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    Thread: Choosing Ball Valves

    1. #1
      *Ci*'s Avatar
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      Choosing Ball Valves

      I am planning a pond upgrade and would like to have a better grade of ball valve on my filter circuits. I don’t like the selection (the usual white valves with hard to turn handles) in my local stores, so I am looking at Amazon Canada. Of these 3 choices, which are a good combination of price and quality? I will need about 5 x 2” valves.
      Thanks for any insights.

      GF Piping Systems:
      https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...K6Y9EEQB&psc=1

      Praher:
      https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...DW16KAMB&psc=1

      Hayward:
      https://www.amazon.ca/Hayward-Valve-...sr=1-1-catcorr
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    2. #2
      cottagefog is online now Senior Member
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      I have that Howard valve on my clean out on a Zakki Sieve. I have had no issues with it and easy to turn. Unlike those hard to turn white ones.

      . Out of the 3 choices you have, I would personally go with the Hayward.

      Not sure if they ship to Canada, but I know some have suggested this site for quality ball valves.
      https://www.supplyhouse.com/Red-Flag...iABEgJcD_D_BwE

    3. #3
      batman is offline Senior Member
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      For 2 inch and smaller I've had good results with single union ball valves. Your local big box stores should stock single and double union ball valves of this size.
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    4. #4
      ricshaw is offline Senior Member
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      Not all ball valves are created equal. Most have a smaller (restrictive) opening when the valve is open. If the ball valve will normally remain in the open position, consider a true union, full-flow, ball valve or knife valve.
      Last edited by ricshaw; 02-16-2020 at 12:05 PM.


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      batman is offline Senior Member
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      If restriction is of concern a valve needs to be listed as "full flow" or "full port" to be minimal restriction.
      Last edited by batman; 02-15-2020 at 02:21 PM. Reason: Clarify
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    6. #6
      cottagefog is online now Senior Member
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      I believe the Howard valve you had listed was full flow from amazon ca

    7. #7
      *Ci*'s Avatar
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      The Hayward and the GF Piping are both full port. My big box stores and my local plumbing suppliers ALL only have the cheap white ones! It is very frustrating that things that are so easy to find and inexpensive in the US are so completely unaffordable or downright non-existent here in Canada (and shipping from the states is usually exorbitant, as well). It is like pulling teeth just to find a 3” uniseal under $15 ...
      Anyway, these 3 valves are what is available to me at the moment - so far one vote for the Hayward.
      More input greatly appreciated ... thx guys : )
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      Ci


    8. #8
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      From experience,I would only ever fit double union valves.

      Hayward appears to fit all the criteria.

      Garfield
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    9. #9
      ricshaw is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by GoldieGirl View Post
      The Hayward and the GF Piping are both full port. My big box stores and my local plumbing suppliers ALL only have the cheap white ones! It is very frustrating that things that are so easy to find and inexpensive in the US are so completely unaffordable or downright non-existent here in Canada (and shipping from the states is usually exorbitant, as well). It is like pulling teeth just to find a 3” uniseal under $15 ...
      Anyway, these 3 valves are what is available to me at the moment - so far one vote for the Hayward.
      More input greatly appreciated ... thx guys : )
      People who rely only on "big box stores" in the U.S. have the same problem.

    10. #10
      icu2's Avatar
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      I'm sure these suffer from restricted flow as was mentioned but they turn as easily 10 years
      later as they did when I bought them, so not all are bad.

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    11. #11
      koiffee is offline Member
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      Do we all put 4 inch ball valves on bottom drains? Which ones are recommended?


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    12. #12
      coolwon is offline Senior Member
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      Over tightening the flange can make them difficult to operate.

      Just a gentle hand twist does the trick.

      Garfield
      Find more about Weather in Durban, ZA

    13. #13
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      The $12 white ball valves from Lowe’s are excellent for the price and I’ve had good results using them for many years. One of their advantages is the position of the o ring on the inside diameter of the coupling , rather than on the face of the coupling like other valves. That Hayward valve is about the best on the market though , will outlast most other valves , and that is a great price .

    14. #14
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      I used mostly the single union ball valves from lowes and they work well and turn very smoothly, but they've only been in operation for about 10 months. I'm glad to see Steve's are still going strong after 10 years.

    15. #15
      ricshaw is offline Senior Member
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      Quote Originally Posted by icu2 View Post
      I'm sure these suffer from restricted flow as was mentioned but they turn as easily 10 years
      later as they did when I bought them, so not all are bad.
      I have bought the next size bigger valves and used reducers to compensate for restricted flow.


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    16. #16
      batman is offline Senior Member
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      For the American valves single union and the Hayward listed above both are listed as full flow. In reality both are slightly restricted at 12% & 16%. Many union ball valves are either schedule 80 or have schedule 80 internals and why the reduction vs schedule 40 internal dimensions. Looks like the Hayward model is being discontinued and hince the good price.
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    17. #17
      batman is offline Senior Member
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      Noticed on Amazon the single union valve CDN is about 20% higher after exchange $ adjusted. Are the taxes already added into the price making them this much higher?
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    18. #18
      *Ci*'s Avatar
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      Quote Originally Posted by batman View Post
      Noticed on Amazon the single union valve CDN is about 20% higher after exchange $ adjusted. Are the taxes already added into the price making them this much higher?
      Haha ... no. My taxes are an additional 12%. So I bought two of the Haywards at $36.52 cdn. With taxes that comes to 81.80 or $62 usd. Thank goodness for Prime free shipping!

      Going back to look at them, I see that the price has jumped to $49.75.
      Last edited by *Ci*; 02-18-2020 at 09:22 AM.
      ________________________________________
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      Ci


    19. #19
      mao83515 is offline Senior Member
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      I fond a website selling true union ball valves. The price is lower than other site. Only thing is they have only upto 3" size.

      http://https://www.toolots.com/true-union-ball-valve-c9179-q61f-6u-80-1.html

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