Glad to be of help, feel free to add us to your favorites by hitting Subscribe and tap the bell to get notifications when we add more new videos or answer your questions✌️
I just replaced my valves following the original wiring. I thought I did someone wrong when the last valve had the “common wire”. I thought it was suppose to connect to one wire, but grouped the wires anyways. Glad this video explained the common wire 👍🏻.
Just noticed some loose wiring on my sprinkler valves this morning. Had no idea how to fix it. Going to give your advice a try in the morning. Thank you for explaining this so that even the newest newbies like myself can follow along!
Thank you sooo much, a mole had completely buried disconnected all the cords.. I was hose watering for 6 months so I didn’t bug my landlord..and after last weekend my sprinklers work again! THAMK YOU
Thank you, just finished rewriting my three station system. Trust me, without your video, I would have to hire someone to help me and labor prices are out of control. Once again, thank you
Thank you so much! This is the first video I found for wiring my system and, honestly, I expected to watch a few more before feeling comfortable. This was absolutely perfect. Thank you!
Thank you so... so.... so much Gary. The wires of my sprinkler valves came off. I did not know how to connect them back. I kept struggling with them many days. I kept connecting them wrong. After I saw your video, I was able to connect them correctly and my sprinklers are working now. It was very helpful video. Thank you again.
Blue Skies, glad I was able help you get them working, hope you remember to Subscribe to our Channel it really helps with TH-cam, Google listing us on their Search.✌️
Great tips! I used the water-tight splices and used silicone grease. And you are so right about twisting together and hoping for the best. I picked up an assortment pack at Home Depot of the water-tight splices. Had some leftover silicone from a brake job. The electrical connections are finally snug and water resistant. Much appreciated!
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your comment about the wiring. Glad you liked the video, hope you get a chance to subscribe to my Channel. It really helps us in TH-cam search for others. Gary
I just wanted to say thank you because my system had two zones not working and your tip on every valve has one wire that goes to the control fixed my system and it saved the day for my family. Idk why the previous owners had it wired so funky but I eliminated the couple extra wires they had and wired it like you said and it works flawless. Thanks again Sir.
Thanks for simplifying this for me! I found your video after watching a half dozen other ones and yours was the simplest, easiest to understand. I had my A-Ha moment. Headed outside to finish the job. Thanks you
Perfect an amazing video. Shot and sweet direct to the point. Very easy to follow for a beginner. The only suggestion I have is if you added how to correctly splice the wires before putting on the wire cap. Overall great video! thank you
Mister! I have been browsing the internet for 3 days, trying everything. Wasting my precious time and very frustrated. Then I skeptically came across this video. The way you explained it was very simple and to the point. Thank you!!!!!!!!! It's fixed!!!!
Lisa Pedrini wow that’s great, good luck! You can do it, I’m sure. Be sure to Subscribe if it helped you. We will be adding a new video this week and doing a customer appreciation award in May....Gary
Thanks Daniel, we have lots of other content coming soon so, be sure to Subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss out. PS/ thanks for the positive feedback. 🤜
Bette H hi, thanks for the nice comment. Be sure to Subscribe for free to our Channel and tap notifications so you’ll know when I post new material. ✌️from Cali
Hello Gary thanks for the earlier tips, it’s much appreciated! I have 3 rain bird valves how should solenoid and the water be positioned for automatic setup?
Thank you so much! Super helpful as I'm re-wiring the sprinklers left by the previous owners. I have 3 sets of valves further from the main source/sprinkler controller. Should the common wire travel down to that area as well?
Hi Gary. I made a Mis-Quote on where Station 2 is Leaking. It is Leaking Bad from the Anti-Siphon Lid. But Like I said, the Sprinkler Zone is Way above that Value and the Sticker On top of that Lid Reads, it Will Leak If it is Lower Than the Zone. So I need Help with what to do on that as well as The White Wire Problem I Mentioned for My Common And Station 2.
My sprinkler wiring is janky and old! How would I replace it with new wiring and is that hard to do? I noticed that today after removing the bamboo bush blocking easy access to work on my sprinkler anti-siphon valves.
Usually just peel back the available insulation on the existing wires and rewire the valves. If the valve wires themselves are cracked you can replace their solenoids as well. Hope that helped, don’t forget to Subscribe to our channel.👍
I can't tell you how much i appreciate this video, Mr Gary. A handyman setup my parents' 7 zone sprinkler system and 2 zones had not been working in about a year. I would've worked on them sooner, but for the life of me i couldn't understand which wire goes where. I understand the common household 1 hot (black) one neutral (white) and one ground (green) fairly well . . . . but this nonsense was too much until you broke it all down. Thank you so very much!
GrizzleyBruin so very welcome, I’m a licensed contractor of 27 yrs. just try to give back to the community. Be sure to Subscribe to the channel for new videos and giveaways. Gary
Great videos Gary. Wondering what your thoughts on a Valve that has a hissing sound. I don’t see any water really coming out of it. But it’s seems to be just hissing like water is trapped of something. Let me know what you think.
Hi Gary, Good info in connecting the wires. Do you have a video showing how to safely disconnect the wires for the unused old broken sprinkler valve? Thanks.
