Repairing Guides

how to repair sprinkler wire

by Rafaela Rogahn Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Repair damaged wires

  • If the ohms reading between the common terminal and nonworking zone terminal is too high, the problem is a severed or bad wire to the control valve. ...
  • To find a bad wire, bypass each in turn by temporarily substituting a 14-gauge wire for the original that you run above ground.
  • Make the wire connections with the controller turned off. ...

More items...

Part of a video titled Easy way to fix or add a wire for irrigation zone - YouTube
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Up it's going to decode it so that these two zones will run separately but we'll use the one goodMoreUp it's going to decode it so that these two zones will run separately but we'll use the one good wire coming off that valve that works and we'll be able to bypass the bad wire alrighty so here we go.

Full Answer

How do I repair a broken line on my sprinkler system?

Before making the repair, make sure the system is turned off at the controller. Cut out the damaged section of line. Place a clamp on one of the line ends, insert a slip coupling, then tighten the clamp. Place a clamp on the second pipe end, expand the coupling while inserting the nipple into the pipe, then tighten the clamp.

How to replace a sprinkler system control wire?

How to Replace a Sprinkler System's Control Wires 1. Turn off the power to the sprinkler system's control panel by shutting off its circuit breaker. Do not attempt to... 2. Locate the control wires exiting the control panel on your wall. Follow the wires until they enter the ground. 3. Dig a narrow ...

What do you do when your sprinkler system is leaking?

Turn off the sprinkler system after you’ve found the leak. If you’ve found the signs of a leak and located the region where the line is leaking or broken, turn off the water so you can repair the line. Use the shut off valve in the control box to stop the flow of water through the system.

How to fix an exposed sprinkler pipe?

Clean off the section of exposed pipe with a wet cloth. To avoid getting dirt and debris in the sprinkler line when you make your repairs, wash off the section of exposed pipe. Use a clean cloth and water to scrub the dirt from it. Part 3

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Can you splice sprinkler wire?

1:484:36How to Make Waterproof Wire Splices for Irrigation Systems - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPlace the stripped wires side by side and then twist on the wire connector with a clockwise motion.MorePlace the stripped wires side by side and then twist on the wire connector with a clockwise motion. This will draw the wires together and into the spring mechanism. Inside the body of the connector.

How do you fix a sprinkler control wire?

3:234:47How to repair sprinkler or drip electrical line wire - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'll do we'll just match up color to color stick it inside. And you twist yeah that's it yeah we'MoreSo I'll do we'll just match up color to color stick it inside. And you twist yeah that's it yeah we'll do that again for all six of these wires. Okay so I got them all capped.

How do I replace sprinkler wires?

1:112:34Solving Broken Wire Problems or Adding New Irrigation Zones with ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst connect the yellow wire 1 to the station output on the terminal. Strip. Next connect the redMoreFirst connect the yellow wire 1 to the station output on the terminal. Strip. Next connect the red wire to the zone wire coming from the field.

What kind of wire is used for sprinkler systems?

Most manufacturers include recommendations about what wire size to use with their valves, but typically, you can use 18-gauge wire if the length of the wire (not the distance) from the controller to the valve is less than 200 feet, and it's being installed as a residential system, says Sprinkler Warehouse.

How do you waterproof a wire splice?

1:367:48Easy waterproof Cable and Wire Splice - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's very it's very simple this clear thing is just heat shrink tubing in the center there's aMoreAnd it's very it's very simple this clear thing is just heat shrink tubing in the center there's a blop of lower temperature solder and these two colored bands are.

How do you waterproof sprinkler wires?

0:151:25Rain Bird WC Series Wire Connectors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe prefilled dielectric silicone sealant surrounds the wire splice holding.MoreThe prefilled dielectric silicone sealant surrounds the wire splice holding.

How do you know which sprinkler wire is bad?

2:146:24Troubleshooting sprinkler system wiring issues - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is how we would with determine if they were working him up we would get a multimeter. And itMoreThis is how we would with determine if they were working him up we would get a multimeter. And it has to be able to measure resistance. Or ohms and we would take one of the probes.

