Question
Hi, we have a richdel 500pri. When we turn the system on the display shows that it is on, however no sprinklers are activated and no water comes out. If we go to valve box and manually turn the valves they work.  Thanks in advance.

Answer
Hey Dawn, so the problem could be a number of things, but I would suggest starting with the controller. To see if it is working, you need to turn on a station (lets say #1) and with a volt/ohm meter, touch the positive lead to the #1 terminal in back of the controller, and the negative lead to the C (common) terminal. It should give you a reading between 22 to 26 volts, if you are not getting a reading, then the controller is not working and needs to be replaced. If the controller is working, then you need to take the volt/ohm meter out to the valve #1, and disconnect the field wires (the wires from the controller to the valves), from the valve #1 solenoid, turn valve #1 on from the controller, and again check your voltage. If you are not getting the proper voltage (22 to 26 volts), then you have a problem in the field wires, and you either need to repair the wires, or replace the wires. If you are getting the proper voltage at the valve, then hook the field wires back up to the #1 valve solenoid, unscrew the solenoid from the valve, turn on valve #1 from the controller, and see if the plunger inside the solenoid is pulled up inside the solenoid cylinder. If the plunger is not pulled up inside, then the solenoid is bad, and needs to be replaced. If the controller works, and the solenoid works, and the valve still does not work, then you need to replace the diaphragm inside the valve. Go to www.irrigationtutorials.com, and this website will show you how to replace the diaphragm. Good luck and have a great day.