There is no electricity there unless you turn the timer on. I usually disconnect the wires going to the valves that are unused and then remove those colors from the timer as well. No need to cap the wires outside that don’t go to the clock timer any longer. Hope that helps, don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel.
@@garyssprinklerrepairHi Gary thanks again for the reply.. oh, btw I already subscribed to your channel. I have another question: I have to turn off the main irrigation valve until the gardener comes on the weekend to completely removed 1 leaking old sprinkler valve and cap it off. However , when I turned it off the water pressure in the house went low, takes long time for toilet to fill up. Does the irrigation pipe has effect on the house water pressure? Why is this so? (House is located in L.A.)
Well unfortunately, hard to say without seeing the shut off. Usually there are 2 one for the house and one for the irrigation. I’m thinking you’re shutting the wrong one off, you just haven’t shut it off completely. Call the city water guys out, it’s free and they can usually show you where the correct shut off is.
Normally the common used is white and it doesn’t matter which wire you use on the valve. There isn’t any polarization. Hope that helps, don’t forget to Subscribe to our our Channel for more tips and help.
I'm got everything wired right, & I've checked continuity on all the wires with a volt/ohm meter. All the solenoids have a good 20 ohm short. Shouldn't I be getting voltage from my rainbird control unit when it's ON? I'm not. I have an LED readout, but no voltage. What is the voltage & shouldn't it be flowing thru the station wires on TEST? Maybe my unit is faulty. ??? Thanx.
Most timers deliver about 26-29 volts. Thorn in zone 1 on the timer and check voltage using the common and zone 1 wire. Should be the same as the transformer. Then go outside and test zone 1 including the common. If you don’t have same voltage as the timer disconnect the wire to the zone 1 solenoid if voltage come back you have a shorted solenoid. If no voltage still issue with theme wire. Most likely the common if results are the same for all zones. Try using an extra wire if you have one to substitute for a common. Retry.
Are those some kind of weatherproof wire nut? Do I need to buy the slicing compound to put in them? I searched for this video because I've been thinking about how my wire nuts are just normal yellow and don't seem to have any weatherproofing.
Pick one.....😁doesn’t matter which one you pick, there’s no polarity. Hope that answers your question. If it did please Subscribe to our Channel it really helps us too.🤙
there is no current in the wires until you turn your timer/controller on and chose a station to run. If you're nervous unplug the timer while you're doing the wiring. The voltage is normally around 24-29 volts. Considered low voltage compared to the outlet.
Can I take 2 valves and connect them to create one zone? in other words, combine 2 current zones and make to one? Reason is due to some removal of some sprinkler heads due to landscaping, I only have 2 active sprinkler heads left in that zone, and would like to simply add that zone to another one so that when zone 1 turns on, it comes on along with the couple from zone 2 so they all run at the same time- I cant get a straight answer from any local shop.
First turn the two valves on manually at the valves, if they work and have adequate pressure you can combine them. Just take the (solenoid wire)and combine it with the colored zone wire you want to join. Then cap the unused colored wire that’s no longer needed. You can also remove that color from the timer. Hope that answers your question. Subscribe to our Channel if you get a minute it helps us a lot.
Situation: I have a manifold setup for 3 zones. Meaning, 3 valves. All 3 are connected to the "common" wire of course. I just replaced two outer valves and left old one in the middle. Question: If that middle valve with old solenoid is bad...would it also prohibit the 2 new ones from turning on from main control box (not to be confused with manually turning on)? Was thinking maybe so considering all 3 are connected via common wire. Thx!
It really would depend on the timer, some new timers will skip the bad valve and still run the good ones. Older timers won’t, they might say fuse or err. Or even blow a fuse, and won’t run. Have you checked the ac outlet, to ensure you actually have ac power not just battery creating a display?
@@garyssprinklerrepair Thank you for your help. I did check the AC outlet and its reading 121.3 VAC. So that's good. Also used multimeter to check each zone wire inside controller box with common wire. And all were within acceptable ranges. In addition, I tested the transformer...reading was 27 VAC.
Quick question, our orbit timer had went bad a few years ago and my mom had a manual lever installed to manually turn on and off the sprinklers from the side of the house. We just bought a new orbit timer system and hooked up the existing wires to the new timer but nothing is happening. What would you recommend I do?
Make sure the manual on/off is turned on. Now the timer will act as the on/off Let me know if you have anymore questions. If that helped you help us by Subscribing to our Channel✌️
Gary's Sprinkler Repair The manual lever in the “on “position turns on the sprinklers until we manually turn it back off. So I’m not following on how to transition this back to the timer. If you have an email, maybe you can help me more in depth?
Gary's Sprinkler Repair I just did and the timer says it’s watering for 15 minutes but they aren’t on. Wiring outside looks fine as we never touched it.
In order for a electrical circuit to be complete it needs a hot(colored wire) and a white wire or common. Don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel for more help.👍
Jose, these are water tight just by twisting them on. No extra crimping tools or shrink wrap to buy or blow dry. I would say, as long as what you do is water tight mission accomplished. Take care 👍
What if I have 4 valves and I want to add an additional valve can I join it with another valve so that whenever that zone turns on it'll turn on 2 valves and water 2 zones at the same time?
