Gate Valve Automation

[arcos]

I would like to automate one of my gate valves. Does anyone have a source of Automated Gate Valves that can be used in a Reef Tank environment?

 

[shred5]

I think Grainger sell electronic pvc ball valves that would probably work but they are around 500.00. Not sure I have seen gate valves but they are probably out there at a major cost.

 

[S-t-r-e-t-c-h]

Hayward makes pvc gate valves that have an electronic actuator, but they are $$$$$$$

 

[Brew12]

I would like to automate one of my gate valves. Does anyone have a source of Automated Gate Valves that can be used in a Reef Tank environment?

If you are really interested I can hook you up with a supplier of food safe PVC linear actuated butterfly valves. Just be aware that they start at over $2k.

I think Grainger sell pvc ones that would probably work but they are around 500.00.

If they are that cheap I'm guessing they are only open/close controlled, not variable position.

 

[shred5]

If they are that cheap I'm guessing they are only open/close controlled, not variable position.

I am sure they are just open/close

 

[ca1ore]

What is it you are trying to accomplish? If it is to 'automate' a siphon drain, may be easier (and cheaper) to use a flow-controllable pump.

 

[arcos]

I wanted to put this on the Gate Valve for my Herbie Style Drain.

 

[Brew12]

I wanted to put this on the Gate Valve for my Herbie Style Drain.

I thought about doing the same thing at one point. It actually wouldn't be hard to control with a 0-10V output. And then I realized that there are no hobby level valves that do variable position. I would have to go through one of the suppliers I use at work and the cost was.. ouch...

 

[ca1ore]

Another way to accomplish the same thing (a self adjusting siphon) is to vary the pump flow rather than siphon flow. I'd imagine this could be done with a COR or Vectra pump and a few level switches.

 

[arcos]

Another way to accomplish the same thing (a self adjusting siphon) is to vary the pump flow rather than siphon flow. I'd imagine this could be done with a COR or Vectra pump and a few level switches.

Can you describe that ? I have a Vario-S DC Pump

 

[ca1ore]

More 'thinking out loud' as I have not done it ..... but I was thinking that with the COR pump, you could tell apex to bump up the output by a small amount if a level switch detects that the water level is rising in the overflow box, or bump down the output if the water level were falling.

 

[arcos]

I have an Apex I wonder if I can use it with a float switch to achieve that. I don't think a pump could achieve such small increments without working the pump to hard?

 

[KenO]

You could use something like this with a Jandy pool valve. Amazon has this item for $85 without the Jandy valve.

http://www.poolsupplyworld.com/jand...YMU2KT9kFVpWQm2Ff84iIVA4LshB0MwEaAniEEALw_wcB

 

[arcos]

That might work.

 

[ca1ore]

I have an Apex I wonder if I can use it with a float switch to achieve that. I don't think a pump could achieve such small increments without working the pump to hard?

It would only work with a controllable DC pump.