3/4 inch drain solenoids - how fast does yours drain?
 

I'm working on an autofill/drain system and my 3/4 drain solenoid is providing very slow drain rates, I'd estimate 50-60 gallons/hr compared to about three times that without the solenoid inline.

The drain is running to my basement from the upstairs, tank water level is 4 ft above the floor and the the drain is on the floor so I'd estimate the pressure at 15 ft * 0.433 psi/ft = 6.5 psi. The solenoid is rate to 1 psi to function so I'm gathering that its running fully open.

When complete the drain solenloid will be taking a portion of whatever the outlet pressure of a Fluval FX5 is, I'm guessing 5 to 8 psi based on things I've seen on this and other boards.

I know others have run booster pumps for such duty, I'm not pumped to do so, and my drain rate isn't absolutely unlivable but I'm trying to get a good sense of other people's experience.

Are they sprinkler valves?

Don

I don't think so, its the same general diaphram style though, the version is here:

[url]http://www.demaeng.com/product.php?id=107&catid=8[/url]

Max operating pressure 150 psi, 1 psi opening. I'm guessing I need a fair bit more pressure to open it. For what its worth it has a flow factor of CV= 5.0

Installation instructions here:

[url]http://www.demaeng.com/getFile.php?id=174&type=document[/url]

Also, the FX5 filter has a capability of 10.8 ft, so I gather that means the max pressure output is 10.8 * .433 = 4.7 psi

I'd watch out for that one.
Not all Stainless Steel is rated for saltwater.
Rated for "Water, Air, Light Oil, and other Noncorrosive Liquids"

I consider Saltwater pretty corrosive, look at peoples vehicles in the east coast.

Its fresh, from a planted tank, all of the plumbing is inline so the pumps pressure will in part be applied to the solenoid.

ahh ok..
So what happens in the event of a power failure?
If there's no pump keeping the pressure, will the valve open?

Its a normally closed valve, needs power to open. In the event of a failure open (long shot but possible) my intake can only drain 1/2 the tank.