These automatic drain valves are used when you cannot have any loss of compressed air. They work by allowing the condensate to gravity feed into the valves condensation reservoir. When the liquid in the reservoir rises to a point where the float lifts off the seats, control air pressure is sent to the pneumatic piston to open the normally closed ¾ ported ball valve.
What is an automatic drain valve?
Automatic drain valves remove mixtures of water and compressor lubricants from compressed air systems. An automatic drain valve eliminates the need for a maintenance worker to patrol the plant, manually dumping liquid from the air system. As the name implies, auto drain valves remove human labor from emptying drying storage tanks.
What are auto drains and how do they work?
As the name implies, auto drains remove human labor from the mix. Buy an automatic drain valve and a maintenance worker no longer needs to patrol the plant, manually dumping liquid from the air system. At least that’s the theory.
How does a compressor auto drain valve work?
Some compressor auto drain valves can be operated by an air signal. A programmable logic device would have a program built in that would open and air valve and send an air signal to the air-operated drain valve on a timed basis to void water from anywhere in the compressed air circuit the device was installed.
How does an auto drain timer work?
One source for this type of auto drain is Grainger. You can see the power supply and the two adjustment knobs. One of these adjusts the frequency of valve operation, and the other adjusts the length of time that the valve opens each time the timer turns on the power.
How do automatic compressor drains work?
0:162:29Automatic Drains for Air Compressors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSeries filters come standard with our automatic float drain. So when the level in the flow in theMoreSeries filters come standard with our automatic float drain. So when the level in the flow in the filter gets high enough the float lifts up and opens and discharges the condensate.
How does an irrigation drain valve work?
Automatic drain valves (also known as king drains) are plastic components of sprinkler systems that give an avenue for the water in the pipes to drain out of. They attach to the system of pipes, slowly releasing the water after the sprinklers have all run.
How do I know if my sprinkler system is self draining?
Test the Automatic Drain Valve Power up your sprinkler system, and then shut it off. You should see the auto valve drain once the pressure is off.
How do you drain a self draining sprinkler system?
Turn off the water supply by closing the main valve to the sprinkler system. As pressure inside the system falls, it will drain water automatically.Open the drain cap between the main valve and the backflow device. ... Lift each sprinkler head to drain out any residual water.
Do sprinkler heads self drain?
Depending on the type of drain valve your system utilizes, draining could be truly automatic, or it could be manual, requiring that you pull a few levers to get things moving. One way to tell if your system is manual-draining is if your sprinkler heads have check valves on them.
How do I winterize my sprinkler system self draining?
1:412:47How To Winterize Your Sprinkler System (Automatic Drain System)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhat you're looking for is a valve box typically a larger diameter take the lid. Off look down inMoreWhat you're looking for is a valve box typically a larger diameter take the lid. Off look down in there and there'll be a manual drain and what you'll do is open that up. Water will come out.
How do I purge my sprinkler system for winter?
Steps for Winterizing Your Sprinkler SystemStep 1: Shut Off the Water. It will come as no surprise that the first step is turning off the water to the system with a main valve that's usually found near your water meter. ... Step 2: Turn Off the Timer. ... Step 3: Drain the Water. ... Step 4: Insulate Above-Ground Components.
How do I winterize my sprinkler system without a blowout?
Not all systems need to have the water blown out of them. You can winterize a sprinkler system without an air compressor if all of your irrigation lines are buried at a slight downhill slope. Simply shut off the main water supply to your system and open the drain valves at the end of each zone.
How does a stop and waste valve work?
The stop-and-waste valve is turned on and off with a meter key. When it is in the off position, it automatically drains any water in the line. When the water is shut off at the end of the season, all water in the lines drains away, thereby eliminating the possibility of lines bursting from freezing water.
Where should a sprinkler drain valve be installed?
The valve installs easily at the lowest point of your sprinkler zone.Installs easily at the lowest point of your sprinkler zone.Opening pressure: 3 - 5 psi.Closing pressure: 5 psi or greater.1/2 in. ... Automatically drains sprinkler lines when the water is turned off to prevent pipes from freezing.1/2" Male Threaded.More items...
How do you drain irrigation valve box?
Step 1: Turn off the irrigation water supply valve. ... Step 2: Open drain on outside of house. ... Step 3: Open test cocks and ball valves. ... Step 4: Open drain in manifold box. ... Step 5: Open drain inside the house. ... Step 6: Turn your irrigation control timer to the off position. ... Turning the system back on. ... Blowout the entire system.More items...
How does a hunter PGV valve work?
With the PGV, when a surge pressure spike hits the closed valve, the solenoid plunger will open slightly to allow the spike to travel downstream and dissipate through the zone piping, minimizing any damage that could occur. The solenoid plunger then closes immediately, preventing unscheduled system operation.
What is an automatic drain?
Automatic drains are commonly installed on air receiver tanks, drip legs, bulk moisture separators, coalescing filters, refrigerated air dryers, and deliquescent air dryers. As the name implies, auto drains remove human labor from the mix. Buy an automatic drain valve and a maintenance worker no longer needs to patrol the plant, ...
