RAIN BIRD Irrigation Troubleshooting Guide

Irrigation

Troubleshooting

Guide

RAIN BIRD

RAIN BIRDRAIN BIRD

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUBJECT

Introduction

Section 1 SPRAY HEADS

Common problems, troubleshooting 2

Section 2 IMPACT SPRINKLERS, & MAXI-PAW

Operation, common problems, and troubleshooting 3

Section 3 CLOSED CASE ROTORS

T-Bird Operation, arc adjustment, and troubleshooting

Page

R-50 Operation, arc adjustment, and troubleshooting

R-70 Operation, arc adjustment, and troubleshooting

Section 4 REMOTE CONTROL VALVES

Operation, common problems, and troubleshooting 9

Section 5 CONTROLLERS

General troubleshooting 11 Electromechanical troubleshooting 12 Hybrid/Solid State troubleshooting 14 Microprocessor lockup problems 15

Section 6 VOLT OHM-METER

Operation, electrical terms, how to measure resistance

Section 7 RELAYS

Relay description, and operation 19

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INTRODUCTION

The following pages are a compilation of class information from the Rain Bird ASC seminar “Troubleshooting an Irrigation System.” Its purpose is to serve as a reference manual for troubleshooting problems. We hope that you keep this manual and refer to it when needed. Remember, you don’t have to know the answer, you just need to know where to look for the answer.

We also encourage you to share this information with your coworkers. We at Rain Bird have always believed that education is the way to improve not only ourselves, but also our industry.

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SPRAY HE ADS

Spray heads are relatively simple to troubleshoot. Below are the most common problems found with spray heads.

Misting - This is a result of excessive water pressure. Reducing the pressure may

be done in one of two ways.

1. Using the flow control on the remote control valve, or

2. Installing a pressure regulator before or on the valve Inaccurate pattern - This is usually caused by some type of blockage, either in

the nozzle itself or in the screen. Only water, air, or a soft bristled object should be used to clean the nozzle and water to clean the screen.

Leaking around the stem (also known as “blow by”) - This is usually caused by

debris between the wiper seal and stem. A quick way to solve this problem is to step down lightly on the stem while the sprinkler is in operation. This causes water to flush quickly between the stem and cap, taking the debris with it. If this doesn’t work, the cap is probably damaged and needs to be replaced.

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IMPACT SPRINKLERS

All impact sprinklers work in the same basic fashion. This includes impact style rotors as well as most of the different styles or brands available today. The following is a quick overview of how an impact sprinkler works.

Operation

Water enters the bottom of the sprinkler through the bearing nipple, proceeds up through the body and exits out the nozzle. When the water hits the arm, it is propelled out away from the sprinkler. This action causes the arm to pivot away from the water stream, creating tension on the arm spring. When the spring tension is stronger than the force against it, the arm moves quickly toward the water stream and “impacts” against the body. This “impact” causes the sprinkler to turn in a very consistent manner. This is where the term “impact” was derived from.

All Rain Bird Sprinklers share a common trait. This common trait is very important when troubleshooting impact sprinklers!

All Rain Bird Sprinklers Are Water Lubricated

The worst thing that can be done to an impact style sprinkler is to apply a foreign lubricant. This includes oil, WD-40, silicone, Teflon, pipe dope, etc. These foreign lubricants might make the sprinkler work right away, but it will actually cause the sprinkler to wear out faster. Foreign lubricants attract dust and debris. When lubricants are applied to the bearing washers initially, an oil base forms on the washers. This allows the sprinkler to spin freely for a short time only! Over time, dust is attracted to the washers on the bearing stack. This causes additional friction on the washers and causes them to wear out much faster. If foreign lubricants have been applied, all of the washers and seals will need to be replaced. It is also a good idea to clean the brass at this time by a process called bead blasting.

This ability to rebuild an impact is one of its biggest advantages. Impact sprinklers are totally serviceable in the field. If a foreign lubricant has been used, or if the sprinkler is just worn out from years of use, most parts are available and it is totally serviceable! By simply replacing worn parts (usually washers, seals, and springs) the sprinkler will be in operation for several more years of reliable service.

Troubleshooting

First check for the obvious. Problems such as:

✻ turf obstruction ✻ broken arms, trips, etc. ✻ dirt or debris in case or nozzle ✻ foreign lubricants ✻ excessive water pressure ✻ inadequate water pressure

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Common Problems

The sprinkler is stuck or won’t return - The most common reason for this is water

pressure that is too high or to low. Impact sprinklers can fail under either scenario. To determine what the operating pressure is, a pitot tube and a pressure gauge may be used to get a pressure reading at the head. This is done by placing the end of the pitot tube in the water stream, as close to the nozzle as possible. It is important to not place the end of the pitot tube inside of the nozzle opening. This can scratch the inner wall of the nozzle, as well as giving an inaccurate pressure reading. If the inner wall of the nozzle is scratched, the distribution pattern may be effected. Any of the previously mentioned problems can result in a non-rotating sprinkler.

