Valve Buying Guide

Aug. 26, 2024

Valve Buying Guide

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Are you looking to buy irrigation valves but can&#;t quite decide on which ones? This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the different valve options to help you select the right one for your irrigation system.

What is an irrigation control valve?

An irrigation control valve is used to regulate the flow of water throughout your entire irrigation system, starting from the primary water source. An irrigation valve allows you to divide your irrigation system into multiple watering zones. An automated valve acts as the shut-off for the water source, with a signal from your irrigation controller.

Who needs an irrigation valve?

Anyone with a garden or landscape may need an irrigation valve. This will depend on the size of your garden or landscape, the type of irrigation you are using, and the available flow from your water source. Installing valves and creating irrigation zones provides you access to your available flow rate in each zone. Valves also allow you to accommodate different types of watering devices into zones to provide the most efficient use of these devices. For example, if you have pop-up sprinklers for your lawn and emitter tubing for your flower beds, these will need different watering durations.

How does a valve work?

The three main components of an irrigation control valve are the solenoid, the bonnet, and the diaphragm.

When the system is between watering cycles, water fills the bonnet chamber, putting pressure on the diaphragm and closing the valve. The first action to take place when a watering cycle is to begin, happens with the solenoid. The timer sends an electrical signal through the wires to the valve&#;s solenoid. This tells the valve to open or close. The solenoid coil then becomes an electromagnet and pulls the plunger up into the solenoid. This allows the water in the bonnet chamber to flow out of the valve via the outlet, which in turn decreases the pressure on the diaphragm. With the decreased pressure above the diaphragm from the water flowing out, the water entering the valve from the inlet can now rise high enough to push the diaphragm up, into the open position and allow continuous flow through the valve. At the end of the watering cycle, when the timer stops sending electricity to the solenoid, the plunger drops, and the water begins filling the bonnet chamber above the diaphragm once again. This forces the diaphragm back down and closes the valve.

How do you choose a valve?

When you are choosing an irrigation valve, the first thing you should consider is if you want an automated or a manual valve. You will also want to consider the flow rate requirement for each zone and your starting pressure.

Manual valves have a handle that is used to open and close the valve, starting and stopping the flow of water. A common manual valve example would be a ball valve. The spigot on your water faucet is also a type of manual valve. The downside to manual valves is the need for the user to turn the system on and off. If the homeowner is not always available to do this, the landscape or garden can suffer. There is also the risk that the valve may not get shut-off, leading to severe overwatering and increased water bills.

When choosing which automated valve to purchase, you will need to first determine what type of power source your controller is using. AC-powered controllers will only operate AC solenoid valves and battery powered controllers will only operate DC valves. DC-powered valves will have two different colored wires; most will have black and red wires, indicating positive and negative connections. Some are green and black. All AC-controlled valves will have two of the same-colored wires.

AC Valve options:

There are several different types of AC valves to choose from once you have decided this is the correct power source for you: Anti-siphon valves, globe valves, jar-top valves, and a standard flow-through valve.

Angle Globe

Jar-Top

Anti-Siphon

Globe

Galcon, Baccara, Irritrol, and Rainbird valves offer a globe version of AC valves. These valves come with a female pipe thread inlet and outlet. Flow control handles on the Galcon, Baccara, and Irritrol valves allow you to reduce the flow rate through the valve for lower flow systems. The minimum pressure required for the Baccara valve is 4.3 PSI, while the Galcon valve requires a minimum of 7 PSI.

Irritrol and Rainbird Anti-siphon valves are installed at least 6" above the highest point in your irrigation system. These valves have a built-in atmospheric vacuum breaker to eliminate back flow. By using one of these valves and installing it properly, you reduce the need for a separate backflow device and decrease your pressure loss through devices.

Irritrol Angled Globe valves are the perfect choice for dirty water sources. These valves can handle up to 220 PSI and have an internal bleed for flushing debris from the diaphragm. Angled globe valves are commonly installed underground and have the extra feature of an inlet on the base of the valve, creating a 90-degree angle between the inlet and outlet.

K-Rain and Hunter jar-top valves are the most accessible valves to clean. The top of the valve does not have any screws, you unscrew the top like you would a jar. This is where the valve gets its name. Neither of these valves have a flow control.

DC Valves:

The Baccara DC valve has the lowest pressure and flow rating of any DC valve. This valve has a 3/4" female pipe thread inlet and outlet. The minimum pressure required to open and close the valve is 4.3 PSI, with a maximum pressure rating of 145 PSI. With a minimum flow rate requirement of 0.5 GPM and a maximum flow rate of 22 GPM, the Baccara valve is an excellent option for a wide range of systems. This valve brand is identified as DC with one green wire and one black wire.

The DIG DC valve is identified with red and white wires. The valve has 3/4" female pipe thread inlet and outlets. This valve has a flow control handle, which gives the user the ability to reduce the flow rate through the valve as needed. Because of the flow control, the minimum flow rate on this valve can be turned down to 0.1 GPM, with a maximum flow rate of 28 GPM. While this valve has a slightly more extensive flow range than the Baccara valve, the minimum pressure required is higher. The operating pressure range for the DIG valve is 10-150 PSI.

The Galcon DC valve is identified by having one black and one red wire. The Galcon DC valve also comes with a flow control handle. DripWorks carries the DC valve in sizes ranging from 3/4" up to 2", with female pipe threads on the inlet and outlet on each size option. The operating pressure range for these valves is 10-150 PSI.

