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tapped stainless pipe to mount individual solenoids

1carwash1

Member
Does anybody know where I can find tapped stainless pipe to mount individual solenoids? Building a low pressure system and want to attach the assembly to the pump plant. Basically, i’m looking for a length of stainless that i can mount 8 solenoids. i already have the individual solenoids that is why i’m not considering solenoid manifolds.
 
You'd have to get pipe with threaded ports welded in. You can't just tap holes in the pipe, the wall thickness isn't enough. Does it have to be stainless? I do this all the time with 1-1/2" long brass nipples and 1/4" NPT tees.
 
We build our own low pressure manifolds out of 1/4" Hex nipples and a heavy 1/4" Tee and a Kip solenoid valve.
 
FWIW I use the long nipple so the solenoid can be removed whole. It's been more than a few times I couldn't get the stem off the body and had to change the whole thing. I use Swagelock mounting blocks so the stack can be turned.
 
For low pressure, you can also make one out of higher schedule pvc, it taps easily.
Even pvc isnt cheap anymore though, sigh.
 
You'd have to get pipe with threaded ports welded in. You can't just tap holes in the pipe, the wall thickness isn't enough. Does it have to be stainless? I do this all the time with 1-1/2" long brass nipples and 1/4" NPT tees.
Washworld does it all the time without welding ports in.
 
Does anybody sell Kip SS manifolds? I know they make them... The brass ones only last about 4 years on PS before the seats erode and start leaking.
 
Do you mean something like this from GS

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-19...etering-4-station-200-psi-metering-screw.aspx

Or you could get something like these

https://www.mcmaster.com/stainless-steel-manifolds/right-angle-flow-rectangular-manifolds-7/

Or contact the manufacture of Kip valves

http://cdn.norgren.com/pdf/KIP Manifolds.pdf

I think the biggest problem for most car wash operators is the cost.


Thanks Randy for the links! I don't think the one from McMaster will work...It would be impossible to fit solenoids to it. The hole spacing is too close together. I would pay extra for a SS one identical to the brass ones we get off KR...It would last forever! I would like for it to fit the same bolt pattern for mounting and also use the same solenoids...I have plenty spares! I guess a built up SS fitting version would work, but probably total cost would be similar to a manufactured Kip. It would have to be long enough to assemble or change solenoids if one failed and would have to get creative for the mounting.

fb_and_ps_manifold.jpg
 
Good find Earl! I was thinking, you really don't need that much room between solenoids. You can take the coil and stem off and screw the base on, then reattach the stem and coil. For no more than this cost, I will give it a try. Just need (4) 1/2" x 1/4" NPT SS reducers. Thx!
 
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