Solenoid Help!!

[reefs4life]

Hey guys, so I'm trying to build my own auto water change system but I ran into a little issue. I got my solenoids in but I didn't realize they need pressure to operate properly. I want to find solenoids that literally just open and close like a regular valve or just a solenoid that requires no pressure for water to flow through. What I'm trying to do is something similar to the genesis reef systems RENEW but if I can't find solenoids like the ones they use then my project is kinda done for if anyone knows of anything similar to what I am looking for please let me know. Thanks Fortunato

 

[rkaragozler]

try this.
http://autotopoff.com/solenoid/

 

[Josh]

What do you mean it needs pressure to work?

 

[skene]

josh.. maybe what he is looking for isnt a solenoid.. maybe he is looking for a valve...
reefs... solenoids work on pressure... whether it would be liquids or air. I do not know how else you would figure your automated system to work properly without any type of pressure.

 

[reefs4life]

I'm not sure how solenoids work but maybe the hole that opens isn't that large and for water to rush through it needs pressure. I saw it on the specs of the solenoid, it says minimum of 3 psi. Oddly, that's only with nylon solenoids, if I went with a brass solenoid it says 0 psi but idk if it would be a good idea to use brass with saltwater, I know it doesn't rust but I'm sure it oxidizes in some form and idk if that would be harmful to the system. Where would I find an electronic valve anyways skene? especially one that wouldn't cost me as much as just buying a genesis system

 

[strgazr27]

Brass contains trace copper. DON'T DO IT !!

 

[knutez24]

ok...i work with alot of these valves in irrigation (i'm a golf course super). The pressure is actually what it used to "turn" the water on and off. The basic point of a solenoid is to retract the plunger on the inside to allow water to slip past and open the valve.

You could set up one and turn on the pump and use the manual bleeder to open the solenoid/valve.

If you want pm me with what you have going on and i'll see if i can help you out

 

[reefs4life]

Well I didn't want to add anymore pumps I really want it to just be a gravity drain from the buckets to the proper places (sump/sink) so I don't know what else to use. I really wonder what the Genesis Systems units use

 

[reefs4life]

Would something like this work?

 

[reefs4life]

Does anyone know if stainless steel would be ok to use in a fish tank? I learned a bit about check valves and figured out that for my application I need direct acting solenoids. I found some legit solenoids of this type but they only come in stainless steel. Anyone know about SS in saltwater setups

 

[skene]

stainless would be fine... however you will have to inspect every few months for metal oxidizing, or you would need to be able to constantly flush with fresh water to remove any salt residue that would dry off when not in use.