[rburke]

I had an irrigation system installed several weeks ago using Hunter pgp heads and Irritrol 2400T valves. The water supply is well water. I've had a problem with one zone that usually will not completely shut off. My installer is very responsive and shows up every time I call him but I really don't think he knows what is causing it. He has thus far cleaned the valve several times, replaced the diaphram and replaced the entire valve twice (so this is the third valve). When he leaves, it is working fine. But after it sits for a few hours or overnight and then kicks on, it will continue leaking out of one or two heads until I open the manual bleed and shut it again. It is not just the draining of the water in the line. It will run all day and night until I shut it down. The flow is enough to bubble up from two heads. The solenoid appears to work fine but even that was replaced twice with the valve. Any suggestions?

[BuenPatron]

Dirty water?

[sleepy]

I agree

[Turtle]

On the same valve every time? Is it the closest valve to the well. I would replace it with a flow control valve they are a little more money but more dirty water tolerant and being able to control flow can get the valve to shut off quicker

[rburke]

Yes, same valve. It is the furthest valve from the supply. I am thinking any dirt is just flowing to the end of the line. What about a spin down filter?

[Inspired]

I have worked on a few well systems. There seems to be an issue with sand on many of them. The larger granules seem to end up in the last valve on the manifold. Little bits of sand can lodge under the solenoid seat and the diaphram seat and make the valve weep. RainBird DV100F valves used to have a filter screen under the solenoid. I don't know if they still do. That might help a little. In my opinion, that is the best plastic valve anyway.

If your drinking water comes from the same well, it's only a matter of time before the same sand sticks in your toilet valve or washer valve. You will probably end up installing a pre-filter on the system. Don't be tempted to go with a plastic body. Think brass only. I can't remember the mesh size though. Find out what some of your neighbors have on their systems.

Hope that helps you,
Bill

[rburke]

Thanks Bill.
My house has a ph filter and softener so I wont have the sand problem in other areas of the house. However, this is bypassed for the irrigation system.
Rich

[MountainShe]

Agreed, some debri is causing the valve to stay open just enough to leak. I am sure your well has a filter on it if not install one if so replace the filter with one that has a finer mesh screen in it.

[mhochman]

I had the same problem. What it turned out to be was the valve was wide open. I turned it in a few turns, not enough to alter the flow much but after that it never stuck open. Seems like a design flaw to me.

-Mark

[SignatureRobb]

We used to water out of out pond for our landscape holding area and came across a disc filter that worked great for filtering that water,and it was very easy to maintain.Sounds like whatever you use to clean the water prior to your valves will have to be emptied/cleaned from time to time.It will be a good idea to rid yourself of the sand anyways,it will shorten the lifespan of your heads.

-Robb

[Inspired]

Originally posted by mhochman
I had the same problem. What it turned out to be was the valve was wide open. I turned it in a few turns, not enough to alter the flow much but after that it never stuck open. Seems like a design flaw to me.

-Mark

This is an interesting point. Some of the Irritrol 205 (used to be the Richdel 205) valves will hang open for long periods. if the flow control is left wide open. It seems to occur more on zones with higher flow rates. I noticed this around 98 or 99 about the time Toro bought out Richdel.

The thing is, you should be adjusting the flow control down anyway to control fogging or misting and evaporation. Though evaporation may not be much of an issue in other parts of the country besides the southwest.

It's just my opinion, but I believe it makes the diaphrams last a bit longer, too.