Super Soaker Central forums

psicicle · 11-27-2007, 07:15 PM

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?

Silence · 11-27-2007, 07:23 PM

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 · 11-27-2007, 08:50 PM

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.

Drenchenator · 11-27-2007, 09:06 PM

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.

C-A_99 · 11-28-2007, 05:02 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.

Silence · 11-28-2007, 10:10 PM

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 · 12-01-2007, 12:48 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.

Ben · 12-01-2007, 01:02 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.

Silence · 12-01-2007, 01:05 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.

Good luck with the water balloon launcher!

Drenchenator · 12-01-2007, 01:13 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.

psicicle · 12-01-2007, 02:58 PM

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

Anthony · 02-16-2008, 12:31 AM

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

Silence · 02-16-2008, 11:36 AM

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

Welcome back!

11-27-2007, 07:15 PM	#1
psicicle Junior member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 15 UserID: 639	good parts website? 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?

11-27-2007, 07:23 PM	#2
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,315 UserID: 576	Re: good parts website? 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. __________________ Forum rules

11-27-2007, 08:50 PM	#3
psicicle Junior member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 15 UserID: 639	Re: good parts website? 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.

11-27-2007, 09:06 PM	#4
Drenchenator Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 719 UserID: 320	Re: good parts website? 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.

11-28-2007, 05:02 PM	#5
C-A_99 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: MI, US Posts: 471 UserID: 809	Re: good parts website? 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. __________________ http://hbww.fateback.com/index.html Website w/ info on teams, armory, etc.

11-28-2007, 10:10 PM	#6
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,315 UserID: 576	Re: good parts website? 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. __________________ Forum rules

12-01-2007, 12:48 PM	#7
psicicle Junior member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 15 UserID: 639	Re: good parts website? 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.

12-01-2007, 01:02 PM	#8
Ben Founder Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: College Park, Maryland Posts: 6,086 UserID: 1	Re: good parts website? 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. __________________ email: / Forum rules / Read this page before emailing me. Do not send me a PM or email with a water gun question if someone else could answer the question. Post at the forums. You will get a response from me along with others' views or ideas.

12-01-2007, 01:05 PM	#9
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,315 UserID: 576	Re: good parts website? 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. Good luck with the water balloon launcher! __________________ Forum rules

12-01-2007, 01:13 PM	#10
Drenchenator Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 719 UserID: 320	Re: good parts website? 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.

12-01-2007, 02:58 PM	#11
psicicle Junior member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 15 UserID: 639	Re: good parts website? thank you. BTW this is not for actual water warfare, I'm aiming for range.

02-16-2008, 12:31 AM	#12
Anthony Junior member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 7 UserID: 1196	Re: good parts website? sorry for the late post but at http://www.starnursery.com/products.php?root=4 they have alot of solinoids

02-16-2008, 11:36 AM	#13
Silence Administrator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 3,315 UserID: 576	Re: good parts website? Indeed they do. That's a good find for people whose local hardware stores don't carry solenoid sprinkler valves. Welcome back! __________________ Forum rules

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