DIY Valve Actuator? or Automated 3-way valve?

[driftin]

Has anybody made either their own valve actuator, or an automated 3-way valve before? I'd love to buy THIS VALVE for use on a closed loop, but the actuator (HERE) that is sold separately is too expensive for my budget.

Anybody done something like this before? All I want to do is cycle flow between two ports. I'd do an Oceans Motion, but I would really love the flexibility of adjusting the cycle time...

[RandyStacyE]

It has been done before and I'm sure links will be posted soon. I don't recall the web site It's a bit expensive, requires a lot of machining, it's an elaborate build, but it's REAL impressive looking.

I just tried to find the link again and no luck. Someone will post it

[hahnmeister]

You might consider weatherson's alternative...
http://www.cvreefers.org/showthread.php?t=248

I have one of the Hayward 3-way valves and actuator... scored it off ebay for $30 a while ago. Still havent used it for anything... brand new though. The valve is very strong, and makes a loud 'whir' and 'pop.click' every time it rotates 90/180 degrees. So unless you have a basement sump-room or dedicated 'fish room' where noise isnt an issue, it may not be for you anyways. A continuous 1rpm motor like weatherson's design will be much quieter.

[driftin]

Thanks for the feedback on that valve. Noise will be a concern in this one, that's good to know.

That was one hell of a build you linked. Way beyond my abilities! I am going to give this some thought though and see if I can incorporate some of his ideas into something easier to fabricate.

[BeanAnimal]

Just by an oceans motions and be done with it

[MSU Fan]

check the tank of the month - I think that he uses the hayward on his setup.

[RicGio]

Looks like you need access to a full machine shop to get anywhere near building Weathersons "device" . Looks mighty expensive too. Acrylic tubing ain't cheap. Ditto on the oceans motion.

[hahnmeister]

Well, the only heavy machining that weatherson does is with the threaded blocks for the pipe connections. You dont need to do that though... there are simpler ways. The actual magnet/actuator/etc is just the volute/magnetic transfer system from an iwaki pump. So with the exception of a few parts that weatherson 'overdid' to make oh-so-slick, the unit would be pretty easy to build.

[driftin]

I've been wondering it something like this could be replicated with PVC, which would be a LOT easier for most people to work with. I think it's do-able... but I'd need to read that thread a few more times and do some serious looking around on USPlastic etc... Did do a little searching and found the motors on both ebay and at a manufacturer - Autotrol.

[driftin]

Had a brainstorm last night and started buying some of the stuff today. I really think this is a do-able project. Will probably take a few weeks before I have all the parts, and the time, to put something together and test it. Whether it works or not, I'll post my results back up here.

[johnski]

keep us up to date on the project , i'm interested in doing the same . I asked the question about 2 weeks ago and was directed to this, http://shop.solardirect.com/product_...roducts_id=221

[johnski]

found an actuator that may be of interest to you

http://swimmingpoolsetc.com/intermatic-valve.htm

[BeanAnimal]

That is a JANDY valve actuator and can be bolted directly to a 3 (or more) way hayward pool valve. Noisy, but certainly an option. They can be had on ebay for less than $100.

[Donw]

Originally posted by BeanAnimal
That is a JANDY valve actuator and can be bolted directly to a 3 (or more) way hayward pool valve. Noisy, but certainly an option. They can be had on ebay for less than $100.

Bean, are those actuators reliable. Would you trust one to shut down my return when the power went out.

Thanks
Don

[BeanAnimal]

They are fiarly stout gear motors with built in (adjustable) limit switches. I am not sure they would be "reliable" when compared to a hayward proces valve, but they are used on pools and spas every day. I would think they would be very reliable in a low duty cycle environment.

[JaredWaites]

They are VERY reliable valves. Any Jandy product is a good product. Jandy is owned by Hayward by the way

We own a pool business and have been doing business with both companies for a long time.

It has to be possible to wire this things up on a timer to automate itself into rotation, I've been thinking of the same thing. It shouldn't be too hard at all...there are 3 wires, one turns it one way, the other the other way and I don't know what the other wire is for yet, I'll do some messing around and let you know.

[Donw]

Originally posted by JaredWaites
They are VERY reliable valves. Any Jandy product is a good product. Jandy is owned by Hayward by the way

We own a pool business and have been doing business with both companies for a long time.

It has to be possible to wire this things up on a timer to automate itself into rotation, I've been thinking of the same thing. It shouldn't be too hard at all...there are 3 wires, one turns it one way, the other the other way and I don't know what the other wire is for yet, I'll do some messing around and let you know.

Being 24vdc I would imagine one is 24vdc+ and the other two are just ground CW and CCW.
Are these jandy never lube valves positive closing valve or are they just diverter valves?

Don

[BeanAnimal]

They are diverter valves. The motors have enough torque to turn a ball valve though.

[JaredWaites]

Well you can always take a regular 3 way jandy valve and automate it by taking the screws out of the top and positioning the actuator on the top.

Don I also think you may be right about how they work with the ground CW and CCW.

[stugray]

I figured out a way to build a 4 to 8 port oceans motions like device out of common PVC parts, a magnet and a motor, but once I added up all of the parts, it was more than the OM 4 port.

This is a case where I dont think you can beat the off-the-shelf item unless you have a mill & lathe at your disposal.

Stu

[BeanAnimal]

Yup the OMs are a great value.

[johnski]

i agree OM's are great products , but they dont suit the application i want to use the actuated 3 way ball valve for. I want to set up my flow from the closed loop pump so that the flow goes from left to right for 6 hours , then the valve switches and the flow goes from right to left for 6 hours then repeats

[hahnmeister]

Then yes, an actuator like the hayward is what you want.

[BeanAnimal]

Yup and a 3 way pool valve will do what you want.

[H20ENG]

An OM and a timer will do what you want too. Paul is working on an indexing stop for the drum to make this easier.