ANybody know anything about rain bird irrigation?

[FLgarageDreamer]

So here's my problem, I have a 2 year old Rain Bird irrigation system that will not run.

I have reclaimed water coming from the street and controller on the house says it is calling for the system to run however the valve will not open.

I've somewhat messed around with it to the limit of my meager knowledge and called Rainbird (they want $10 just to help by phone!).

There is not a manual way to open the valve on the irrigation box as far as I know(just to make sure the city hasn't screwed up on the street side). I've also bypassed the rain sensor thinking that would be an issue.

Any help would be appreciate!

 

[pattenp]

Do you have a valve(s) that look like this?

If so, the part that looks like a handle with a wire connected to it will turn to open the water. The small screw adjusts the amount of water flow.

Look here for manuals... http://www.rainbird.com/homeowner/support/valves.htm



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[ddawg16]

Most valves are 24Vac....so you should be able to take a volt meter and measure the voltage at the valve when the controller says it is trying to run it....

If no voltage...look for a blown fuse...if no blown fuse....bad output...if you have spare outputs....reprogram to use a different output.

If you do have voltage at the valve....either a bad valve or no water.

 

[Jay_mc1]

I install Rainbird during the summer months. If your controller is on and the system says it is running. You either have a 1. a bad connection between your controller and valve(s), 2. no water coming from your water supply, or 3. a bad valve. If none of your zones turn on at all, then either your Common wire is loose or not connected in your controller, or your water supply is not turned on. Is there a valve on the water coming in from the street that could have been turned off by accident? There are also 2 brass valves on your back-flow-preventer that could have been turned off by accident, not allowing the water to go out to your zone valves. I hope this helps you a little. Let me know if this stuff doesn't work.

 

[Falcon67]

Most valves that feed the heads can be turned to manually operate the valve. That's how I run our whole system with 8 valves. Set the control to manual and try turning a valve on by hand. As above, they operate on 24V so a multi meter can be used for checking. As a side note - this is my first ownership of a full blow irrigation system. They can be - at times - a HUGE pain in the ***. The valves quit for no reason (hence my non use of two good Rainbird controllers) or they won't shut down, or leak, or...it goes on. Certainly very handy to have, but some assembly required.

 

[FLgarageDreamer]

I appreciate all the advice, I will try it out tomorrow! Jay- I checked the street side originally (since my neighborhood has new construction and thought the city may have turned it off accidently looking for another house) and the valve is open from the main line is open.

I'll check the irrigation valves since I can usually hear it try to open but I haven't been hearing anything when I've tried a manual run.

Thanks again everybody I'll update you tomorrow.

 

[JCQuick]

does your system have a rain sensor on it. If so try disconnecting it and see if that works.
My whole system is rain bird I installed it myself about 7 years ago

 

[jhelrey]

Don't turn them more than 1/2 because you may have a full jet of water at your face.

 

[premierplayer]

Do you have a valve(s) that look like this?

If so, the part that looks like a handle with a wire connected to it will turn to open the water. The small screw adjusts the amount of water flow.

Look here for manuals... http://www.rainbird.com/homeowner/support/valves.htm



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120vac power at controler?
valves open at backflow device?
ESP controler? if so, I'm sorry, I'm convinced the push buttons are a low bidder item on this unit and don't work real well most of the time. I will NOT install this controler for this very reason.Try the 'test all valves' position they will usually start from this position, if so it's the BS button thing I mentioned.
do you have 'run times' programed into the stations?
'start times' programed?
at the valve box, turn the selinoid 1/4 to 1/2 turn to operate manually
OR the small screw shown is a bleed, will also turn on manually, turn 1-2 turns

you should have water coming out of the ground at this point

edit:
master valve installed?
check for voltage at unit
or open MV manually and then the station valves manually

 

[Jay_mc1]

FL Garage,
Just wondering if you have had any luck with your sprinkler system?

 

[FLgarageDreamer]

I did! rebooted the system (turned off at breaker) then re bypassed the rain sensor. Worked like a charm. Hopefully that cleared up the gremlins.