Good source for a reliable solenoid valve?

[Mihai]

Does anybody know of a good source for a solenoid valve for my auto-top-off? There gotta be some really reliable valves around: each fridge has one and I'm yet to see one fail, but I have no idea where to buy one without the fridge. If it works at 120V even better, although 12V may work OK as long as it doesn't need too many amps.

Thanks!
Mihai

 

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure grainer and McMaster Carr has them.

It's been a few years since I bought one, but I never had any problem with them. They come in all kinds of configurations. I think McMaster has the bigger selection IIRC.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Does anybody know of a good source for a solenoid valve for my auto-top-off? There gotta be some really reliable valves around: each fridge has one and I'm yet to see one fail, but I have no idea where to buy one without the fridge. If it works at 120V even better, although 12V may work OK as long as it doesn't need too many amps.

Thanks!
Mihai

the fridge ones do fail.

I got a replacement from a local appliance parts store. Check the yellow pages.

If you have a choice it would be much safer to have 12 Dc than any 120v ac.

my .02

 

[Mihai]

Boy do those guys (McMaster Carr) have valves! They have so many in fact I have a hard time choosing! If you have a note somewhere of a good one, help me .

Now, regarding the type - is brass OK? It's RO water going for the top-off, will it leach in the tank and kill the corals?

M.

 

[Anonymous]

I don't have any notes about what I bought. It may be mentioned in my 300G tank thread (see sig link).

I did go with stainless steel though. Brass seems like a bad idea. I bought one that was 120V, and had john guest type fittings.

Louey

 

[kgross]

I have used the STC valves myself in 12v, the 120 volt can have copper shading coils in the water. I have used and sold quite a few and so far have only had one fail after about 4 years of use (happened to be my tank).

Kim

 

[Anonymous]

GARF? GARF? GARF?

 

[kgross]

GARF? GARF? GARF?

what?

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.garf.org/index.shtml

 

[kgross]

Don't see anything about solenoid valves on that site.....

 

[rglauson]

ASCO and Parker are both good name brand solenoid valves. You can buy new from sites like Mcmaster Carr but I would
suggest EBay for new and used. The key to any solenoid use is to make sure the normal state (normally closed or normally open) is the standard state or the state the solenoid spends the most of its time in is what you need. That way the solenoid is powered off for the majority of its life.