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Buzz Bee vs Chatterbox

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hammmerhead

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have lost most of the water pressure on a station with my sprinkler system. Each sprinkler just barely spits water out. I cant seem to find a leak anywhere on this run, but its hard to tell because it is a very steep grade and the water runs down hill. Valve boxes are scattered throughout the yard and many hidden very well under overgrown shrubs etc. Long story short I cant find the valve to check to see if there is a leak or the valve is not fully opening.

I noticed the BuzzBee's are just 25 dollars, but I am wondering if they do the same thing as well as a Chatterbox brand locator and or a Armada brand valve locator.

A wire locator is too expensive for me being just a home owner.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
bcg said:
I bet you get a buzz bee, still can't find the valve and have to call a pro anyway (or rent or buy a locator). Those things don't work worth a damn.
Click to expand...
Maybe Im not following you. Are you saying the device doesnt work or you cant hear the solenoid making noise? I am wondering if the Buzz-Bee does the exact same thing as an Armada chatter box? Maybe the signal sent is different between the two. I know with the valves less than half open make a very loud clicking sound.
 
#11 ·
hammmerhead said:
Maybe Im not following you. Are you saying the device doesnt work or you cant hear the solenoid making noise? I am wondering if the Buzz-Bee does the exact same thing as an Armada chatter box? Maybe the signal sent is different between the two. I know with the valves less than half open make a very loud clicking sound.
Click to expand...
here are your ifs

buried too deep

water on

full of dirt

broken wire

fried solenoid

weak solenoid

hard of hearing, any of these are potential issues you have with chattering devices.

there is no signal sent with the chattering devices, they are limiters and basically interrupt the current to the solenoid, something similar to a dimmer switch.
 
#12 ·
Even on a brand new solenoid sitting on a counter in front of you they are very difficult to hear, much less in the ground with grass, dirt or a bush on top of them. Some solenoids click very softly as well. The brand of the device isn't important, they're all equally useless 95% of the time.
 
#18 ·
1idejim said:
here are your ifs

buried too deep

water on

full of dirt

broken wire

fried solenoid

weak solenoid

hard of hearing, any of these are potential issues you have with chattering devices.
Click to expand...
as well as neighbours dog barking, cars constantly driving along the street, birds chirping etc...
I bought a chatterbox years ago when I had to find a couple of valves. All of the above were reasons I couldn't find it and the chatterbox sat in my truck ever since. I am very happy I have my locator now.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Well, I guess thats plenty of reasons not to buy one.

I actually fixed the issue last night. The fence guys cut through two runs and repaired them. They then poured 12-16 inches of concrete on top of the repaired lines that ran right next to a corner post for a 6 foot metal fence. Long story short, the repairs leaked. Bet I spent 25 bucks on fittings alone rerouting the lines around the massive chunk of concrete. Out of 16 stations, I am only missing two valves, so I guess I will keep hunting. Thanks for the input guys.
 
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