Modding A Sprinkler Valve

boilingleadbath · Mon Nov 14, 2005 4:26 pm

Same way any other pilot-operated barrel-sealing diaphram works. Look it up in the wiki!

CpTn_lAw · Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:37 am

hey there, i bought a solenoid valve, it had a guiding rod, so i took it off, i drilled a hole, passed the thing in, glued it, put the spring back, screwed it and installed it on my air tank, but!!!
when i pump, there's no problem exept some air that comes out of the valve...i oppened it three times, and nothing goes wrong inside, that's weird, plus, when i press the blowgun, all the air go by it...nothing out of the valve itself, but the 50psi go out of the blow gun...somedy can help me??

longshot1068 · Wed Nov 30, 2005 11:44 am

A solenoid operated sprinkler valve? Im no expert but I believe that on valves with the rod you need to drill a bit off to the side of the rod so that when install the fitting it doesnt interfere with the parts. And if you removed the solenoid ( which you no longer need) you need to epoxy over the hole where the solenoid screwed in. make extra sure that you put it back together correctly. Any parts that were intended to move need to be able to move freely, maybe when you put it back together something is stuck open a little allowing the air to escape from where it isnt supposed to.

CpTn_lAw · Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:10 pm

The problem is, that i epoxied all as i should be, the solenoid hole, i let the hole through the diaphragm where the rod was, like this, the air can go on the upper part of the diaphragm, the blowgun works fine although and it has no air-leaking problem...i just don't get it!!!
I put it alltogether well...nothing is blocking the way...snif!!

longshot1068 · Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:21 pm

you said " ...where the rod WAS..." did you not put it back in? I think that rod needs to be there. other than this , I am out of my league here so I cant really help you too much. I hope you get it fixed, good luck.

CpTn_lAw · Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:43 pm

Hey there people!! i have put a 1/2" canon....what a mess!!! i found the problem that was the guiding rod, resolved it, and now it works fine!!! still i have to fond something bettter than glue and addhesive tape...i'm going to move to copperan for air tank, and i'm going to leave all the rest like it's today...I tried to shoot water ...my arm remebers it. i also tried not to hold the gun while pushing the blowgun..with 16mm marbles, the caon rolls back over 15cm...

P.S.: what is the french name for sch 40 PVC? and how much pressure can this handle?

jack_the_hack · Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:10 pm

hey guys if you want to find a watermaster 3/4" go to home depot garden section. i just got my valve tonight

TalonXxX · Sat Dec 03, 2005 10:19 pm

OMG Thank you so much!!! Also, spread the good word that toilet paper is for shoving up your f***ing asshole!!!

seriously though... the 1" is only a couple bucks more and has better flow (less restriction) therefore a more powerful shot. I suggest you pack that sucker up and exchange it...

jack_the_hack · Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:05 pm

i didnt have a couple bucks more because i traded a painting for the valve and parts. 8)

TalonXxX · Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:13 pm

well I hate to argue, but the difference is literally $2. a sprinkler valve hinders performance already (compared to something like a 3" piston for example). I'm sure you can afford $2 and it would significantly increase your performance... just trying to help you squeeze as much bang out of your buck as possible. If you are feeling adventurous however, try building a piston valve. They are much easier than most people think. If you do a little research, they are so trivial and produce much more power. However, my first pneumatic does have a sprinkler valve... so I guess we all gotta start somewhere...

jack_the_hack · Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:09 pm

yeah thank for the help now that you mention it im sure i can like check the sofa for money .

im sure i can find some somewhere in my house.

longshot1068 · Mon Dec 05, 2005 3:07 pm

TalonXxX, you sir have a way with words. LOL.
When it comes time for me to build my first pneumatic I will be using a sprinkler valve.

boilingleadbath · Mon Dec 05, 2005 4:12 pm

People (refering to the above 2 posters), now, really... did your posts contribute <i>anything</i> to the topic?
Didn't think so.

kevl12377 · Wed Dec 14, 2005 10:10 pm

i saw a video on how to do this i think it was on this websight but i cant find it can anyone point me in the right direction?

Shrimphead · Fri Dec 16, 2005 8:54 pm

will a Lawn Genie 1" electric inline valve work?
For some reason, it won't let me post the picture I have of it
If somebody has experience with it, or can find a pic and look at it and see if it looks ok, please tell me
thanx