Carolina Pride Weep valve sticking

[ScottV]

I've got a new Carolina Pride Performa system at one of my locations that uses a Weepmizer tied to a Watt's solenoid valve. I wanted to test the system before it gets real cold, so I unplugged the weepmizer hoping to see the valve open up and start weeping the bays.

Unfortunately the valve didnt open until I wrapped on the side of it with a wrench. Since it was installed in March and didnt weep all summer, I figured things must be gummed up so I tore the valve apart, didnt find anything other than a little rust buildup, cleaned it and reassembled it. Still wouldnt work unless I wrapped on the side of it with a wrench.

It works like a champ when weeping and I plug the weepmizer back in. It shuts it off every time, but wont open up when it is unplugged. Does it sound like something with the plunger part of the valve that the solenoid wraps around, or is it something else. I dont know enough about these, other than completely replacing them.

Thanks guys.

ScottV

 

[car washing systems inc]

Is it a pilot operated valve?

 

[Randy]

I wasn’t aware that Watts makes a solenoid valve. If its Pilot operated valve it’s the wrong solenoid valve. Since the weep system is a critical system I’d replace it with an ASCO 8210 Normally open solenoid valve, the last thing you want is to have a frozen car wash.

 

[Eric H]

As Randy said, replace it! This is a part that has to work everytime. It's just not worth the risk of having it stick shut.
The last time I had a problem I rapped it with a wrench and it worked flawlessly for about 2 weeks. Then It froze on a busy saturday morning. That day my weekend cleanup guy did not show up until 10. By that time the bays had run so long with out water moving thru them that all of the parts inside the pumps had melted including the wick retainers. Luckily my competition and I had enough parts to get me running again. (would your competition lend you pump parts so that you can be open for a weekend or would they laugh at you and let you be closed for 3 days?)
I'm guessing that that valve took $400-800 out of my pocket because I was to cheap/stupid to spend the money to replace that valve.

 

[MEP001]

I've had the same issue with Dema pilot-activated plunger solenoids, they work fine one winter but after being disconnected all summer they fail to open or close. I only use diaphragm solenoids now since there's no plunger in the main body to stick.

 

[ScottV]

Thanks guys, I guess i dont know what a pilot valve is. I looked on KR's site for an ASCO 8210 but could only find a rebuild kit for $354!! How much does a valve cost and where can I find one?

 

[Jeff_L]

I'm not certain you want a pilot valve in the middle of your weep, however you DO want that valve opening every time when power is taken away. That way when/if you lose power at the wash during the freezing season, you know you'll be dumping water down your pipes keeping them from freezing. Therefore, I would replace the one you have with one someone else recommends. Stupid me I still use the DEMA piston valve for my cold water weep at one location. Darned thing likes to stick in the open position. I need to switch to a diaphram one.

Good idea on checking it before it gets below freezing! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[ScottV]

Jeff and others,

Thanks for the replies. The valve is actually a DEMA Model A414P.3, 24volt valve. And it is still sticking closed when I unplug the weepmizer. I had a spare and was going to change it out, but figured I would see if anyone knows how else to free these things up. I bought two of these CP Performa units last fall and the other machine had a sticky weep valve which caused our new wash to freeze up the first cold snap. I spent a lot of hours thawing out lines, etc. and didnt want to have to do that again.

I took this valve apart, and cleaned everything as best I could. Guess I need to just suck it up and install the spare. If anyone has a better suggestion on a valve for this application, I'm all ears!!

ScottV

 

[MEP001]

Replace it with a Dema O474P. It's a normally-open diaphragm solenoid; the diaphragms don't stick like the plunger-style. You'll have to reconfigure the WeepMiser for a normally-open solenoid, but it's protection for your system in case of a power outage - the weep will come on if a tree branch knocks down a line.

 

[Randy]

Get rid of that DEMA solenoid valve and get an ½” ASCO 8210G34 solenoid valve. It’s a Kleen-Rite #SA216 110 volt or a #SA218 24 volt.

 

[MEP001]

I've had more problems with ASCO valves than with Demas, in fact I had to replace the ASCO valves on the Vector after a year; the Demas I put in their place have been problem-free for six years. ASCO diaphragm valves don't have a stainless steel seating surface in the valve body like Demas.