I have 6 zones on my lawn sprinkler system. The three solenoids clustered along the side of the house actuate and work fine. The three in the front do not. I put a volt meter on the three in the front and at first got no voltage at the solenoid when there was voltage at the box. So then I ran an above-ground wire from the ground in the back solenoids to the front and got a strong 29 volts across the front solenoid. Then I disconnected the three below- ground connections out front and recorded 8 volts across a front solenoid from the incoming below ground leads! Not enough to actuate it, but I am befuddled by the low, partial voltage reading. Does the 8 volts indicate a faulty wiring scheme or that there is a weakness in the insulation somewhere between the two clusters?
I hate to dig a trench between the two clusters to install new wire if it's not necessary. If I must do so, should I buy new 7 conductor wire rather than try to run a single new ground lead?
I hate to dig a trench between the two clusters to install new wire if it's not necessary. If I must do so, should I buy new 7 conductor wire rather than try to run a single new ground lead?