Irrigation valves reefsafe?

Chin_Lee · #1 09-21-2006, 07:16 AM

Does anybody use these or know of somebody who use these to control their water flow from pumps in a saltwater setup?
http://www.rainbird.com/landscape/pr...lves/index.htm

I'm looking to DIY a cheaper version of OM with these valves if they are safe for saltwater.

Bryan · #2 09-21-2006, 08:40 AM

Hmm, interesting. Have you sourced out the price for the valves. I guess the only ones suitable would be the plastic ones, as long as there as no internal parts that are metal exposed to the saltwater. From looking at the PDF files I couldn't determine. I note they have a rating of 10 p.s.i min. Is this because it needs some water pressure to help in the activation of the valves. If so then unsuitable as you won't find many hobby pumps that can put out that pressure.

I guess the main concern is can they handle the continous on and off cycling and do they make any noise when the solenoid is actuated.

One thing I note is replacement parts are available, which is a definite plus.

StirCrazy · #3 09-21-2006, 12:15 PM

well simple answer is they can be, but not the way they are sold. The have a steel screw inside them and a spring. so if you were to find a suitable stainless or plastic replacment for the spring and screw then they would be fine. I was looking at another brand that is 100% plastic construction, I will see if I can find out what they were called again.

Steve

Quinster · #4 09-21-2006, 02:40 PM

There was a thread on RC where a person was using something similar to this on his CL system, he ended up replacing it with an OM system after a few complications. If I can ever get the search option to work I will see if I can dig it up again. If you are adventurous it was doing a search in the Large Reef Tank forum looking at Closed Loop results.

Delphinus · #5 09-21-2006, 04:14 PM

I once bought one of the controllable irrigation valves from Rona or HD because I just had to find out the answer. I found out basically what Steve just said (only this was 4 or 5 years ago so nobody knew the answer). There's a metal screw and a spring that I thought would not hold up over time. I'm sure the parts would be replaceable with ones that would hold up with a little ingenuity, but I decided against it.

There are motor controllable valves used in industrial applications that are rated for semi-corrosive environments (which is what our SW tanks would be considered), but the problem is it's difficult to buy these in small quantities. I bought a 3 way ball valve from Chemline Plastics, I wanted to get the valve for a proof of concept so I ordered the valve without the motor (as it was a $100 difference). I had to go through the whole sales process with the guys, a sales guy from the Edmonton office came and paid me a visit at my office when he was down to Calgary for the day anyhow, and I bought the valve for $80. Kind of a ridiculous process and I never really got back to seeing about getting the motor mount, but I guess it was an educational experience. Now I have all kinds of sales material/documentation on things like flow meters, foot valves, needle valves, gate valves, flanges blah blah blah blah etc. etc. the list goes on and on so I guess I ever wanted to make skimmers for a living or something like that, I'd be set. Too bad that I don't (want to make skimmers for a living..).

Bryan · #6 09-22-2006, 10:12 AM

What about the min psi rating of the inlet, has anybdy determiend if this would be a issue, or perhaps a typo in the mfg specs.

StirCrazy · #7 09-22-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

I found out basically what Steve just said (only this was 4 or 5 years ago so nobody knew the answer).

I think there were a bunch of us looking around that same time.

Steve

Dale · #8 09-23-2006, 01:58 AM

Why not email the manufacturer and ask about S.W. applc.'s?

I have serviced these valves in the greenhouse industry for many years and can say that they do stand up to repetitive use. They are used for fertigation cycles and in the summer can o/c up to 50 times a day.
________
smoke kills

Delphinus · #9 09-23-2006, 02:43 AM

I was thinking more along the lines of what would happen to the metal bits in SW over time, thinking they'd corrode eventually. Also there was something else .. can't remember what part it was, but it was a white plastic with these little tiny holes (sorry can't really describe it). I totally saw it getting encrusted with stuff and not sealing properly. I felt a ball valve would serve a closed loop better but unfortunately an actuated valve seems to be big $$$.

Chin_Lee · #10 09-26-2006, 02:08 AM

I sent an email to RainBird about using their valves for saltwater use and this is their reply:

Quote:

Dear Chin,
Thank you for your e-mail and your use of Rain Bird products.

Rain Bird does not recommend the use of our valves with any
salt water application as it will surely clog up the system.

Again thank you for choosing Rain Bird. If we can be of any
further assistance, please reply to this e-mail or call us at
1-800-RAIN-BIRD (1-800-724-6247) 5 AM-6 PM MST Monday-Friday or 7AM-4PM
Saturday.
-RBTS Tech

So I think that puts this idea under the rug. Time to keep thinking of ideas.