SpudFiles

Ok, so i have been trying to get my gun to fire with 2 orbit watermasters using the electrical operation.

Problem is, that past about 70 psi they wont operate electrically.

I used 3 9volts to power the two of them.

Do they need more than the amount of voltage im giving them or am i doing something wrong?

Are you using them in a series or parallel? If they are in a series you will probably need twice the voltage.

I would just mod them, it will make your life easier.

i want it electrically powered, and i am using both valves, attached to one power source to fire at the same time. so they are wired together as one.

I want it electrical for safety purposes and for the coolness of having a missle arming switch as a safety lol.

Trooper, i think you mean " If they are in parallel you will probably need twice the voltage."

And backdraft, we know what you want. You didn't answer trooper's question, so we really can't help you so far.

I don't know what to tell you then. I would try adding a bit more voltage or current. (adding some batteries)

And is 70psi really that low?

you will probably need 6 nine-volt batteries, 3 seems to be the norm for one sprinkler valve, so I guess you should use 6 for two valves.

Kash munni wrote:Trooper, i think you mean " If they are in parallel you will probably need twice the voltage."

Hmm, I learned parrallel needs more current and series needs more voltage.

Parallel doubles current and series doubles voltage, asumming the batteries are exactly the same.

Alrighty, so what you need to go ahead and do is check what voltage the valve is rated for in the specifications, and see if you're short of that in batteries. Be sure to also make sure you haven't accerdentally drained your batteries- they aren't meant to source large amounts of current for an extended period of time.

It also helps to know how you connected the two valves...in series, or parallel?

trooperrick wrote:Hmm, I learned parrallel needs more current and series needs more voltage.

Oh goodness... Make sure you are using the 3 - 9 v batteries in series in order to get 27 v. Most sprinkler solenoids work on 24 vdc. If you are trying to drive 2 solenoids make sure they are in parallel with each other. 3 batteries in series connected to 2 solenoids in parallel.

Measure the voltage across the 3 batteries with a voltmeter to make sure you are getting 27 v. Also make sure all your batteries are fresh and putting out a full 9 v each.

With only one sprinkler connected, can you get it to actuate when under pressure?

starman wrote:

trooperrick wrote:Hmm, I learned parrallel needs more current and series needs more voltage.

Oh goodness... Make sure you are using the 3 - 9 v batteries in series in order to get 27 v. Most sprinkler solenoids work on 24 vdc. If you are trying to drive 2 solenoids make sure they are in parallel with each other. 3 batteries in series connected to 2 solenoids in parallel.

Measure the voltage across the 3 batteries with a voltmeter to make sure you are getting 27 v. Also make sure all your batteries are fresh and putting out a full 9 v each.

With only one sprinkler connected, can you get it to actuate when under pressure?

YES!!! thats what I have been trying to say. Thank you

Starman explained it perfectly.

What does the box say the power requirement is, in particular what is the current (or wattage) rating, for the valve? A fresh 9V battery will only source about 1 amp (three 9V in series will also only source 1 amp). If the valves each require more than a half amp or so (at 24V) then it will either not work or work very slowly with the 9V batteries.

Starman covered the wiring well.
Solenoids for Orbit Watermasters are 24vdc and require 0.4A to open, and 0.2A to hold. (9.6w and 4.8w respectively.)

3 9v wired different worked, i wired them anode to cathode in a series and it works now.

Thanks problem solved.

Backdraft wrote:3 9v wired different worked, i wired them anode to cathode in a series and it works now.

Thanks problem solved.

That's bully Backdraft! A practical electrical lesson for you there.

whats sad about me messing this up to begin with is that im very good with electronics lol... i built a 3 foot emergency lightbar for my car with 288 individual leds.