Electrically operated water valves?

xanatos

I thought that a latching, electrically operated water valve would be a standard item at Home Depot or Lowes... but I was wrong. A search online revealed some items that were ridiculously expensive ($US 220.00), and some that when activated, they buzz like a chainsaw.

I can go into any commercial outlet and buy a water shutoff system (usually a timer) designed for a hose, for as little as $US 20.00, but I need to have something more robust that can be soldered (pipe soldered) in place, actually hooked up into my plumbing inside, not outside, which leaves the spigot pressurized.

Has anyone used such an item, or have knowledge of such an item - 1/2" to 3/4" copper, silent operation (as in, no buzzing when on) or latching operation (pulse for on, pulse for off), and under $US 75.00?

Thanks,

Dave

bill190

The key word to search for is "solenoid".

Here is a search for water solenoid valve price...
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=water+solenoid+valve+price&cp=0&pq=water%20solenoid%20valve%20price&pf=p&sclient=psy&safe=off&source=hp&aq=0&aqi=&aql=&oq=water+solenoid+valve+price&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=63d4c53375cf906e

davejames

...think "lawn sprinklers" and all that goes into that.

Each bank of sprinklers is fed via solenoid (as bill190 hinted) controlled valve. The solenoid then takes its control from a timer. A drawback to this type of water valve is that it requires pressure on one side to operate, so it needs to be connected to an active water pipe.

Another type of water valve is the "ball valve" and you'll find these commonly inside the battery powered valve/timers that connect to a hose for those out-of-the-way spots that regular lawn sprinklers don't reach.

kiiid

Not long ago I was on the same quest to find a water valve. I came across a seller on eBay who had many types and I found what I needed. You might want to have a look as well: http://shop.ebay.com.au/value_direct/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

xanatos

Asco seems to have some good stuff: http://www.valve-warehouse.com/Asco-General-Purpose-and-Low-Pressure-Solenoid-Valve--8210G2--12-NPT-120-VAC-Two-Way-Normally-Closed-Brass-5--200-PSI-_p_13.html

Wondering what the type of solenoid valve is called that has two coils, for latching operation, where you pulse one and it turns on, a pulse to the other turns it off...??? A latching solenoid valve??? Google... here I come. Anyone else want to chime in on this? :-)

Dave

Franklin

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Hunter-Sprinkler-Valve-DC-Solenoids-p/458200.htm

Dr_Acula

Wondering what the type of solenoid valve is called that has two coils, for latching operation, where you pulse one and it turns on, a pulse to the other turns it off...??? A latching solenoid valve??? Google... here I come. Anyone else want to chime in on this? :-)

They do exist - a house I once bought came with one. But I've not seen them in hardware shops.

The one I had was designed for battery power so it had to not consume much power when on. It had two solenoids like you say, and then used the water pressure to open and close a bigger hole.

Franklin's link is interesting. One can think about the "latching" action being either electrical in the solenoid winding, or "hydraulic" opening and closing little holes that then move the large valve inside the unit, or "mechanical" with a motorized ball valve. All three systems are available - then it maybe comes down to cost?