Normally you just plumb the new valve and connect it to its own individual colored wire than connect that colored wire to the timer ex: zone 5 all done. If you only have a 4 station timer and have used 4 valves already and add a 5 th zone yes, you can join 2 zones together providing they’re similar such as both lawns or both plants and have enough water volume to work at the same time. Check that by manually turning the 2 zones on at the valves to see 1st if it will work before wiring them together. Hope that helped don’t forget to Subscribe ✌️
@@garyssprinklerrepair thanks Gary I'm so relieved now I was afraid to overload that circuit by having 2 valves work on 1 single zone wire and yes each valve has its own main water line so it'll supply enough water to all my front trees (zone 1 valve) and backyard trees (new added valve) subscribed 😀 👍
Thanks you Gary!. Does it matter what wire coming out of the solenoid goes where? That is to say, is one wire out of the solenoid specifically the common wire and the other the zone wire? If so, how do you identify which is which. Thanks again.
Active Al hi, theres no polarity on the wires. Either wire will work. Be sure to Subscribe to our Channel (it’s free)and tap the bell to the right of that. We will having a Gold Nugget Giveaway Dec 5th and Jan 5th. Plus lots of new content. Thanks for the question hope it helped.
I have a solenoid problem mines have the black and red wire does it matter which way I hook it up or do I hook the red wire to the common and the black wire to the sprinklers setting
@@garyssprinklerrepair the battery is for power failure if the power goes out it always keep its time but it doesn't run off the battery run off of DC they send my problem is that the red and black wire or does it matter which way I hook it up and sorry it took me so long to get back to you and thank you
Let’s say you have 4 valves, then you should have 4 colored wires and the white wire as your common. (they share that wire)Hope that answered your question fell free to Subscribe to our Channel for more info, it really helps us too.
There are two wire on top of each valve. One from each wire goes to the common (usually the white wire) then each valve has only one wire left. Connect each one to a colored wire( ex: red, blue, green, etc.) then connect those same wires to a timer. White or common to (common) each colored wire to #1, or #2, etc.... hope that helped. Please Subscribe to our channel if this helped you, as it helps us as well.✌️
Yes, the common needs to be the same color as the common wire color on the timer. Additionally, the colored wires on the timer for the valves need to be the same colors used outside at the valves. Let me know if you need more info, hope that helped. P/S don’t forget to Subscribe for more great content.👍
Christopher Larkin, check the timer to see the wire color located on the common screw. Then you will know which color outside is the common. PS thanks for subscribing! Make sure to tap the notifications bell, to be notified when we add new videos.
Well there are a lot of variables that go into answering that question. Such as: How many stations is the timer, how many wires are in your wire strand you’re running, how many areas do you intend to irrigate etc. I’ve worked on valve manifolds that had as many as 15 valves. Every house is different.
My house previously came with the wiring running through the inside to the garage for the timer and came with two valves now I added 3 for my back yard and I was told I would need to get new wiring
thank you i had a gardener fix my sprinkler system from a broken pipe and 2 zones don't work anymore from my box, i checked the wires of the 2 zones and one is not connected to the white line, and the other one both wires are connected to the white line smh, you get what you pay for sheesh.
Nice job, but you didn’t explain why or what purpose does it serve to attach a separate wire from the valves to the superset colored wires. Great job explaining the common wire, but what are the other colored wires used for.
Camp Dogg each valve has two wires. One goes to the common the other to one colored wire. So, if on the timer you use the blue wire on #1 you will use that wire on valve 1 etc.
Don’t turn the timer on while wiring them. There is no power on the wires until the timer turns them on. It’s low voltage btw. Approx. 27 volts even when it’s on. Hope that helped ya if it did be sure to Subscribe to our Channel ✌️
For wiring purposes you will have one wire connected to the white wire and the other connected to a colored wire. The timer will have the white as the common and your colored wire on zone 1 position
cranman 48 no, only 1 colored wire is needed. The rest don’t need to connected to the timer or the valves (they’re only used if you have multiple valves) Hope you get a chance to Subscribe to my Channel.
@@garyssprinklerrepair HI Gary have another question there is a well pump on a switch to the existing irrigation pipes. I'm eliminating them adding 2 valves and a timer. How do I eliminate the switch [or do I just leave it on] and make the pump work with the new valves and timer? Thanks again subscribing now.
Andrew Miguel normally white is the common and then each valve gets one colored wire. If all the wires are red and one white common then each give one wire to the white and the rest get a red.
ixtlahuacqueen, you’re more than welcome. Glad it helped, feel free to Subscribe to our Channel and tap notifications so you’ll be notified of new videos we upload.
With the sprinkler timer box, if that doesn’t work make sure the black handle on top is snug to the right and the little tiny black screw is snug if none of these things work you have a bad valve and must shut it off next to the house water main (sometimes) it next to the valves down in the ground a box with a green lid
@@garyssprinklerrepair My drip irrigation was shut off when it was raining often and I'm trying to turn it back on. If turning the black handle doesn't work, what can I try in the ground box with the green lid?
Cstar Yue the water main might be off. Try each sprinkler valve, it one of them works then you have water. That would mean the drip valve is likely bad.
