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NEW PRODUCT – Plastic Water Solenoid Valve – 12V – 1/2 NPT. Control the flow of fluid using the flow of electrons! This liquid valve would make a great addition to your robotic gardening project. There are two 1/2″ (Nominal NPT) outlets. Normally, the valve is closed. When 12VDC is applied to the two terminals, the valve opens and water can push through. The valve has a gasket arrangement inside, so there is a minimum pressure requirement of 0.02 Mpa (3 PSI). Also, liquid can only flow one direction.
We tried this solenoid at various DC voltages and found we could actuate it down at 6VDC (although it was a little slower to open). Here is the current draw table for various voltages. We suggest a TIP120 or N-Channel power FET with a 1N4001 kickback diode to drive this from a microcontroller pin. For a power supply, our 9V 1A or 12V 1A power adapters will do the job.
FEED
Cool product!
I’d like to put a finer point on the description- this valve is a “pilot-assist” diaphragm type, which is a design that allows for a much smaller and less hungry solenoid. (like a tenth of the power).
The trade-off is slower actuation time, uni-directional flow, and the requirement for a certain minimum pressure in order for the valve to operate. Fortunately, these limitations are seldom a problem, which is why the vast majority of solenoid-operated valves use this principle.
The brass one is of a direct-acting design, with the opposite characteristics, but there are some folks who will need it.
Choice. It’s a beautiful thing!
Comment by EasternStarGeek — September 5, 2012 @ 8:03 pm