6 replies to this topic

[sniper25]

Ok I just received my first solnoid valve. First of it is freaken huge. Second how does the thing work. The only thing the guide says is that it takes 24 volts and is AC. this is the valve

Edited by sniper25, 19 August 2006 - 09:40 AM.

[Lancaster]

You linked me to a bunch of furniture.

[Pineapple]

Ok i just recieved my first solniod valve. first of it is freaken huge. Second how does the thing work. The only thing the mannule says is that it takes 24 volts and is AC. this is the valve

Home Depot hyperlinks usually don't work. I've had the same problem...it takes you to a "home" page, and you have to nav from there.

But I think I know what you're talking about. You've got to learn some spelling and grammar, dude. Fast.

Big? All my solenoid valves have either 1" or 1.5" inlets or outlets, so what you have should be just fine. Just make sure you get the appropriate threaded adapters to attach them to standard PVC pipes of your size choosing.

Don't worry about the 24v AC thing. That's just so you'll hook them up to a low-voltage transformer so you don't get fried if you use it for irrigation. But you aint....so three 9v batteries wired in series, coupled with a momentary-ON switch, and you've got an electronic trigger.

But I'd make it a manual-bleed valve, were I in your shoes. Spudfiles.com has a great tutorial on converting a solenoid-valve to manual operation. Unless, of course, you picked up a valve like cxwq's awesome BAMF homemade, which utilized the manual bleed valve as the firing mechanism.

You've got the valve. Now get to work.


-Piney-

[sniper25]

Ok sorry about the errors in my first post I typed very quickly. I still have some questions, it says to manualy open the valve to turn the knob counterclockwise, is this different then manualy bleeding the valve using an electric power source and switch. What do you mean by a momentary on switch. Wireing the 9volts into the 2 wires that come out of the solnoid correct?

[Carbon]

it says to manualy open the valve to turn the knob counterclockwise, is this different then manualy bleeding the valve using an electric power source and switch.

No, they both do the same thing; one's just a lot quicker than the other. The fastest way to use a valve like this, though, is to modify it like Piney was linking to over at spudfiles.

What do you mean by a momentary on switch. Wireing the 9volts into the 2 wires that come out of the solnoid correct?

A momentary on switch is essentially a pushbutton. When you push it, it's on (the circuit is closed). When you let off of it, a spring returns it to the open position (opens the circuit). And yes, you're wiring your batteries into the two wires coming out of the valve. Keep in mind you need three of them hooked in series, also like Piney was saying (they snap together, so it's pretty easy).

Edited by Carbon, 19 August 2006 - 10:44 AM.

[Snazzy Q]

Be careful using the manual bleed valve included on the valve. When I was a member on spudtech I read several accounts of this destroying the valve diaphraigm.
I have a lot of experience in triggering these for different guns, and I discovered something very interesting: because they are diaphraigm valves, it IS possible to open and close them so quickly that you can get multiple shots off the same fill! What I did was actuate my valve with a disposable camera flash system. This gives the solenoid a very very fast powerful pulse to slam the valve open. However, because of the diaphraigm design of the valve, air pressure and the spring snap it closed again in a tiny fraction of a second. I used a 12v pump to get my relatively small air tank up to 145psi, and had a 1/2" pvc barrel with a gravity feed magazine attached. It allowed me to shoot six gumballs at high enough speed to punch through 1/2" plywood, reducing air pressure in the tank only 20psi per shot! I know this sounds like bullshit, but try it, I swear it works.

[davidbowie]

I do what snazzy Q was talking about with a few cannons, except I've just got quick hands with a lightswitch.

I've never heard of the stock manual bleed destroying a diaphragm, but the biggest problem is that it's probably the slowest way ever to actuate a sprinkler valve.