Not using TH-cam for jobs, I’m already super busy. Just doing the Channel to help people but thank you for your kind advice. Stay safe and healthy, don’t forget to Subscribe so you don’t miss new videos.✌️
You know if you are going to do a instruction vedic don't bring in values not in use cover them up or something you just make things confusing and I have to replay it several times to figure out which valves to lollow.
U guy missing some stapes u guy dont show each of the valve part show the people witch part of the valve is how to conect and what about the botons on the top
Sebastian Rivera thanks for the feedback. This video is just for rewriting a Sprinkler valve. I have other videos on my Channel that talk about the different parts or the valves.
Man you simplified the mess that was previously out in my yard. Thanks man!! I was able to figure out what the previous owner couldn’t.
Happy to help Jeff, we have a lot more content. Subscribe to get access to all our videos and help with questions.🤙
Just finished rewiring my entire system (9 zones) successfully. Thanks for your guidance
Glad to be of help, feel free to add us to your favorites by hitting Subscribe and tap the bell to get notifications when we add more new videos or answer your questions✌️
I just replaced my valves following the original wiring. I thought I did someone wrong when the last valve had the “common wire”. I thought it was suppose to connect to one wire, but grouped the wires anyways. Glad this video explained the common wire 👍🏻.
Glad to help out, hope you were able to subscribe to my channel it sure helps us.
Just noticed some loose wiring on my sprinkler valves this morning. Had no idea how to fix it. Going to give your advice a try in the morning. Thank you for explaining this so that even the newest newbies like myself can follow along!
Good luck Erika, have faith you can do this. Turn the timer off 1st and then go to work. Let me know if you need anymore help. Gary
Thank you sooo much, a mole had completely buried disconnected all the cords.. I was hose watering for 6 months so I didn’t bug my landlord..and after last weekend my sprinklers work again! THAMK YOU
Pesky Varmits, 🤪 Glad to help you achieve that much need freedom of hand watering. Take a minute to Subscribe it helps us grow the Channel.👍
So easy and simple to follow! Also good tip on the wire nuts! Thanks Gary.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Hope you were able to Subscribe ✌️
Thank you, just finished rewriting my three station system. Trust me, without your video, I would have to hire someone to help me and labor prices are out of control. Once again, thank you
Glad I was able to help you out. Hope you remembered to Subscribe to our Channel, it really helps the us grow.
Thank you so much! This is the first video I found for wiring my system and, honestly, I expected to watch a few more before feeling comfortable. This was absolutely perfect. Thank you!
Glad to help you out, hope you remembered to Subscribe to our channel. We have lots of other videos there, for future help.
Very nice thorough explanation. I have a bad solenoid which needs replacing. Your video will come in handy.
Thank you, hope you were able to Subscribe, it really helps us too.✌️
Thank you for this simple and to the point video, you saved me such a headache.
Thank you so... so.... so much Gary. The wires of my sprinkler valves came off. I did not know how to connect them back. I kept struggling with them many days. I kept connecting them wrong. After I saw your video, I was able to connect them correctly and my sprinklers are working now. It was very helpful video. Thank you again.
Blue Skies, glad I was able help you get them working, hope you remember to Subscribe to our Channel it really helps with TH-cam, Google listing us on their Search.✌️
Great job and exactly what I was looking for!
We have a lot more helpful videos on our Channel hope you remembered to Subscribe.👍
Great tips! I used the water-tight splices and used silicone grease. And you are so right about twisting together and hoping for the best. I picked up an assortment pack at Home Depot of the water-tight splices. Had some leftover silicone from a brake job. The electrical connections are finally snug and water resistant. Much appreciated!
Hi Jonathan, thanks for your comment about the wiring. Glad you liked the video, hope you get a chance to subscribe to my Channel. It really helps us in TH-cam search for others. Gary
Thank you Gary. This video helped me to wire my sprinklers and more importantly, gain a new skill around the house.
Great news my friend, don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel ✌️
Clarified my question regarding the common wire ... Thanks Gary, Blessings ...
Did you have a question in regards to the common wire?
Clear easy to understand information
Great to hear, glad we were able to help you. Please feel free to Subscribe to our Channel it helps us grow.✌️
I love your explanation for each wire.. very detail and easy to understand for diy first time repair.
Thanks so much
Thanks glad it made your life a bit easier. We have lots of other DIY videos on our Channel, hope you take a minute to Subscribe and check them out.👍
Thank you Gary!
Helps my hubby so much!
Your more than welcome, don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel it helps us grow.👍
I just wanted to say thank you because my system had two zones not working and your tip on every valve has one wire that goes to the control fixed my system and it saved the day for my family. Idk why the previous owners had it wired so funky but I eliminated the couple extra wires they had and wired it like you said and it works flawless. Thanks again Sir.
Always a pleasure to help others, appreciate the positive feedback. Don’t forget to Subscribe to bookmark our Channel for future projects👍
Awesome video, short but thorough!
Thank you, glad it helped you out. Hope you joined my Channel by Subscribing it sure helps us grow.
