Figuring out old sprinkler system

We just moved into a 20 year old home with an existing sprinkler system that does not work properly. It has an Orbit timer controller with four zones. There are four zones around the house. Three zones for above ground sprinklers and a fourth zone for drip or shrub watering. However there are six zone valves wired into the system. I think it was originally a two zone system and then two more zones were added. Just a guess.

The first photo is zones 1 & 3. You can see a Hunter PGV valve "A" in the center with 2 red wires. Then there is a Rainbird valve on either side. My guess is the water needs to go through the Hunter valve to send it to either of the Rainbird valves. So, I assume to operate zone 1 on the left I have to open both the Hunter valve "A" and the left Rainbird valve for that zone to get water. Similarly, if the right Rainbird valve is zone 3 then again I have to power both the Hunter "A" and the right Rainbird valve to get water to zone 3.

The next photo is the second set of zone valves. Looks just like the first photo. There is a Hunter PGV "B" in the center and a Rainbird valve on either side. The left Rainbird is for zone 4 and the other is for zone 2. So, again I am guessing I need to power both the Hunter "B" and the left Rainbird valve for zone 4 and the Hunter and the right Rainbird for zone 2.

So, how do I wire it? Can I wire the Hunter valve and the appropriate zone together? If I do then the Hunter valves are wired to two different zones. Meaning zone 1 gets Hunter "A" and Rainbird 1. Zone 2 gets Hunter "B" and Rainbird 2. Then zone 3 gets Hunter "A" and Rainbird 3. Zone 4 gets Hunter "B" and Rainbird 4. Will this work since the Hunter valves are each wired to two different zones?

Or is there a way to just have both of the Hunter valves always open?

What is the correct way to do this?

 

I'm just shooting from the hip here as I've never seen one valve feeding two. The problem is you can't tie the center valve to the left valve and the right valve. That would mean all three valves would work together. So if you tied it to the left valve..... how would the right one activate it ?

I'd think you have three and three zone valves for six zones of watering.
Going to have to study the wiring further.

 

My thought was there were originally only two zones, The two Hunter zones. Then they split each one into two. Why they didn’t just add one more zone in each location I don’t know. The Orbit timer controller is only for 4 zones. I don’t know how you would get six to work. Also, small yard, not 6 zones there.

Anyway, I realize my idea of each original zone being turned into two by adding two new zone valves does sound stupid. So what is going on? Any ideas? I will shoot pictures of the wiring to the zone valves and how it connects to the Orbit and put them here tomorrow.

Thanks

 

Maybe the controller has a master valve output that is energized/deenergized when any of the 4 zone valves is energized/deenergized. What is the Orbit controller model?

 

It doesn't make sense that you would have valves feeding other valves, I suggest you do a little more digging around the valves so you can find the water lines otherwise your just guessing what is feeding what!

 

You are saying I should dig up the lines?

 

If the valves A & B are in fact feeding the other valves, and if your controller provides a connection for a Master Valve, you could wire them both as masters to open whenever any other zone is activated.

You could also open valves A & B manually (by partially unscrewing the solenoids) and leave them in the open position.

 

Thanks 2john that makes sense. I will see if I can do that.

 

Solved. I was able to get 4 zones working. Hunter (A) is zone 4, Rainbird zone 1, & Rainbird zone 3. Then the second photo is zone 2. There is possibly one or two more zones on the second set but my controller only handles 4 total zones. So I will either need to replace the Orbit controller for one with more zones or possibly combine all the zones on the Hunter (B) valve.

Thanks for the help.

 

The number of heads on each zone may limit how many zones you can combine. If your combination exceeds the capacity of the piping, the flow and coverage from the heads will be reduced.

 

 

Only if you can shut them off from some other point (manual valves).

Kinda defeats the purpose of an "automatic" sprinkler system and could be a PITA to remember. Also if more than one manual valve is left open that will affect the operation of other zones.

Some modern controllers can be programmed to skip zones on a scheduled basis.

 

 

Sounds like that would work as long as there is no master valve. A master valve opens when any zone is activated by the controller so it would not be open when you want to water manually.