same thing and keep running, and you will have to cut it out again and put it in the correct way
also, check your start times on your timer. you should only have one, or it will never shut off.
you say its an old rainbird timer.. if its one that electromechanical, that looks like some clocks and dials (the RC BI series) than you my freind have the best kind of timer out there. i saw one a few months ago at a clients house that was 27 years old and never had to be replaced yet.
hope this helps
John
I would say that the solenoid valve for that zone is stuck or broken in the open position. The solenoid valves are what open and close to control what zone is running.
I agree with above. Less likely the controller, more likely the valve. Test the line going to the various solenoids to see if the culprit is live at all times, then you look at the controller. Good bet it won't be, but rather a valve stuck open.
Check the solenoid valve for dirt or grit preventing it to close properly, clean the valve. Check the diaphragm (the rubber membrane) which can be cut or have become rigid. Replace it. The plunger of the solenoid may be stuck, replace the solenoid. It is not usually an electrical fault, if it is the controller is to blame. I pretty confident that one of the 3 first possibilities is the reason.
one of your control valves in the front yard has a diaphragm that is jammed and does not close. you need to locate the valve and replace. I would really consider hiring an irrigation repair company to replace the valve.
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