Thanks for simplifying this for me! I found your video after watching a half dozen other ones and yours was the simplest, easiest to understand. I had my A-Ha moment. Headed outside to finish the job. Thanks you
Just fixed my wiring screwup with your instructions. Thank you.
Glad to hear it, hope you can help us by subscribing to our channel 🤙
Such a helpful video! I am replacing some anti-siphon valves and this helped me better understand wiring correctly.
Glad you found it useful, thanks for the great comment. Hope you remembered to Subscribe to our channel.👊
Dude! you're the real MVP. great tips and explained well. thank you sir!!!
Thank you, the Best comment I really appreciate it.✌️
Great video and a great job giving instructions, very well explained and easy to follow, thank you.
Thank you Monica, hope you get a chance to Subscribe to my Channel for future help.
This video saved me on fixing my control box
That’s awesome, glad I saved ya some $ Hope you Subscribe to our Channel to help us too.👍
Very clear and informative.
Perfect an amazing video. Shot and sweet direct to the point. Very easy to follow for a beginner. The only suggestion I have is if you added how to correctly splice the wires before putting on the wire cap. Overall great video! thank you
You shared some information but really not enough...
What would you say is missing?
Mister! I have been browsing the internet for 3 days, trying everything. Wasting my precious time and very frustrated. Then I skeptically came across this video. The way you explained it was very simple and to the point. Thank you!!!!!!!!! It's fixed!!!!
cmtwmn really glad I could help you out.
Excellent How To Video! Thank you for explaining it in such detail, going to try to fix this now. Fingers crossed...
Lisa Pedrini wow that’s great, good luck! You can do it, I’m sure. Be sure to Subscribe if it helped you. We will be adding a new video this week and doing a customer appreciation award in May....Gary
It worked, thank you!!
Thank you so much for making this video, you made it easy to learn and very approachable
Thank you, glad you found it easy to understand. Don’t forget to take a minute to Subscribe to our Channel it really helps us grow.
Very helpful...excellent presentation
Thanks Ferg, glad to be of some assistance to ya. Hope you didn’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel so you can find us in the future🤙
Thank you, thank you ,thank you.
Got mine working fine. Once again...Gracias Amigo
Glad to help my friend, hope you get a chance to Subscribe to our Channel it really helps us grow.
Very helpful
Thanks Daniel, we have lots of other content coming soon so, be sure to Subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss out. PS/ thanks for the positive feedback. 🤜
Thank you Gary !!!
thank you for the clear simple explanation!
now if I can understand programming the digital box! ;0)
Your very welcome, hope you remembered to Subscribe to our Channel. It’s free and helps us on TH-cam and Google search🤙
Thanks so much. I had wires not connected & no idea how it all worked. After watching video I was able to reconnect so valves now work with meter. ;)
Bette H hi, thanks for the nice comment. Be sure to Subscribe for free to our Channel and tap notifications so you’ll know when I post new material. ✌️from Cali
Hello Gary thanks for the earlier tips, it’s much appreciated! I have 3 rain bird valves how should solenoid and the water be positioned for automatic setup?
Solenoid should be in off position, the timer will now be the on/off. Put timer in either RUN or AUTO which ever you have
thanks for simplifying how to rewired the sprinkler system valve. same us a lot of time. 🙏🏼👍🫡
Thank you.
Hope you took a minute to Subscribe it really helps our Channel grow.✌️
Thank you so much! Super helpful as I'm re-wiring the sprinklers left by the previous owners. I have 3 sets of valves further from the main source/sprinkler controller. Should the common wire travel down to that area as well?
Yes
Jose hi, glad I could help you out. Be sure to Subscribe, it’s Free and I add new videos all the time. Gary
Hi Gary. I made a Mis-Quote on where Station 2 is Leaking. It is Leaking Bad from the Anti-Siphon Lid. But Like I said, the Sprinkler Zone is Way above that Value and the Sticker On top of that Lid Reads, it Will Leak If it is Lower Than the Zone. So I need Help with what to do on that as well as The White Wire Problem I Mentioned for My Common And Station 2.
Helpful information, thank you so much for sharing !!
And finally, I understand. Thank you. I am homeowner, see me fix stuff.
Sometime a quick video helps, I agree. Thx for stopping by hope you remembered to Subscribe to our Channel.👍
Ok, join 1 wire from each valve to the common, simple. But, does it matter which of the 2 wires? There is no +/- to worry about?
It doesn’t matter, there is no polarity. Hope that helped you. Please don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel it really helps us too.✌️
My sprinkler wiring is janky and old! How would I replace it with new wiring and is that hard to do? I noticed that today after removing the bamboo bush blocking easy access to work on my sprinkler anti-siphon valves.
Usually just peel back the available insulation on the existing wires and rewire the valves. If the valve wires themselves are cracked you can replace their solenoids as well.
Hope that helped, don’t forget to Subscribe to our channel.👍
Wey good video I liked the fact that you I explained very well
Thank you!!!
Your more than welcome, don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel we have lots more content there.✌️
I can't tell you how much i appreciate this video, Mr Gary. A handyman setup my parents' 7 zone sprinkler system and 2 zones had not been working in about a year. I would've worked on them sooner, but for the life of me i couldn't understand which wire goes where. I understand the common household 1 hot (black) one neutral (white) and one ground (green) fairly well . . . . but this nonsense was too much until you broke it all down. Thank you so very much!
