ArmadaTech is devoted to presenting useful information on fixing electrical problems with test devices in several industries. How-To videos are our favorites but we also have classes on testing subjects in classroom style depth.
If you know where the end point is, you can take a wire and connect it to the far end and hook it up to one of your leads. Then hook up your other lead to the front of the pipe. Otherwise if you don't know the end point, you can set up low frequency and bump up the power as high as you can and hope you catch a signal (since copper pipes are not insulated tracking can be difficult in this scenario).
Hi Ricardo: Where are you reading zero ohms, on the station and common wire at the controller? At the valve box?Were the wires disconnected from the controller? Do you have a wire & valve locator available? - Jim C. at Armada.
@@jlcarefoot Hello Jim, i found a little hole where i can see the connectors, I have 44 Ohms going back to the controller it seems, and an open loop going another way, so there is either a bad master valve solenoid or cut cable, none of the zones turn on. I could make a video if that helps. I can't find the master valve or any big valve box, just found one little round hole with some cables . I dont have a locator, I see that they are over $600, a local company here is asking for $450 to diagnose the problem. Thanks
I tested a solenoid while it still had the wires from the common attach to them and the device ( armada Pro48) and read "good" green light but the controller keeps giving me a message: " master valve/ pump wire short or high current" what could possible be ?
If you got a Green light the solenoid you connected to should activate. Did it click or did water come out? If the controller still thinks the circuit is shorted it may be connected to a different wire than the one you tested. You can check the wiring for a short by placing an ohmmeter/multimeter across the common and control wire in question at the controller. It could be that the master valve is connected to a different Common and the short is not on the circuit you tested.
@@Joe-qz1hr You can use any of our locators to find a line underground. Our newest Pro881 is what we recommend for those looking for a locator that is easy to use yet does everything you might need.
Hi Son: Marine wire is usually high quality stranded, tinned copper with PVC insulation. It isn't rated as "direct bury" because in the marine application that has no meaning. You will need to observe the voltage drop distance limitation of 16 AWG just like you would for a solid copper irrigation wire, but I'd say it is suitable. It often comes as a jacketed pair of wires so be careful if you want to use it as single wires.
Wouldn't someone who took the time to buy this device also be aware that this option for AC power was there? I mean it comes with an adapter and says 12v on it.
Thanks for your comment. Sometimes some functions like this one in the Pro900 get swept under the rug/forgotten about. We always like to remind our contractors of functions in our products that make their life easier!
Take a look at the Pro300. Same concept, half the price. Or you can chatter working valves with a Pro48, which acts as a locator. Lastly, a reputable contractor will likely have an Armada locator.
This equipment would not be worth a homeowner purchasing, you may need to find a handful of boxes in your lifetime. A contractor can locate all of those for a fraction of the price of the equipment
Nope, just plug her in and go. I would use the plug as much as possible because you not only save batteries but you get max power 100% of the time. Enjoy!
@ArmadaTech Thank you! I'm sorry I have one more question. Would I be able to use the inductive clamp to locate wifi cables? When I'm usually at a job I always hand pick along the wifi cable so I know where it is, and that takes time. Can I just clamp over and trace it?
The clamp will work on cables that ground on both ends and by placing the clamp between those 2 grounds. If by WIFI you mean the coax run to the house from the street, then yes, it will work great.@@Dirtyharold2cool
@ArmadaTech I'm sorry. Yes, that's what I was referring to. Thank you for answering my questions just finished my first test run and this thing tracks like butter! It's great
It doesn't work for the 2-wire path. Shuts off! Mentioned this to Jim at Armada last year. I use other resources with more power on the two wire when needed.
Hi PressureWash: The Pro50 will keep you in business up to a point. If the fault is a very low resistance the Pro50 batteries will struggle to provide the current needed and shut off. You can check the scale of the fault by putting the '50 in meter mode to read resistance Red/Blue or Red/Black, or use a regular multimeter. I have used an AC-powered transformer unit with internal fusing when power is available - even this will give up in the face of a dead short, like controllers do. Let me know if you want the vendor model number for a transformer.
