Brothers Campfire Sorry Senior,Solemnly, Solenoid

Hello Friends!

A while back, I wrote about Jim, The Sprinkler Bandit in relation to a brass fitting he takes from my system every year. My dad, Herb Thiel suggests that I should just go ask him if he has any “extras”, but then I would not have as much of a story. Here is the story. It froze. Here is me eating crow.

I guess Jim, The Sprinkler Bandit had some wisdom after all. Here is the new one.

Sorry for being mean, Jim. I learned my lesson.

While I did winterize everything, a Solenoid corroded in my sprinkler box and needed replacement. Thank you John Leyba Senior for the diagnosis!

The fix was relatively simple, but I had to go to a specialty store for the solenoid as my system was proffessionally installed. L.L. Johnson Distributing Co. Did an excellent job assisting me!

So here is the new solenoid I installed.

The installation was pretty easy I only needed 2 tools to complete the job; a phillips head screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers with wire cutters.

I started by opening the sprinkler box.

The wires seem complicated but they really aren’t! If a solenoid is busted, change one at a time so you are not confused. You don’t even have to remember positive and negative. Either way you connect the wires will cause it to work correctly! This one is disconnected and there are only two loose wires to look for.

I put a medicine cup over the top of the connection to keep debris out. I failed miserably and a rolly polly got in there!

Did you know they can live like 5 years?

If you have a rolly polly in yours, ensure it is removed and attach the solenoid.

There are two screws to this setup and it fits right in place.

The wires are easy to attach! Like I mentioned earlier, if you are changing solenoids, do one at a time. Twist the wires together with a standard twist on wire connector and your all set!

I thought I was ready to run my sprinkler until I discovered a leak in one of the poly pipes.

It took me forever to get the parts at the hardware store. You have to wait in line 6 ft away from everyone else. I got tired and sat down. I kinda was confused as they kept staring at me while I waited.

I did my best to ignore them though.

I just read the sign as I put this here. Perhaps

Author: Benjamin

Benjamin Thiel is a community leader, urban farmer, and author of The Ongoing Tale at Brothers Campfire. He might know a guy...

52 thoughts on “Brothers Campfire Sorry Senior,Solemnly, Solenoid

        1. Benjamin says:

          I would love to remember Rachel, but unfortunately, I am raising a family, working 12 hour days, managing a small urban farm, and responding to a high volume of emails, texts and messages. I apologize for repeating myself. I will be more diligent in my attentiveness in the future!

          1. rue202 says:

            Oh, I’m sorry 🙁 In that case, you’re excused XD

        2. Benjamin says:

          Ha ha! It appears you asked me twice! I am sorry for being a curmudgeon.

          1. rue202 says:

            I asked twice? Darn, I only remember asking once! Not your fault – it happens.

          2. Benjamin says:

            🤠🔥 Rachel, I am very tired lately!
            So far, I have answered 99.9 percent of all comments! Sometimes it is tough! I want you to know you are appreciated!

          3. rue202 says:

            XD I appreciate you to, and I understand if you need a break. We all do. If you need to take a few days break to rest and relax, then do it!

          4. Benjamin says:

            🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥🐥I have 14 ducklings coming soon! Hopefully Monday! I know I have said that somewhere!
            What time is it over there right now?

          5. rue202 says:

            No, you have not told me that before, lol!
            Congrats!
            It is 3:12 PM

          6. Benjamin says:

            I need to download an app to know the time of who I am talking to!

  1. Lydia Potter says:

    That looks so complex.
    I thought my sisters name that thingy rolly polly.
    BEN!!!!!!!!!! You didn’t!!!!!!!!!!

    1. Benjamin says:

      Yes, I did. I handled a rolly polly, fixed a solenoid and poly pipe on the sprinkler. I am not too inclined to be able to repair things, but there you go!

  2. leendadll says:

    Yay!!
    Rolly pollies can live 5yrs?? I just learned that house spiders live, on average, 2yrs. Huh.

          1. Benjamin says:

            In captivity, they will thrive on a diet of raw fruit and vegetable slices. Potatoes, carrots, apples and pears are good choices.
            How to Take Care of a Roly-Poly | Animals – mom.me

          2. leendadll says:

            How did I just learn all this??? We had tons of them at my childhood home!

          3. leendadll says:

            Ohhh… I have plenty of spiders filling my indoor insect quota for now!

          1. dumbestblogger says:

            Zero offense taken. She’s 27. Most people that age aren’t getting their hips sawed out.

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