I bought this ball valve for an air compressor. I kind of feel dumb asking but the directions are terrible. It is has a black and red wire coming from the valve. What should these go to?
help wiring a valve
- Thread starter alex2929
- Start date
What are you trying to accomplish with this valve....blow down or distribution piping isolation?
What electrical control hardware is on your compressor.....line voltage, lever-operated pressure switch or motor starter?
Did you buy the 240volt version or the dc power supply version as shown in the video?
What's the voltage of your compressor ?
What electrical control hardware is on your compressor.....line voltage, lever-operated pressure switch or motor starter?
Did you buy the 240volt version or the dc power supply version as shown in the video?
What's the voltage of your compressor ?
Shiftless
Well-known member
alex:
I assume you bought the AC version.
If you just want a handy way to drain your air tank , just wire it in to an existing receptacle circuit and put a toggle switch in a handy location. Only a totally ********* GJ guy would run a dedicated circuit for this.
Wire the valve just like you would for a light fixture.
I assume you bought the AC version.
If you just want a handy way to drain your air tank , just wire it in to an existing receptacle circuit and put a toggle switch in a handy location. Only a totally ********* GJ guy would run a dedicated circuit for this.
Wire the valve just like you would for a light fixture.
Kaizen
Well-known member
Also interested in what you are doing. The noise will be incredible if that is going to open air
Shiftless
Well-known member
That is absolutely right. A 3/4 inch valve going full open in less than 5 seconds will be wild.
I am going to use this to turn air on/off to air lines in my shop. My compressor is a pretty common 60 gallon 220v compressor. I am planning to just run this off of one leg of the 220 for the compressor. I guess i'm still kind of confused though with just a red and black wire.....could I hook the two wires to each of the hot wires of the compressor? I know it shouldnt be with the compressor probably.....it will work though.
It's a 240volt valve correct?
Take a pic of It's nameplate.
You don't mention the hardware controlling the compressor. Need that info.
If it is a 240v valve, you will ultimately wire it across both hots. If it is 120vac only, it will need a hot and neutral. (Can not use the ground wire as a neutral).
Take a pic of It's nameplate.
You don't mention the hardware controlling the compressor. Need that info.
If it is a 240v valve, you will ultimately wire it across both hots. If it is 120vac only, it will need a hot and neutral. (Can not use the ground wire as a neutral).
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BillK
Well-known member
Just curious why a simple lever operated ball valve wont work ? thats all I have but to be honest with you it has probably only been used a couple of times in the 38 years I have been in business and that was if I needed to fix something on the lines.
But I also turn my compressor off every day as i walk out the door and yes it does leak down overnight but it only takes a few minutes to air up in the morning and feel much better having it turned off.
Chris_Hamilton
Well-known member
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That thing is like the Rube Goldberg of ball valves. I'm confused......why not a simple a normal ball valve like this?
whateg01
Well-known member
The webpage for the valve has instructions and videos!
ussolid.com
3/4" Motorized Ball Valve with Manual Function - 2 Wire Auto Return, S
INTRODUCTION Motorized ball valves are a vital piece of equipment in numerous applications. This model opens and closes in 3-5 seconds, and remains in its new position while expending almost no energy. This is a key difference between motorized ball valves and many solenoid valves. Most solenoid...
ussolid.com
Shiftless
Well-known member
I’m thinking the same thing.
I'm weird. I wont use the compressor that much....hoping with this, i can keep the air in the tank when its off with no effort.I’m thinking the same thing.
And the video doesn't match the particular details of what is offered for sale. So w/o part in hand, you don't know what you are getting.The webpage for the valve has instructions and videos!
3/4" Motorized Ball Valve with Manual Function - 2 Wire Auto Return, S
INTRODUCTION Motorized ball valves are a vital piece of equipment in numerous applications. This model opens and closes in 3-5 seconds, and remains in its new position while expending almost no energy. This is a key difference between motorized ball valves and many solenoid valves. Most solenoid...
I'm not sure that a motor controlled valve is ideal for air pressure, I also don't see pressure rating for that
3rd time......What is the electrical hardware used on the compressor?
whateg01
Well-known member
Aside from colors of the wires, how does it not match? This is directly from the Amazon page linked in the op. The diagram matches the videos on that page.
2 N m Max Medium Pressure ?
whateg01
Well-known member
Based on the description in the Amazon page and the OEM webpage and the info on the top of the valve, applying 240v across the wires will open the valve. So if you wire it so that it has power when the compressor has power, not just when the motor is running, you should be able to get air when the compressor is powered.
Motorized ball valves are used very frequently in industry all of the time. Just not Amazon specials.
The rating of the valve "looks like" it could easily be 150 psi.
However, if you're selling valves, one would expect such info!!!
whateg01
Well-known member
It's just a solenoid valve. Put a simple single pole switch on the wall or get a cord that plugs in to an outlet that has a rocker switch on it and power the solenoid from there. It will operate AC in any of the following voltages as seen on valve body 85v-240v. Red wire is typically indicated as "from switch" and white is common "neutral" in a normal 110-120v setup.