Manufacturer/Model

Power Source

Type

Features

Connection

Flow Rating

Pressure Range

Galcon:

DC Latching Solenoid

24V AC Solenoid

Globe

Flow Control

AC/DC have interchangeable solenoids for the 3/4" & 1" valve.

Flow Control

3/4" FPT

1" FPT

1 1/2" FPT

2" FPT

3/4" FPT

1" FPT

1 1/2" FPT

2" FPT

0.1-28 GPM

0.2-44 GPM

20-130 GPM

30-160 GPM

0.5-26 GPM

0.5-44 GPM

22-140 GPM

22-176 GPM

10-150 PSI for all sizes

7-145 PSI for all sizes

Baccara:

DC Latching Solenoid

24V AC Solenoid

Globe

Low Pressure

Flow Control

3/4" FPT

1" FPT

0.5-22 GPM

0.5-29 GPM

4.3-145 PSI for all Baccara valves

DIG:

DC Latching Solenoid

Globe

Flow Control

3/4" FPT

0.1-28 GPM

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Nozzle Check Valves. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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10-150 PSI

Irritrol:

Series Anti-Siphon Valve

700-1/ 700-1.5

205TF

100P1

Anti-Siphon

Globe

Angle Globe

Jar-Top, Flow Control

Flow Control

Internal Bleed, flow control

Flow Control

Internal Bleed, Flow Control

3/4" FPT

1" FPT, 1 1/2" FPT

1" FPT

0.25-30 GPM

0.1-150 GPM

0.25-30 GPM

0.5-50 GPM

10-150 PSI

5-100 PSI

10-150 PSI

20-220 PSI

Toro:

P220-26-04

Angle Globe

Flow Control

1" FPT

5-40 GPM

10-220 PSI

Hunter:

PGV-100JT-G

Globe

Jar-top

1" FPT

0.2-30 GPM

20-150 PSI

K-Rain:

-J

Globe

Jar-top, Manual External Bleed

1" FPT

0.25-30 GPM

10-150 PSI

Rainbird:

75DVF, 100DVF

075ASVF, 100ASVF

Globe

Anti-Siphon

Flow Control

Back Flow Prevention, Flow Control

3/4" and 1" FPT

0.2-22 GPM

0.2-40 GPM

0.2-22 GPM

0.2-40 GPM

15-150 PSI

To get the correct valve for your system, first think about the power source from your controller. Once you have picked the right power source, think about the pressure your system will be operating at and the flow rate each zone will be using. After reading this guide, you should be able to narrow down which valve is best for your system. If you have more questions, please feel free to call our customer service center. It is available Monday-Friday from 8 am to 4 pm PST.

The Importance of Check Valve Selection and Sizing

To get a longer lifetime of use, proper flow, and overall efficiency of your fluid, steam, or gas flow system, it&#;s important to know how check valve sizing works, and which check valve types will be appropriate for the environmental factors of the application.

Check valves should be sized for their application and flow, not just based on their line size. Choosing an appropriately sized check valve means it will function at its highest level, providing efficient service with maximum protection. Proper check valve sizing will optimize a system&#;s reliability, providing the longest and most trouble free service.

Here at DFT® our engineers and valve experts specialize in sizing check valves to your specific applications. We work with you by taking your specifications and size the check valve accordingly. DFT® has a data sheet available that you can fill out and submit to our team for custom sizing. CLICK HERE.

An undersized valve will cause higher pressure losses and create excessive noise and vibration. An oversized valve can lead to premature wear and failure of the valve&#;s internal components. When the valve&#;s disc is stable and in the fully open position against the internal stop or fully closed position against the seat, no disc fluttering will occur.

The correct valve selection not only ensures the valves will last longer, but pumps and other related components on the same system will have increased longevity as well, resulting in reduced overall maintenance and costs. Well- functioning check valves also enhance the safety of their applications.

Lower Lifetime Maintenance Costs

Every fluid handling system has its own unique requirements. When buyers purchase inappropriately sized valves, it can create costs that go far beyond the valves themselves. When a valve fails, the labor costs to fix it can be very high. For example, if a maintenance team must be brought in, the costs will accumulate depending on time and crew requirements.

When you add in down time and lost production time on top of that, the costs can be staggering&#;sometimes exceeding up into thousands of dollars per hour or higher.

The price of poor valve choice could be even higher when working with potentially hazardous materials. A valve malfunction could create a spill that harms the environment. Most chemical spills need to be reported, impacting environmental safety, worker safety, and damage to the reputation and brand of the company, as well as the potential for large fines.

Investing in Quality

When maintenance, safety, and replacement costs are included in the purchasing decision, it becomes clear that higher-quality check valves are a much more cost-effective option. DFT® check valves are made to last, designed for durability and superior sealing

A professional consultation to get the most appropriate and best-sized valve is far more cost-effective when considering lifetime maintenance costs, system reliability, and optimizing system performance through maintenance reductions.

DFT Inc. specializes in preventing check valve problems and failures caused by water hammer and reverse flow. Our in-line, spring-assisted check valves are designed to meet customer requirements for horizontal and vertical installations in liquids, gas or steam.

Whatever your size, pressure, or piping configurations, DFT has the valve that&#;s right for you.

Contact Our Team of Specialists

For additional details, please submit a request for information, fill out our check valve data sheet, or feel free to contact us with questions about engineered sizing solutions for all your check valve-related issues.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Tilting Disc Check Valve.

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