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We had sprinkler system installed few yrs ago, and about 3-4 mos ago I began hearing a buzzing noise from the box that is very loud in our garage.
The noise goes away when the sprinklers are on, or when I cut the water supply to the sprinkler system, but is on all the time otherwise. The timing coincided with when we increased the amount of time the sprinkler system was on, but I have since cut back the time and am still getting the noise.
I have tried cutting the power to the sprinkler system and that doesn't affect the noise. It only goes away when sprinklers are on, or when I cut the water from main water line to the sprinkler system.
Since you've ruled out electricity, I'd guess water. Specifically I'd guess one of the valves is leaking and the water is making noise as it passes through the restriction.
Leaking valves would or could cause a chatter at the water valve but it wouldn't effect the control unit. It seems that you can't discount the electrical control unit making the noise. Yes, I read that the electrical was turned off however there might be a battery that continues to maintain some power to the transformer, clock, or other components in the control unit. It would be nice to know if the control unit is mechanical (non digital) or digital? Transformers can cause noise when they start to go bad.
It is almost certainly an interaction caused by one of the relays that is probably is used to trigger some kind of a pump as well as the associated solenoids that open the valves. When the pump is off / valves closed the transformer is idling and the process of magnetostriction will cause an audible hum in the 100-600 hz range.
When the relay is energized the transformer is technically under load and the noise likely shifts to a part of the audio spectrum that is less noticeble.
You may be able to get a replacement transformer, an external relay or just a more acousticallly isolated controller housing made out of a heavier grade of plastic.
Sprinkler control unit is digital, and at the time the noise started, landscaper said he "put a backup battery" in that was missing.
If there was a water leak, wouldn't I see it by now? Where would the water leak be? Anywhere along the sprinkler line?
If you think there’s a water leak, make sure that there is no water demand going on inside the house. Then go to the water meter (usually outside) check the reading, after ten or fifteen minutes check the meter again. If you’ve got a leak the usage should show the difference, even if it’s a small amount.
I honestly fail to see how a water leak would cause noise at the control unit.
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