If you place the wand at an angle over the wire and pull it back you can get a depth on how deep the wire is. You found the wire, but where is the valve and showing the tone on a lost solenoid.
This is a huge breakthrough- because a lot of commercial irrigation valves get covered up and now that a lot of places are installing 2 wire you can’t use the old locators to find them like you could on conventional.
Copper would work, in order to track a metal pipe you would need something like our Pro65 or some fish tape to put into the pipe and ground it on both ends. You could then hook your locator up to that and track from there.
I bought one of these pro 900 as well as a pro65 "sonde" device. Short story - I want my money back, I do not recommend regardless of the coming reply from armada that you will likely find below offering assistance and possibly a number to call. responding here is just saving face, armada still hasnt helped me. I have emailed them weeks ago, there is no response, and even if put the effort in and get someone, im still stuck and I want my money back so I can go buy something better. I have 2k in them. Unlike a lot of tools that you can easily test and know right away if its good or not- such as a wrench or hammer- something electronic with a learning curve isn't so easy and by the time you learn to use it and realize it doesnt do the job you are past your return time. The guys in this video are very nice, im not faulting them, but this device does not do the job very well - and the pro65 sonde device is much worse. IF the pro 65 is laying on the ground you dont get a signal with the pro900 until its within about 3 inches, its certainly not going to work in a pipe in the ground.
Thanks for your feedback. As the guy in the video, I can say that you are correct, there is a learning curve. That's why we offer live, real first person support via phone to help folks through the purchasing process to match the locator with the client (or send them to someone who makes what they need if we don't) and afterwards, the learning process. Our offer still stands to call us, 8am to 4:30pm EST, or on off hours, we'll call you if we set up a time. We don't succeed in life and in business by saving face. I am the owner of Armada and understand/share your distrust of businesses in 2024. Corporations don't want the time and expense of supporting after the sale. That's not us. We are here when it is convenient for you to contact us at 616-803-1080. A live person will answer.
I watched this and every other video prior to purchasing. The guy in this video is very knowledgable and I like how he explains everything- one of the reasons I made the jump. so now I own the pro900 and also the pro65 "sonde" if they want to call it that. Total investment almost 2k. All of this is great in theory, but when you get out there you will discover if you are near any electric supply- it won't work. IF you are near overhead lines- it won't work. IF you dont have a pretty large size cable to trace- it won't work. Ive had it work good on about 3 jobs so far, many more jobs it gives inconsistent readings, or simply won't track at all. Dont expect it to work in passive mode either, only lines ive found that way were very large 3 phases wires. For 2k, sadly it's just not enough for most normal construction needs. If you are only locating irrigation wires super shallow and out in parking lots with nothing around- it'll work great- only time ive been happy with it. so im learning the hard way why it is that the commercial guys carry $15k units.
Thanks for your comments. I am sorry the Pro900 has not met your expectations. If you would like, our tech support line might be able to help diagnose the issue. Obviously we cannot create and maintain a business by building garbage. The products you have purchased are our most popular. So lets talk about how we might be able to help you out with this if we can. Our number is 616-803-1080.
I own the pro900 and also the pro65 "sonde" if they want to call it that. Total investment almost 2k. All of this is great in theory, but when you get out there you will discover if you are near any electric supply- it won't work. IF you are near overhead lines- it won't work. IF you dont have a pretty large size cable to trace- it won't work. Ive had it work good on about 3 jobs so far, many more jobs it gives inconsistent readings, or simply won't track at all. Dont expect it to work in passive mode either, only lines ive found that way were very large 3 phases wires. For 2k, sadly it's just not enough for most normal construction needs. If you are only locating irrigation wires super shallow and out in parking lots with nothing around- it'll work great- only time ive been happy with it.
