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  • Results 1 to 15 of 15

    Thread: Gate Valves Won't Stay Open

    1. #1
      kodiak is offline Senior Member
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      Gate Valves Won't Stay Open

      I finally have my new filter circuits hooked up and I flooded them for the first time today. The only slight problem I have run into is that 2 of the 4 gate valves won't stay open all the way. I could easily fix the problem by making a sliding stopper for the shaft that opens and closes the gate but I don't think I should be having this problem in the first place. Is this common? Am I doing something wrong?

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    2. #2
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      You say they are gate valves do they have a handwheel or the stem of the valve slide up and down? What kind of make of valves are these?

    3. #3
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      Last edited by Roark; 05-25-2006 at 09:56 PM.
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    4. #4
      dcny is offline Senior Member
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      I think kodiak probably has a knife valve instead of a gate valve.

      Most of the ones that I've used stay open without the little clamp wedged in there to keep it open. You could probably use a rubber band to keep it open if you needed to.

      -Dan

    5. #5
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      Like Roarke said, check to see if there is a plastic threaded cap at the base where the stem exits the housing. If there is than tighten it but not much & than check the resistance by opening & closing.
      John :palmtree2
      " always the hard way "

    6. #6
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      Quote Originally Posted by kodiak
      I finally have my new filter circuits hooked up and I flooded them for the first time today. The only slight problem I have run into is that 2 of the 4 gate valves won't stay open all the way. I could easily fix the problem by making a sliding stopper for the shaft that opens and closes the gate but I don't think I should be having this problem in the first place. Is this common? Am I doing something wrong?
      I have bought some that HAVE a stopper that goes on the shaft to keep it open, but they usually stay open anyway.

    7. #7
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      exactly!!

      Quote Originally Posted by Roark
      Ditto to what DRussell said, and one other thought. If they don't have a little thumbwheel, see if they have a packing nut on top you can tighten (some of the nice ones do, rarely seen in a pond-environment... but you never know). Another type coming out of China uses a "quarter-twist" mechanism to lock the valve in either the open or shut position (but not in the middle). You just turn the same handle you pull on.

      Roark
      My thinking also Roark.

    8. #8
      kodiak is offline Senior Member
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      I don't know the make off hand but they are the type where the valve stem slides up and down. It is possible there is a thumbwheel and I didn't know what I was looking at. I'll check it out when I get home tonight. I tried twisting the handle but it didn't do anything.

    9. #9
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      Like Cowiche said, my Praher 4" knife valves have a yellow clip that will hold them open though I dont need it.

    10. #10
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      Last edited by Roark; 05-25-2006 at 09:55 PM.
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    11. #11
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      My knife valves stay open by themselves, but because of pesky squirrels running around here I cut a piece of the foam pipe insulation (the size for 1/2' pipe) to the length of the valve stem when open and slide it on. Those #%&! squirrels can jump up and down on them all day and they stay open

      Robert

    12. #12
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      Quote Originally Posted by Roark
      If push comes to shove and none of the locking features described here are present on your valve, you can always cut a piece of clear tubing the same length as the extended stem, slit it lengthwise, and push it onto the stem. It'll keep the valve open and can be removed (very quickly in a panic if needed) with very little effort.

      Roark
      Why's it gotta be clear....

      Just kidding.... don't shoot..

    13. #13
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      OOPS!, Roark you must be a two finger typer

    14. #14
      kodiak is offline Senior Member
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      You all were right. There is a thumbwheel to adjust the amount of tension on the valve shaft. Thanks for the help!

    15. #15
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      good

      Quote Originally Posted by kodiak
      You all were right. There is a thumbwheel to adjust the amount of tension on the valve shaft. Thanks for the help!
      Another happy customer !!

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