GrizzleyBruin so very welcome, I’m a licensed contractor of 27 yrs. just try to give back to the community. Be sure to Subscribe to the channel for new videos and giveaways.
Gary
Great videos Gary. Wondering what your thoughts on a Valve that has a hissing sound. I don’t see any water really coming out of it. But it’s seems to be just hissing like water is trapped of something. Let me know what you think.
Bad valve
Thank you for your easy explanation, I take it doesn't matter which of the 2 wires you use?
Correct….
Thx for the positive comment, don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel for more help in the future.👊
Hi Gary,
Good info in connecting the wires. Do you have a video showing how to safely disconnect the wires for the unused old broken sprinkler valve? Thanks.
There is no electricity there unless you turn the timer on. I usually disconnect the wires going to the valves that are unused and then remove those colors from the timer as well. No need to cap the wires outside that don’t go to the clock timer any longer. Hope that helps, don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel.
@@garyssprinklerrepair thank you for the reply. I will try it today.
@@garyssprinklerrepairHi Gary thanks again for the reply.. oh, btw I already subscribed to your channel. I have another question: I have to turn off the main irrigation valve until the gardener comes on the weekend to completely removed 1 leaking old sprinkler valve and cap it off. However , when I turned it off
the water pressure in the house went low, takes long time for toilet to fill up. Does the irrigation pipe has effect on the house water pressure? Why is this so? (House is located in L.A.)
Well unfortunately, hard to say without seeing the shut off. Usually there are 2 one for the house and one for the irrigation. I’m thinking you’re shutting the wrong one off, you just haven’t shut it off completely.
Call the city water guys out, it’s free and they can usually show you where the correct shut off is.
@@garyssprinklerrepair Thank you, Gary.
Maybe I missed it but does it matter which wire is for common from the valve?
Normally the common used is white and it doesn’t matter which wire you use on the valve. There isn’t any polarization. Hope that helps, don’t forget to Subscribe to our our Channel for more tips and help.
@@garyssprinklerrepair you’re amazing my man!! Take care
Nice and precise and to the point
234 pny thanks for the comment, if you get a moment be sure to Subscribe for future videos.
Gary
I'm got everything wired right, & I've checked continuity on all the wires with a volt/ohm meter. All the solenoids have a good 20 ohm short. Shouldn't I be getting voltage from my rainbird control unit when it's ON? I'm not. I have an LED readout, but no voltage. What is the voltage & shouldn't it be flowing thru the station wires on TEST? Maybe my unit is faulty. ??? Thanx.
Most timers deliver about 26-29 volts. Thorn in zone 1 on the timer and check voltage using the common and zone 1 wire. Should be the same as the transformer. Then go outside and test zone 1 including the common. If you don’t have same voltage as the timer disconnect the wire to the zone 1 solenoid if voltage come back you have a shorted solenoid. If no voltage still issue with theme wire. Most likely the common if results are the same for all zones. Try using an extra wire if you have one to substitute for a common. Retry.
Does it matter which wire coming off the solenoid you use to connect to the common versus the colored wire? Thanks
Great question, the answer is no! Hope we helped you out today if we did be sure to Subscribe to our Channel to show your support.🤙
@@garyssprinklerrepair thanks Gary .. very much appreciated .. replacing 4 of these tomorrow .. rookie here .. you've simplified it!
Paul Williams, let me know how it turns out.👍
Are those some kind of weatherproof wire nut? Do I need to buy the slicing compound to put in them? I searched for this video because I've been thinking about how my wire nuts are just normal yellow and don't seem to have any weatherproofing.
Not sure where you’re located but Home Depot and Lowe’s sell them. The grease is already inside of them.
How can I figure out which of the wires from the valve goes to white and which one is the colored one?
Pick one.....😁doesn’t matter which one you pick, there’s no polarity. Hope that answers your question. If it did please Subscribe to our Channel it really helps us too.🤙
is there an electric current to those wires enough to shock/kill a person?
there is no current in the wires until you turn your timer/controller on and chose a station to run. If you're nervous unplug the timer while you're doing the wiring. The voltage is normally around 24-29 volts. Considered low voltage compared to the outlet.
Can I take 2 valves and connect them to create one zone? in other words, combine 2 current zones and make to one? Reason is due to some removal of some sprinkler heads due to landscaping, I only have 2 active sprinkler heads left in that zone, and would like to simply add that zone to another one so that when zone 1 turns on, it comes on along with the couple from zone 2 so they all run at the same time- I cant get a straight answer from any local shop.
First turn the two valves on manually at the valves, if they work and have adequate pressure you can combine them. Just take the (solenoid wire)and combine it with the colored zone wire you want to join. Then cap the unused colored wire that’s no longer needed. You can also remove that color from the timer. Hope that answers your question. Subscribe to our Channel if you get a minute it helps us a lot.
Situation: I have a manifold setup for 3 zones. Meaning, 3 valves. All 3 are connected to the "common" wire of course. I just replaced two outer valves and left old one in the middle.
