The Chat-R-Box: A Revolutionary Tool for Locating Valves
Key Features:
- User-Friendly Design: The Chat-R-Box is easy to set up; connect it between the controller’s zone and zone wire. Activate the Chat-R-Box by turning on the specific zone you want to locate.
- Precise locating: The Chat-R-Box causes the lawn valve to emit a distinctive chattering or clicking sound, allowing you to easily find the exact position of your hidden valve.
Benefits:
- Time Savings: Quickly identify valve locations with the audible click, reducing the time searching for valves and freeing you up for other tasks.
- Cost-Effective: Avoid the expense of hiring professionals to locate valves; the Chat-R-Box offers an affordable solution that leads to long-term savings.
- Efficient: Easily locates operational lawn valves, allowing for quicker maintenance, and repair of your lawn irrigation system.
- Time Savings: Instead of spending hours or days manually searching for valves, our devices streamline the process, freeing up your time to focus on other important tasks..
- Cost-Effective: You can bid farewell to expensive professional assistance as the Chat-R-Box series offers an affordable solution, saving you money in the long term.
- Efficient System Management: By easily locating operational valves, you can effectively maintain and repair your lawn irrigation system, minimizing water waste and optimizing its performance.
The PRO version of the Chat-R-Box was developed in 2022 which includes an LED power indicator and produces 5-6 distinct clips per second.
How it works:
Setup Instructions:
- Turn off the water to your irrigation system.
- Disconnect the valve wire from the controller.
- Connect the Chat-R-Box between the valve wire and the zone terminal.
- Turn on the station under test and listen for the “chatter” or “clicking” sound.
Limitations:
- Volume and Noise Level: The sound produced is relatively quiet, which can be a drawback in noisy environments.
- Variation in Sound: The clicking sound may vary among valves, leading to unpredictable performance.
- Compatibility: The Chat-R-Box does not work with Toro brand
The Chat-R-Box is a DIY hack that utilizes the “click” a valve makes when it is first turned on. Lawn irrigation valves weren’t designed to make noise but the Chat-R-Box takes advantage of this “click” and rapidly turns the valve on then off. This on/off cycle makes the valve produce a chatter sound or a clicking sound depending on the model of Chat-R-Box®. Some valves are louder than others even when the valves are of the same brand.
The sound of the valve is not loud so the environment needs to be very quiet. The Chat-R-Box works on many different brands of valves be they older or newer. There is one exception Toro valves 53380, 250/260 and the 254/264.
Some Toro valves are tough to find, using the Chat-R-Box which include Toro 53380, Toro 250/260 and Toro 254/264.
Included with the Chat-R-Box is a step by step directions for connecting the Chat-R-Box with some tips for locating your valves.
Troubleshooting Tips:
Note- lawn irrigation systems work on low voltage of 24vac, which is not dangerous.
If you are not familiar with electrical circuits, please ask for help.
- No Power: If the LED does not light, it may be due to the controller detecting the Chat-R-Box as a fault. Connect the Chat-R-Box directly to the 24VAC input to bypass this issue.
- Oxidized Connections: If the alligator clip struggles to connect, clean the bare wire with a knife or sandpaper until it shines to ensure a good connection.
Finding Valve Locations:
If you are unsure of where your valves are located, try this method:
- Remove the Chat-R-Box and leave the water on.
- Activate a zone and watch for the sprinkler heads to pop up. The first head to activate is likely closest to the valve.
- Dig down to locate the PVC pipe to help determine the valve’s direction.
With the Chat-R-Box, finding your sprinkler valves and managing your irrigation systems has never been easier!