How do i fix a sprinkler time if it is sending low voltage to the zones?

Question

Some of my valves are misfiring. I checked the voltage at the timer. The voltage coming in is correct, 24 V. The voltage out (to each zone) is low, around 2.5 V for each zone, even the ones that work.

I am assuming that some zones have just too low of a voltage to open up, even though the other can somehow make it.

Is there something internally I can do? Or do I have to replace the whole timer?

Answer 1

Check the voltage with nothing attached to the output.  sounds liek you have a grounded output circuit that can pull the voltage down.  Check the current (mA) inline on each station out put.  You could have a bad solenoid that is causing the "missfiring".  When you find the zones that are the problem then go to the solenoids and replace or find the wiring and replace.  You could also have a timer that needs replacing.  These are as little as $20 at Lowes, but by disconnecting the circuits you can eliminate variables of wire and components.