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AC controlled ball values – useful?

| Posted in General Discussion on April 8, 2005 04:12am

I bought 9 AC controlled ball valves (brand new) at an auction — a cabinet shop was going out of business. At the time, it seemed like a good idea but i’m kind of having second thoughts now. These things are really nice..the specs are below. When i got home i checked the retail on these (something like $275 each) so yea i got a good deal but i’m now trying to decide (a) use ’em or (b) sell ’em (c) or just leave ’em sitting in the shop.

Question 1) Woudl these be useful for an upcoming project i’ve got = radiant floor heating? I’m not sure if the controllers used for that are AC or low voltage DC

Question 2) Any idea where i could sell these? I’m afriad if i list ’em on ebay there wouldn’t be much of an market.

Manufacturer: Dynaquip

Model: Dynamatic GCX17 <!—-><!—->

<!—->

<!—->

Valve,Ball,3/4 In<!—->

Ball Valve, Inlet/Outlet 3/4 Inch, Actuation Type Electric, Ball Valve Type Brass, Operating Requirements 50/60 hz, 115 Volts, 0.75 Amps<!—->

Mfg. Model#: <!—->

189024B.1<!—->

Reply

Replies

  1. ponytl | Apr 08, 2005 06:55am | #1

    i have a small 4 story office building  that has a 4 pipe hvac system... each unit has it's own thermostat that controls a valve/valves (like yours) The air handlers have 2 coils one for heat hot boiler water and one for chilled a/c water... being a 4 pipe system in the perfect world you'd have both the heat and the a/c running all year so each tenant could have heat or cool on demand...all controlled by the type valves you have... but in the 5 years i've owned the property and learned way more than i ever wanted to know about 4 pipe chiller/boiler units/systems... i just shut down the boiler when it's warm out and do the same to the chiller when it's cold... or i just find the systems cancel'n each other out... and me pay'n the bill to chill the air i paid to heat...

    sell em on ebay...   what you get on ebay is the market value of that item today...  i have some  hepa type filters that will even filter anthrax (sp)that list for about $800 ea  I'm happy to get $50 on ebay for em... what something cost does not reflect what it's worth... (kinda like the information i give)

    pony

    1. pvaman | Apr 10, 2005 09:44pm | #4

      pony -- ok, i may give 'em a try on ebay. Sure...stuff's only worth what someone else is willing to pay for 'em.

  2. wookie | Apr 08, 2005 06:31pm | #2

    I installed one on wifes office when they leave they flip switch and shuts off water supply to office. No more water damage surprises after two days off.

    1. pvaman | Apr 10, 2005 09:46pm | #5

      hmm...i thought of putting one of them in line with teh water supply to the new house so i could easily shut the water off. Kind of like what you mention.

  3. Shacko | Apr 08, 2005 11:54pm | #3

    Most of radiant heat systems have valves that are specific to the system. You will have to know what system you are installing  before you can decide if the ones you have will work.

  4. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Apr 10, 2005 10:10pm | #6

    Similar?

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=48718&item=7507037734&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

     

    I never met a tool I didn't like!
  5. User avater
    NickNukeEm | Apr 10, 2005 10:19pm | #7

    I've seen a huge amount of these types in commercial settings, used for everything from controlling pneumatic control devices to reaction protection and control schemes.  Unfortunately, most companies buy from established suppliers and would shy away from private sales, especially if quality control paperwork (paper trail) is required. 

    FWIW, I have a couple smaller solenoid valves in my basement that control manual/automatic make-up supply to my boiler chem add tank and make-up to my wet grinder.  (Gotta get a life, I know.)  I actually was looking to buy 8 of those 5 years ago for a drain/make-up sustem I designed for my boiler, but went with manual ball valves with limit switch indication when I couldn't find any of those without breaking the bank.

    Good luck unloading them.  Sell them on eBay.  Who knows, maybe I'll bid on them.

     

    I never met a tool I didn't like!
    1. pvaman | Apr 11, 2005 02:39am | #9

      Thanks Nick...yes, pretty similar. Mine are nicer ... of course ;)

      I just put these on my watch list and i'll probably try ebay if i don't decide to use them in my radiant heat install. As Dan mentions going from one AC potential to another's pretty easy as long as the currents work out.

  6. DanH | Apr 10, 2005 11:42pm | #8

    It's a trivial matter to use a relay to convert from, say 24VAC to 120V, so there's no reason why you couln't use the valves in any system that is even remotely standard, at least from an electrical standpoint.

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