Sprinkler Valve

pbpenguin5 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:01 pm

Hey, I grabbed a generic type sprinkle valve at Home depot for 11 bucks without realizing it needed to be a watermaster or rainbird. However, it didn't have a guide rod and i didn't know any of this at the time. i already drilled the hole and did everything but it doesn't work. Is there another reason why it doesn't work? Should i just go back out and get that watermaster?

bluerussetboy · Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:08 pm

could you post an image of it or provide more detail? they don't always have to be watermasters or rainbirds. those are just really common.

Check out my YouTube SpudGun Channel! · Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:21 pm

Can give us more details about your cannon you are using it on?

Pressure:
Chamber Length and Diameter:
Pilot Valve:
Pilot Volume*:
Pressure Source (e.g Bike pump, compressor, etc):

* Is your pilot valve threaded directly into the valve or do you have it connected by a hose or other fittings?

bigbob12345 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 3:27 pm

Can you explain doesnt work is it leaking out of the barrel or what.

Edit 300 posts two red stars yaaaa
:wav:

BigGrib · Mon Jan 28, 2008 4:09 pm

duh geeez guys it just doesn't work, i dont know what i did but it doesn't have a guide rod, it just doesn't work.

Look goofy you dont have to have one or the other. there are other sprinkler valves that work. But we can't tell you sh!t if we don't know any info about the valve.

pbpenguin5 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:42 pm

Ok don't kill me, it's actually a watermaster without a guide rod BUT! it still has problems, it equalizes before i can hardly pump it. It does have a minor leak where i drilled the hole for the barb but i really don't believe that's the main problem, I think it's somewhat defective.

pbpenguin5 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:43 pm

MrCrowley wrote:Can give us more details about your cannon you are using it on?

Pressure:
Chamber Length and Diameter:
Pilot Valve:
Pilot Volume*:
Pressure Source (e.g Bike pump, compressor, etc):

* Is your pilot valve threaded directly into the valve or do you have it connected by a hose or other fittings?

pilot valve and bike pump, connected with hose on 1/4 barbs

bigbob12345 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:44 pm

Try cleaning it and lubing it and what do mean by it equilizes before I can hardly pump it.Please dont double post you see the edit button click on it and your dreams will come true

mega_swordman · Mon Jan 28, 2008 9:50 pm

I think what he means is that when he pumps it the diaphragm isn't sealing so the air just goes through. I would try using some white lithium grease around where the diaphragm seals.

dewey-1 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:15 pm

pbpenguin5 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 10:33 pm

mega_swordman wrote:I think what he means is that when he pumps it the diaphragm isn't sealing so the air just goes through. I would try using some white lithium grease around where the diaphragm seals.

I know this is going to sound stupid, but where does the diaphragm seal....sorry i really have no experience with these things.

and dewey I'm going to fix that hole before I do anything else thanks.

dewey-1 · Mon Jan 28, 2008 11:20 pm

pbpenguin5 · Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:15 pm

dewey-1 wrote:What happens as you fill up the chamber with air, some of this air flows through a small hole in the diaphragm (equalization hole) and proceeds to fill up the the space between your trigger via your barbed fitting.

Once this area has filled up, this pressure then starts to force the diaphragm down to seal against the valve seat which seals the valve to allow the chamber to completely fill up.

If you have any leaks any where above the diaphragm to your trigger, the valve will never seat and you won't be able to fill the chamber.

It is like your trying to fire the valve and fill with air at the same time.

Hope that helps.

It does thanks, hopefully I won't have anymore problems with it

BrianMigs · Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:26 pm

If I have a valve that has flow control, would loosening it up all the way let the diaphragm open bigger than if I had the flow control screwed down tight?

If it works for water, why not air?

DVLCHLD · Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:09 am

The hole the flow control screw is in needs to be sealed up with epoxy. There should be another small hole inside the large exit port of the sprinkler valve and it needs to be sealed up too. Sprinkler valves work fine with or without a guide rod. I have an Orbits WaterMaster sprinkler valve and it worked fine with the guide rod and it still works fine now that I have removed the guide rod.