where to get shut off valves

who else carries shut off valves for solution lines?     My 3rd one in less than 6 months just took another crap,    same thing..  springs a leak in the same spot then not long after the whole threading in that spot just completely falls apart.

what shut off valves are you guys using? Im not buying another one of the same its a total pos

Which ones are you using? If it is the standard blue / black lever type....throw those damn things away.

I use 3 different valves these days. The low profile shut off from Joe Bristor, the yellow handle Italian, and some very nice stainless ones from Kriha Power.

I have had nothing but good service out of all three of those valves and would recommend them accordingly. The Italian ones are great, but they do snag on things, and the JB valve does well even at psi above its designed limits.

I do believe that it depends on how much pressure you run and what chemicals as to which valve you need. Most valves are only designed for pressures around 450 - 500 psi, although they do hold up to slighter higher in most cases.

The chemicals involved is what kills most of them. Harsh chemicals corrode those steel springs and then they break. Once that happens, the valve is toast.

You can normally find some deals on ebay for those Italian valves purchased in sets of 6-12 and you can always order the low profile valves from Joe.

If you want the ultimate in shut-offs or quick connects....this place is the cleaners candy store for the finest in stainless hardware, fittings, and custom hoses.

http://www.krihafp.com/index.html

Yeah Joe may have a good valve but if he gets upset with you,your screwed he won't sell to you. I've talked to several people who have been treated this service. One of my customers was doing 1200.00 to 2000. 00 every couple months and Joe just decided not to sell to him anymore. And this guy is running 12 van's.

I been buying Home Depot 1/4" valves for around $8. Been holding up pretty well.

weird I posted a response and it deleted.  

Ive been using the jb valves.       they just keep failing at the same spot over and over again.    

starts with a pin hole leak right at the threads where they meet the actual ball part of the valve,    then not too long after the whole thing just flakes apart.  

really cheap crappy brass,    just blew out my 3rd replacement in under 6months.     Not buying another they arent cheap either.  

you try to tighten it or take it apart to fix and the hex just goes round with no force hardly at all.    really soft brass

Im just going to get some from home depot for 1/4 the price, last one pissed me off.. couldnt believe it crapped out that fast

That does suck, having parts fail like that will drive a guy crazy. I just wonder what is going on that is causing it? I have not had that happen with those valves and I run them at 500 psi for 7 hours at a shot.

My JB valves are about a year old now, so maybe there is a new supplier at fault here, but I have had good service with those valves.

What chemicals are you using?

At the Expo in Vegas, I heard complaints about those valves falling apart as well from some, but they all were using highly caustic chemistry. I just wonder if that could be the problem?

Oh and de-ionized water will weaken brass as well.....don't know if you are running that or not.

just usual cleaning chems.      OSR,   flex,   procyon..  nothing that should destroy brass,    all other brass fittings on equipment are fine.    

you should see the flaked apart ones I have,     the metal just peeling away like an orange. Getting tired of the cheap overseas crap, really a headache sometimes

Can you post a picture of one....really curious as to why there is such a difference in performance.

Actually, the foreign ones are often the better ones due to the lead content which makes the brass much stronger. Those Italian valves are a good example of that.

If they are developing pin holes and are flaking apart, then they do sound like a crappy brass alloy that has too much copper content and not enough zinc / lead. Ammonia can create pin holes and flaking like that in copper.

You might want to go with the Italian brand or else the killer Stainless ones from Kriha. The Home Depot valves would be brass plumbing valves which are what the JB valves in the first place.

I had good results with JB valves at first but the last 2 I've used haven't held up long. They start leaking after 2 or 3 months. I only run all fiber rinse through my machine but I do clean with psi as high as 800. When cleaning hard surfaces I run 1000 psi.

Might be a new manufacturer at fault then on later batches. We do stress them a lot since they are not rated for the pressures that we run them at. Actually, I can't think of a brand that really does....not in a 1/4 inch anyway.

That would be a product that needs made, a valve that could handle 1500 psi and 220 degree temps all day long. Probably would have to be a forged instead of cast valve, but that would be a great item.

The problem is always cost and weight. We cleaners are a cheap bunch for the most part and would never buy a $30 shut-off valve.

Has anyone spoken to Joe about their issues? I guess I have been lucky to still be using the older batches.

It would have to be something like this, but with pipe connections and maybe better flow.

http://ph.parker.com/us/17554/en/3000-psi-ball-valve-mb-series/4f-mb6l-pfa-ssp

(I think I am going to go down there this week and check these out....might be able to get one that works)

Let us know what you find out on the Parker valve. I have a Parker store in my town so hopefully they have something that we can use.

they arent cheap cost wise from wanders, cant remember exact price but its up there

Compared to the SS Parker valve, which is also the one who sells the Italian valve, the Wanders valve is pocket change.

I actually use the SS QC's from Parker and they are built like gun vaults, but also cost about $45 each. Not many cleaners would consider that which is why no supplier is selling them either.

Still, it is worth it to drive down to Parker to check them out.

For the record....at this time the Joe Valve is $12.49.

This wouldn't be bad either actually.....interlink supply. I just don't like the T-handle.

https://interlinksupply.com/index.php?item_num=PWM-B147

That's ILS copy of the old prochem valve. Difference is that the one ILS makes has only one O ring prochem has 2

Im at the point now where I dont want to save a few bucks to have huge headaches all the time

ACE Services wrote:That's ILS copy of the old prochem valve. Difference is that the one ILS makes has only one O ring prochem has 2

And that is why I love this forum right there....people sharing knowledge.

ACpower1 wrote:Im at the point now where I dont want to save a few bucks to have huge headaches all the time

I could not agree more. Most of my work is at night or 50 miles from the nearest supplier, so a simple failure can screw me pretty bad. That is why that TNT was added to the line-up.

Just wanted to let you know that if you have either of these valve THEY CAN BE REPAIRED jus take the snap ring off the bottom slide apart get the new O rings at Lowe's put it back together and your back up and running.

milspec6 wrote:Has anyone spoken to Joe about their issues?  I guess I have been lucky to still be using the older batches.

Just make sure to not post it in his forum or he will flip at you and call you names and told you that "now he has to defend himself" and then delete the thread

I don't see a reason to go to his forum with it....a simple phone call makes sense to me. Seriously, would you want your customer to call you if unhappy or post a negative review on Angie's List instead?

A simple call should be the starting point.....after that, all cards are on the table.

What would you pay for a valve that could last at least a year. Rated for say 400 degrees and 1000 psi. It may have a lever style handle. Oh and did I say they are SS also. Still looking around