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Srlance31

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm new still to the wonderful world of irrigation and troubleshooting hack jobs. With tracing wire from a controller I've come across wiring that seems to split in 2 different directions. I'm assuming that the wires are closely laid together and that the tone is transferring to the other wires nearby and I'm just picking up multiple wires. Is there a way to prevent this? And is it a good indication of bad wiring? (I seem to find this issue most often on wiring that is corroded very badly).

Also, here's a circus.... 7 black wires used for valves (why 7? there's only 4 valves), 3- 12gauge white commons, multistrand wire for nearby 3 valves 2 feet away, and 3 wire nuts per grease cap (no grease left because it's so loaded with wire nuts). :clapping:

Image
 
#2 ·
Dial down the signal intensity as much as you can while still being able to track it.

You don't need wires to be close to have a strong signal bridge from one to another. I've even had signals bridging to a copper water line several feet below the transmitting wire.
 
#5 ·
Srlance31 said:
Makes sense...

What about using a handheld toner? (Armada Pro48K) ? I've had that throwing loud tone on every wire coming to a valve a few times now, even with a filtered setting...
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Hold the toner I one hand, away from the wires and touch the wires with your free hand. Your body acts as a filter and you'll hear tone on fewer wires. Turn the volume down to find the target wire.
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Haha Boots. No, I don't recommend tracing underground wire with a handheld either.

Good idea with holding it in your hand. I believe I saw a guy in a youtube video showing something similar. He touched the wire with one hand and pointed the end of the toner towards his head. I'll have to try it out sometime. Thanks!
 
#7 ·
Srlance31 said:
Haha Boots. No, I don't recommend tracing underground wire with a handheld either.

Good idea with holding it in your hand. I believe I saw a guy in a youtube video showing something similar. He touched the wire with one hand and pointed the end of the toner towards his head. I'll have to try it out sometime. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Learned from a telephone troubleman about 15-20 years ago
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#8 ·
I used my pro800 this morning to trace my wire path by induction (broadcast mode), then close the loop and pinpoint the solenoids precisely.

In broadcast the Solenoid is highlighted with a similar but opposite signature. More of a halo with a null on the middle, rather than a peak.

1 valve was covered by a 5 gallon bucket and the other 2 were direct buried.





Sorry the pics aren't better. I'm still not moving very fast, nor will I for the rest of the year.

BTW, the clock was locked in a cabinet and handed to me to work on.
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As slow as I'm moving it still only took 45 minutes handshake to handshake.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Timer doesn't look in too bad of condition. The upside down bucket is a new one, if it had a lid it would be a good idea!!

How many valves did you have to locate?

I have the Greenlee 501a for a locator (I work in the maintenance department so it gets used for a lot of different things, from pool plumbing lines, iron water pipes, and duct work inside apartments). The only difference between the Pro800 and the Greenlee 501 is that it doesn't have the sound change for valve locating, but I've found plenty of valves and wires with it already so not a big deal to me, and the null sound option. I like the broadcast option but it finds everything imaginable, and I'm still learning how to fine tune my technique and move faster.
 
#12 ·
Srlance31 said:
Timer doesn't look in too bad of condition.
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It's new this year and kept locked up, so it should look good.


The church replaced their old controller and THEY are upgrading the system to come inline with city and state restrictions.

The upside down bucket is a new one, if it had a lid it would be a good idea!!
Click to expand...
See these on occasion, along with wooden boxes, wine barrels, plywood, plates and once I found manifold buried under a car door. Seems valve boxes can be too expensive for some people, or too expensive at the time they installed the system.

How many valves did you have to locate?
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3
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#14 ·
Stillwater said:
Hey jim, good to see you back on the job, did the lady like my pond install..
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I didn't even carry my 800 yesterday, just ran some tests, set it up and tracked the valves. I hate not being able to actually work.

We both liked the pond and think you should be building more of them.
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1idejim
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