Irrigation system working @ half capacity?

[SteveA]

Hello Everyone, A new poster here.
I have an approx. 15 y/o Irritrol controlled system (electronics inside home), I think Richdel 1" solenoid operated zone valves. Until lately, working fine. I have noticed recently sprinklers don't seem to have the volume they used to have. Went thru the zones, cleaned out sediment (on a well) but no help here. At the zone valve I'm working at I can hear the water going thru like they are restricted or only partially open. I attempted to open and close the manual valve on the zone valve thinking maybe something was in that particular valve, no joy. On a whim, I opened the little bleeder valve and all of a sudden, full power to the sprinklers, jet stream of water out of the hole where the bleeder screw came out of. I did this (with the bleeder valve) a couple of times with the same result. I'll have to dig up other valves to try them as the moles have filled my valve box w/ spare dirt. Is it possible that the solenoid is not pulling in all the way, and therefore not allowing the valve to open completely? I don't know if a solenoid can pull in partially, can it? I believe they are sort of "digital" either on or off, pulled in, or pushed closed. I have not checked voltages to this point. No solenoid "clacking" at the valves. Thanks for any input you can provide. SteveA

 

[Lostvalleyguy]

The valves that I am familiar with open and close based on a 90 degree rotation within the valve. A signal is sent and the valve rotates 90 degrees alternating between open and closed. This is a fairly instant process unlike some that you can hear moving as a result of a small motor. Either way, the system will usually not close properly if it isn't opening properly. This is usually obvious because you will get water dribbling out of the heads. At 15 years old, however, I would certainly look at the valves as being a possible problem.

If you have several zones and they are all doing the same thing, it is probably an issue between the water source and the valves. If you are using soft pipe like black poly, a root has probably grown and is pinching it off. It sounds loke you have full water to the valve (based on your bleeder test) in which case is it possible that you have some sort of air lock in the lines?

 

[SteveA]

The valves that I am familiar with open and close based on a 90 degree rotation within the valve. A signal is sent and the valve rotates 90 degrees alternating between open and closed. This is a fairly instant process unlike some that you can hear moving as a result of a small motor. Either way, the system will usually not close properly if it isn't opening properly. This is usually obvious because you will get water dribbling out of the heads. At 15 years old, however, I would certainly look at the valves as being a possible problem.

If you have several zones and they are all doing the same thing, it is probably an issue between the water source and the valves. If you are using soft pipe like black poly, a root has probably grown and is pinching it off. It sounds loke you have full water to the valve (based on your bleeder test) in which case is it possible that you have some sort of air lock in the lines?

Thanks for the reply LostValleyGuy; The valves I have are not mechanical in the sense there is no motor. They are activated by a water pressure differential against an internal diaphragm. When the solenoid on the valve pulls in, a small water pathway is opened which allows the water pressure to push past an internal sealing plate attached to the diaphragm allowing full flow of water to the zone. When the zone is off, no voltage to solenoid & plunger returns to closed position and seals small water pathway, & therefore seals the larger water pathway. All of my irrigation is "schedule 40" pvc pipe so I don't believe roots are able to penetrate. I can get full flow throughout the entire system, but only when I operate the valve in question by the bleeder screw, which does the same thing as the solenoid internally. I am leaning more towards the idea that it may be an electrical problem. If I have low voltage to the solenoid, I will also have low current draw, and this may give me a situation where the solenoid is only opening part way. I just cant believe that the solenoid can only open a little bit. They just don't work that way: the small pathway for water is about 1/8th inch and it is either blocked or its not. The solenoid is engaged or not. With other projects hanging in the balance I may just have to put something on hold and chase wiring & voltages. SteveA

 

[Alexis Bookman]

Hi Steve - My name is Alexis Bookman, valve product manager for Irritrol, either myself or the Irrirtol Tech Support Team are more than willing to help you troubleshoot your Richdel valves. Please feel free to send me your contact information ((e-mail address removed)) or contact our Tech Support line at 800-634-8873 at your convenience.