Ocean's Motions users

[Anonymous]

You could do what you want with two solinoid valves. Check the sprinkler section at you local hardware store to see if they have any. If you get a prewired 120 volt type you can plug both into cheep timers and get what you want. The motor on the OM is DC. IIRC you can put a resistor in the line to slow it down. You may need to play with it to get the spin you want. Or you could get a vairiable resistor from a hobby RC store and try that.

Can you describe exactly how I would plumb the solenoids in and how they would shut the flow off? I have no experience building sprinkler systems. My biggest concern here is that at a certain point I'm going to get closer in price to an actuated ball valve.

Sure. Come from your pump to a tee. On each branch of the tee put one of the solenoid valves. Then go to the tank from each. The valves I found are normally closed. All that means if you have to apply voltage to get them to open. Remove the voltage and they close. Also the once I saw are wired for 120 so all you would have to do is plud them into a timer.

I did not to an extensive search, but here you go.

http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/mist3.shtml

Wow. I've been looking at plastic solenoid valves online and finding them for much higher prices. I wonder if these will hold up well in saltwater and/or are entirely plastic inside. I guess it couldn't hurt to buy a couple and tear them apart.

Rich, want to share shipping?

 

[Anonymous]

If you find a 1.5 inch version!

 

[Anonymous]

I find the stagnant water to be a non issue. My big closed loop is 1.5 inch pipe, is under the house so has about 8 feet of pipe, and has stagnant water in it for four hours twice a day.

If you figure out how to do what you are trying to do for less than an actuated ball valve let me know!

How are you accomplishing this now? Separate pump on a timer?

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah the closed loop is on a timer, with two on off cycles a day. The current doesn't alternate though, and I would love it to. Yikes Hayward valves are 400 bucks for 1.5 inch!

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah the closed loop is on a timer, with two on off cycles a day. The current doesn't alternate though, and I would love it to. Yikes Hayward valves are 400 bucks for 1.5 inch!

I know, it's insane. It seems like it'd be simpe enough to DIY a motor to spin a regular Hayward ball valve handle. You'd just need a motor that goes one way, hits a switch, stops, and then reverses direction upon restart (hint hint, I have a light mover motor laying around...). Relays, switches, etc. You're handy with electric stuff, yeah?

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah the closed loop is on a timer, with two on off cycles a day. The current doesn't alternate though, and I would love it to. Yikes Hayward valves are 400 bucks for 1.5 inch!

I know, it's insane. It seems like it'd be simpe enough to DIY a motor to spin a regular Hayward ball valve handle. You'd just need a motor that goes one way, hits a switch, stops, and then reverses direction upon restart (hint hint, I have a light mover motor laying around...). Relays, switches, etc. You're handy with electric stuff, yeah?

We do stuff like that, but we use hydraulic pistons to turn the valve. Extend the piston to close and retract to open. It take a custom valve handel and a mounting bracket. If you can find an electric equavalent it may be better than a motor. You'll need some realys a such to make it work.