Making an Auto Draw Off

[Gary R]

Dennis,

The coil is held by friction. The plastic sleeve is what places it at the right height so when energized the magnetizm will lift the rod that is in the tube. The rod looks and feels like magnetic stainless. The tube has to thick enough to have 1/4" pipe threads cut on it. The end of the rod was turned on a lathe to provide something for the cup seal to hold on to.

By the way I have mine all done. I plumbed it yesterday and spent time reading the PID manual. I have it programmed I think

[Springfield Acer]

I've shared this solenoid valve with Gary. The spec says 80*C but the picture says 155*C which I confirmed with the seller. Why wouldn't this work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Stainles...item41648e0ad7

[BRL]

Here is another one little less money. http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-4-Solenoid...item43a4ab156e

[Dennis H.]

I have heard that they will work.
I have heard that you need to change the spring inside to a lighter spring and I also heard that these valves need to be mounted upside down because of how the liquid will flow thru the valve.
I am just repeasting what I have heard.

[Gary R]

Dennis which one did you hear will work or needs modified?

Everyone keep up the good work. We just need a couple of Guinea pigs to try the valves. Hopefully we can come up with a reasonable priced valve that is suitable for the product we are making.

[schmidt's]

I'm tring the second one in a 1" model. It's rated for 265 degree F. Going to mount it side ways because fluid flows up and threw by pressure when mounted upright. Sideways should allow free flow as long as it doesn't gum up. If it doesn't work I have all the parts found to make the big name guys valve will just have to order parts and a night in the shop.

[Dennis H.]

It has been some time now since I heard about the spring issue. I am almost sure it was from one of the major sellers on ebay. The person that I heard this from said they contacted the company and explained what the valve was going to be used for and they put a lighter weight spring in it for him.
I wish I knew who told me this or where I could find this info at, sorry.

All the stronger the spring needs to be is to keep syrup from leaking out of the valve. Since there is really no head pressure the spring doesn't need to be very beefy.

The biggest down side to these style of valves is the convaluted route thru the valve. There is a few places where sugarsand and niter can collect and possible cause the valve to "stick" open. Maybe mounting it upside down would help.

[Gary R]

I'm not sure if you guys know, but the valve I'm using (brass OEM), is to be mounted vertical. I installed mine that way. It should prevent sugar sand from collecting. It is real nice looking at those digital tenths of degree. Now instead of being transfixed on the dial thermometer, I'm waiting for that final tenth!

[Dennis H.]

Mounting it verticle should work.

[Gary R]

Here's the pictures of my finished unit.Copy of draw off control.JPGCopy of draw off valve1.JPG