What brand Y valve do you recommend?

[River Cruiser]

I changed out hoses and Y valve 3 years ago. I have 1” hose in and 2 x 1.5” hoses out. I switch this once a year when I winterize to make sure pink is thoughout the system. This year I couldn’t move the lever to the overboard position. I’am looking for recommendations on Y valves you have experience with that work as they should with no leaks. Thank you

[River Cruiser]

This is the Y I installed.

[sailormed]

Not being able to move the valve handle is because of the urine crystals build up blocking the moving "door".

You can disassemble and clean with acid or buy a new one.
I am surprised that moving it once a year was enough.
Mine blocks after 2 years even when moving it every day (electric).

[Dsanduril]

We've been quite happy with our TruDesign Y-Valve. Been in about three years. Exercised once a month if not used otherwise. We do get a small amount of scale buildup (seawater flush) but exercising has (so far) broken that free and we haven't had to do anything else.

[Smokeys Kitchen]

Whale

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/whale...-valve--423780

We've had ours 3 years with no issues - we live aboard. Easy to install - very robust - just do regular maintenance as Peggy Hall would tell you.

Muriatic acid flush once every 6 months (for PNW climate; more frequently in warmer climates). Move the handle at least once a month.

[svmariane]

Yup....Whale Y-valve.

Yup... occasional cleaning (and flushing of system) with Muriatic acid. We collect buckets of rainwater ahead of time just for this job. Not at the dock but out in the anchorage. Late afternoon with outgoing tide preferred.

Yup... after cleaning, reassemble using silicon grease.

Going on 12 years now since I originally installed those things. No leakage, no seizures, no problems. YMMV

[michaeld]

After two rounds of handles snapping off of Jabso plastic models, I ponied up the $$ and put in a bronze Groco 3-way valve.

https://www.groco.net/products/valve...alves/twv-1500

[wolfesmy]

To stop y-valves from sticking and lines from calcifying, try a cup of vinegar once a week in the head. Keeps the crystals under control and pretty cheap and readily available maintenance.

[mikedefieslife]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

We've been quite happy with our TruDesign Y-Valve. Been in about three years. Exercised once a month if not used otherwise. We do get a small amount of scale buildup (seawater flush) but exercising has (so far) broken that free and we haven't had to do anything else.

I've got the same one but the bulkhead version. I refuse to buy any new metal plumbing items only composite.

[River Cruiser]

Thank you for all the replies, I live aboard 8 to 9 months of the year. I’am in freshwater and didn’t realize that crystals could form in fresh, I thought that was a saltwater thing.
The reason I went with this type is being able to change the fittings to match my hose sizes. I will clean it and if it works ok I’ll do a better job of maintaining it in the future. It isn’t a robust design and if I replace which I’ll most likely do I go with one of the suggested brands.

[Mike Banks]

I do not use Y valves--I use two nylon or other agricultural waste grade corrosion resistant plastic heavy duty ball or spindle-gate valves that turn 180 to fully open, fit them in a manifold and then latch them together if there is room so that as one opens the other closes. You do not need to latch them either, as long as you remember to open the second valve before you close the first. One must be open at all times. The gate valves cost me about seven dollars each--probably ten to fifteen now depending on quality--but since they are not under much pressure cheap irrigation stuff is good.

[bauer965]

I honestly don't see anything wrong with the Bosworth Y-valve. (Same company that makes the venerable Guzzler diaphragm hand pump.)
They tend to be the least expensive, and have held up for me. They don't have any fancy details or verbiage to definitively show to/from where, so it may not be idiot-proof...just someone that knows how to use a valve.