How does a float work in a drain?
When liquid enters the drain the float rises off its seat, exposing the orifice and allowing liquid to discharge through the stem. As the liquid level drops, the float re-seats and seals the orifice. No compressed air vents in the process.
How much does a timer drain cost?
Timer solenoid drains are relatively inexpensive, usually costing from a bit over $100 to $250 depending on the style and options. These drains are more resistant to clogging than internal float drains, although the orifice within the valve through which fluids flow is small, usually 3-5 millimeters.
What is MDV drain?
The idea is very simple. The MDV consists of a motorized actuator with an integrated and adjustable timer sitting directly atop a ball valve. These drains are synonymous with torque. We have models that deliver up to 900 foot-lbs. of torque. One of my former colleagues used to call the MDV-400 a pencil eater. He’d demonstrate the torque of the actuator by inserting a pencil into the valve while it was turning. Of course the valve cuts through the pencil like soft butter.
What is a level sensing drain?
A level sensing drain uses a water capacitance sensor to signal a valve when to open and shut. This approach eliminates the biggest drawback to solenoid timers drains, the loss of compressed air. Level sensing drains are called “demand drains” because they only activate when liquid is present.
How does a condensate reservoir drain?
An external condensate reservoir collects liquid. When the liquid rises to a set point a mechanical switch sends pilot air to an air cylinder that opens a ball valve, draining the reservoir. As the level of liquid in the reservoir drops, the mechanical switch closes, shutting off the pilot signal and closing the ball valve. No compressed air is wasted in the process, except for the tiny amount of pilot air. The ball valve has a straight through flow pattern so these drains are resistant to clogging and blockage.
How long does a timer drain?
The timer controls the interval and duration of the solenoid valve’s actuation. Usually the open time can be adjusted from one to sixty seconds, and the closed time can be adjusted from one minute to sixty minutes.
What is automatic drain valve?
Automatic Drain Valves - You can streamline your winterization process by using automatic drain valves. Assuming they are on the ends and the low points of your sprinkler system, automatic drain valves work to drain excess water when the pressure gets below 10 psi.
How to organize drain valves?
Organization - If you're using manual drain valves, do yourself a favor and clearly mark down where each valve can be found on an easy-to-read chart. Keep the valves in a box and store it somewhere where it will be easy to find when it's needed.
How much slope is needed to drain a sprinkler system?
That way, you can install the drain valves at the same place as the controllers, making it much easier to winterize properly. About 1/4" of slope is needed per foot to drain the pipes effectively; in the best case scenario, you'll only need one drain valve per lateral.
How to prevent backflow from freezing?
In cold climates, occasional late and early season freezes occur and can damage your equipment. Using a small amount of self-sticking foam insulating tape - without blocking the drain outlets or the air vents - should be sufficient. Otherwise, try using some R-11 fiberglass insulation. Wrap it around the backflow preventer, then use duct tape to secure a plastic bag around the whole thing. Don't secure it too tightly - just tight enough to keep it from blowing off.
What does disconnecting a sprinkler controller mean?
Disconnecting the power from your sprinkler system controller means having to reset all of its associated settings when spring returns - not necessarily the simplest task in the world.
What is a mechanical sprinkler system?
Mechanical sprinkler system controllers can be identified quite easily; they typically have a dial on them similar to one found on an analog clock. These machines do use up a lot of electricity when compared to solid state controllers.
When to shut off water for sprinkler system?
First things first: when the time to winterize your irrigation system rolls around, you'll need to shut off the water at the main valve before doing anything else. By necessity, the shut off valve for your sprinkler system needs to be located in a place where it can't freeze up; this should have been done when the system was originally installed.
How do compressor auto drain valves work?
Some compressor auto drain valves can be operated by an air signal. A programmable logic device would have a program built in that would open and air valve and send an air signal to the air-operated drain valve on a timed basis to void water from anywhere in the compressed air circuit the device was installed.
What is compressor auto drain?
What are compressor auto drains? One type of an auto drain is a valve that operates regularly and periodically, opening for a specified length of time on a predetermined basis, and uses electricity to provide the power and the timing function. One of these is shown below.
How does compressed air get picked up?
It sometimes gets picked up by compressed air in the tank and is flung into your air lines as you use your air tools . Flowing compressed air in the air lines cools, and as the air cools, water condenses out.
Where do you put compressed air drains?
The strategic use of compressor auto drains – one in the drain port of every tank or air reservoir, and one at every drop leg where compressed air is plumbed down to the air tool, will go a long way in ridding your air system of water.
Why drain air tank?
Frequent and thorough draining of the air tank helps maintain the integrity of the air tank as well, since regular draining keeps the tank dry, helping to eliminate rust over the long haul.
Is auto drain good for air compressor?
In terms of keeping your air compressor running optimally, we think compressor auto drains can be a positive factor.
