Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 01-12-2013, 08:55   #1
Registered User
 
SvenG's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Coast
Boat: 382 Diesel Duck
Posts: 1,176
Source For 3-Way Watermaker Routing Valves ?

Ok, even Google has failed me, or I failed in phrasing my queries.

I've sent an e-mail to Katadyn too, asking them, but have not heard back.

I'm looking for what Katadyn refers to as the "high-quality plastic 3-way valves" used to direct intake and product water. The picture below is from their installation diagram.

I need to get a few more to route more intake and product output options and searching on line has just led me to a bunch of huge or hugely expensive valves of all sorts.

Any ideas ? Thanks.



-Sven
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Screen shot 2013-12-01 at 9.45.52 AM.jpg
Views:	185
Size:	26.1 KB
ID:	71365  
__________________
Shiplet
2007 Diesel Duck 382
SvenG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 09:03   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Puget Sound, WA
Boat: Beneteau Oceanis 40
Posts: 98
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

The only place I was able to find them was from the distributor that I got my watermaker from.
SVRapture40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 09:09   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: SAnta Cruz 27
Posts: 6,683
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

I used a brass valve designed to select fuel tanks--worked fine.

Brass 3 Way Fuel Selector Valve
donradcliffe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 10:29   #4
Registered User
 
SvenG's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Coast
Boat: 382 Diesel Duck
Posts: 1,176
These might do it !

Thanks for the answers.

Finally went to Amazon and found these:

Ball Valve, 1 Pc, 1/4 In, PVC, Hose Barb - Amazon.com

At least that is a solution !



-Sven
__________________
Shiplet
2007 Diesel Duck 382
SvenG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 10:35   #5
Registered User
 
senormechanico's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2003
Boat: Dragonfly 1000 trimaran
Posts: 7,141
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

Same here. I used Apollo 3/8" 3 way valves purchased at a hardware store.
They're working fine after 13 years.
__________________
The question is not, "Who will let me?"
The question is,"Who is going to stop me?"


Ayn Rand
senormechanico is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 10:50   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Cayuga Lake NY - or on the boat somewhere south of there
Boat: Caliber 40
Posts: 1,355
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

I have the same brass one don radcliffe has. Still working fine 4 years later.
sck5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 10:55   #7
Registered User
 
colemj's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Presently on US East Coast
Boat: Manta 40 "Reach"
Posts: 10,108
Images: 12
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

The ones used by all the WM manufacturers are made by SMC. Grainger sells them: SMC CORP. OF AMERICA/SMC PVC Ball Valve,3-Way,FNPT x FNPT,1/4 In - Ball Valves - 3CGZ9|2362890 - Grainger Industrial Supply . Maybe less expensive elsewhere if you google.

Mark
__________________
www.svreach.com

You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
colemj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-12-2013, 11:09   #8
Registered User
 
Cheechako's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

The brass ones are great, I've only had larger plastic ones but they became very hard to turn.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard











Cheechako is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 18:56   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Galveston,Texas
Boat: Flicka, 20' homebuilt
Posts: 82
Images: 4
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

swedgelok makes fine valves used in process applications with high pressure and can be stacked if desired . Originally used for instrumentation. Google swedgelok sn you should find what you want.
bill cartwright is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-12-2013, 20:01   #10
Marine Service Provider
 
SV THIRD DAY's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: La Paz, Mexico
Boat: 1978 Hudson Force 50 Ketch
Posts: 3,920
Re: Source for 3-way watermaker routing valves ?

CAUTION...CAUTION....CAUTION....

You NEVER want to block the output of your water maker product water when the unit is running. You need to use a Non-blocking or transitioning 3-way valve or you run the risk of blowing apart your low pressure plumbing if you block the product water. You can also damage your membrane by causing abrupt pressure fluxuations when turning the valve. Or I have seen the valve inadvertantly bumbed in the middle "off" position and POP goes the low pressure line and things around there get wet....hopefully not expensive electronics.

If you can't find a non-blocking 3-way that will not block the product water flow when turning positions, then as a water maker manufacturer, I would recommed you use two on/off valves and a T fitting. Always OPEN them both and then close the one you want to shut off.

If you blow your low pressure plumbing or damage your membrane by using the improper 3-way non-blocking valve...well you don't want to risk that.

The valve Mark listed on grainger:
SMC CORP. OF AMERICA/SMC PVC Ball Valve,3-Way,FNPT x FNPT,1/4 In - Ball Valves - 3CGZ9|2362890 - Grainger Industrial Supply
Is a great valve and also comes in a nice clean panel mount option and is used by us and sheesh...I think most of the water maker companies for their inlet water selection...but using the non-blocking 3-way on the product water outlet plumbing is a No-no.
__________________
Rich Boren
Cruise RO & Schenker Water Makers
Technautics CoolBlue Refrigeration
SV THIRD DAY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-12-2013, 10:34   #11
Registered User
 
SvenG's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Coast
Boat: 382 Diesel Duck
Posts: 1,176
Found some !

I got two nice replies from Katadyn, offering to sell me some of their valves, and a suggestion that I look at McMaster.

Of course, why didn't I think of that

Found them at McMaster and just placed the order.

Thanks for all the suggestions here and thanks to Katadyn for the helpful customer service !



-Sven
__________________
Shiplet
2007 Diesel Duck 382
SvenG is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
watermaker, water

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:39.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.