This an appendix to the Champion-Arrowhead Automatic Adapters Trouble Shooting Guide

Replacement parts (rubber components, gaskets, and solenoids) are available for Champion valves in repair kits through the web site and at your Champion dealer.

1. Flow control Adjustment
2. Checking the Mechanical Operation of the Solenoid
3. Seat Washer and Meter Screw
4. Water Pressure
5. Water Hammer (a loud vibrating noise when opening or closing)
6. Anit-Siphon Valves
7. If you need further assistance

Click to download a 4 page pdf copy of the Trouble Shooting Guide for Champion Automatic Adapters.

Click to download a 3 page pdf copy of this Trouble Shooting Guide for Champion Automatic Adapters (Appendix).

Flow Control Adjustment

When installing a new Champion sprinter adapter in an anti-siphon valve (or replacing a rebuilt adapter in the valve body), it is necessary to 'fine tune" the actuator to your system flow and pressure requirements as well as bleed any air out of hte diaphragm chamber. By following these steps you can elminate many problems associated with automatic adapters due to improper flow adjustment. These steps can also be used at any time a slow leak is encountered.

1. Close the flow adjustment screen completely.
2. Open the bleed screw completely. There will be a continuous spray of water from the bleed screw but the sprinklers will not come on.
3. Let the valve run the approximately one (1) minute to flush any air from the diaphragm chamber.
4. Slowly open the flow adjustment screen until full coverage from the sprinkler heads is obtained (generally (3) to five(turns of the flow adjustment screw). If the flow adjustment screw is opened too far a leadk may occur because the valve will fail to shut off completely. If the flow adjustment screw is too far closed the adapter will not be able to open.
5. Close the bleed screw completely. The adapter and sprinkler heads will shut off.

Checking the Mechanical Operation of the Solenoid

Turn off the water supply to the valve.

Square Solenoid:

Rmove the black cap on the top of hte coil/yoke assembly. remove the coil/yoke assembly by pulling it up and off of the solenoid tube assembly. Remove the solenoid tube assembly from teh actuator top using a flat blade screwdriver. There will be a cylinder shaped armature with a spring around it instide the solenoid tube assembly.

Round Solenoid:

Remove the encapsulated solenoid assembly from the actuator top using a flat blade screwdriver. There will be a cylinder shaped armature with a spring around it inside the solenoid tub assembly. The spring should extend just over half the length of the armature. If the spring has become compressed, you can stretch it slightly.

Check the solenoid for dirt or debris. There should be no dirt or rust on the inside of the solenoid tube or on the armature itself. With water if necessary.

In the impression where the solenoid tube assembly seats there are two (2) ports passing into the top of hte actuator. Both of these should be completely clear so that water can pass through them. If the ports have become blocked the actuator will not turn on. You can clear the ports using a paper clip or similar object. If the ports are extremely clogged you will have to disassmble the daapter and flush ou the ports from the instide.

Ensure that hte o-ring in the bottom of the solenoid seat is in good condition and not overly compressed. If the o-ring iscrushed and the solenoid screwed in too deeply, the armature will not rise high enough for the actuator to open. If the o-ring is broken and allowing water to seep out the solenoid seat threads in the valve will weep when shut off.

Seat Washer and Meter Screw

Turn off the water supply to the valve.

Unscrew the aut omatic actuator from the anti-siphon valve body. Note: on some models you will have to loosen and remove the anti-siphon cap at the same time in order to remove the actuator from the anti-siphon body.

Inspect the rubber seat washer for cracks or swelling. The seat washer should be flat with the exception of a round impression from the valve seat. If not, replace hte seat washer.

Inspect the hole in the meter screw for signs on enlarging through normal wear and tear. It should be symetrially round. If worn, replace.

If the meter screw has become obstructed the valve will not open. Remove and clean the meter screw passage.

Water Pressure

Automatic actuators are rated to a maximum of between 125 psi and 200 psi depending on the model. The optimal pressure however is 80 psi - 100 psi for the best performance and optimal water conservation. Once above 100 psi problems may be encountered by any model. You can contact your local Department of Water and Power for the approximate water pressure in your area if you are unable to precisely measure your pressure with a pressure gauge.

If you suspect high water pressure is the problem, first adjust the valve according to Flow Control Adjustment above. Additionally, you can reuce the pressure on the inlet side of the valve by turning on a hose bib or other faucet on the same supply line. If reducing the pressure by opening a hose bib causes the valve to operate, a pressure regulator needs to be installed in your system.

Water Hammer (a loud vibrating noise when opening or closing)

Water hammer indicates an imbalance between the pressue and flow requirements of the system as installed and hte capabilities of hte available pressure and flow. To reduce or eliminate water hammer, a special fitting called a water hammer arrester needs to be installed on the supply line.

Note: One provider of additional information on water hammer as well as a manufacturer of the fittings is Sioux Chief, which manufactures the Hydra-Rester. They can be contacted at (800) 821-3944, or at P.O. Box 397, Old South 71 Highway, Peculiar, Missouri, 64078 and on the web at www.siouxchief.com.

Anti_Siphon Valves

To determine if the anti-siphon valve or the adapter is the problem, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the water supply to the valve.
2. Unscrew the automatic actuator from the anti-siphon valve body. Note: On some models you will have to loosen and remove the anti-siphon cap at the same time in order to remove the actuator from the anti-siphon body.
3. Refer to teh instructions under Seate Washer and Meter Screw above to ensure that neither one is the problem.
4. With the actuator removed from the anti-siphon valve inspect the valve seat. It should look like a smooth, raised circle. If one side of the circle is excessively worn, pitted, or damaged, teh anti-shiphon body will need ot be replaced.

A good test to perform prior to replacing an anti-shiphon valve body is to take a properly functioning actuator from another valve if available, and install it in the leading anti-siphon valve. If the valve stops leadking and begins to function properly, then the problem is with the actuator. If the valve continues to lead with a actuator known to operate properly, then the anti-siphon body needs to be replaced.

If you need further assistance:

1. Please check out the Champion-Arrowhead Forum for more tips and help
2. Spec sheets for many products are available on the web site at www.champtionarrowhead.com
3. Click on Have a Question? on the web site to email a question.
4. Contact Champion-Arrowhead customer service at (213)221-2108 or(800) 33-CHAMP (outside the 213 area code). Business hours are Monday through Friday 8:00AM until 4:30PM PST. After hours messages are normally returned the next business day.

Click to download a 4 page pdf copy of the Trouble Shooting Guide for Champion Automatic Adapters.

Click to download a 3 page pdf copy of this Trouble Shooting Guide for Champion Automatic Adapters (Appendix).