lawn sprinkler wiring

randall p

i have 6 zones,but 1 zone runs all the time when the other zones come on.but it never runs by it self. help please

DexterII

Okay; I do not own a sprinkler system, but have tinkered with a few, and I am sure that there are others here who have a lot of experience with them, but regardless, some details would help. Let's start with is this a new system, with, perhaps, a design problem, or is this an older system, that used to work as intended, and suddenly does not? Have you recently made any modifications, or replaced any components? Is the solenoid that allows water to flow to this zone when all of the zones are running the same solenoid that allows water to flow to this zone when it runs by itself? Have you checked your control panel for any loose or damaged wires? Since you have power to the system, and the zone itself works, I would focus on the controller, and the connections there, but provide some more specifics, and my bet would be on someone having the solution.

Gary Sutherland

Some sprinkler timers have a 'pump' output terminal, which turns on a booster pump whenever any valves are 'on'. It's the same voltage as the zone outputs, and if you connected one of your valves there, it would have exactly the effect you describe.

Gary

Ron6519

Check for shorts in the valve box outside. If the insulation comes off the wires and they contact one another, you can get what your describing. This can also happen with a short inside the house.
Ron