Electric ball valve with posisioning

[torstein]

I am looking for a ball valve that have a electric motor with sensor for posisioning. If anyone have a recomendation for wich one I should buy?

[Yummyrum]

Sounds like a feed rate valve for a continuous stripper .

[torstein]

Want to replace this manual valve with an electric, connect it to a computer with temperature sensors and make a program for it so it can be opened and closed. Also opened halfway or quarterway etc.

Want and replace the manual valve with an electric so I can open and close it gradually based on temperatures.
So want to buy one of quality that is not some cheap shit

Also think that there are many of you in here who have built similar stuff who have already found a favorite that works well?

[Birrofilo]

Maybe something like this?

https ://www.amazon.com/Motorized-Stainless-Elec ... 3W8QD?th=1
Max 90°C by specification, but it can be opened or closed partially.

It goes without saying that you don't want to leave the still unattended and that you would never try to make cuts by temperature

[torstein]

How does this work? Is there a signal on how much it is open or closed?
Not sure what you mean by "that you would never try to make cuts by temperature"

[jonnys_spirit]

What are you trying to do? If you close your valve is it still open to the atmosphere?

I think he means that you should collect your spirit run in fractions and make cuts based on flavor and smell. Not making cuts based on a temperature you measured somewhere in the column, riser, or boiler.

That PC looks sorta short. Is it a liebig?

Cheers!
-j

[torstein]

Yes, now I understand what he means. Well I have a project going on where I am going to logging temperature and I need a ball valve that I can open based on position. None of you have electrically controlled stills?

[MartinCash]

Hi torstein,

A ball valve is not going to give you fine enough control to operate your VM still efficiently. You want something with finer control, such as a gate valve.

[Saltbush Bill]

That PC looks sorta short. Is it a liebig?

If its going to be used as a VM reflux I would think its big enough.

[RC Al]

Cough - Its a boka guys, the liebig is an after cooler

Valve will work fine like that in a LM system, if its shut the still is in full reflux, no dramas

[Saltbush Bill]

Looks like a cross to me LM / VM its going to be really hard to run properly with the tiny tap on the left if that is one of its purposes, will need to replace that with a needle valve to run as LM.

[torstein]

That PC looks sorta short. Is it a liebig?

If its going to be used as a VM reflux I would think its big enough.

Picture is only for illustation

[torstein]

mabey something like:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-G-3-4-No ... SwbgVf0hJN
or
https://tameson.com/valves/ball-valve/p ... tsEALw_wcB

Hi torstein,

A ball valve is not going to give you fine enough control to operate your VM still efficiently. You want something with finer control, such as a gate valve.

You have an example?

[Chucker]

I think the valve tuning parameters may give you fits and a ball valve won’t be linear enough to work very well from an automated standpoint anyway. But I’d also be very curious to know what you come up with and how it works out. Best of luck!

[torstein]

I think the valve tuning parameters may give you fits and a ball valve won’t be linear enough to work very well from an automated standpoint anyway. But I’d also be very curious to know what you come up with and how it works out. Best of luck!

Thanks, I'll keep you updated.

[HDNB]

google "motorized needle valve"

[Yummyrum]

You have an example?

I do
Check out the 5th and 6th pic down .
The first black mark is the Ball valve just closed position . The second mark about 1mm past it is where the valve is to collect heads . The 6th pic is looking at how open the valve is .... its sweet fuck all .
Where I normally collect Hearts is only a mm or 2 past that .
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 4#p7481520

The point is .... its touchy as all fuck . Hope your valve has Zero backlash in the drive gearing as there is only a few degrees in it .

[torstein]

Have to say I have a ball valve today, only a manual one that works perfectly.

[MartinCash]

How do you define "works perfectly"?

[LWTCS]

How do you define "works perfectly"?

Manipulating with the human hand, allowing for perceived perfection.

Wait, what? Works perfectly?
Tell me again why a mechanized ball valve enhances the the operation of a take off branch that already "works perfectly " with a manually operated ball valve.

[richard1]

For this boka / LM still I concur, do not use a ball valve unless flow rate control is not considered important.

The best and least expensive is a needle valve. A 1/4" needle valve is good for up to 6 LPH

That all said I would not waste money on automated control unless you have a serious sized still (+250L) and the entire system is automated. It's really huge money going down this route. Trust me I have a 600L automated still as well.

My manual 60L LM still I have just successfully commissioned the build and am reworking my 1/4" needle valve because the flow rate through it is insufficient.

[Yummyrum]

Trust me I have a 600L automated still as well.

richard1 why are you talking about a still size tbis big ? If you are a commercial distiller then you need to put your DSP number in your signature .

[torstein]

For this boka / LM still I concur, do not use a ball valve unless flow rate control is not considered important.

The best and least expensive is a needle valve. A 1/4" needle valve is good for up to 6 LPH

That all said I would not waste money on automated control unless you have a serious sized still (+250L) and the entire system is automated. It's really huge money going down this route. Trust me I have a 600L automated still as well.

My manual 60L LM still I have just successfully commissioned the build and am reworking my 1/4" needle valve because the flow rate through it is insufficient.

Thought there should only be talking about 25L here

[Saltbush Bill]

Seems to me you both need to read the forums rules torstein and richard 1 .......slowly and carefully.
One is way under our limit.....one way over.

[richard1]

Still busy building for the future so not yet commercial.

But, my current active still is a 60L unit and you are getting the benefit of my build experience.

[Yummyrum]

Still busy building for the future so not yet commercial.

But, my current active still is a 60L unit and you are getting the benefit of my build experience.

OK well until you have a DSP , we don’t want to hear anymore about it . Lets just say its a big fermenter until then .