Hoolerry Solid Sprinkler System Wire 18 Gauge Irrigation Wire with UV Resistant PVC Jacket Sprinkler Cable for Underground Irrigation Field Central Control System 30v Ul Listed

What it is

I put the Hoolerry sprinkler wire to work on a couple of irrigation projects: rewiring a single valve run that had been nicked during landscaping, and adding a pump start relay connection at a controller. This is an 18/2, 100‑foot, solid-copper, low-voltage irrigation cable with a UV‑resistant PVC outer jacket and color-coded inner conductors. It’s UL‑listed for irrigation use and rated for direct burial, which is precisely what you want for typical zone valve and accessory runs.

In other words, it’s a straightforward two-conductor cable for low-voltage control tasks in an irrigation system—not a multi-zone home run. If you’re wiring a common and multiple stations from the controller to a valve manifold, you’d reach for a multi-conductor bundle (18/5, 18/7, etc.). If you need to link a controller to a pump start relay, master valve, rain sensor, or repair a single valve leg, this 18/2 is in the right lane.

Build quality and materials

The cable uses solid bare copper conductors, insulated with PE and over-jacketed with a fairly tough PVC. The jacket is thicker than general-purpose thermostat wire and noticeably more abrasion resistant, which matters when you’re pulling through short runs of PVC conduit or dragging it across soil and stone during installation. The inner conductors are color-coded, which makes it easy to keep track of common versus station lead in the field.

Solid copper is the correct call here. Irrigation solenoids don’t demand high flexibility, and solid core wire gives you reliable terminal contact under screw clamps at controllers, relays, and valve solenoids. If you’re planning to move or flex the wire repeatedly (for example, around a hinged enclosure), stranded landscape cable would be kinder to conductors, but for typical install-and-forget irrigation work, solid 18 AWG is ideal.

Installation experience

I trenched roughly 6–8 inches for direct burial, then sleeved the last few feet to the controller inside 1/2‑inch PVC conduit. The jacket held up well against light nicks from soil and aggregate, and it slid cleanly through conduit with a dab of pulling lube. At terminations, the solid conductors stripped cleanly without fraying. I used gel-filled, direct-burial-rated connectors at the valve box—don’t skip that step; it’s the difference between a one-and-done job and a corroded mess a season later.

Bend radius was reasonable for a solid conductor cable. It’s not “floppy” like fine-strand landscape wire, but it coils and routes without fighting you. I had no trouble fitting it through standard controller knockouts or routing it across a cramped valve box.

A small but appreciated detail: the jacket peels back without tearing, and the inner insulation resists slicing when you’re stripping to the conductor. That’s not a given on bargain wire.

Electrical performance and distance considerations

I tested the cable on 24 VAC irrigation circuits drawing roughly 0.2 A per solenoid—typical for most residential valves. Voltage drop on 18 AWG at practical distances is a non-issue for single runs:

• 200 ft out-and-back equivalent: roughly 0.5 V drop
• 500 ft out-and-back equivalent: roughly 1.3 V drop

Both scenarios leave a comfortable margin for reliable valve actuation on a 24 VAC system. If you’re pushing very long distances, using a heavier gauge (16 AWG) might be prudent, but for common residential layouts—controller to a remote valve box or relay—18 AWG is adequate and appropriate.

Insulation integrity tested well under a basic megohmmeter at 50 VDC, and the UL listing for low-voltage irrigation adds confidence that the jacket and insulation system meet the right moisture and burial requirements.

Durability and weather resistance

I intentionally left a two-foot section exposed along a fence line for a few weeks to gauge UV resistance before burying fully. No chalking or jacket softening occurred, and the print legibility stayed crisp. While the jacket is UV resistant, I still recommend burial for longevity and physical protection; sunlight is only one of the hazards—string trimmers and shovels do more damage than the sun.

Underground, the PVC sheath sheds moisture and mud, and it doesn’t wick water along the core when cut cleanly. Of course, the weak link in any underground install is the splice: use waterproof, grease-filled connectors and keep splices in accessible boxes above the waterline, not at the bottom of a valve box that floods.

Where it fits—and where it doesn’t

This cable excels in:

• Single valve runs (repairing a cut lead, adding a zone in a remote bed)
• Pump start relay connections
• Master valve control lines
• Sensor leads that require two conductors (e.g., some rain or flow sensor configurations)
• Short jumps between boxes where multi-conductor capacity isn’t needed

It’s not the right choice for:

• Multi-zone home runs from controller to a manifold (you want multi-conductor irrigation cable)
• Two-wire decoder path systems that specify heavier gauges and surge protection per manufacturer (commonly 14 AWG or specialized cable)
• Applications requiring high flexibility or constant motion at terminations (stranded conductors are better there)

Practical tips for best results

• Plan the path: keep low-voltage irrigation wire at least a few inches away from high-voltage lines, and cross at 90 degrees when necessary.
• Protect transitions: sleeve the last few feet to and from enclosures in conduit to guard against UV, weed trimmers, and abrasion.
• Use proper splices: gel-filled, direct-burial connectors are non-negotiable for underground junctions.
• Label at terminations: even with color coding, take a minute to tag “common” and “valve” at the controller and valve box. It’s a time saver later.
• Leave slack: a small service loop in the valve box makes future maintenance far easier.
• Depth matters: 6–12 inches of cover is a good target for residential. Avoid shallow burial under garden beds that get turned with a shovel.

Comparisons and alternatives

If your project involves multiple zones down the same trench, a multi-conductor irrigation cable (e.g., 18/5, 18/7, 18/10) reduces splices and keeps the install tidy. For very long runs or decoder-based systems, follow the controller/decoder manufacturer’s cable spec—often heavier gauge and surge-resistant cable.

For purely above-ground temporary runs (holiday irrigation or testing), a stranded landscape lighting cable can be easier to handle, but it typically lacks the color coding and UL listing for irrigation control, and it’s not meant for long-term direct burial splices to valve solenoids. For permanent underground control, a purpose-built, UL-listed irrigation cable like this one is the safer bet.

What I’d change

The cable does exactly what it claims, but a few wish-list items would broaden its appeal:

• Optional longer reels (250–500 ft) to reduce mid-run splicing on larger properties
• Printed footage markers on the jacket for easier planning and cuts
• A gel-filled version for extra water-blocking in flood-prone soils

None of these are deal-breakers; they’re convenience upgrades that installers appreciate.

Bottom line

The Hoolerry sprinkler wire checks the important boxes for low-voltage irrigation control: solid copper conductors, a tough UV‑resistant PVC jacket, direct‑burial suitability, UL listing, and sensible handling characteristics. It installed cleanly, carried the load without drama, and stood up to both trench work and light above-ground exposure during setup.

I recommend this cable for anyone who needs a reliable 18/2 solution for irrigation control tasks—pump start relays, master valves, sensor leads, or single valve runs. It’s purpose-built for that work, and it behaves like a proper irrigation wire should. If your project calls for multiple stations on one path or specialized two-wire decoder cabling, choose a multi-conductor or manufacturer-specified alternative. For its intended use, though, this is the right tool and an easy recommendation.