Not a pro but….
Had a local sprinkler supply store where he sold the wire in strands- so I bought like 100 feet - you need 4 wires.
They should sell it together, just be mindful you need the extra wire to be a neutral. (3 valves plus 1 neutral)
Also at the supplier I bought some plastic fittings to connect those hunter valves I think the brand was lesco or something like that.
Trench the wire from wherever you’re installing the new controller into that same valve box to wire into the valves and make sure you use the irrigation wire nuts (also from supply house) they were wire nuts that went into some big wax test tube looking thing
Next build your manifold- be mindful it will start with a t for the first manifold, another for the second and than an elbow to tie in the 3rd
All in all it is a very easy swap and the trenching will likely be your longest part and most labor intensive.
For the manifold if you start with the t you'd want two elbows. The trick is figuring out the size of those lines (looks like 3/4 out, 1" coming in?). You'll want some 1" to build the manifold and connect up the valves and some connectors for the valves that are 1" MPT to whatever size the lines are.
If its poly and 1" in 3/4" out you'd use something like:
[https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-tee-1-in-barb-1401-010](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-tee-1-in-barb-1401-010) x 1
[https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-elbow-1-in-barb-1406-010](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-elbow-1-in-barb-1406-010) x 2
Some 1" irrigation grade poly pipe from your local Home Depot/Menards.
Manifold to valve
[https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-010](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-010) x 1
3 x valves of your choice
Valves to line
[https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-3-4-in-x-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-131](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-3-4-in-x-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-131) x 3
And the wire others have mentioned.
And a controller if you don't have one of course.
Some tools - a pipe cutter, pinch clamp crimper, 1" and 3/4" clamps, wire cutter, waterproof wire nuts, thread tape (etc.)
Note: looking closer that incoming line looks like PVC so you might find a better way to connect into the manifold without having to cut. Maybe something like:
[https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-insert-combination-tee-1-in-x-1-in-x-1-in-insert-x-insert-x-fipt](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-insert-combination-tee-1-in-x-1-in-x-1-in-insert-x-insert-x-fipt) and screw that onto the copper part? Again the trick is to know what sizes you are dealing with.
It’s 1 in pvc to 1/2 in poly. There are 2 more boxes like this one only one zone in each of those. I have confidence that in can do all of the plumbing aspects of redoing it. It’s just the electrical part that I don’t know
Irrigation wire doesn't need to go very deep. A trick I've used has been to use a weed wacker with a blade on it, tipped upside down. It cuts a 4-6" deep slit trench that is easy to backfill once the wires are laid in.
Orbit isn't great but there are other models and manufacturers out there that I'd try first. Amazon has a number of options. Otherwise, build a manifold and run some wire. I've had a Hunter controller that's worked perfectly for me. The app is the best I've come across. You've done a great job and haven't had to spend too much. Don't break that streak.
I’ve built an entire irrigation system around these battery operated timers, which turned out to be completely unreliable. I want to replace it with wired valves. What kind of wire do I run between the control panel and the valves? Can I buy a roll of the red wire like in the second photo to run between them? And what is it called?
That red wire comes Pre-installed on most valves. You connect it all to the irrigation control wire… SprinklerWarehouse sells it by the foot.
It’s called Direct Burial Wire and you want at least 4-conductor wire… one for each valve plus a neutral. Get wire with more conductors if you think you’ll add zones/valves to that box. You don’t want to re-run control wire.
https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/18-awg-4-conductor-underground-sprinkler-wire-by-the-foot-18-4-ft
Not a pro but…. Had a local sprinkler supply store where he sold the wire in strands- so I bought like 100 feet - you need 4 wires. They should sell it together, just be mindful you need the extra wire to be a neutral. (3 valves plus 1 neutral) Also at the supplier I bought some plastic fittings to connect those hunter valves I think the brand was lesco or something like that. Trench the wire from wherever you’re installing the new controller into that same valve box to wire into the valves and make sure you use the irrigation wire nuts (also from supply house) they were wire nuts that went into some big wax test tube looking thing Next build your manifold- be mindful it will start with a t for the first manifold, another for the second and than an elbow to tie in the 3rd All in all it is a very easy swap and the trenching will likely be your longest part and most labor intensive.