Question: If that middle valve with old solenoid is bad...would it also prohibit the 2 new ones from turning on from main control box (not to be confused with manually turning on)? Was thinking maybe so considering all 3 are connected via common wire.
Thx!
It really would depend on the timer, some new timers will skip the bad valve and still run the good ones. Older timers won’t, they might say fuse or err. Or even blow a fuse, and won’t run. Have you checked the ac outlet, to ensure you actually have ac power not just battery creating a display?
Let me know if that helps. Don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel.
@@garyssprinklerrepair Thank you for your help. I did check the AC outlet and its reading 121.3 VAC. So that's good. Also used multimeter to check each zone wire inside controller box with common wire. And all were within acceptable ranges. In addition, I tested the transformer...reading was 27 VAC.
@@Son_of_Aragornnext trick is to put the meter on a valve with the timer on.
Quick question, our orbit timer had went bad a few years ago and my mom had a manual lever installed to manually turn on and off the sprinklers from the side of the house. We just bought a new orbit timer system and hooked up the existing wires to the new timer but nothing is happening. What would you recommend I do?
Make sure the manual on/off is turned on. Now the timer will act as the on/off
Let me know if you have anymore questions. If that helped you help us by Subscribing to our Channel✌️
Gary's Sprinkler Repair The manual lever in the “on “position turns on the sprinklers until we manually turn it back off. So I’m not following on how to transition this back to the timer. If you have an email, maybe you can help me more in depth?
Leave all the manual levers on top of the valves Off. Then the timer becomes the valve auto on/ off
Gary's Sprinkler Repair I just did and the timer says it’s watering for 15 minutes but they aren’t on. Wiring outside looks fine as we never touched it.
Make sure the outlet has power that the timers plugged into. The battery will do everything you said, just won’t run the timer
I did mine wrong a while ago. The control box started smoking. Before I replace it. Is it toast?
I would NOT reuse it. You more than likely burnt some of the circuit board or wires. Hope that answers your question. Don’t forget to Subscribe 👍
The colored wires seems like they are for controlling each valve individually. What is the purpose of the "common" wire? Is it for powering the valve?
In order for a electrical circuit to be complete it needs a hot(colored wire) and a white wire or common. Don’t forget to Subscribe to our Channel for more help.👍
Why not use the connectors that crimp and shrink?
Jose, these are water tight just by twisting them on. No extra crimping tools or shrink wrap to buy or blow dry. I would say, as long as what you do is water tight mission accomplished. Take care 👍
What if I have 4 valves and I want to add an additional valve can I join it with another valve so that whenever that zone turns on it'll turn on 2 valves and water 2 zones at the same time?
Normally you just plumb the new valve and connect it to its own individual colored wire than connect that colored wire to the timer ex: zone 5 all done. If you only have a 4 station timer and have used 4 valves already and add a 5 th zone yes, you can join 2 zones together providing they’re similar such as both lawns or both plants and have enough water volume to work at the same time. Check that by manually turning the 2 zones on at the valves to see 1st if it will work before wiring them together. Hope that helped don’t forget to Subscribe ✌️
@@garyssprinklerrepair thanks Gary I'm so relieved now I was afraid to overload that circuit by having 2 valves work on 1 single zone wire and yes each valve has its own main water line so it'll supply enough water to all my front trees (zone 1 valve) and backyard trees (new added valve) subscribed 😀 👍
Thanks you Gary!. Does it matter what wire coming out of the solenoid goes where? That is to say, is one wire out of the solenoid specifically the common wire and the other the zone wire? If so, how do you identify which is which. Thanks again.
Active Al hi, theres no polarity on the wires. Either wire will work.
Be sure to Subscribe to our Channel (it’s free)and tap the bell to the right of that. We will having a Gold Nugget Giveaway Dec 5th and Jan 5th. Plus lots of new content. Thanks for the question hope it helped.
I have a solenoid problem mines have the black and red wire does it matter which way I hook it up or do I hook the red wire to the common and the black wire to the sprinklers setting
These sounds like DC switching solenoids to me, you must have a battery operated timer ( no AC power) correct?
@@garyssprinklerrepair the battery is for power failure if the power goes out it always keep its time but it doesn't run off the battery run off of DC they send my problem is that the red and black wire or does it matter which way I hook it up and sorry it took me so long to get back to you and thank you
@@rodneybridges2804 can you send me a picture of the timer and solenoid and valve?
Can you send me a picture of the timer, valve and solenoid? 1oldcrusty@gmail.com
I have a total of 7 zones, does each color wire represent a zone?
Yes
Let’s say you have 4 valves, then you should have 4 colored wires and the white wire as your common. (they share that wire)Hope that answered your question fell free to Subscribe to our Channel for more info, it really helps us too.
Where do the end of those color wires go after they r connected to each valve?
I believe you’re asking where does the set of wires go correct? The other end goes to the sprinkler timer.
@@garyssprinklerrepair thanks, i had a brain fart there for a second, sorry for the dumb question
@@jessegalarza9785 no such thing all questions are good and I enjoy answering them. Take care
Hi Gary. I have a dumb question-Where do the colors go to?
