Need a decent one way/check valve

[Roger440]

I have an aqua blaster with an incoming air supply.

It has a check valve in it so if you operate it without the air connected, the water/glass bead doesnt back feed down the airline.

As you can see from the pic its a proper cheap and nasty affair. And totally useless too.

After dismantling the valve, solenoid valve and pressure reg for the umpteeth time to remove glass beads, its time i sorted out the check valve.

Does anyone have any suggestions/links to something that might work?

Apologies for the poor pictures. Looks like im working in a cave.

 

[addjunkie]

https://ph.parker.com/gb/en/check-valves

take your pick.

sit down when asking prices from any stockist

 

[Gareth0123]

I use ¾" check valves from T-mex quite successfully on our irrigation system for the vegetable plots of our holding.

We have to lift water approx. 4 metres from a drainage ditch and I have two check valves in each induvial circuit; just down stream of the pump and then at the top of the initial rise which is approx. 3 metres above the mean dyke water level. At the top of the bank we lift the water another 1 metre to the pipes fixed to the plot divide fence and I have the 2nd check valve here. I put this system in several years ago and it has worked perfectly from then.... although I do drain the system down completely every autumn to avoid frost damage.

Here's a link for you;

www.t-mex.com/valves/brass-swing-check-valves

 

[Agroshield]

After dismantling the valve, solenoid valve and pressure reg for the umpteeth time to remove glass beads...

Can you put an inline filter downstream of the valve? That will stop the glass bead reaching it and preventing its proper operation.

 

[Gareth0123]

Yes, a cheap brass water Y strainer fitted back to front and upside down would work an absolute treat in this application.

 

[Roger440]

https://ph.parker.com/gb/en/check-valves

take your pick.

sit down when asking prices from any stockist

Thanks. That will keep me busy for a while! Rather overwheling choice!

 

[Roger440]

Yes, a cheap brass water Y strainer fitted back to front and upside down would work an absolute treat in this application.

I like simple but that strainer wont stop the bead. Its very very small. Like sand. And even if it did it will still fill the airline with water

 

[Roger440]

Can you put an inline filter downstream of the valve? That will stop the glass bead reaching it and preventing its proper operation.

I could with a bit of buggering about, but as above will still get water going back down the air line. Though thats nowhere near as disruptive.

The instructions say dont run the blaster without air pressure. However, whenever i do a water change, i cant get the pump to prime unless i disconnect the air. No idea why, just how it is.

I guess any cheap in line check valve followed by the filter before air goes in would be the way to go. Assuming of course that the bead that accumalates in the filter, unaccumalates itself when air is applied. Otherwise ill have no air!

Or, i install a ball valve. Which is definitely simple, but relies on remebering to operate it! Which is the flaw in that otherwise brilliant plan!