Rain Bird DVF inline valve with flow control
100-DVF, 1 in. FPT
- 24 VAC solenoid
- 0.2 to 40 GPM; 15 to 150 psi
- Flow control and internal bleed for manual operation
How-to guide
How to Convert an Indexing Valve to Electric Valves
What changes, the parts list, pump start relays, and which Florida rebates may help. Every technical point links to the manufacturer.
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Last checked 2026-10-18. Written by a former irrigation professional with 9+ years in the green industry (about us). Technical facts come from the linked manufacturer pages.
How an indexing valve works
An indexing valve sends water to one zone at a time and moves to the next outlet each time the water flow is stopped and started. It runs on water flow and pressure, with no wire to each zone (K-Rain FAQ). K-Rain calls its 6000 series “a water flow operated valve which acts as a manifold” that cycles each time the flow stops and starts, and on pump-fed systems it advances when the pump turns off and on (K-Rain 6000 series guide).
What changes when you convert
With electric valves, each zone gets its own valve, and the controller opens it with a 24 VAC signal (Rain Bird DV/DVF specs). That means new wire from the controller to the valves, waterproof splices, and a valve box.
Parts list
- One electric valve per zone. Residential valves such as the Rain Bird DV/DVF series use a 24 VAC solenoid (Rain Bird).
- Solid 18-gauge multi-conductor irrigation wire: one conductor per zone plus one common. That's 18/5 for 4 zones and 18/7 for 6 zones. Rain Bird specifies direct-burial, color-coded wire: 18 gauge under 800 ft, 14 gauge over 800 ft (Rain Bird SST manual).
- Waterproof wire connectors at every splice (Rain Bird SST manual).
- Valve box to protect the valves in the ground.
- A controller with enough zones. Compare WaterSense models and rebate rules in our smart controller guide.
- A pump start relay if you're on a well or pump. It uses the controller's start/stop signal to switch pump power from the breaker box (Rain Bird PSR). Never wire a pump directly to the controller (Rachio).
Not sure what valve size to buy? See valve sizing specs.
From our irrigation pro: remove the old indexing valve body. The zone lines connected underneath it and the incoming mainline are what you reconnect to the new electric valves (the manifold). Left in place, the old body would just sit there connected to nothing. (Based on hands-on field experience, not a manufacturer source.)
Before you dig: local codes may require a separate backflow preventer (Rain Bird). Pump relays connect to line voltage from the breaker box, so if you're not comfortable with electrical work, hire a licensed professional.
The parts
Cerrowire 18/5 sprinkler wire, 100 ft
240-1005C, 18-gauge, 5 conductors (up to 4 zones + common)
- Direct burial rated
- Color-coded solid copper conductors
- Rated 30 V
Cerrowire 18/7 sprinkler wire, 100 ft
240-1007C, 18-gauge, 7 conductors (up to 6 zones + common)
- Direct burial rated
- Color-coded solid copper conductors
- Rated 30 V
King Innovation DryConn Black/Gray
61235, bag of 20
- Waterproof splice for irrigation valve wires
- #22 to #8 AWG
- Pre-filled with silicone sealant
Rain Bird standard valve box, green lid
VBSTD
- Rectangular box over in-ground valves
- 12.1 in. high; top opening 14.5 x 9.4 in.
- Pipe knock-outs in the sides
We don't use product photos we don't have rights to. The icons are simple illustrations. See each manufacturer's page for photos.
Pump start relay
Rain Bird's PSR Universal Pump Start Relay works with 24 VAC controllers. The 110 V model handles ¾ to 2 hp single-phase pumps, and the 220 V model ¾ to 5 hp (Rain Bird PSR). Rachio tests only Munro StartBox and SmartBox relays with its controllers (Rachio support).
Smart controllers for the new valves
All four are on the EPA WaterSense list as standalone controllers. A WaterSense label doesn't guarantee a rebate. Compare them →
Rebates that may help
Many Florida utilities pay for the smart controller you'll install: see all Florida smart controller rebates. These programs also list items worth asking about during your evaluation or pre-approval. Ask the utility whether your conversion counts:
Miami-Dade Water and Sewer (WASD)Miami-Dade County · Single-family homeowners in Miami-Dade with a working irrigation systemUp to $500Manatee County UtilitiesManatee County · Manatee County Utilities potable customersUp to $1,650City of LeesburgLake County · Leesburg residential water customers (not on reclaimed water)Up to $1,100
- Miami-Dade Water and Sewer (WASD): WaterSense smart controller or soil moisture sensor: up to $400; Mechanical to smart controller conversion: up to $500. Details
- Manatee County Utilities: Irrigation system repair or replacement: 50% of cost up to $1,500. Details
- City of Leesburg: Irrigation system repairs: 50%, up to $500; Smart controller (replacing non-weather-based): 50%, up to $100. Details
Common conversion questions
Do indexing valves need electricity?
No. K-Rain describes indexing valves as mechanical valves that move to the next outlet each time the water flow is stopped and started, so they work with a hand valve, a single electric valve, or a pump that starts and stops (K-Rain FAQ).
What size valves do I need?
Size each valve to the zone's flow. See valve sizing specs for the manufacturer numbers.
Do I need a pump start relay?
If your system runs on a well or pump, yes. Rain Bird explains that a pump start relay uses the controller's start/stop signal to complete the electrical path from the breaker box to the pump motor (Rain Bird PSR). Rachio says a pump start relay is required with a pump, that the pump should never be wired directly to the controller, and that the relay should be installed at least 15 feet from a Rachio 3 (Rachio support).
Can a smart controller run my indexing valve without converting?
Rachio supports it. You wire the indexing valve to the M and C terminals and use its Delay Between Zones setting (Rachio suggests 5 minutes). Rachio lists the limits: no Flex Daily schedules, no manually running single zones, and no Smart Cycle (Rachio support). With one electric valve per zone, each zone can be run on its own.
What wire do I need?
One conductor for each zone plus one common: 5-conductor wire for 4 zones, 7-conductor for 6 zones. Rain Bird specifies direct-burial, color-coded irrigation wire, 18 gauge for runs under 800 ft and 14 gauge over 800 ft, with waterproof connectors at every splice (Rain Bird SST manual). Rachio lists a maximum of 850 ft when both the zone and common wires are 18 AWG (Rachio support).
Converting some beds to drip at the same time? See drip kits and Florida drip rebates.