Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
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- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:08 pm
Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
Why does everyone use ball valves in thier homemades?
Ball valves may have a more direct flow when fully open that allows a better stream of water, but it seems that a lot of people have spend a lot of time and effort to create trigger systems for these, also ball valves are super cheap
Sprinkler valves open in no time and can be easily converted to pnumatic actuation, making a trigger out of a simple air nozzle is much easier than working with springs and wire etc
Just starting a topic for discussion, I could be completely wrong here but I want to get your thoughts
Ball valves may have a more direct flow when fully open that allows a better stream of water, but it seems that a lot of people have spend a lot of time and effort to create trigger systems for these, also ball valves are super cheap
Sprinkler valves open in no time and can be easily converted to pnumatic actuation, making a trigger out of a simple air nozzle is much easier than working with springs and wire etc
Just starting a topic for discussion, I could be completely wrong here but I want to get your thoughts
- cantab
- Posts: 1492
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:35 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
Possibly because most homemades are primarily built for power, and ergonomics are a secondary consideration.
I work on Windows. My toolbox is Linux.
Arsenal:
Super Soaker: XP215, 2xXP220, Liquidator, Aquashock Secret Strike M(odded), Arctic Blast M, CPS1200, CPS2100, SC Power Pak, 3l aquapack, 1.5l aquapack
Water Warriors: Jet, Sting Ray M, Shark, Argon M, Tiger Shark, PulseMaster
Others: Waterbolt, The Blaster, Storm 500, Shield Blaster 2000, generic PR gun, generic backpack piston pumper (broken), 3l garden sprayer M, 10l water carrier:
Arsenal:
Super Soaker: XP215, 2xXP220, Liquidator, Aquashock Secret Strike M(odded), Arctic Blast M, CPS1200, CPS2100, SC Power Pak, 3l aquapack, 1.5l aquapack
Water Warriors: Jet, Sting Ray M, Shark, Argon M, Tiger Shark, PulseMaster
Others: Waterbolt, The Blaster, Storm 500, Shield Blaster 2000, generic PR gun, generic backpack piston pumper (broken), 3l garden sprayer M, 10l water carrier:
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- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:08 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
If a valve opens faster it's more powerful is it not? (assuming we're talking 2 valves that can each handle the same amount of pressure behind them)
- cantab
- Posts: 1492
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:35 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
Opening speed isn't too relevant. Flow rate is what matters, and sprinkler valves tend to be quite narrow inside, restricting the flow. As a rule of thumb, the nozzle should be not more than half the diameter of the narrowest point in the pipework, or performance suffers.
I work on Windows. My toolbox is Linux.
Arsenal:
Super Soaker: XP215, 2xXP220, Liquidator, Aquashock Secret Strike M(odded), Arctic Blast M, CPS1200, CPS2100, SC Power Pak, 3l aquapack, 1.5l aquapack
Water Warriors: Jet, Sting Ray M, Shark, Argon M, Tiger Shark, PulseMaster
Others: Waterbolt, The Blaster, Storm 500, Shield Blaster 2000, generic PR gun, generic backpack piston pumper (broken), 3l garden sprayer M, 10l water carrier:
Arsenal:
Super Soaker: XP215, 2xXP220, Liquidator, Aquashock Secret Strike M(odded), Arctic Blast M, CPS1200, CPS2100, SC Power Pak, 3l aquapack, 1.5l aquapack
Water Warriors: Jet, Sting Ray M, Shark, Argon M, Tiger Shark, PulseMaster
Others: Waterbolt, The Blaster, Storm 500, Shield Blaster 2000, generic PR gun, generic backpack piston pumper (broken), 3l garden sprayer M, 10l water carrier:
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- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:08 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
so basically the issue is the zig-zag that the water has to pass thru, whereas in spudguns the faster opening valve produces a better initial burst of speed, I can deffinately see a water gun losing power after this initial burst due to the flow
- SSCBen
- Posts: 6449
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 1:00 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
Opening time is nowhere near as valuable in water guns. When your shot usually lasts several seconds, why bother?
I can see benefit coming from using a faster opening valve for very short duration shots, but there's the other problem.
Ball valves are more direct, reducing energy loss through the valve and forming a more coherent stream as has been explained and this will increase performance. Hasbro noticed this and they call it "Max-D" technology.
There are many possibilities for valve actuation, but I haven't seen many people attempt ideas other than actuating a ball valve in some fashion.
As for why sprinkler valves aren't used... how are you going to refill the pilot chamber? I actually looked into this, but I concluded that unless you have a very large system, one will lose too much air venting the pilot valve for it to be practical.
If you have any ideas to address any shortcomings in any system, I'd be interested in seeing them.
I can see benefit coming from using a faster opening valve for very short duration shots, but there's the other problem.
