10 replies to this topic

[n-strike]

Are all ball valves hard to twist open? And is there any way to make is easier, like spraying WD-40 inside the ball valve? Thanks!

[keef]

Don't do that, It'll mess up the seal. I think Shadowkid said to twist it back and forth 100 times. My 1/2" PVC one works fine.

[ltvills]

id suggest putting it under water and twisting it open and close while submerged it helped with mine..

[six-five-two]

You can try closing the valve and then spraying silicone lube on the closed part, that should help.

[pizlo]

Use a better valve balls are so inefficient.

[six-five-two]

Use a better valve balls are so inefficient.

Ball valves are the cheapest though. The next step up is solenoids, which are a bit more complicated and expensive.

[C-A 99]

At the store, I personally check several valves and try to find one that works well. Also, some people who build homemade soakers and water balloon launcher use torque arms, as shown on some of the homemades I've done here:



The arms are important for quick opening on the balloon launcher, and are more comfortable to use for the soaker. I believe they would be useful for nerfing as well if a solenoid valve is unavailable, due to the faster opening time which allows more air to kick in at the dart at once.

Since I've never tried this on darts, I can't be sure on how it'll work, but the design concepts for water balloon launchers are very similar, from what I've seen. To create one, you'll need a stick of PVC, some bolts and nuts, and a drill.

Again, this is just supposed to be a cheaper alternative to solenoids and other valves, but you should probably use those if possible. Perhaps yet another possibility is to build a pull valve, where a piston blocks a hole, and the user pulls the piston open to release the air.

Edited by C-A_99, 20 January 2008 - 06:17 PM.

[koolman97]

don't do anything it will mess it up, some ball valves are just sticky at first it will get easier.

[idk59]

Most 1/2 inch CPVC ball valves are hard to open. I changed it to a brass ball valve with some seal tape on the CPVC to keep it both air tight and stuck on there so it won't pop out.

By the way, most PVC ball valves are easy to open. It's just the CPVC's.

[Split]

Jesus. So many noob posts and noobfest threads lately. Is this NHQ?

Search next time. What you're looking for is called a "low-torque" ball valve, and are easily found on the interwebs. Also, this is a necro, if that means anything to anyone.

Edited by Split, 09 July 2009 - 11:18 AM.

[CaptainSlug]

don't do anything it will mess it up, some ball valves are just sticky at first it will get easier.

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