The sprinkler is leaking - This is normally caused by worn washers and seals.

They should be replaced at this time.

The sprinkler is not throwing as far as it should - This is usually caused by some

type of blockage, either in the nozzle or the inlet screen. Cleaning the nozzle should be done with air, water or a soft bristled object (such as a pipe cleaner). Do not use wire or a screwdriver! This can scratch the nozzle.

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MAXI-PAW™

The Maxi-Paw™ is a plastic impact rotor that operates in the same manner as other impacts. The Maxi-Paw™ does have one unique feature, and that is an arm spring that can be changed based on pressure requirements and nozzle size. It comes with the spring in the “A” position. The “A” position is the farthest notch from the counterweight end of the arm (refer to the figure below). This spring should stay in this position if using the 8, 10 or 12 regular nozzles, or the 10 low angle nozzle. The spring should be moved to the “B” position (refer to the figure below) when using the smaller nozzles. This is especially important when used in low pressure situations. Although this is an added feature, if the spring is in the wrong position the Maxi-Paw™ will not trip properly.

To troubleshoot a Maxi-Paw™ sprinkler, follow the same procedures that would be used with any other impact.

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T- Bird

The T- Bird is Rain Bird’s first gear driven sprinkler. It is designed to operate in the 25-60 PSI range and cover a radius of 16-30’. It has a pressure compensating flow bushing, resulting in matched precipitation and pressure activated wiper seal.

Arc Adjustment

To increase the arc - Keep in mind that the part circle T- Bird comes preset at 180°.

Pull up on the stem, and while holding the textured area, rotate the nozzle until it is turning to the right (clockwise). Slide the vandal collar out of its groove. Push down on the nozzle, and rotate it to the right until the desired arc is obtained. Pull up slightly on the nozzle, making sure to replace the vandal collar when finished.

To decrease the arc - Pull up on the stem, and while holding the textured area,

rotate the nozzle until it just trips at the left stop. Slide the vandal collar out of its groove. Push down on the nozzle, and rotate it to the left (counter-clockwise) until the desired arc is obtained. Pull up slightly on the nozzle, and again be sure to replace the vandal collar. Failure to replace the collar will cause the riser to stay up just a bit. (If it doesn’t seal completely, the famed sprinkler harvester comes along and eats the sprinkler!)

Troubleshooting

Over tightening the nozzle - This usually occurs during the initial installa tion. The

proper way to nozzle the T- Bird is to place the nozzle into the cap assembly and begin to turn it to the right (clockwise). After feeling the threads engage, pull the stem up and grasp the area of the riser assembly (this area is textured to ensure a positive grip when wet). This is the most critical time of the installation process, continue to tighten the nozzle only until it is snug! If the nozzle is over tightened either the clutch will break, or the omega springs or the gears inside the gear assembly will pop off. In this case, the old saying “the tighter, the better” doesn’t apply!

Common Problems

Cap to body leaks - Grit getting caught between the wiper seal and riser. This can

cause water to leak from between the riser and cap ( this is also known as blow by). Steps have been taken to prevent this by making the wiper seal deeper and adding a tall spring support. These additions make the wiper seal stronger, thereby preventing grit from entering this area.

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R-50 TROUBLESHOOTING

Operation

The R-50 is an internal impact sprinkler. This means that there are two small stainless steel balls that act as the drive mechanism.

Arc Adjustment

To increase the arc - Keep in mind that the sprinkler is preset to approximately

180°. Pull up on the stem, slide the vandal collar out of its groove. Push down on the nozzle slightly, and rotate the nozzle to the right (clockwise). The arc will be increased by the amount the nozzle is turned. For example, if the arc was previously set for 180°, and it was turned 90° while the nozzle was pushed down, the sprinkler will now have an arc of 270°. Be sure to replace the vandal collar

when finished.

To decrease the arc - Pull up on the stem, slide the vandal collar out of its groove.

Push down on the nozzle slightly, and rotate the nozzle to the left

(counter-clockwise). The arc will now be decreased by the amount it is turned. Be

sure to replace the vandal collar when finished.

To change the arc to a full circle - Remove the internal assembly from its case.

Slide the vandal collar out of its groove, and rotate the nozzle to the right (clockwise) until a strong resistance is felt. It will feel as though it is locked in place. Return the vandal collar to its groove. Rotate the nozzle to the right (clockwise), there should be no resistance felt in the 360° turn.

Troubleshooting

Stalling/fast rotation - Be sure that the adjustable bypass at the bottom of the

internal assembly is set to match the nozzle that is installed. If the bypass is set too high, the drive assembly will flood and stall. If set too low, there will not be sufficient water and this can also cause the sprinkler to stall.

Cap to body leaks - You might encounter cap to body leaks on some older units.

To resolve this, we have tightened the specs on the wiper seal and also added additional spring support around the wiper seal.

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