Electric shutoff valve

[lowman31]

Hey eveyone. I have been offered an electric shutoff valve for free and was wondering if anyone has used one of these. I plan to use it to stop the backflow of water into my sump in case of power outage. Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.

 

[chimmike]

electric ....... I plan to use it to stop the backflow of water into my sump in case of power outage. Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.

Did I miss something here?

How do you plan on using something electric when the electricity has stopped a-flowin'?

:bounce3:

You should plan your sump to handle overflow in power outage situations.

 

[epond83]

The valve is most likly normally closed and when energized it opens.

I would check and see if teh devise is ok to be used 24/7 Some valves like that get warm from the solinode hold the valve open. Which is ok for shorts times but not always. They do make one that can be open constantly.

Instal it in a way it can be maintained and cleaned so it seald properly. Another idea is a check valve.

Of coarse the safest is to just have a siphon break and make sure the sump can hold it.

 

[lowman31]

chimmike: Good question. The valve is powered open but when the electricity goes out it closes automatically.

I use holes drilled in my returns as siphon breaks and they work well, but when I was offered this I thought I would check it out.

epond83: Thanks. I will definately ask if it is made for 24/7 use. I don't like using check valves because I have had bad experiences.

Thank you for the feedback. Anyone ever use these things on there tanks?

 

[steamman]

Sounds like a normally closed solenoid valve. What material is the construction?

 

[lowman31]

I requested pvc from my friend. He said he could also get bras ans stainless but I told him pvc would be best.

 

[steamman]

I would go with plastic or stainless. Brass has copper in it. Bad ideal. Here is the composition of brass. The ASTM B19 specification for Brass states that the composition is 68.5% - 71.5% copper, up to .07% lead, up to .05% iron and the remainder is zinc.

 

[epond83]

Once the metals are melted down and combined don't they react differently? Which is why they combine them?

 

[steamman]

I may react somewhat differently. It still contains materials you do not want to put in your marine tank. Here is a link to what happens to brass in salt water. http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=191279&page=1

 

[lowman31]

Thanks for the feedback. I am waiting to hear back from my friend and will update when I get this thing installed. Anymore feedback is welcome.