How do you find a broken underground sprinkler wire?

0:232:43Using a Pulser to Troubleshoot a Sprinkler System Wire BreakYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe receiver goes parallel with the wire path. And when you turn it on there's an analog meter thatMoreThe receiver goes parallel with the wire path. And when you turn it on there's an analog meter that you'll watch when the needle bounces to the right that's the direction of the fault.

Does sprinkler wire need conduit?

Sprinkler wire can generally be buried directly in the ground without conduit and you don't necessarily need to dig it below grade. A shallow burial is fine.

How thick is sprinkler wire?

16-Gauge Direct Burial Wire Is The Most Common Sprinkler System Wire.

What voltage is sprinkler wire?

The reading should be between 22 and 28 V. The normal reading is 24 V. If the voltage is below 22 V, the irrigation control is malfunctioning.

How many feet can you run sprinkler wire?

MAXIMUM DISTANCE: Each wire in the strand will adequately handle one solenoid valve up to a maximum distance of 800 feet.

How do you know which sprinkler wire is bad?

2:146:24Troubleshooting sprinkler system wiring issues - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is how we would with determine if they were working him up we would get a multimeter. And itMoreThis is how we would with determine if they were working him up we would get a multimeter. And it has to be able to measure resistance. Or ohms and we would take one of the probes.

How do you find a short in sprinkler wire?

1:134:20Sprinkler Short/Fault Finder - 4L Irrigation Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhich is fastened to one end of of this clamp and the other end of the clamp is fastened to the wireMoreWhich is fastened to one end of of this clamp and the other end of the clamp is fastened to the wire that you're tracing. And then we just simply turn it off.

How do you test an irrigation wire?

2:055:08Testing Sprinkler System Wiring - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf I touch the probe to the station wires 2 through 5 notice that I get a reading between 20 and 60.MoreIf I touch the probe to the station wires 2 through 5 notice that I get a reading between 20 and 60. This is normal for sprinkler wiring with no problems.

How do you wire a solenoid on a sprinkler system?

2:545:44How to Wire a Solenoid Valve to an Irrigation Controller - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow take your common wire from the master valve and the common cable from your solenoid valve. AndMoreNow take your common wire from the master valve and the common cable from your solenoid valve. And put them together. Undo the screw on the irrigation controller that's marked C. Put in the wire.

How to find a leak in a sprinkler system?

After you turn on the sprinkler system, walk through the area where the sprinkler system is installed. Listen for running water and walk towards where you hear the sound to locate the leak in your sprinkler line .

How to tell if a sprinkler line is leaking?

Once you’ve identified where the leak is, mark the location so you can find it when the water is turned off.

Where is the break in the water line located?

The break or leak in the water line will be located between the last working sprinkler head and the first nonworking one.

How to stop water from leaking in a water line?

If you’ve found the signs of a leak and located the region where the line is leaking or broken, turn off the water so you can repair the line. Use the shut off valve in the control box to stop the flow of water through the system. Wait 1-2 minutes to allow the water to finish flowing through the system.

How to extend a plastic pipe?

Insert a slip coupling into the pipe. A slip coupling is a plastic pipe that is flexible and allows you to extend it to the length that you need it to be. Slide the end of the coupling into 1 end of the exposed pipe. Then, extend the coupling so it fits into the other end of the pipe.

How wide should a pipe be?

Make the whole wide enough so the pipe is exposed for 6 inches (15 cm) on each side.

Where to get a slip coupling for a pipe?

Bring the damaged section of pipe to the hardware store so you can get a slip coupling with a diameter that fits into it.

How to connect wires to valves?

Connect the wires to each valve using the masking tape notations as guides. Twist the wires together and cap them with twist-on wire connectors.

Where to turn on power to irrigation system?

Turn on the power to the irrigation system at the main electrical panel. Carefully test the control panel's connection to each valve.

How to match wires on a control valve?

