Ball Valve

Gosh John it, what took you so long?

John be sure to check that little bolt like screw that holds the handle on, they come loose then fall off if you don't keep them tight.

I was told by another here to use the lock tight in red container.
 
Actually Jon, it was "Red Threadlock", although Loctite probably will also work. I have also learned to purchase a very high pressure valve (i.e. 5000 - 7400 psi). Anything less doesn't last for me, although I am probably abusing my valves. I not only to keep from going back and forth to machine, but also use for spray downs, meaning I open the valve partially and use pump pressure. I am guessing this isn't good on the valve.
 
Ball Valves

Ok ok i dont know what a ball balve is so will have to ask!! Anything that can save me time, I want to know, thanks in advance.

Rob
 
ball valve picture

here is a cut away of a ball valve
 
LOL Rob. I didn't know either until I found out. You may actually be using one now...do you have a shut-off on the end of your garden hose? (if not, you should!) A ball valve is a valve, shaped like a ball, but hollow. Inside a short length of pipe, this ball is turned so that either the flow is open or blocked.

I use it the end of the high pressure hose, so that I don't have to shut the machine off to switch from the wand to the surface cleaner and back. Today, I tied-off the wand trigger and used it to control flow while I pw'd too-much-fence-for-not-enough-money.

I love my ball valve!
 
Gotcha !

Ok I have one on my tank to my unit, but I really like the idea of having it at the end of my high pressure hose, been going back to the unit every time I wanted to change wands! Thanks for the great Idea.

Rob:D
 
Now just a second here John Orr, if ball valves are like balls, round then why are mine square?

Hmm, square valves? naw no way so what is your answer now Sir?
 
ron p

ball valves refer to the workings of the valve not
the caseing a ball valve is a ball that has a hole drilled threw the middle of it and my turning the handle it opens or closes
as the ball rotates it makes that hole smaller so less volume can pass.
i would think running it with it only part open would be bad for the unloader but i could be wrong.
 
Here`s a thought. On the trigger(gun), where you would screw on the wand. I`ve attached a quick connect coupler. After I apply chemicals, I disconnect, hook up to my surface cleaner. When it`s time to rinse, I disconnect re-attach my wand and rinse. No walking back to unit, no ball valve. You do tend to go through more "O" rings, but.
I know there are different types of surface cleaners out there, so, this may not work for you. I have a 24" Steel Eagle, love it.
 
Ok I guess I am getting old, was meant as a joke my remark about ball valves.

I do indeed understand it is what is inside, the polished metal with hole though it one way and when the handle is turned (ball rotates) it closes off all water.


John Orr where did you learn Chinese? do you truly speak, read and write it or just know a few words in it?

I understand a bit of Tagalog which is Philippines, learned from the wife but most are not publishable here:).

Oh and my mother in law, does she ever swear and I understand her too!
 
glabarta, all of my setups utlize the coupler on the gun, mainly because I change out wands quite often. One exception - I carry one gun with two screwed in wands (total 16 feet) for high up cleaning; screwed in gives more stability.

Also tried a 1/4 swivel fitting at the gun outlet for easier manuevering of the wand, but went through fittings too quickly.
 
This is a good Idea ! I am going to look into it ! Dose the weight or size of the valve affect your mobility ? Rick
 
Rick,
Not really. 4 of my Powerwashers have hoses with the ball valve on the ends. They weigh maybe a pound each give or so a few ounces. At times I even hold ball valve and wand when powerwashing.

The real beauty of the ball valve is what is stated above. If your lets say 200' from your powerwasher and its running and you need to put the wand down for a few minutes because you have to move some furniture or whatever, you can just disconnect the wand and open the ball valve back up so the water can keep flowing and you won't ruin your pump.

Also as stated above if you have to switch from one type of wand or to a surface cleaner you can do it by shutting off the ball valve and then connect it to one of these and then open back up and back to work.

A real time saver.:)
 
Hi John,

We have always used ballvalves on the end of our hoses instead of a trigger gun.
valveandwhipassembly.jpg


From left to right 1/4" stainless female quick coupler socket, 3/8" 7400 psi ballvalve, 3/8" x 18" or so 2 wire 5000 psi hose whip. exterior wrap for insulation from the heat, 3/8" hose swivel. 3/8" pipe thread fitting into 3/8" 5000 psi 2 wire hose.

We use a hoseend sprayer to apply many of our detergents and degreasers.
tps-hoseendsp.jpg
We can hook the sprayer on the ballvalve and then switch to a wand for rinsing.

When we are doing truck fleets we have one hose running the sprayer and rinse with two other hoses (5 man crew) we brush too!

We also use these same ballvalves to localize our hose reels. We really like these valves. They last longer and are cheaper than the ballvalves that we used in the past.

Dave Olson
 
Dave, thanks for posting the picture. I have tried several ~7400 psi valves. I have used the exact valve you are showing, but have problems getting it to open/close easily. Do you have this problem?

So I have relegated the use of this particular valve to infrequent situations where I run several hundred feet of hose - using the valve at a midpoint position. I use my "everyday" valve before my 1 foot hose whip and gun.

Are you doing something to keep the valve lubricated? I have tried several things to no avail. B2
 
Hello Bill,

We have never used any ballvalve that work easily for very long. Guess we have just gotten used to them! When it gets to hard we just put on a new one. At less than $25 each they are a bargan. Still much better than anyother ballvalve we have tried at twice the price. My guys won't even consider trying/using a trigger gun!


Dave Olson
 
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