Cable Locating, Irrigation

[dereckbc]

OK guys a train driver is doing a DIY project, God help me. :grin:

I have an irrigation system at my home home and a underground valve/solinoid has failed and I do not know where to dig it up. I know it is 12 inches down and the approx area...

How do I find the "X" dig here point? I have a 16 AWG control cable direct buried, but what is a cheap way to locate using a locator? I tried one that my tech has, but it sends me all kind of directions b/c I think there is a common lead invloved. It is too darn hot to dig up a fine looking lawn!

 

[220/221]

First, learn how to use the locator. They can be tricky.

With mine, I put one lead on the wire and one to a screwdriver stuck in the ground. Sometimes I use a different know grounding source.

Turn the sending unit DOWN to start with. If it's too high it blasts the signal everywhere.

You can also use some logic. the wiring will follow the pipe trenching which is generally in a 90 degree grid of some sort. The vacuum breaker is the start of the main line and the valves are obviously on the main.

Put a valve box on it when you find it.

You can also use a probe to follow pipes if the ground is soft enough. The plumbers use one with a tee handle, about 3/8" diameter, pointed at the tip. I bought one but you can probably find something in the garage or The Depot to do the trick.

Follow the pipe and you will be able to find the valve.

 

[TOOL_5150]

This is why I always use some cheap 1/2" drip tubing as a conduit for irrigation wires - especially if going under a walkway or the like.

~Matt