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

Mine is an old four zone system using Rainbird EV100 valves with popup spray sprinklers. One zone has stopped working properly when being turned on by the controller. I've checked & found that the valve turns on & the sprinklers run fine when the thumb screw is manually operated to open it.

However, when I turn it on using the controller, there is some water puddling at the sprinkler heads but they don't pop up & spray. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm thinking the solenoid may be malfunctioning - even though it appears to be getting an electrical signal from the controller.

Before taking it apart, I thought it might be helpful if I asked for concurrence of my diagnosis first. Your ideas & comments please.

Best regards, Richard

"Check the wiring at the controller and valve, make sure there is power coming to the valve."

Quoted from "seansy59"

Huh? Am I missing some thing? This seems to conflict with the next sentence.

"The water puddling near the heads when the timers switched on indicates that there is a signal between the controller and valve, which is good."

"After that, since you said it comes on fine with the bleed screw, then the solenoid may be dirty. A good careful cleaning may do the trick."

OK, I'll try cleaning. I also have a spare solenoid that I can swap for the original one.

While waiting for a reply, I tried running it with the controller. It actually worked properly once out of five tries. Wire connections to solenoid & controller are good so intermittent electrical signal isn't likely.

Best regards, Richard

Quoted from "Wet_Boots"

parts for a Rainbird EV-100 can be had under the Irritrol HR1 model. Certain failures of a diaphragm assembly can give you a partially opening valve. Other issues could be in play.

That valve is long out of production, so there might come a time when you just decide to install a new manifold of valves.

Thanks for the comments. After trying another solenoid & cleaning the valve, it's become obvious that the time to replace them has come. As you suggested, it does appear there is a problem with the diaphragm. For what ever it's worth, my system was installed in the summer of 1988 - 23 years ago. Many of the heads & one or two valves have already been replaced.

Best regards, Richard