On the second episode of Make: television I showed how to build an air cannon (Burrito Blaster) using PVC pipe and a sprinkler valve. The valve is electronically triggered, using three 9V batteries to activate a solenoid. But what’s actually going on inside to allow a tiny solenoid to hold back and then release a huge amount of air pressure? Well, the solenoid doesn’t do it by itself; it’s actually a “pilot” that opens a tiny hole to relieve pressure from a larger diaphragm that’s doing all the real work.
These diagrams and descriptions from The Spudgun Technology Center do a great job of explaining the clever trickery of the sprinkler valve.
4 thoughts on “How sprinkler solenoid valves work”
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I think the inlets and outlets is reversed in the diagram.
not that it is important. just saying you know.
That diagrams ok. Take a look at the one on the bottom of this page http://www.electricsolenoidvalves.com/1-2-12v-dc-electric-brass-solenoid-valve/