Water Tank Float Valves

[Yellowtail]

I had to rework of my float-valves, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these plastic float valves: 

This is what I have now that I am thinking about replacing. 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

I don't know the details. But I know there are now valves which don't need a big floating element. I guess they work just by pressure. I used them before, and they can be adjusted very accurately.

 

I don't know the name of these things, but I guess you should be able to find them in relevant stores.

 

 

[Yellowtail]

6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I don't know the details. But I know there are now valves which don't need a big floating element. I guess they work just by pressure. I used them before, and they can be adjusted very accurately.

 

I don't know the name of these things, but I guess you should be able to find them in relevant stores.

 

 

Is that in a toilet? 

 

I am talking about valves for water storage tanks. 

 

But I think the valve you posted has a diaphragm, and similarly to the "DOS" valve I posted above. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Just now, Yellowtail said:

Is that in a toilet? 

 

I am talking about valves for water storage tanks. 

 

But I think the valve you posted has a diaphragm, and similarly to the "DOS" valve I posted above. 

 

What I saw was in a toilet. But the principle should be the same in a water tank.

I guess fewer mechanical parts is good for operation and maintenance.

[Jerzy Swirski]

We have hard water where I live and I found the diaphragm type to be useless as they clogged up every 6 months.

I have installed very cheap plastic water valves in all the toilets and another one to control the water level in the swimming pool.

All working fine after 4 years.

 

 

[brianthainess]

33 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I had to rework of my float-valves, and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with these plastic float valves: 

This is what I have now that I am thinking about replacing. 

 

Yes I use them in my tanks Brass.  do not use plastic they stuff up. 

[NotEinstein]

These work well:

https://shopee.co.th/COD-สวิทซ์ลูกลอยไฟฟ้า-ลูกลอย-ลูกลอยไฟฟ้า-Float-switch-ใช้ได้ทั้ง-220V-12V-24V-48V-i.824307005.22745999362

[Tropicalevo]

We use them on swimming pool overflow tanks.

So far, so good.

The ball type were always breaking off.

[Yellowtail]

I have two 700L water tanks on the ground floor, and a pump that pumps the water from the ground floor tanks to a single 1,500L tank on the roof.

 

Municiple water refills the ground floor tanks, and a float switch in the roof tank turns the ground floor pump off and on. 

 

It turns out the municipal water was off the other day, and we ran out of water last night. Both the ground floor tanks, and the roof tank were empty. 

 

The brass valves got stuck closed. They were easy enough to fix, but they were a PITA to remove and replace. 

 

I am wondering if the plastic type would be more reliable. The plastic type would also increase the tank capacity by about 10%
 

[Yellowtail]

41 minutes ago, NotEinstein said:

These work well:

https://shopee.co.th/COD-สวิทซ์ลูกลอยไฟฟ้า-ลูกลอย-ลูกลอยไฟฟ้า-Float-switch-ใช้ได้ทั้ง-220V-12V-24V-48V-i.824307005.22745999362

That is what I have in the roof tank for turning the ground floor pump off and on. 

[ignis]

48 minutes ago, brianthainess said:

Yes I use them in my tanks Brass.  do not use plastic they stuff up. 

 True  but at 55 baht each, easy to replace every 6 months,  have them in my water tank + upstairs and downstairs toilets + in my Pond,

 

I buy a box works out @ 43 baht each + last 3 - 4 years.

[brianthainess]

1 minute ago, ignis said:

 True  but at 55 baht each, easy to replace every 6 months,  have them in my water tank + upstairs and downstairs toilets + in my Pond,

 

I buy a box works out @ 43 baht each + last 3 - 4 years.

I have had  brass valves in my 1000 liter and 2000 liter tanks for 5 years never had to replace them. from memory I had to adapt the the tank fitting of PVC pipe into the tank, using a longer threaded piece into the tank.

[Yellowtail]

Well, I replaced this: with this:in one of the ground floor tanks today, and from what I can tell, it's working great so far.

Advantages:

1. Much better flow, which was a surprise

2. About a 15% increase in tank capacity

3. Shuts of quickly and completely

4. Quieter

5. Easier installation 

6. About half the price

7. Much smaller and lighter.  

 

 

Disadvantages:

None so far, but the old brass valves did work fine for five or six years, and when it did get stuck, it was easy enough to fix. The plastic valve uses a diaphragm to open and close, which   may be more susceptible to debris. 

 

Given the how lightweight the valve is, I may install a mesh filter inside the tank before the valve. Likely this: 

 

I have these before the hose-bibbs I use for the pressure-washer, and they seem to be cheap and reliable. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Yellowtail]

Well, so far so good. The valve has been fine, so I installed the filter today. Very nice, easy installation. Here is a comparison photo of the new and old valves: 

 

I pick up about another 20cm of water in the tank, which is almost 15%, or ~210 liters, and I like having the filter in the tank before the pump. 

 

This thing lasts a month, I'll change out the one in the other tank.  

 

 

[UWEB]

11 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Well, so far so good. The valve has been fine, so I installed the filter today. Very nice, easy installation. Here is a comparison photo of the new and old valves: 

 

I pick up about another 20cm of water in the tank, which is almost 15%, or ~210 liters, and I like having the filter in the tank before the pump. 

 

This thing lasts a month, I'll change out the one in the other tank.  

 

 

Have the same Filter installed on my Water Tank, but outside on the Inflow Line for better visibility.

[Yellowtail]

3 hours ago, UWEB said:

Have the same Filter installed on my Water Tank, but outside on the Inflow Line for better visibility.

If I was not already piped-up, I might probably would have put it outside the tank but installing it inside was just stupid easy. 

 

We have good MWD water, and after five years, only a few bits of cr*p in the screen on the old valve. 

 

I have a 5-micron filter after the roof tank that feeds all but the ground floor.