This is a Rain Bird 100DVF sprinkler valve. On this valve like most sprinkler valves, there are usually two ways to open the valve manually.
This is useful if you are checking out a sprinkler system because you can open a sprinkler circuit without using the sprinkler timer, especially if the timer happens to be in the basement, in the garage, or another room in the house. This way you don’t have to run back and forth between the timer/controller and the zone you are watering. If you have multiple valves in a manifold you can open them all in a single location.
The first way to open this valve is to open the manual bleed screw. If you look at image in this post you will notice that the manual bleed screw is located towards the back of the valve near the flow control. To open the valve manually twist the manual bleed screw counter clockwise until the valve opens. It usually doesn’t need to be more than one-half turn. To close the valve turn the manual bleed screw clockwise until the valve closes.
The second way to open the valve is to grasp the solenoid and turn it approximately one-quarter turn counter clockwise until the valve opens. To close the valve turn the solenoid clockwise until the valve closes. This is the method I prefer, because most times when you open the manual bleed screw it sprays water into the valve box and if the valve is left on for any period of time it can start filling the valve box with water. Usually opening the valve by twisting the solenoid doesn’t leak water into the valve box.
Also, I have a YouTube video “Manually open a sprinkler valve” that goes through the steps of opening a Hunter PGV sprinkler valve manually. Visit my channel on YouTube iScaper1 for more videos on sprinklers and landscaping.
If the control valve is opened manually is there any way water will not flow thru the valve 100%. I have pressure at first then loose it. So far I cannot find any leaks at the pop up connections. System about 20yr old but has worked fine
Thank you
Yes, I’ve run into a few valves that won’t fully open. I would first double check that the main valve for your sprinkler system is fully open. Also manually open another sprinkler valve on your system to be sure it works properly. If it does buy an identical valve to your problem valve. Shut off your water supply then remove the top half of the old valve. Remove top half of new valve and install on the bottom half of the old valve.
I turned the manuel bleed screw and no sprinklers came on. Am i doing something wrong?
Probably not, instead of the bleed screw try turning the solenoid a 1/4 turn counter clockwise and see if that works.
I replaced a Rainbird solenoid and without any electrical current the valve came on and sprinklers came on. I have read that I may have air in the line and that I need to use the manual bleed screw and open and close it a number of times to get the “air bubble” out for the valve to close properly.
Am I correct in my assessment of the problem?
I’ve never had an issue with air affecting the valve closure. More likely you don’t have the solenoid in the off position. When you thread the new solenoid in it must be tightened until it is snug for the valve to turn off. Try opening and closing the valve a few times with the solenoid to find the correct on-off position.