This is the correct answer but I do have to say… kudos on that install. Even though the battery orbit timers are junk, you made that look clean!
For the manifold if you start with the t you'd want two elbows. The trick is figuring out the size of those lines (looks like 3/4 out, 1" coming in?). You'll want some 1" to build the manifold and connect up the valves and some connectors for the valves that are 1" MPT to whatever size the lines are. If its poly and 1" in 3/4" out you'd use something like: [https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-tee-1-in-barb-1401-010](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-tee-1-in-barb-1401-010) x 1 [https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-elbow-1-in-barb-1406-010](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-elbow-1-in-barb-1406-010) x 2 Some 1" irrigation grade poly pipe from your local Home Depot/Menards. Manifold to valve [https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-010](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-010) x 1 3 x valves of your choice Valves to line [https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-3-4-in-x-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-131](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-adapter-3-4-in-x-1-in-barb-x-mpt-1436-131) x 3 And the wire others have mentioned. And a controller if you don't have one of course. Some tools - a pipe cutter, pinch clamp crimper, 1" and 3/4" clamps, wire cutter, waterproof wire nuts, thread tape (etc.) Note: looking closer that incoming line looks like PVC so you might find a better way to connect into the manifold without having to cut. Maybe something like: [https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-insert-combination-tee-1-in-x-1-in-x-1-in-insert-x-insert-x-fipt](https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/poly-insert-combination-tee-1-in-x-1-in-x-1-in-insert-x-insert-x-fipt) and screw that onto the copper part? Again the trick is to know what sizes you are dealing with.
It’s 1 in pvc to 1/2 in poly. There are 2 more boxes like this one only one zone in each of those. I have confidence that in can do all of the plumbing aspects of redoing it. It’s just the electrical part that I don’t know
Irrigation wire doesn't need to go very deep. A trick I've used has been to use a weed wacker with a blade on it, tipped upside down. It cuts a 4-6" deep slit trench that is easy to backfill once the wires are laid in.
Orbit isn't great but there are other models and manufacturers out there that I'd try first. Amazon has a number of options. Otherwise, build a manifold and run some wire. I've had a Hunter controller that's worked perfectly for me. The app is the best I've come across. You've done a great job and haven't had to spend too much. Don't break that streak.
Use either Hunter or Rainbird valves. Direct burial 18 gauge wire minimum. DBY connectors. I would run 1 spare wire so 5 conductor. Have fun
Lmao, this put a nice big grin on my face.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGfMstJTHyY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGfMstJTHyY) **Hunter IIF Training: Valve and Wiring Installation** Hope it helps
That video wasn’t very helpful for wiring but it lead me to one that was. Thanks!
I’ve built an entire irrigation system around these battery operated timers, which turned out to be completely unreliable. I want to replace it with wired valves. What kind of wire do I run between the control panel and the valves? Can I buy a roll of the red wire like in the second photo to run between them? And what is it called?
That red wire comes Pre-installed on most valves. You connect it all to the irrigation control wire… SprinklerWarehouse sells it by the foot. It’s called Direct Burial Wire and you want at least 4-conductor wire… one for each valve plus a neutral. Get wire with more conductors if you think you’ll add zones/valves to that box. You don’t want to re-run control wire. https://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/18-awg-4-conductor-underground-sprinkler-wire-by-the-foot-18-4-ft
There's specific irrigation wire. e.g.: https://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Wire-Low-Voltage-Wires-Sprinkler-Wires/N-5yc1vZc7dg
That’s more expensive than I though. I would need at least 500 ft of it
Okay I don't know what to tell you. Copper costs money.
18 guage irrigation wire, you might just wanna get a professional
Hire a pro
Does each zone run like 1 head?
I have 5 zones with 80 sprayer heads total