Electric ball valve actuators

[kjackbrown]

we are a schneider rep. so we use their software which is called andover continuum. .

Huh...I work for the "Buildings" division of Schneider..I'll look into this for my build!

 

[ElevenBrewCo]

Huh...I work for the "Buildings" division of Schneider..I'll look into this for my build!

If you think about it itsthe perfect setup using a bcx and a b3810. Too bad i dont have a extra 1000 bucks laying around for a bcx or i would have a nice setup by now

Sent from my DROIDX using Home Brew Talk

 

[skroged]

Hey all, 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.

 

[eanzelc]

I know this thread has been around awhile, but I thought I would ask how are the actuators working out for you. Specifically the time it takes the valves to open and close. Thank you for any insight you may have!

 

[TheFlyingBeer]

I know this thread has been around awhile, but I thought I would ask how are the actuators working out for you. Specifically the time it takes the valves to open and close. Thank you for any insight you may have!

Sorry to disappoint but I have not used the actuators for real brewing yet. My brewery has so many things to build and create that once I feel an item is viable like these valves I move on to the design of the next part. Just due to the challenges that remain in the control software for the brewery my valves will be hand actuated initially. As a one man team that has too much on its plate, progress can be slow at times.

I do still believe these will work for my purposes. When the control board is complete and these actually get some use I will be sure to update this thread.

 

[eanzelc]

I know how it goes, I've been working on mine for quite awhile as well. Thanks for the reply!!

 

[pilzner]

Any updates?

 

[TheFlyingBeer]

Any updates?

I have control boards made but they have not been populated or tested. My main thrust has been the remainder of the brewery controller. You can follow the progress here: My FULL-ON electric build thread

Here is a shot of the control board mounted in a valve housing:

I don't know if I have shared the details in the past, but here goes:
Each valve will connect to the main control panel with a standard Ethernet cable that provides +12VDC for the controller, 24VAC for the valve motors, and an I2C bus for position commands/reports. An on board PIC18F will act as the interface and controller. Valve direction is controlled by turning one of two photo-triacs on (DIP chips shown in the picture above). The position of the valve will be read with a magnetic position sensor that will mount on a separate tiny board in the center of the assembly where the blue circle sticks out of the PCB. Each control board has 4 dip switches to set the valve number so they can be individually addressed. There is also an RGB status LED that will eventually be used.

That being said, it will still be a while before these are worked on. I just ordered the boards with the other PCBs for my system to save money and time.

 

[pilzner]

I'm speechless.

 

[WhtHawk]

Subscribed.

 

[azwillnj]

Any more information on this? What controller are you planning on using? Arduino?