Bidirectional tidal flow

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by sphelps

A reed switch works on magnetism, same type of switch you'd find on windows and doors for alarms. Problem is the OM has a thick plastic casing and you'd need pretty powerful switch to work properly and you would have to enclose one end within the drum which offers will space. Plus you'd need two switches for the two positions meaning you'll also need a smart relay to understand the two switches and control the system accordingly. It's certainly not as simple as described and the cost would be beyond $39.

Monsieur MitchM wants 2 directions only, which means he needs one sensor and 2 magnets 180 degrees apart, the timer falls off, the motor turns, the sensor sees the magnet and the timer turns on again, he can drop a small cam onto the upper mag unit if he wishes and install a micro switch in the underside of the motor mount, there are many ways to do it.

[schroeder]

I have not checked into this but maybe there is another valve type that you could use.

I do service work on commercial dishwashing equipment. These machines sometimes use a valve that has a servo actuated diaphram to close 1 outlet (say the outlet to the wash arms) while opening the other (the drain).

They typically have cast ABS or PVC bodies but I cannot attest to the materials used inside the valve. I can however guarantee that they are under $250 and usually operate on 120V.

I'll try to get some contact info at work tomorrow and post if I find anything out.

[Lampshade]

There's small PVC valves on washing machings for the fill cycle, cheap, but only 1/2" opening.

Using a OM with a timer as suggested earlier would eventually give bad timing...BUT... you can do it without a PLC. Just get 2 adjsutable timers (like Panasonic PM4H), a relay, and a windshield wiper motor. Windshield wipers have a home sensor, or auto off switch. Most have them now unless it's off a 67 VW or something, i used a rear wiper off an aerostar for something similar, cost $10 from a wrecker. If you set timer 1 to run for 15 sec on (or whatever it takes to open). then off for timer 2 amount (your Open time). And On again to home position to reset timer 1 again.

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by Lampshade

There's small PVC valves on washing machings for the fill cycle, cheap, but only 1/2" opening.

Using a OM with a timer as suggested earlier would eventually give bad timing..

Strictly on a timer yes, but eventually it would come back in sync again, I never recommended for anyone to do that, unless they wanted even more random flow

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by Lampshade

There's small PVC valves on washing machings for the fill cycle, cheap, but only 1/2" opening.

Using a OM with a timer as suggested earlier would eventually give bad timing...BUT... you can do it without a PLC. Just get 2 adjsutable timers (like Panasonic PM4H), a relay, and a windshield wiper motor. Windshield wipers have a home sensor, or auto off switch. Most have them now unless it's off a 67 VW or something, i used a rear wiper off an aerostar for something similar, cost $10 from a wrecker. If you set timer 1 to run for 15 sec on (or whatever it takes to open). then off for timer 2 amount (your Open time). And On again to home position to reset timer 1 again.

I stay away from unreliable sources when I buy components for any OM unit, sure I can buy from E Bay, wrecking yards,and garage sales, but it isn't going to happen, I deal direct with OEMs for motors and magnets, the balance we produce in house, in the video provided. I am using the exact $39 timer I suggested a few pages ago, same principle that according to Mr Phelps would not work, I use an $8 sensor from Digikey to sense a magnet at each of four locations (home position)to trip the timer,reducing the number of magnets to just two would do exactly what MitchM required, the timer is set for around 7 seconds, it can be expanded to 8 hours if required.

http://s1008.photobucket.com/albums/...t=DSC_0263.mp4

Paul

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by schroeder

I have not checked into this but maybe there is another valve type that you could use.

I do service work on commercial dishwashing equipment. These machines sometimes use a valve that has a servo actuated diaphram to close 1 outlet (say the outlet to the wash arms) while opening the other (the drain).

They typically have cast ABS or PVC bodies but I cannot attest to the materials used inside the valve. I can however guarantee that they are under $250 and usually operate on 120V.

I'll try to get some contact info at work tomorrow and post if I find anything out.

It is likely an Asco Valve solenoid, there is metal in them, I do work for them.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by MitchM

LOL.

It sounds like it might boil down to another reeflo pump.
Now I need to find out how they stand up to constantly turning on and off.

I did find a 2" solenoid w/valve on the 'net, for a measly $2200.00.

Mitch

Yeah that will be your best bet. Turning on and off with the duty cycle you're proposing will be fine. The pumps are basically the same as those used in hot tubs which turn on and off way more than that.

Yeah and don't forget to multiple that number by at least 4 as that's the minimum number you'll need for the system if running a single pump. OM may do custom work as well but I can't see how one of those systems, customized or not, will work for you. They just use timing motors to rotate drums and syncing a bunch of them to work together the way you want will be impossible. Unless you had a common suction and two different outputs on each side of the tank with a drum that rotates to the two outputs. You'll still need some kind of timer to turn the motor on and off to provide the pattern you're looking for and to get it right it will also need limit switches to keep track of the drum position. Even if OM would do this the cost would be way more than $500.