you are the moderator for this forum...and i was wondering if you could help me out a little bit.

i just purchased a new elcetronic solenoid in-line valve to be used in my next air cannon. I got it out of the box, attached it to my electronics (switches and batteries) and when i activated the solenoid i heard a click (of a little metal tube being sucked up the solenoid [electro-magnet] to open some hole) but the air flow is pathetic...from about 60 psi i only get a faint whisper of air flow...i have inspected the innerds of the valve casing and it is designed so that there is a rubber/latex diaphram that is pushed down by a spring...when the diaphram is pushed up manually (with my finger in the tube) then it works fine.

is there anything i can do?

**this is open to everyone**
it's brand name is WaterMaster 1" Automatic In-Line Valve

*cries out for help*

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for informational purposes only
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Same thing happened to me. I tried the inline version and the anti-siphon control one.... here's why they dont work

With the old rainbird valves, they let all the air through. With these crap-ass orbit ones, it lets alot of air go through... but during a long period of time. Instead of 60 psi all at once, it goes about 5 psi over about 12 mins... you get the drift.

I bought myself a manual valve, and i suggest you do the same

well prodigy thank you for clearing that up..i'll get my bud's mother to go in and yell at home depot to get my money back ($25.53 total) and mabey i'll get myself a nice big butterfly valve...do u know where i can get one?

oh..and what if i drill the little hole in the valve to make more air flow through?

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for informational purposes only
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Nm, HELP.

im looking at mine and it's the same thing. If i push the thing up it works fine.

Maybe someone can offer some help!!!

go back to where you bought and say 'hey man...i just bought this valve and it is like it has already been used. the valve doesn't open, the solenoid is shot, and air flow sucks"

you might get your money back!

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ok...if you say so
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for informational purposes only
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Lol, all i have to do is ask for a refund.

So i call up home deopt and the guy has no idea what the prob is, till i mention im using air. well, BINGO he says, that's the problem. They're not supposed to be used for air, because water pressure is greater than air. Then he promptly hangs up.

So i guess that's it.. oh well, back to manual for me

tis not to shameful...there is hope...i just called a bunch of shops in my area and they all sell nice 1" all the way to 4" butterfly valves (edmonton, alberta )...i think they would be great..because the valve opens really faster than ball valves.....what have you been using?


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ok...if you say so
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for informational purposes only
http://spudszilla.cjb.net

i haven't used anything. I have a 3/4" ball valve sitting infront of me, but i haven't connected it cause i had everything set for my auto valve. So are these valves metal / can i get em at home depot?

the butterfly valves?

i believe they come in both metal or abs (i wouldn't suggest pvc for anything...compared to abs, it's crap!)

and it is really easy to use them..i eman it's just a bit handle

do u have the big white ball valve with the red handle?
if so, which size?

if you do use it befor you instal it i would suggest putting some nice axle grease inside it...it will give it a smoother turn.

i've built a larger hande for mine...i tooke a chunk of 2x4 and used a jug saw and cut out a notch...the size of the handle

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ok...if you say so
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for informational purposes only
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Ok, i have the crappy red one. I think i'll invest in this (im in vancouver, but i just needed a us state code for their little crap ass comp system)
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=Products_1%2fPlumbing_1565%2fPipe+and+Fittings_1353%2fValves_1355%2fBall+Valves_6701%2fFull+ Port_6635&BV_SessionID=@@@@1194630663.0991096773@@@@&BV_EngineID=egallclmlgddbfdlcffcfhcgjn.0

It's the 1" threaded one that is brass. Im gonna get that one tommorow

i du know about that one man..i was at home depot and they were tight as hell!

what is your construction material?


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schedule 40 pvc. I know it sucks, but it's cheap and it's good till 250 psi, which is plenty

okay okay...it's pretty good...but if your using pvc...why use the steel ball valve?

if you get the plastic valve..you will have a way better seal between it and the piping (if you use the proper cement)

i have fucked up alot the past gun i made..i was trying to make a little over the shoulder one with a trigger valve and i learned alot of lessons. >

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for informational purposes only
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thanks, i'll try and oil the plastic one tommorow...

My friend said that adding 90 degree turns in the pipe reduces the air speed, is that true?

um..i'm not to sure..my friend has his air tank turn 180 back to his valve...and compared to mine (totally straight)...i think my cannon can put way more force into every shot

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for informational purposes only
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some holes in a piece of wood i did
http://www.geocities.com/spuds_zilla/my_gun.html

scroll to the bottom!

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ok...if you say so
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for informational purposes only
http://spudszilla.cjb.net

so you bought a butterfly valve, nice. Im getting a different one, the one i gave a link. Hopefully that will work =)

sheesh, look at the times on those posts, theyre like 3 minutes apart.

on the solenoid valve, did u try putting more power on it? that mightve helped.

and yes, turning it more than neccesary will begin to reduce the air flow, until it turns 180 degrees around and begins to increase the flow again, and so on and so on. get it?

it cyclic.

well actually..the power wouldn't do much..how the valve works is that the solenoid open like a hatch to a hole/port for air to flow through...the hole is only like 1.5mm wide so the air flow sux...the power wouldn't matter..i want like an instant open

and yes..the butterfly valve is THE way to go on this one...because the air flow doesn't really 'leak' if you open slightly...like in a ball valve...in the butterfly valve...as soon as you open it...there is pressure pushing on half of the valve..so it is easy to open all the way to get max air flow!

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ok...if you say so
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for informational purposes only
http://spudszilla.cjb.net