how do i put the wires to the sprinkler solenoid

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by anon125, Apr 29, 2022.

  1. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    looks like we had gremlins.
    2 of the solenoids no longer have wires to them!

    what do we open and how to take out the broken wires and strip a little insulation and put them back in?

    also what is the voltage so i can set the multimeter range?
    thanks all

    PS at least two of the plastic pencil lookalikes which do the spraying have been wrenched out.
    can they just screw into the old holes or do we need to make new holes in the underground pipes?
    and block of the old holes?
    thx
     

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    Last edited: Apr 29, 2022
  2. Heathen

    Heathen Active Member

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    This forum is not the busiest, you might often have to wait a couple days for replies.
    I’ve never tried to take a solenoid apart. Typically they just get replaced, as that is much easier/safer/cheaper. They fail eventually anyway. Yours look on the older side. Mice do like to get in valve boxes and chew things!
    Could you take pictures of your broken off sprays? Can’t tell exactly what you mean. Keep in mind that once you have had a break, that allows dirt and debris to fall into the hole, and you need to flush it out ‘before’ you put the spray head back on, to avoid clogging it.
     
  3. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

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    Leave the multimeter to the Automatic Range mode. If your multimeter does not have this mode, then start from the range, that corresponds to your grid's voltage, and then move towards lower ranges, if necessary. It should be pretty safe the opposite way also, as decent multimeters display overload indication, in case the voltage is higher than the selected range.
    Solenoid is hardly serviceable, if it was built for outdoor conditions. Usually it is still possible to cut them open, to fix, and close the opening with some dielectric epoxy resin, for instance. But then you should know by yourself what to do, as no one wants to be blamed in case of accident.
     
  4. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks all
    I dont want to repair the solenoids, just re join the wires!
    i suspect there is a cap that comes off
     
  5. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

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    These wires are integral parts of the solenoid, so reconnecting the wires = repairing the solenoid.
    AFAIK, there's no removable cap, the plastic shell is probably molded around the solenoid.
    The easiest fix would be drilling small holes next to broken off wires, so close, that drill would rip of the insulation from one side of the wire, and using small bronze screws to attach new wires. But it would be difficult to insulate these connections to avoid shorts in case of moisture condensation or ground water rise.
     
  6. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    Thanks for your help
    let us hope new solenoids are not expensive.
    anyone know what they are supposed to cost
     
  7. Heathen

    Heathen Active Member

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    Look for what you need on westech irrigation website. They are the main supplier in Victoria, don’t know if they are on the mainland also, but you can get an idea anyway. Don’t forget new O-rings.
     
  8. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    thanks
    sent them the same picture.
     
  9. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    $25 to $35 each
     
  10. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Iritex is a well known and respected irrigation supply company located in Parksville. Home
     
  11. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    thanks all for your kind help
     
  12. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    Iritex prices are double...$47 each.
     
  13. Sulev

    Sulev Contributor

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    Prices of sprinkler solenoids in Chinese online shops start from ca 3 $, but it's tricky to find proper replacement for your model.
     
  14. anon125

    anon125 Active Member 10 Years

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    thanks for looking
     

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