About James Grote Expertise Questions concerning irrigation, sprinkler systems, water pressure,backflow preventers, and drainage would be best. Questions about individual plants or shrubs are best left to others.
Experience
Past/Present clients Edward Jones Dome, Christian Hospitals, Barnes-Jewish Hosptials,St. Anthony's Hospital, St.Lukes Hospital Bellerive Country Club, Normandy Golf Course, Emerson Electric, and residential.
Question The valves are WeatherMatic. I did some more trouble shooting and realized when I purchased the equipment, I was never told or sold the grease waterproof wire connectors. After the recent rain storm we had, it shorted out the solenoid on the valve I am having problems. I suspect this is what caused the first solenoid to go bad as well. I have since rewired the solenoids with the correct connectors and hope to have the issue resolved. Have you heard anything bad about Weathermatic valves? The company I purchased them from is well known in my area and used by many contractors. Thank you for your reply.
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Followup To
Question -
I have a residential irrigation system using a RainDial RD-900 and 7 valves. The system has been in place for about 1 1/2 years. In that time, I have had to replace one solenoid and one diaphragm on different valves. I now have another valve that quit working and I suspect it is either the diaphragm or a blockage in the valve. My question is whether it is common or not to have this many maintenance issues with a system in this short a time frame. If not, can you suggest some valves that would be more reliable? Thank you.
Answer -
Darren, you told what kind of clock you have, but that is not your problem. What kind of valves do you have? And yes that is quite a bit of trouble with the valves, but again what kind are they. The valves that I have found to be the most reliable and reasonably price and easy to maintain are the Irri-trol 2400's. (formerly richdel 2400). Same design for 20 years and still going strong. Obviously it is easier to put part in the existing valves than to screw new one on, but what are the existing valves? Jim
Answer Darren,
I am familiar with the weathermatic valves and the main thing that has been the problem has been the solenoids. either leaking are going bad. They wouldn't be my first choice, but they are not that bad. So keep the valves and you seem to be handy enough to rebuild them and the only other issue may be if you have very high water pressure with the weathermatic valves. Jim
