I think someone here did some tests with the Irritrol vs stock and if I remember correctly, there wasn't enough improvement to justify the cost. Might try doin a search on Irritrol and see if that thread comes up.
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The Irritrol 700's in 3/4" are $20 something. The $54 should be the cost of the 1" 700 series valves. Go to www.sprinklerwarehouse.com and the prices should be close to this. Are you running 1" lines?
Here is that thread with the test results.
https://forum.moomba.com/showthread....light=Irritrol
mnpracing You are correct, I was looking at the same site and the 1" valves. I need the 3/4" valves. Well played man. But after looking at the fill times, I may be better with my funds to add a T to the brass valve, add another pump and another intake on the manifold. That will probably be a winter project. For now I think i will use the RainBird valves I got an Menards to replace the worn out valves that are in there currently. Especially the one with a broken solenoid.
I noticed reduced fill time with my 750 bag after I replaced the stock valve with the Irritrol. But, I would have two pumps running just to fill that bag through a single valve as soon as the center is filled.
I was disappointed when I realized there was no improvement over stock with the Irritrol valves but after living with them for a while, I would still do it again.
I always encountered issues with the stock valves.