hydrominder foot valves

[mac]

For some reason I've been experiencing a high failure rate from these things. I'm talking new out of the box. My guess is that they are now made in China. About 25 to 30% fail either right away, or within a couple of months. Anyone else seeing this?

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

yes.
I just have 5 bays though, so my sample size is kinda small

 

[MEP001]

I have less of a failure rate with the blue ones than the gray.

Having a bad batch isn't a new problem. I've had a number of people complain about going through a bunch of bad ones.

 

[Randy]

We haven’t experienced any high failures with any of the foot valves. We use mostly the Blue foot valve. I can't recall when I had one fail. It's been a long time.

 

[jimbeaux]

When I have a foot valve fail I just install a pvc hose barb type check valve into the suction line. Some have been on for years with no problems.

 

[JIMT]

When I have a foot valve fail I just install a pvc hose barb type check valve into the suction line. Some have been on for years with no problems.

Which valve do you use? Is it from Kleenrite?
JIMT

 

[mac]

Doesn't matter where they come from. I use different suppliers. The blue are supposed to be for detergents, and the gray for wax products.

 

[jimbeaux]

JIMT, I use the SMC hose barbs, Kleen-rite part# CV0061.

 

[JustClean]

In the beginning I had many fail. I switched over to the blue ones AND changed my chemicals. No problems since (4 years). I think it had something to do with my chemicals as I had other issues as well.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

It seems like the quality of the hydrominder blue & grey footvalves has decreased in direct proportion to their increasing price! What exactly in that piece of plastic has increased to justify a price of over $7.

I'm not sure who makes it, but last year I tried Kleen-Rite's part #INHB500 as a footvalve. I bought 6 of them and right out of the package I could not suck through 3 of them. They simply wouldn't open.

I have now made it a practice to continue using the hydrominder footvale but double check it with a 3/8" JohnGuest speedfit checkvalve. (Kleen-Rite part#JG6CV or Dultmeier #LM SCV38) They are not cheap, but they sure work well. The cracking pressure is low enough that it doesn't affect the draw.