[Shop-talk] Air solenoid valve

Shop at " Just Brits " shop at justbrits.com
Wed Mar 3 03:52:50 MST 2010


<< So, how does a power failure close a latching valve? >>

Good question Randall, but not quite the one I have for everybody.

Now everyday when I unlock the door to my shop I flip two switches, [ 1 
for ceiling perimeter lights and 1 for light over the entry door], then 
I walk to other side of main shop and flip on another switch [for light 
over roll-up doors] and then I rotate the ball-shut-off/on valve on top 
of my compressor [to 'on' <G>].  At the end of the day I reverse my 
steps AND actions.  Not "too" complicated methinks <G> !!

Been doing above for 20+ years roughly 7 days a week.  In the last
roughly 3.75 years since my NEW compressor was installed, the
hour clock that I added tells me that as of the time I write this,
I have 200.2 hours on said compressor even tho my piped system
ALSO has a few small leaks.

So the question is;  WHY spend ANY effort and MONEY for all
the work/materials that are just plain NOT needed ???

<< For the valve I looked at, the coil draws about 6 watts. That means, 
if I were to somehow turn pro and power this rig 8 hours a day, 5 days a 
week, 50 weeks a year; it would cost me a whole $1.80 for solenoid 
power. Hardly seems to justify the extra cost and complexity of using a 
latching valve;  especially since a more realistic use schedule for me 
would be under 100 hours/year. >>

I could 'afford' the buck eighty but dam*ed if I will WASTE my hard 
earned money on something NOT needed.

The dollars anybody spending on fixing something SIMPLE with
something complex [with built-in failure] would make a nice dinner
out with my SWMBO <VBG> !!!!!

Ed


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