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Sprinkler Valve Stuck Open

13 years ago

I was testing my system this morning when I heard a scary noise. I noticed an immediate pressure drop on Zone 5 and then realized why, Zone 2 was stuck open. I unplugged my controller, but it was still open. I opened the valve box and noticed water leaking from the zone 2 valve. After shutting off the main valve and removing the solenoid and valve I noticed a big crack. The system is about 10 years old and the part number is 100 DVF-A. The problem seems to be not many stores seem to carry this part.

Some photos: http://picasaweb.google.com/106652854665747662908/Rainbird100DVFA?authkey=Gv1sRgCPOVwY_L1tO3XQ#

Now for my questions.. I assume the solenoid is still good and the crack in the valve is why it stuck open. Any suggestions here would be helpful. I plan to only install the top part of the valve (cracked part). and keep the base as otherwise I would need to unscrew it, which I"m unsure about. Is this ok? Finally, when I turn on the solenoid, nothing moves, so I'm not sure how this works. I removed the zone3 solenoid and it doesn't move either, so I'm guessing that since zone 3 works, they both work, somehow. Thanks.

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Comments (3)

lehua49
13 years ago
Turbo,

The pressure loss in an automatic solenoid valve is the energy source used by the valve to open and close the valve. If the valve doesn't have enough pressure loss it will not have the energy needed to close by itself. Most electric irrigation valve are "pilot operated". The design is made so that water pressure and a spring work together to keep the valve closed. The solenoid opens a small "pilot" passage to relieve the water pressure in an area that is keeping the valve closed allowing the spring to open the valve.

There for the cracked top is acting like the pilot valve and relieving the static pressure that keeps the valve closed. Replace the cracked portion or the whole valve(less problematic).

Also check your pressure. The reason for the crack may be water-hammer from having too high a pressure in your system. Do you have your irrigation off a faucet(house pressure side) or Teed from your house water mainline before the house water pressure regulator(high pressure side)? Aloha
turbo3
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi, Sorry for the late reply. I'm not getting email notifications for some reason. I purchased the part off ebay and replaced it myself. We have very high water pressure (house has a pressure reducer but not irrigation) but the system has been running for 10 years so 1 failure is probably not bad for a consumer quality (plastic) valve.
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Hi Matt, Unless you enjoy tinkering with mechanical gadgets, just buy one new valve and replace it in one zone to see if that will solve the problem. Valves are not expensive or difficult to replace. If that works then replace the other zones with new valves. If you have a need to tinker then read up on auto solenoid valve theory with the internet. Your valves could have many problems that may be hard to discern (damaged diaphragm, partially clogged passages, etc. Also check your source pressure and flow to make sure it hasn't changed. JMHO Aloha and Cheerio Guv.
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I have a sprinkler valve on my system that will only turn on with the timer if I turn the water supply to that valve off and then back on once the valve opens. My husband has already replaced the solenoid and opened the valve bonnet to make sure everything is clean and not clogged or damaged. The valve works fine by manually turning it on with the screw. It also will work with the timer if I turn the manual screw on then off while the timer is on. I do have pretty high water pressure and am wondering if high water pressure could cause the valve not to open with the timer or if maybe there is some other reason involving the internal parts that I might not be seeing. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks!
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Hi HW, I am a little puzzled by your description. To clarify I need you to answer some basic questions. 1. Is your system new? 2. Was it installed by Hydro-tech the irrigation company that installs name brand system components? 3. What brand and model is your controller? 4. How many zones (auto-valves) in your system. 5. What duration is the zone set for? The controller should read how much time is left watering the zone. Does this go to zero and the valve doesn't stop irrigating? What does the controller show when this happens? It seems to me, and you can set me straight on this,that if there is a problem, it may be in the controller. Spanking the valve is never a good thing and probably caused the solenoid to shut the zone down prematurely. The valve is not the brains of the system, the controller is. JMHO Aloha
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lehua49
13 years ago
Turbo,

Looking on the "Glass half Full" side. Good. FYI, your chances of water hammer and damage to the old valves and old pipelines( more brittle with age) increases if you have high pressure(How High?) and small mainlines (1/2" or 3/4"). This causes high velocity in the pipes. This also causes more noise in the system from the valves and heads. Your coverage distance from the heads will be excellent though. Also the number of heads per zone would be higher. The normal optimum operating pressure from the street should be 60 to 80 psi. Most irrigation designers utilize this as an advantage if they can, but usually means longer mainlines and extra valves which increases the overall cost of original systems. JMHO Aloha

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