Troubleshooting our sprinkler system

[thevillager1988]

Coming to this brain trust with our pesky sprinkler issue. The system which has been running fine for 4 years stopped working. After having a number of experts out, the latest status is ... it runs fine and completely if set for 10am (not the optimal time of course). It won't run at 8pm, or 6am. We have replaced the controller, and disconnected the moisture sensor. Same result ... won't run at 8pm, or 6am. Runs perfectly at 10am.

Any ideas?

[dewilson58]

If runs at fine 10am....................I would cheat and change the clock so the controller thinks it's running at 10am, but it's actually 4am.

:jester:

[retiredguy123]

Will it run manually between 8pm and 6am? If you replaced the controller, I assume you have done a system reset and reprogammed the entire system? If the problem is not the controller, the only things that can suggest to check are the outside solenoid valves. Do they open and close manually?

[thevillager1988]

Manual and automatic are behaving the same way ...

[thevillager1988]

If runs at fine 10am....................I would cheat and change the clock so the controller thinks it's running at 10am, but it's actually 4am.

:jester:

BRILLIANT! This is why I consider you my brain trust.

[thevillager1988]

Will it run manually between 8pm and 6am? If you replaced the controller, I assume you have done a system reset and reprogammed the entire system? If the problem is not the controller, the only things that can suggest to check are the outside solenoid valves. Do they open and close manually?

Brilliant! Outside solenoid valves will be our next step ... again, this is why I post here ... brain trust!

[n8xwb]

Perhaps there is no water available at 6AM and 8PM?

[villagetinker]

OP, you do not mention the make, manufacturer, etc of the controller, so is there any possibility this is one that is controlled by WiFi? If so, have you looked at the settings in the WiFi section? I have seen some houses with LOTs of WiFi controlled outlets, so is there a possibility that the outlet in the low voltage panel is controlled? Is there a possibility that your controller has a setting to NOT water during a certain time period?
No other ideas at this point.

[daniel200]

The first thing I would do is put a voltmeter on the output of your controller for one of the zones. I would turn on that zones in manual. I think most sprinkler valves operate on 24 vac. So if the zone is “on” you should see 24 vac on the controller output.

If you do not see 24 vac, then disconnect the wiring on that zone and measure the voltage again. If you do not yet see 24vac, then its a controller issue.

If you do see 24 vac at the controller output, then the controller is working and either the wiring or solenoid is faulty. You can get replacement parts at home depot or ace hardware.

You may have a condition where your wiring shorts out after a rain.

You can also open the cover of your valvebox and do a visual inspection. I found last year, my valvebox was not draining and full of water. Three of the four valves worked fine under water but the fourth would not. I replaced the valve and fixed the drainage issue.

Any cheap voltmeter or tester will do.

[galluccb]

Intermittent short in wiring. Run new wire from controller to manifold with valves above ground. Special attention to the ground
Good luck

[rsmurano]

Your controller performs the turning on and off of the valves. As for if your outlet is controlled by a switch, normally these are external outlets that are plugged in the outlet. You say it won’t run at 8pm, plug in a drill or hair blower in place of the sprinkler controller to see if they work at 8pm or 9pm, if they do work, it’s not a power problem.
I think it’s your controller and it could be a good time to replace it with an Orbit B-Hyve unit that you can control from your iphone. I have used these for a few years now and have helped many friends replace their sprinkler controllers to the b-hyve. It takes 5 mins to put in and 15 mins to program using your phone

[thevillager1988]

Wow ... GREAT ideas ... I knew this was the place to come will this issue. Will let you know when we find the root cause and solution. Thanks for all the brilliant ideas.

[Tomas]

If it works on certain hours on your system. Then there is nothing wrong with your wiring or your sprinklers heads etc. The system works period. The problem is in the programming. See how to factory reset the controller and start programming on and off times again. Look on YOU TUBE or GOOGLE and figure out the factory reset. Do not look for trouble in your wiring or sprinkler heads when they work.

[DonnaNi4os]

If runs at fine 10am....................I would cheat and change the clock so the controller thinks it's running at 10am, but it's actually 4am.

:jester:

That’s a great suggestion!

[jarodrig]

I agree with others that it’s a programming issue .

My guess would be the first thing that must be done when programming the box .

That is , setting the CORRECT DATE AND TIME !!

Make sure you set “am” or “pm” correctly when setting up the time !

[brewbob]

Sounds like you have an old Hunter controller thats a PITA to program. I suggest you dump it and move to a wifi controller. I installed a Rachio. Takes about 30mins to install and trust me you will love it. App on you phone will allow you to turn on and off zones to check. Connects to local weather stations that knows when its raining etc. Had a Rachio is California for many years and now have one here in TV.

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZ864Y9)

[phousel]

I am wondering if the problem may be related to water pressure???
Have you noticed a substantial change in water pressure throughout the day?

[writerslife]

I choose to run my system on manual mode only, 30 minutes per zone. A deep soaking much less often.

[huge-pigeons]

Water pressure will not turn on a valve, only an electric signal will trigger a valve. Up north where you have to winterize your sprinkler system, I had to turn off the water so I can turn on 1 zone at a time to blow it out, no pressure or the lack of pressure did not have any impact to valve turning on.
If I was going to run a system in manual mode, then you need a wifi smart controller so you can do this from inside your house or anywhere in the world

[RICH1]

Just purchase a new Wi-Fi Rainbird timer … start screwing around with the old timer and you may smoke your solenoids… Your old Timer took a Dump… always make sure you have a Great ground connection… this is lightning country …

[MorTech]

Factory Reset the controller and start again...

Hunter Pro-C:

https://www.hunterindustries.com/sites/default/files/OM_ProC_EM.pdf
Pro-C Basic Programming | Hunter Industries (https://www.hunterindustries.com/videos/pro-c-basic-programming)

Sometimes the controller programming freaks out.

[thevillager1988]

Closing out this post with a big thank you to Ron, the Hunter expert. It was an electrical problem. He diagnosed it almost instantly. (I will try to explain it here as best I can) About 2 years ago, we had someone add a zone for some backyard plantings. When the zone was added, the wire used to connect the valves was a thin wire. The other wiring was thick wiring. Over time the thin wire lost contact; the reason it would work later in the day is that when the temperature warmed sufficiently, the warmth created expansion and then the wire would get contact. Ron wrapped the thin wire around the thick wire for constant contact.

Also a big thank you to all the other great minds on this thread and TOTV overall. This is the place where smart people, creative thinkers, and true experts come together to solve problems.