Solenoid for Ro/Di

[toolmanbmw]

Hi guys

Anyone use one of these solenoid to turn their RO/DI off and on? I just installed one of these and it makes a pretty loud buzzing noise. I was expecting it to click on with power and than click off when the power is cut....

[emerald crab]

I use solenoid valves quite a bit. It should be quiet when is on. That one in the picture is a direct action valve. It can become noisy if there is any dirt or anything that would limit the travel of the plunger. If it is a DC valve and you supply it with AC, it will be noisy and it will burn out. If it has a coil for a different voltage, it will do that (that info is printed on the coil). If you use it outside the pressure range that it was build for or if was connected backwards to the water line.

[Cal_stir]

also, there should be an arrow indicating direction of flow

[toolmanbmw]

Ahh I see. I will look for an arrow. The valve is rated for 24 v DC. I am using a 24 v ac adapter that I got from the source. Do I have the correct one?

[Cal_stir]

no, you need DC

[toolmanbmw]

These adapter converts ac to dc correct? If not where can I buy a dc adapter?

[emerald crab]

When you buy the power supply 115V AC to 24V DC make sure the maximum capable load of the power source is higher than what the valve takes. You might be better of just buying a 115VAC valve and replace that one.
Just a reminder, in the solenoid valves the plunger and the spring are metal (some sort of stainless-a chrome nickel alloy). The RO water is slightly acidic, so you want the valve installed on the raw water side, not on the RO side.

[Cal_stir]

if the adapter is DC then it has some diodes built in, you could add a couple diodes to rectify the AC to DC.
you can get them at an electronics store, we have circuit city here in ontario, do you have a princess auto there?

[toolmanbmw]

Thanks for all the help guys. Yeah we have princess auto. Which diodes would I need? Also this is directly on the RO side of things. I have it setup working with a float valve in my sump. This valve is suppose to turn on for 30 min a day to aid as a backup for the float valve.

It does almost sounds like the adapter is putting put power where it makes it turn on and off really quick... Maybe this diodes is the answer?

[Cal_stir]

you would need at least 2, 1 amp rectifying diodes, or a bridge rectifier, or they might have a 24v DC adapter cheap.