Reddit reviews Kerick Valve MA052 PVC Mini Float Valve, Tank Mount, Adjustable Arm, 1.5 gpm at 60 psi, 1/2" NPT Male
We found 6 Reddit comments about Kerick Valve MA052 PVC Mini Float Valve, Tank Mount, Adjustable Arm, 1.5 gpm at 60 psi, 1/2" NPT Male. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Estimated rate of flow up to 1.5 gpm at 60 psiPVC for corrosion resistanceTank mount with extended threads on inlet side of valve for mounting through tank wallNote: MA052 has a 1/2 NPT pipe thread. This is extremely common in the plumbing world. The thread measures about 3/4 of an inch in diameter, this is a common mistake to those who are unfamiliar with pipe threads and plumbing1/2" NPT male threaded inlet and free-flow outlet
Looks awesome. I set up an automatic daily water-changer in mine. I let it drain thru a hose-timer connected near the bottom thru a standard garden hose for 2 hours, and I keep a float valve on a second hose-timer to fill it back up.
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tl;dr
hose timer (1 to drain and 1 to fill): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M676JAS/
float valve: https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-MA052-Float-Adjustable/dp/B0077RAP1I
you'll need 2 hoses as well. the timer on the drain end gets clogged sometimes but thats the best i could come up with so far
Something like this:
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71eIBr+ziPL._SL256_.jpg
https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-MA052-Float-Adjustable/dp/B0077RAP1I
You could use a pretty standard mechanical float valve to refill water reservoirs. Something along these lines
You'll need the full power of an electricl outlet to do this. At least 1500 watts or 10-12amps. So you don't have power?
You can use a 12v pump and a solar panel. Look at Harbor Freight 12v pump and look for Harbor Freight 60w solar panel.
If you don't have power, you'll need to pump water up and use gravity feed to get pressure. A rain barrel about 30ft higher then where you want water should give you enough water pressure. This a float valve helps: https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-MA052-Float-Adjustable/dp/B0077RAP1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1465850762&sr=8-1&keywords=float+valve
I have done very similar stuff! Ill take some pictures for you to explain how it all works.
I was doing some thinking about your potential setup and i realized that if that unit's tank is plumbed up to drain in to a 5gallon bucked, there's nothing to prevent the bucket from overflowing. I have a solution for that though! all it takes is for the drain pipe to run through a float valve to the bucket.
this is the float valve, which is 8$
https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-MA052-Float-Adjustable/dp/B0077RAP1I/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=float+valve&qid=1565294395&s=gateway&sr=8-6
what that would do is stop the flow of water in to the bucket so it doesn't overflow. The hose will then start to fill up until it backflows into the unit's reservoir, and because the hole you drilled is below the max fill line, the unit will fill up and then shut off, at which point you will have to dump the bucket and the units reservoir, but should increase your capacity by about 3-4 gallons, depending on how high up the bucket you put the float valve.
I know it all sounds a little complicated but its really quite simple once you understand the parts.
check out this awesome video explaining the part i just talked about. Imagine his bin is your bucket(you could also use a tote bin like that) and imagine that blue tube is connected to your unit's tank.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm-DIHR6uVA
This seems like a good idea: https://www.amazon.com/Kerick-Valve-MA052-Float-Adjustable/dp/B0077RAP1I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466286871&sr=8-1&keywords=water+tank+float+valve