There are two wire on top of each valve. One from each wire goes to the common (usually the white wire) then each valve has only one wire left. Connect each one to a colored wire( ex: red, blue, green, etc.) then connect those same wires to a timer. White or common to (common) each colored wire to #1, or #2, etc.... hope that helped. Please Subscribe to our channel if this helped you, as it helps us as well.✌️
Does it matter what color wire
Yes, the common needs to be the same color as the common wire color on the timer. Additionally, the colored wires on the timer for the valves need to be the same colors used outside at the valves.
Let me know if you need more info, hope that helped. P/S don’t forget to Subscribe for more great content.👍
I have the 1% that dosent have a white common wire. It has 4 small wires, black red green yellow. Is the black the common? Thanks
Christopher Larkin, check the timer to see the wire color located on the common screw. Then you will know which color outside is the common.
PS thanks for subscribing! Make sure to tap the notifications bell, to be notified when we add new videos.
How many valves can you add ?
Well there are a lot of variables that go into answering that question. Such as: How many stations is the timer, how many wires are in your wire strand you’re running, how many areas do you intend to irrigate etc. I’ve worked on valve manifolds that had as many as 15 valves. Every house is different.
Glad to answer any other questions you might have. Don’t forget to Subscribe and tap the notifications bell so you will know when I answer you👍
My house previously came with the wiring running through the inside to the garage for the timer and came with two valves now I added 3 for my back yard and I was told I would need to get new wiring
You need to have six pair wire (so 5 colored and one white for the common)
Gat ail, easy to understand
thank you i had a gardener fix my sprinkler system from a broken pipe and 2 zones don't work anymore from my box, i checked the wires of the 2 zones and one is not connected to the white line, and the other one both wires are connected to the white line smh, you get what you pay for sheesh.
Glad the video helped clear things up for you. Hope you took a minute to Subscribe to our Channel it really helps us grow.
Nice job, but you didn’t explain why or what purpose does it serve to attach a separate wire from the valves to the superset colored wires. Great job explaining the common wire, but what are the other colored wires used for.
Camp Dogg each valve has two wires. One goes to the common the other to one colored wire. So, if on the timer you use the blue wire on #1 you will use that wire on valve 1 etc.
how do i avoid getting shocked ?
Don’t turn the timer on while wiring them.
There is no power on the wires until the timer turns them on. It’s low voltage btw. Approx. 27 volts even when it’s on. Hope that helped ya if it did be sure to Subscribe to our Channel ✌️
@@garyssprinklerrepair Thank you !
I count 5 valves, using 3 of 5
You my friend are absolutely correct. Haha, you’re the first person to notice. Lol 😆
What if I only have 1 zone and valve?
For wiring purposes you will have one wire connected to the white wire and the other connected to a colored wire. The timer will have the white as the common and your colored wire on zone 1 position
@@garyssprinklerrepairthank you! So all the colored wires left connected to the 1 wire ?
cranman 48 no, only 1 colored wire is needed. The rest don’t need to connected to the timer or the valves (they’re only used if you have multiple valves) Hope you get a chance to Subscribe to my Channel.
@@garyssprinklerrepair HI Gary have another question there is a well pump on a switch to the existing irrigation pipes. I'm eliminating them adding 2 valves and a timer. How do I eliminate the switch [or do I just leave it on] and make the pump work with the new valves and timer? Thanks again subscribing now.
But the red wire you cant cut it cuz its the power line and the white one its the controller valves.
Andrew Miguel normally white is the common and then each valve gets one colored wire.
If all the wires are red and one white common then each give one wire to the white and the rest get a red.
Andrew Miguel this is low voltage not 115v, not the same as a light or outlet. Each colored wire is a “hot” the white is the “common” or “neutral”
Thank you
ixtlahuacqueen, you’re more than welcome. Glad it helped, feel free to Subscribe to our Channel and tap notifications so you’ll be notified of new videos we upload.
Hi how you turn the valve on & off?
With the sprinkler timer box, if that doesn’t work make sure the black handle on top is snug to the right and the little tiny black screw is snug if none of these things work you have a bad valve and must shut it off next to the house water main (sometimes) it next to the valves down in the ground a box with a green lid
@@garyssprinklerrepair My drip irrigation was shut off when it was raining often and I'm trying to turn it back on. If turning the black handle doesn't work, what can I try in the ground box with the green lid?
Cstar Yue the water main might be off. Try each sprinkler valve, it one of them works then you have water. That would mean the drip valve is likely bad.
My 2 cents. Put your location. Ppl close to you can call for jobs.
Not using TH-cam for jobs, I’m already super busy. Just doing the Channel to help people but thank you for your kind advice. Stay safe and healthy, don’t forget to Subscribe so you don’t miss new videos.✌️
You know if you are going to do a instruction vedic don't bring in values not in use cover them up or something you just make things confusing and I have to replay it several times to figure out which valves to lollow.
Sorry you didn’t find our content useful. It was one of my very first attempts at creating a video.
Confusing as can be
Let me know if you have a question
U guy missing some stapes u guy dont show each of the valve part show the people witch part of the valve is how to conect and what about the botons on the top
Sebastian Rivera thanks for the feedback. This video is just for rewriting a Sprinkler valve. I have other videos on my Channel that talk about the different parts or the valves.