Cheap Ball Valve Actuator?

I came across a zone valve for a home radiant heating system here, and noticed that you can buy just the motor for the valve here.

I was wondering if these could be used to actuate a ball valve in a brewing system. If you could fabricate a mounting bracket and attach the motor to the stem, this could be a fairly cheap way (compared to other automated valves) to have an automated ball valve in your system.

I read through the details and the specs and wasn't able to figure out the torque but I would think it would be enough for another ball valve. I'm also assuming that it's a 90 degree rotation.

From what I can tell, the zone valves are meant to be open or closed only so I don't think this could be used for proportional control, only on/off control. This might be a reasonable replacement for solenoid valves in the wort flow piping where grain particles might interfere with the solenoid valve operation.

The zone valve motor combined with a 3 pieces stainless ball valve from grainger, could be built for under $50. The stainless solenoid valves from dudadiesel are $52.

Has anyone tried this or used these valves/motors? Any thoughts? Am I way off on this?

Looks like an interesting idea, you might look at other surplus gear motors to drive ball valves, just need to add a way to stop it when valve is in correct position. Could be mechanical stops and spring return or disk and microswitch to break power to motor.

Here is a thread where we covered a bit of this idea.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/march-pump-control-question-151267/

I am currently using an electric ball valve on my rig. It works pretty good.

kladue said:

Looks like an interesting idea, you might look at other surplus gear motors to drive ball valves, just need to add a way to stop it when valve is in correct position. Could be mechanical stops and spring return or disk and microswitch to break power to motor.

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Thanks for the suggestion. Would the motor for the zone valve not stop at the correct position by itself if attached to a different ball valve? Assuming it is mounted and aligned properly.

Brewmoor said:

Here is a thread where we covered a bit of this idea.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/march-pump-control-question-151267/

I am currently using an electric ball valve on my rig. It works pretty good.

Click to expand...

That's really cool. I must have missed that one. How do you like it so far? Do you have any plans to import these and sell them? Sorry if you answered these in that thread, I didn't read the whole thing.

the honeywell actuator is set up with a spring return and a valve that has a positive stop against the seat, it is not a rotary ball valve.

kladue said:

the honeywell actuator is set up with a spring return and a valve that has a positive stop against the seat, it is not a rotary ball valve.

Click to expand...

OK. I get it. Thank you for the explanation.

Dwyer sells the motor drive, $55.00-$130.00 depending on torque and voltage.
This drives are similar to the drives kladue has mentioned in many posts.
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/TOC.cfm?MainCategory_ID=10&iCurrentCategoryID=261

Cheers,
ClaudiusB

Here is a picture showing a motorized valve I am using to protect my glycol chiller pump.




Cheers,
ClaudiusB

ClaudiusB said:

Dwyer sells the motor drive, $55.00-$130.00 depending on torque and voltage.
This drives are similar to the drives kladue has mentioned in many posts.
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/Products/TOC.cfm?MainCategory_ID=10&iCurrentCategoryID=261

Cheers,
ClaudiusB

Click to expand...

Awesome. Thank you. I thought I looked through that whole site, but I guess I missed those.

Hey all! This thread is old, but it seems like a good place to post this.

I found a supplier in China for SS 1/2 NPT electric (12VDC) ball valves. Only $24 each plus shipping and wire transfer fee (which is a bit much). If anybody else is interested, we could save some $$ on shipping and wire fee. Drop me a line. I plan on making the purchase on Monday.