1-1/2" Solenoid Mod ?

[Atattack]

I am trying to plan out my next gun which will have a 3" barrel and also 3" Chamber. I found this solenoid valve and am trying to figure out if I can mod it to fire with a blowgun. It is a 2 way valve according to spec sheet but was wondering if anyone has modified a metal solenoid of this size? Thanks in advance.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SMC-1-1-2-Quick ... 415c9a9fd4

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Basically unscrew the solenoid valve and replace it with a blowgun. If the thread doesn't match, reducer

[mattyzip77]

Wow, thats a monster of a valve, if I do say so myself! Its basically just a qev with a solenoid, so as the aspiring machinist said, just remove the solenoid and screw in your blow gun! Good luck!!

[Atattack]

Thanks guys, sorry for the noob?. I was hoping it would be that simple. I am trying to make a nice water balloon launcher. Figured this with a 3" barrel and the proper "packing" of the balloons would make for a nice hand held launcher. You think that valve is to much is I keep psi around 100-125psi?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

You think that valve is to much is I keep psi around 100-125psi?

For that pressure, you could probably get a sprinkler valve for cheaper, I would shop around first. That would be my choice if I was aiming for 150 psi plus, though really getting a metal valve for a few dollars more makes it more hardwearing if you have the cash to spare.

Also, don't you have a piston launcher to finish

[Atattack]

Sounds great, I just got a call back from a guy from SMC. I call this AM and just heard back, and he said that a blowgun would not fire the valve. I said I need to go with this part number-VXFA 2280-14N

Here is a link to data sheet.


http://www.coastpneumatics.com/metric/v ... Valves.pdf

And needed this to fire it.

http://www.smcpneumatics.com/NVM130-N01-08.html

I'm a little confused cause I am brand new to Solenoid, but from tech drawing looks like there is a port for the electrical portion, and also an exhaust valve. Not trying to disagree with you two cause again I'm a noob but just thought I'd let ya know what they told me.

[mattyzip77]

I would stick with the qev. You would have to modify the sprinkler valve, and if your new to the game, you only get one shot at doing it right. It is a easy mod, but why take the chance for a few bucks more???

[Atattack]

Any idea where to get a 1", 1-1/4", or a 1-1/2" qev for a decent price? I have searched and only found 3/4".

Another idea is to use a brass sprinkerl valve like this one.

http://www.sprinklerwarehouse.com/Rain- ... 150-gb.htm

Is the steps for modding these the same as plastic sprinkler valves or is it harder? I know you said it is easy but would being metal make it more difficult?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

I'm a little confused cause I am brand new to Solenoid, but from tech drawing looks like there is a port for the electrical portion, and also an exhaust valve. Not trying to disagree with you two cause again I'm a noob but just thought I'd let ya know what they told me.

Here's a little drawing showing how it works, and one way of modding it. The important thing is understanding which is the path you want the air to take

[mattyzip77]

Sounds great, I just got a call back from a guy from SMC. I call this AM and just heard back, and he said that a blowgun would not fire the valve. I said I need to go with this part number-VXFA 2280-14N

Here is a link to data sheet.


http://www.coastpneumatics.com/metric/v ... Valves.pdf

And needed this to fire it.

http://www.smcpneumatics.com/NVM130-N01-08.html

I'm a little confused cause I am brand new to Solenoid, but from tech drawing looks like there is a port for the electrical portion, and also an exhaust valve. Not trying to disagree with you two cause again I'm a noob but just thought I'd let ya know what they told me.

That guy told you that cuz he wants you to spend more money, and did you tell him it was for a potato cannon?How many has he built and how many have we built? Listen to us dude, the blowgun will work, take a look around and you will see we are correct!!

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

That guy told you that cuz he wants you to spend more money, and did you tell him it was for a potato cannon?How many has he built and how many have we built? Listen to us dude, the blowgun will work, take a look around and you will see we are correct!!

Looking at the schematic, hooking up a blowgun directly in the solenoid thread would not work, it would need some though as I illustrated above.

On the other hand, that solenoid pilot is relatively high flow, you can use it as-is and hook it up to a battery... it doesn't really need modding in the way sprinkler valves do.

An electric pilot gives you the convenience of having a switch as a trigger, letting you put the grip wherever you want easily without having to route pneumatic piping and losing power through dead space.

[mattyzip77]

JSR I was speaking about the qev valve and the phone call he got was about the qev valve, I think???

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

JSR I was speaking about the qev valve and the phone call he got was about the qev valve, I think???

I think we're talking about the original solenoid piloted quick exhaust valve mentioned in the first post. Remember, QEV defines what it does, not what it is

[Atattack]

JSR, I like the idea of using valve as is with a battery. This valve is 110VAC 50/60Hz. Would I be able to fire this with a battery? Would like to have everything on gun contained in a project box if possible to protect from water from balloons. Here is a data sheet on valve.

http://www.coastpneumatics.com/metric/v ... valves.pdf

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

JSR, I like the idea of using valve as is with a battery. This valve is 110VAC 50/60Hz.

I would think you'd need an inverter, you can get them pretty cheap on eBay - although thinking about it if I'm not mistaken AC solenoids can run on DC.