Thanks for your comments. I am sorry the Pro900 has not met your expectations. If you would like, our tech support line might be able to help diagnose the issue. Obviously we cannot create and maintain a business by building garbage. The products you have purchased are our most popular. So lets talk about how we might be able to help you out with this if we can. Our number is 616-803-1080.
I own the pro900 and also the pro65 "sonde" if they want to call it that. Total investment almost 2k. All of this is great in theory, but when you get out there you will discover if you are near any electric supply- it won't work. IF you are near overhead lines- it won't work. IF you dont have a pretty large size cable to trace- it won't work. Ive had it work good on about 3 jobs so far, many more jobs it gives inconsistent readings, or simply won't track at all. Dont expect it to work in passive mode either, only lines ive found that way were very large 3 phases wires. For 2k, sadly it's just not enough for most normal construction needs. If you are only locating irrigation wires super shallow and out in parking lots with nothing around- it'll work great- only time ive been happy with it.
Thanks for your comments. I am sorry the Pro900 has not met your expectations. If you would like, our tech support line might be able to help diagnose the issue. Obviously we cannot create and maintain a business by building garbage. The products you have purchased are our most popular. So lets talk about how we might be able to help you out with this if we can. Our number is 616-803-1080.
I’ve got a 4 zone system the previous home owner put in, with 2 extra colored wires not connected at the control box or to any valve. The solenoids are like 250’ from the controller box. Will this work to test the continuity of the unused wires as I’d like to use them to add zones, and not damage anything while testing ? If I unplug the power to the control box from the wall, take the two colored unused wires and touch a 9v battery lead to each wire. Then at the solenoid 250’ away test the voltage of the 2 unused colored wires with my multimeter connected to each wire. Will this work as a continuity test? If any voltage shows up, it shows the wires have no breaks. And if anything is connected to those wires it shouldn’t damage it right bc it’s only 9v, right? Thanks for any help on this.
Hi: If you have access to the two extra wires at the solenoid or far end you shouldn't need the 9-volt battery. Just check that 1) there isn't already voltage on them, then 2) short them together and 3) check for continuity across them from the controller end. This shows they aren't cut better than a voltage check. Jim C..
@@jlcarefoot thank you. Your solution for testing if my 2 extra irrigation wires were good was excellent. I connect these loose wires at a solenoid, and then with my multimeter I touch both same colored ends at the base control box, and I get a reading of 1.0 Ω, is that a good enough result for continuity? I guess 0 is best but is 1.0 good enough?
So what happens when I use both of my Pro 900 trackers to locate a valve in which I know the vicinity of but neither one of them will locate it on high frequency or low frequency. It is a dead solenoid so I am guessing this device you guys have will not locate a dead solenoid I presume? I'm just frustrated at spending over $2,000 for trackers that can't find a valve.
Depends on your needs. The Pro900 is the Cadillac, with all bells and whistles. The Pro881 aims to be more of a Buick or Oldsmobile (mid-range), maintaining the digital performance that the Pro900 has but simplifying and reducing a few of the controls for the guy who either doesn't need or want them due to less complex locates or doesn't use it enough to justify the budget for a Pro900. We try to offer a range of locators to fit budgets, usage profiles, job complexities, etc. rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Hope that helps. :)
@@ArmadaTech great info ! Thanks. I think we’re thinking of upgrading the one we have at my work. Because we now have all our 50+ year old irrigation systems as well as several new sophisticated 2 wire cloud based OptiFlow systems. So I think I’m gonna go with the 900 since it has the most features.
Excellent info. I had just borrowed a locator from my supplier and found two of three valves I was looking for. Had they told me this technique I bet I would have found the third. Thanks again. Liked.