Until you have parts in hand, the diagram above doesn't show a connection to ac. I wouldn't trust an Amazon description alone.Aside from colors of the wires, how does it not match? This is directly from the Amazon page linked in the op. The diagram matches the videos on that page.
It looks it could be a power supply powered by by ac (85-240vac) and the diagram only shows the DC side.
But I shouldn't have to guess.
That's just the maximum output torque of the actuator.
Shiftless
Well-known member
How much is “not that much” ?
I use my air compressor very infrequently (weeks go by in between uses). I open the drain valve and let out all the compressed air and condensation after each use.
That inexpensive powered valve might leak like the rest of your system (apparently) does. If you can’t fix the leaks, I would just install a high quality manual ball valve. More reliable.
larry4406
Well-known member
When I relocate my air compressor to my barn, I will be installing a similar electric ball valve on the discharge from the tank.
I am able to turn on the barn exterior lights from my house, and I have a switch leg outlet off these lights to power this valve. Barn exterior lights on = compressor air pressure enabled. I am thinking I will also wire a contactor off this switch leg for make/break both legs of 240V power to the compressor.
We would see the barn lights on at night and know I forgot to turn the compressor off.
Already have the underground RapidAir piping in place, just need to finish the work on tying into the house and at the barn.
Planning on installing a Tsunami Moisture Minder as well for auto-drain.
I am able to turn on the barn exterior lights from my house, and I have a switch leg outlet off these lights to power this valve. Barn exterior lights on = compressor air pressure enabled. I am thinking I will also wire a contactor off this switch leg for make/break both legs of 240V power to the compressor.
We would see the barn lights on at night and know I forgot to turn the compressor off.
Already have the underground RapidAir piping in place, just need to finish the work on tying into the house and at the barn.
Planning on installing a Tsunami Moisture Minder as well for auto-drain.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
If you go to the US Solid website, the page for that particular valve has schematics for the various configurations. Click on this link and scroll down: https://ussolid.com/products/u-s-so...dard-port-85-265-v-ac-2-wire-auto-return-html For 2 wire auto return, it shows the wire color doesn't matter, just hook up the two wires to AC.
That was my fear, that there is both an ac and a DC version where the "ac version" may have required a dc power supply in-between ac source and actuator.
So the ac version can directly connect to the 240vac per mfr explicit instructions.
Or get a motorized ball valve from a reputable manufacturer, not an Amazon special. I don't recall ever seeing a ball valve rated for only 145 psi, 600 cold working pressure is typical for a ball valve, in my experience, and they go up from there.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Not that it means anything but US Solid is a brand name I've never heard of before.
whateg01
Well-known member
You are seriously making this way more complicated than it needs to be. You wanted a picture of the valve. Op posted it. It says in black and blue "85-265V AC"! What more do you want? It's two wires. It's not that fn hard!
Consistancy in documentation.......so you don't burn the controller up and then look like a dumb sh*t.
From the video of the 85-265vac amazon link:
How many +/- designations do you see in ac circuits???? How many greens connected to phase conductors have you seen?
Do you find any reference to black or blue wire in the video?
Do you even see any black or blue wire? Not in the video or Amazon picture of part.
And in the same video:
So why show a power supply if this part is being sold as an AC application??
Notice the switch in the power supply ac cord.........different than the diagram.
And here she is stroking the valve with the ps output connected directly to the valve........
So yeah, just go blindly plug the f'n thing in.
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manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I bought this ball valve for an air compressor. I kind of feel dumb asking but the directions are terrible. It is has a black and red wire coming from the valve. What should these go to?
I've had a couple of these, they work well. Don't overthink this.
Pretty straight forward for that valve. Video link here: https://www.amazon.com/vdp/05602f1c0841473e8910c52f03103ee0?tag=atomicindus08-20
I've had a couple of these, they work well. Don't overthink this.
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manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
There are high voltage AC and low voltage AC/DC Versions of the same valves available. They are both two wire. Apply power, valves open, remove power, valve closes. Very first moment of the video says polarity does not matter on the AC valve. They work as described and there is zero need to overthink this. Sure the documentation may not match exactly due to variations in production wire colors. But if polarity does not mater and there are only two wires and it's AC - it's kind of hard to screw it up....
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Did you miss this pic from the OP of his valve?
Clearly he has the AC high voltage unit.
I took my information from the U.S. Sold website: U.S. Solid Motorized Ball Valve- 3/4" Stainless Steel Electrical Ball Valve with Standard Port, 85-265 V AC, 2 Wire Auto Return
Pretty broad brush to think one would trust all Amazon descriptions because they took the time to research an individual item...
Did you also miss this?
They are a pretty good value for their price. It's not too hard to figure out the wiring if you spend a little time deciphering the Chinglish. Many times Chinese manufacturers try to make their instructions universally compatible. Unfortunately, it's usually not a very successful implementation.
That's when it's time to take advantage of their generous return policy. It's about the only time I will return something - when the description is so poor as to make it unusable after receipt. Usually I won't buy something if it's that unclear of its suitability to my needs.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Thanks for closing the loop on this.