Semi-auto Salt mixer

[Pbrown3701]

I have an idea for a way to mix salt water more easily. But i need some help finding enexpensive parts.

My idea:

Take an old salt bucket and drill a 4" hole in the bottom. Insert a 4" PVC pipe in to the hole and seal the gap (maybe use a uniseal or something...whatever).

Then, on the 4"pipe, connect 2 "knife valves". The idea is, you determine how much salt you usually add to your water reservoir. Then you convert that to cubic inches. THen you use the formula V=(PI)R^2L to determine the volume inside the 4" pipe. SOlve for L.

THen place the knife valves "L" inches appart.

HOW IT WORKS:
Start with both valves closed. Open the top valve (salt fills the pipe above the lower valve. Then close the top valve. Open the bottom valve. The salt is added to the reservoir.

It basically keeps you from having to scoop out 10cups of salt evertime....

The problem is, 4" knife valves are expensive. The 2" valves are moderately priced. I wonder if 2" pipe would allow the salt to flow freely or if the salt would cake and not work? Does anyone know of a place to get cheap knife valves?

 

[FuzzyLogic]

Yeah, knife valves are expensive. Maybe use a $12 blastgate. They are made for dust collection systems. Here's a 4" version.

 

[Pbrown3701]

can they be easily attached to PVC?

 

[Pbrown3701]

also, where did you find them?

 

[Pbrown3701]

http://www.woodzone.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=828922

4 bucks here - not bad. Thanks for the info!

 

[eameres]

DAMN! That's a great idea! So simple yet elegant. Nice work.

 

[scrager]

i've seen something similar. Cut your link of 4" pvc. Cap one end. Fill it full as a measuring cup. you can scoop in to it with whatever you want until it is full. then just dump it in your mixing tank.

 

[douggiestyle]

bit off from the original post. should try weighing. i use a digital kitchen scale ($15 or so) Its terrific. ive never had to make additions after figuring the exact weight needed. spot on every time.

 

[Qwiv]

That seams like the hardest time saver ever. Seriously, you make water, what once a week?? I also don't think you are going to save much time. First, the salt is measured by weight, not volume, so using volume makes the system inaccurate from the start. How do you know you are going to make the exact same amount of water each time? How are you going to seal all them valves from moisture? Salt bukets have moisture seals so the salt doesn't go bad.

Why don't you just buy a piece of PVC and cut/cap to make a cup the exact size you want, then use that as the perfect measuring cup. Would cost you $2-3.