Another sprinkler valve "I'm an idiot" question...

[crankycowboy]

Hey guys. Building my first gun. Nothing special. I purchased an orbit 57101 1" valve. I built my chamber, into the valve (arrows are facing away from chamber), then barrel out of the valve. I drilled a hold right in the center, tapped it and threaded a barbed fitting in and ran a hose (short) to a blow gun. I epoxied the hole where the solenoid was. Now when I put air into the chamber, it goes through the valve and out the barrel. I searched for a solution, and the only thing I could find is that maybe the diaphragm was dirty and to clean with mild soap and water. I did this no help. I added a little lithium grease, no help. I just went and bought another valve just to be sure...and the new valve does the exact same thing. Obviously it's something I am/am not doing...but what could it be.....the mod is so simple!

[Zorlord]

This happens with these valves.. I remember when i built my sprinkler valve cannon it did the same thing. What i did to fix it was to take it apart, make sure it was nice and dry and clean, then put it back together very tightly and neatly. Hopefully that helps..

[Mr.Tallahassee]

Can you put up pictures? That would make it easier to diagnose.

[ramses]

Are you filling directly into the chamber? Try filling into the pilot (where you tapped for the blow gun) Or try filling into the chamber more slowly. The extra pilot volume from the hose and blow gun may be preventing it from sealing quickly enough. Pressure is building on the chamber side and pushing the valve open before the air has a chance to leak into the pilot side.

You could also use a stronger spring, though you might have other issues with that.

[crankycowboy]

Are you filling directly into the chamber? Try filling into the pilot (where you tapped for the blow gun) Or try filling into the chamber more slowly. The extra pilot volume from the hose and blow gun may be preventing it from sealing quickly enough. Pressure is building on the chamber side and pushing the valve open before the air has a chance to leak into the pilot side.

You could also use a stronger spring, though you might have other issues with that.

Sorry, Yes, I have a schrader valve on my chamber and I'm filling into that. I haven't tried filling through the pilot or filling slower. Right now I'm filling with a pancake compressor. I could try a foot pump. I'll also attach some pictures so you guys can see my setup.

[mattyzip77]

Is the valve going in the right direction?? also see that little white plastic thing in the diaphragm, take it out and toss it. Let me know if that did the trick...

[crankycowboy]

Is the valve going in the right direction?? also see that little white plastic thing in the diaphragm, take it out and toss it. Let me know if that did the trick...

Mattyzip, I can't believe it was something that simple. I removed the white plastic piece as you suggested, and now it's holding air.

Now, for my next dumb question. I've never built one of these with a sprinkler valve so please excuse the ignorance. But when I pull the trigger on the blow gun, it seems as if most of the air comes out of the blow gun before releasing the valve.....shouldn't it be somewhat instantaneous?

[mattyzip77]

Now see that long clear gay hose, get rid of that too!! Put the blowgun right to the fitting on top of the valve. How many psi are you using???You need a decent amount of air like 30 psi or even more.

[crankycowboy]

Now see that long clear gay hose, get rid of that too!! Put the blowgun right to the fitting on top of the valve. How many psi are you using???You need a decent amount of air like 30 psi or even more.

Thanks again. Yeah, I haven't really posted a pic of how I intended to trigger this thing. It requires a short jumper hose....not the end of the world if I can't do it that way, just looks cool. I'll post a pic here. I could shorten the length of hose for sure.

I'm putting about 70 PSI in there, but it doesn't trigger until about 60...it is because I need more flow on my pilot?

[Zorlord]

as a note you should really move your valve to directly behind your barrel.. all that dead space is going to kill your effectiveness

[Mr.Tallahassee]

Zorlord makes a good point. You can use that to your advantage with your grip setup. If you put the valve inline with the barrel in this sort of configuration then you can trigger the blowgun the same way you would in the picture except without all the hose.

[mattyzip77]

As above said your barrel should be inline with the chamber. Unless the gun absolutley needs to be like this I would change it. You will gain performance. Same thing with the hose. The shorter the hose the better it will work which is why I said to ditch it. Good luck!!

[crankycowboy]

Thanks for the suggestions Zorlord and Tallahassee. I can move the valve up to the barrel side. Just out of curiosity, what "effectiveness" am I jeopardizing by having the valve on the bottom?

[crankycowboy]

As above said your barrel should be inline with the chamber. Unless the gun absolutley needs to be like this I would change it. You will gain performance. Same thing with the hose. The shorter the hose the better it will work which is why I said to ditch it. Good luck!!

Thanks for the input once again Matty. I looked at a lot of guns before I started laying mine out. I should have noticed that. I guess I figured once the air is released, it will all come out the barrel regardless of having to turn a corner.....but I can certainly move the valve. Thanks again!!

[Mr.Tallahassee]

Thanks for the suggestions Zorlord and Tallahassee. I can move the valve up to the barrel side. Just out of curiosity, what "effectiveness" am I jeopardizing by having the valve on the bottom?

The unpressurized volume between the valve and the ammo being launched acts as a dampener and reduces the effectiveness in most situations. "The less dead space, the better" is a good way to put it.