Ball valves are more direct, reducing energy loss through the valve and forming a more coherent stream as has been explained and this will increase performance. Hasbro noticed this and they call it "Max-D" technology.
There are many possibilities for valve actuation, but I haven't seen many people attempt ideas other than actuating a ball valve in some fashion.
As for why sprinkler valves aren't used... how are you going to refill the pilot chamber? I actually looked into this, but I concluded that unless you have a very large system, one will lose too much air venting the pilot valve for it to be practical.
If you have any ideas to address any shortcomings in any system, I'd be interested in seeing them.
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- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:08 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
my only reference for this is my use in spud guns, air is obviously going to "reset" a sprinkler valve much faster, I can't help but wonder if we can somehow bore out the ports to the side with the release valve to allow faster resets
this will not solve the directional flow issues at all, even my homemade piston valves would have this issue, so maybe I'm deadended at this point
this will not solve the directional flow issues at all, even my homemade piston valves would have this issue, so maybe I'm deadended at this point
- cantab
- Posts: 1492
- Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:35 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
Aren't sprinkler valves by default electrically operated? I think normally they want 24 volts, but maybe you could make it run off a 9volt battery somehow?
I work on Windows. My toolbox is Linux.
Arsenal:
Super Soaker: XP215, 2xXP220, Liquidator, Aquashock Secret Strike M(odded), Arctic Blast M, CPS1200, CPS2100, SC Power Pak, 3l aquapack, 1.5l aquapack
Water Warriors: Jet, Sting Ray M, Shark, Argon M, Tiger Shark, PulseMaster
Others: Waterbolt, The Blaster, Storm 500, Shield Blaster 2000, generic PR gun, generic backpack piston pumper (broken), 3l garden sprayer M, 10l water carrier:
Arsenal:
Super Soaker: XP215, 2xXP220, Liquidator, Aquashock Secret Strike M(odded), Arctic Blast M, CPS1200, CPS2100, SC Power Pak, 3l aquapack, 1.5l aquapack
Water Warriors: Jet, Sting Ray M, Shark, Argon M, Tiger Shark, PulseMaster
Others: Waterbolt, The Blaster, Storm 500, Shield Blaster 2000, generic PR gun, generic backpack piston pumper (broken), 3l garden sprayer M, 10l water carrier:
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- Posts: 11
- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:08 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
yes, I ran my last spud gun off 3 - 9v batteries
before converting to pnumatic
before converting to pnumatic
- zeda.beta
- Posts: 683
- Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 10:49 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
Spud guns get their velocity from acceleration down a barrel, water guns get it from the pressure created when the PC is pressurized.
I reject your reality and substitute my own.
Quack damn you.
Quack damn you.
- SSCBen
- Posts: 6449
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 1:00 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
You could run off 9 volt batteries as Titan said, and I suppose my post didn't consider the possibility. I think electricity should be avoided in water guns unless it's used for the propulsion, though. But it does get around the pilot gas issue.cantab wrote:Aren't sprinkler valves by default electrically operated? I think normally they want 24 volts, but maybe you could make it run off a 9volt battery somehow?
I was actually thinking about using a QEV before, not a sprinkler valve, as sprinkler valves aren't designed for high flow. I actually don't know what's different about their operation or even if the pilot chamber needs to be refilled.
Ball valves actuated with an air cylinder are one possibility. It has been done before, and I think it would be useful for a weird water gun design I thought of a year(ish) ago. I'll investigate.
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- Joined: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:08 pm
Re: Why ball valves over sprinkler valves?
a QEV is basically the same thing as a piston valve and works on the same principles as a sprinkler valve
in this type of valve, water/air is allowed into both chambers of the valve to equalize pressure, the only thing that keeps the valve closed is a small amount of pressure provided by a spring
they don't have to have the pilot chamber "reset" persay, as soon as whatever is allowing the side with the spring to vent is closed it starts to return to the closed position, how long this takes I'm not sure
I think it is possible to make a water gun with a piston style valve or sprinkler valve but the best case scenario the water still has to go from the PC around a 90 degree bend to the barrel
it might be worth $10 to me just to try it out, I had a modified valve sitting around for a while and now I can't find the diaphram for it
in this type of valve, water/air is allowed into both chambers of the valve to equalize pressure, the only thing that keeps the valve closed is a small amount of pressure provided by a spring
they don't have to have the pilot chamber "reset" persay, as soon as whatever is allowing the side with the spring to vent is closed it starts to return to the closed position, how long this takes I'm not sure
I think it is possible to make a water gun with a piston style valve or sprinkler valve but the best case scenario the water still has to go from the PC around a 90 degree bend to the barrel
it might be worth $10 to me just to try it out, I had a modified valve sitting around for a while and now I can't find the diaphram for it