Place a piece of masking tape on each exposed wire at each control valve. Note the wire color on the tape with a pen. Notating the wire color will help you match the new wiring after replacement. Each valve should have a colored wire and white ground wire connected to the main wiring line.

Where are the control wires on a water heater?

Locate the control wires exiting the control panel on your wall. Follow the wires until they enter the ground. The wires commonly flank the water pipe underneath the topsoil.

How to repair a tree line that has roots?

If the line was damaged by tree roots, reroute the line by digging a new trench away from the tree.

How to tighten a pipe clamp?

Place a clamp on one of the line ends, insert a slip coupling, then tighten the clamp. Place a clamp on the second pipe end, expand the coupling while inserting the nipple into the pipe, then tighten the clamp. Step 5.

How to fix a defective solenoid?

Disconnect the wires and unscrew the defective solenoid from the control valve. Insert a new one and turn it until it's finger-tight.

What happens if your watering system is not turning on?

Your watering system is divided into a series of zones. Generally, if you have a zone that's not turning on, you have an electrical problem. Make sure the zone wires are firmly attached to the terminals in the controller, the transformer is plugged in, and the circuit breaker at the main panel is on.

What is the phone number to access underground water lines?

Caution: Before you start digging to access the underground water lines, electrical wires or spray heads, dial 811 to have your underground utility lines identified and marked.

How to clean a syringe head?

Remove the screen basket from the bottom of the head, then clean it with water.

Which way to turn a valve?

Turn the valve on the horizontal pipe first, then the vertical pipe valve.

How to avoid sprinkler problems?

Avoid this problem by understanding each sprinkler’s precipitation rate and using only those with similar pressure ratings on the same zone for efficient water in all garden areas.

Why is my water sprinkler controller not working?

The water sprinkler controller stops working. One of the problems can be on the controller not switching to the manual mode. When it does happen, it means that there is no power to the controller. To fix it, check that the controller is wired properly based on the system’s Electrical Circuit and Connection diagram.

How to tell if a sprinkler valve is open?

You can tell that the valve is open once the handle is parallel with the pipe. (The backflow device is above ground and its valve 12 inches above the highest point of the yard’s sprinkler head. Many of these devices have a valve on both the vertical and horizontal pipes.)

Why does my sprinkler head not pop up?

And in some cases, the heads do not pop up. It is another common problem of a sprinkler system. Low water pressure. One of the things to do is to inspect the backflow device’s valves to see if they’re open. Make sure to turn on the horizontal pipe’s valve before switching on the vertical pipe valve.

Why does my zone valve leak?

Zone valve leaks. This problem can be caused by some issues. For one, it can be due to a damaged or torn diaphragm inside the valve. To fix the problem, you can just disassemble and then rebuild the valve with a new diaphragm. If the cracked body of the valve is causing the leaks, you can replace the zone valve.

What happens if the sprinkler zone stops working?

If the zone stopped working, there might be an issue in the voltage. Know that the water system is divided into zones; each has its valve controlling a sprinkler head.

How to fix a water nozzle?

To fix it, you can turn the system off and then take the nozzle out. Be sure to clean all the debris from the screen of the nozzle. Water not spraying out the nozzle. In order to remove the nozzle, pull its stem out its body using one hand while gripping the nozzle with another hand.

How to make a bench splice?

On the bench, plug and seal any holes not on the bottom with the supplied plugs and silicone. Strip wire ends. Mount the box, fish the wires in with the strain reliefs, and make your splices. Cover on, done!

Why use a proper electrical supply house?

The reason to use a proper electrical supply house is the lid will fit the box, and the strain reliefs will be the correct size and type. Also it will take 3 minutes instead of an hour. And will be cheaper. And won't involve bad advice!

Can you use blue wire nuts on a doorbell?

A few small (blue) wire nuts, ideally Ideal. Don't over-buy the nuts, they have little use outside thermostat, doorbell and rewiring fluorescent lights. The reason to use a proper electrical supply house is the lid will fit the box, and the strain reliefs will be the correct size and type.

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