DO NOT BUY this tool, THEY DO NOT WORK!!! Licensed irrigator here(17 years), I bought one of these two summers ago and had to return 3 times. This tool just picks up the voltage in the wire and hits at full strength everywhere, will not differentiate specific valves. Complete garbage
DO NOT BUY this tool, THEY DO NOT WORK!!! Licensed irrigator here(17 years), I bought one of these two summers ago and had to return 3 times. This tool just picks up the voltage in the wire and hits at full strength everywhere, will not differentiate specific valves. Complete garbage
The Pro50 reads up to 40 volts, though it is protected from damage if accidentally connected to a 120 volt AC outlet. Working voltages in irrigation systems are generally under 40 volts.
a technique ive used is to grab a piece of pvc pipe thats long enough you can jab it into the ground and stick your ear on the other end. kinda like a doctors stethoscope.
ive had a little chatterbox for a long time. its a passive thing, not powered, i guess just using a 555 timer chip, and it just clips inline with the station wire. little guy has found many a valve for me, and ill admit, ive had to crawl around with my ear on the ground for many a hour lol!
Mr. Alsibani: That depth usually requires the use of an active "sonde" which is commonly threaded on to a flexible fiberglass rod. They transmit at 33 kHz to be compatible with a variety of tracking receivers including Radiodetection and others. They can be used in polyethylene pipe that has a 1 to 2 inch diameter.
I have tried numerous times to identify a wire and its tricky. I seem to get a tone coming from all the wires. If I attach the pro 48 to to the sprinkler box common and hot wire and then use the toner probe at the valve.. Where should I touch the wires? Should I probe the wires at the solenoid?
Hi Mixin': It is common to have "Bleed-over" tone among wires that are close together, but you can usually sort out the target wire with some care. Try backing the probe volume way down until the broad tones begin to fade and re-check, spread the wires apart as much as possible to make the target wire stand out better, touch the probe tip right to the insulation of the valve wires one by one. Experiment a little to see what works for you - the difference between the target wire and the group of wires may seem small.
@@jlcarefoot Thank you for the tips. Im new to tracking wires and so far its been frustrating. I just got a huge job with a bunch of missing valves and I went ahead and tracked the common wire, I walked past 2 valves and the beeping began to fade as I got close to an oak tree. But, I walked around the tree and the beep came back but very faint. Do you think the oak roots split the wire? Unfortunately, after the tree there is a driveway that the wires go under to get to the next valve. I managed to find the valve but the wires going to it are gone. They have a node that operates that valve but both the valve and the node are broken. Im thinking about trenching the whole area by the Oak tree to see where it goes under the driveway. What do you think about that?
@@mixingreen Trees can damage wiring, usually by twisting and stretching it over time. What are you using to track the wire? You should be able to do some mapping even if it is damaged. Check the depth of the wire to see if the wire dives deeper under the driveway. The faint signals may also be ghosts from other wires in the system.
ok im going to try that new technique , I traced the hot wire and it brought me to all the valves. I could not figure out which valve it controls .. so if that method works. I will be very pleased.
@@austinsears5125 I ended up buying a toner so I could figure out what wire goes to what valves. It took me a while to figure out the wires but without the toner it would have been extremely difficult, I highly recommend a toner for the wire issues.
Hi Kevin. The smooth rigid rod of the tracking tube has a rounded metal tip and is narrow, but a little stiff. It will go past many obstructions but something like a right angle fitting on a pipe of less than 1-1/2 is tough. It will go more places than most fish tapes.
I bought one, it cost me like 700.00, I mean if youre going to have the pro900 you should probably have that super nice capability, right? Well the first chance to use it came the other day, I got severely ripped off. As you can see when he did the 45 deg and pulled to the right, that pipe he was locating is only about 3 inches deep. Thats about all the deeper you will get with it, which means it's totally pointless. The pro900 works ok, ive located a couple feet deep on electric wires, but if the wires aren't a large gauge, it doesnt work. If there is any electric nearby- it doesnt work. IF you are near a meter or power lines, it doesnt work.
