good parts website?

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psicicle
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good parts website?

Post by psicicle » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:15 am

Hi, I want to find a place to get parts like a solenoid valve online. Googling doesn't seem to bring up good results.

EDIT: Also, what kind of solenoid valve should I use for a water balloon launcher? Which would give the quickest open time, more specifically?

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Silence
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Silence » Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:23 am

Check McMaster-Carr. ;)

Most solenoids perform similarly, although Watermasters are generally lauded. You'll only get the (relatively) fast opening time after you have modified the valve, though.

For water balloon launchers with long barrels and larger bores, solenoids become quite inefficient and not worth it due to flow constriction.

psicicle
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Re: good parts website?

Post by psicicle » Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:50 am

Well, right now I have a ball valve so I think it would work better. But what is generally used then? I will have a 3 ft long barrel of 3 in diameter and 2-3 ft long pressure chamber of in diameter.

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Drenchenator
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Drenchenator » Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:06 am

Ball valves are generally used in water balloon launchers, but solenoids are far superior because they open many times faster. Most people use ball valves because they are available in many stores. Solenoids should be available in home improvement stores like Lowes and Home Depot though. If you can get a solenoid, modify it and use it.
The Drenchenator, also known as Lt. Col. Drench.

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C-A_99
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Re: good parts website?

Post by C-A_99 » Wed Nov 28, 2007 10:02 pm

I believe anything more than 2ft for a PC is unecessary, and now I'm starting to wish I used a 1ft PC on mine. Smaller PC's will allow the pressure to be built up faster, though the air release time is shorter. (which is probably what makes the solenoid valve highly recommended for smaller PC's) If you do go the easier way by using a ball valve however, make sure you create a torque arm and mount it on for faster opening.

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Silence
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Silence » Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:10 am

I'd think about sprinkler valves only for short barrels, not for short pressure chambers. In short barrels, the projectile spends less time being propelled, so the valve must open quickly to let the air out early. Otherwise, the air is only let out later, after the projectile has left.

psicicle
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Re: good parts website?

Post by psicicle » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:48 pm

What type of solenoid valve would be suitable? I have a 3 in ID barrel of 3 feet. The PC will be about 2-3 ft of 4 inch ID PVC.

it says that there are diaphragm, piston and direct.

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SSCBen
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Re: good parts website?

Post by SSCBen » Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:02 pm

I don't know much about solenoid valves, but I believe diaphragm opens the fastest. Perhaps someone else could explain in more detail.

The prices on McMaster-Carr seem steep for solenoid valves however. If you want cheaper prices, check out local hardware and home improvement stores. The standard 3/4 inch or 1 inch valves should be plenty adequate for a water balloon launcher. ;)

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Silence
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Silence » Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:05 pm

Diaphragm will open fastest, although the flow will be fairly restricted. Then again, all sprinkler valves restrict flow. In the end, it doesn't really make a big difference here.

I didn't know about the price difference...thanks Ben. :cool:

Good luck with the water balloon launcher!

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Drenchenator
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Drenchenator » Sat Dec 01, 2007 6:13 pm

The last time I went to Lowes I remember they had sizes from 3/4" to 1 1/4" for solenoids, and none of them were more than 20 USD. 1 1/4" would perform the best when modified.
The Drenchenator, also known as Lt. Col. Drench.

psicicle
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Re: good parts website?

Post by psicicle » Sat Dec 01, 2007 7:58 pm

thank you. BTW this is not for actual water warfare, I'm aiming for range.

Anthony
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Anthony » Sat Feb 16, 2008 5:31 am

sorry for the late post but at http://www.starnursery.com/products.php?root=4 they have alot of solinoids

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Silence
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Re: good parts website?

Post by Silence » Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:36 pm

Indeed they do. That's a good find for people whose local hardware stores don't carry solenoid sprinkler valves.

Welcome back! :)

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