I've got a major overhaul of my sprinkler system coming, and I can save some money if I provide the materials myself. I know at least some of these zones that need replacing have wires that have been cut, so I'm looking for the wire to do. The problem is, I'm not seeing what I need to buy.

• I've seen it listed at 16 and 14 gauge direct burial. Does it matter which? Does stranded or solid core matter?
• All the 14 gauge wires I see are 14/2, and I really don't think I need both wires.
• All of the googling I do shows me 'sprinkler wire' that has a ton of different lines inside it. but all of the wires where they come out at my controller are just a single wire in an insulator. Those wires then run all over the yard in different directions, so I'm not sure why they're trying to sell me wire with a bunch of cables in one wire.
• I've been to Lowe's, Ace, and a local electrical supply store. None had anything useful or any knowledge to impart.

Does anyone have experience who can point me to the right wire or at least clear up this conflicting information?

Typically you'll see 16ga solid for sprinklers

We use 18 gauge multi strand. Hate having all red single strand wires and white common all separate on houses. There's 9 strand or 13. You need one more than your number of zones or 2 more if you have a master valve, however ideally you would have extras as well for future wiring issues or zone additions.

And no the wires don't go in all different directions per se. They follow the main line to all of the valves. Now on a rewire could be different for sure but it will have to be installed to each valve so it is the same to just carry the multi strand to each valve

• I've seen it listed at 16 and 14 gauge direct burial. Does it matter which? Does stranded or solid core matter?

Single wire, 16 gauge is fine for most residential applications.

• All the 14 gauge wires I see are 14/2, and I really don't think I need both wires.

You don't need 14/2. We use that or 12/2 for low voltage lighting installations though.

• All of the googling I do shows me 'sprinkler wire' that has a ton of different lines inside it. but all of the wires where they come out at my controller are just a single wire in an insulator. Those wires then run all over the yard in different directions, so I'm not sure why they're trying to sell me wire with a bunch of cables in one wire.

The wire with multicolored wires inside of it is called "multi-strand". We use it to run from inside the controller to the ground. From there it is connected to the standard red 16 gauge direct burial wires inside a valve box. We do this because it's helpful to have the multiple colors to keep track of wires/zones & also the overall diameter of the wire is smaller than multiple red wires (easier to fish through a conduit). The multi-strand is also more expensive, so we don't run it in yards.

• I've been to Lowe's, Ace, and a local electrical supply store. None had anything useful or any knowledge to impart.

Try Ewing, Horizon, Site One or other irrigation specific supply houses.

This is what puts us above undercutting competition. We spend the extra $50 in wire to run multi strand all through the yard.

$50 adds up when you do a few hundred houses per year.

We aren't cheap (don't shove 2 valves in a 6" valve box like Choate used to do)!

We've done away with using 1/2" pipe... just use all 3/4". Saves on the amount of inventory we have to carry. Just a thought.

What's their irrigation license number?

Ha I was joking. Our guys don't even like to use 3/4. It's 1" or 1/2" for them, so I have to make sure to tell them which houses they need to use mostly 1" based on situation.