underground sprinkler question

[METALMOVER]

So heres my issue, I have a toro underground sprinkler system,about 2 years old, I believe I have a bad solenoid, however I cant visually see a box outside holding my solenoids. Do all underground systems have a box outside? If so is there a easy way to find it? I'm thinking metal detector, however I live in a older home and know there's a lot of debris under the dirt/rock. I poked around right by the water line for the system but found nothing. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[BearsFan315]

Usually depends on the number of zones. Mine has 7 zones, so I have 2 boxes one housing 4 valves, one 3 valves. also the box is usually CLOSE to here the control panel is, since it is usually hardwired to it for control. You may be able to follow the wires to put you in the right place.

 

[ALinCarolina]

I assume you have a automatic timer control box in your garage or somewhere with wires going out to the valves. If so, there are valve boxes out there somewhere. Probably covered with leaves, mulch, or dirt. I have a family member who does irrigation and I believe he has a tracer apparatus that can find the wires so you may have to call a repair guy to come out. If it were me, I would dig little holes, following the water line back until I found it. Or follow the wires where they come out of the house, just be sure not to cut the wires when digging. You could also trace out from the water supply if you can find where that starts from.

 

[HotRod68Camaro]

You should have boxes. Mine aren't anywhere near my control panel. Looking at my diagrams it looks like they places them midway between a section with 4 different zones.

 

[csp]

Look for where the water line comes out of the house. The manifold for the valves should be close or you can at least follow the water line (even if it means digging to follow it) to the valve box.

Pretty sure we all know what the OP means radrush.

 

[METALMOVER]

Well poked around with a long metal rod, thought i Found em, well dug down 12 inches,old concrete footing, fired up my metal detector, dead battery, another trip into town, also I have 6 zones.

 

[PelicanPines]

My valve box is buried right outside the foundation where the water connects to the house. The control panel is inside on the wall in the basement. If I didn't know the box was out about a foot away from the foundation... I wouldn't know... it could be a hunt the pipes/wire project.

Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[75gmck25]

It would be helpful to know where you are located, since sprinkler installation in the south is sometime different than in climates where it freezes.

In southern climates you can install one large diameter PVC pipe around the perimeter of the yard or down the middle, and just locate the valves where each zone branches off the main feed. This means the vales may be located in a couple of boxes in in convenient locations, and the wiring will be run to each valve.

In freezing climates they often cluster the valves near a single location so that you can pressurize the system from that point and blow all the lines clear of water before winter. In that case the valves are easy to find because they are all in one valve box.

Bruce

 

[miketyler]

That is how mine was done here in Texas. I have an acre with 12 fully irrigated zones. Each solenoid is located close to the zone that it controls. When we bought the place we had a helluva time finding them.

My neighbor on the other hand has a better installation with most all his valves located in one large control box. Makes maintenance easier but used a lot more PVC and probably more labor to install.