Thread: Pilot/Spring air valves

I have some ageing valves that live a harsh life of little to no use in a freezing (well, maybe not this last yr, but ...) barn, and then ran once or twiced a yr. These are likely 10-15 yrs old by now.

These are the manifold variety of Aro Alpha's.

I/R says that they are out of stock until July sometime. (this was as of a few weeks ago)

Aro corp headquarters usta be 10 miles from here and I could git anything I wanted. Now'days I/R has closed that plant down and moved most of it to North Carolina. (?)
We still have a token facility here that purchases some parts locally, but I don't know much about it.

Doo to the long leadtime - I am wondering if I should be re-investing in these, in the name of concern for replacements another time. ???

I also hafta wonder if these are now made overseas... ???

The prices aren't out of line, and I already have the manifold - and plumbed up, so there is value there as well....


Most valves that I come accrost are sol activated. I seldom come accrost any pilot versions. I really want to keep this mechanical as it is on a tombstone on a transfer machine, and forty-leven sols running through a rotary union doesn't sound fun!

Who else is making pilot activated valves?
Any that you can actually recommend?
Preferably manifolding.
I think these are 1/4" NPT is all.


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I am Ox and I approve this h'yah post!

Ox,

Will these work....?
They have manifolds.
Air Pilot Valves Products

"Manifolding" units must be on a nother page eh?

Dang those are inexpensive!
They about hafta be cheap too eh?

???


I was beginning to wonder if anyone else even knew what "pilot" actuation even was?
I am sure that it is long lost with the explossion of PLC's in the last 20 yrs....


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I am Ox and I approve this h'yah post!

I have experience with piloted hydraulic valves, but have never used piloted air valves. We use a lot of Norgren solenoid operated air valves, and after a quick search, it seems Norgren also makes air piloted air valves. Here is one such animal:
lo
http://www.accltd.com/images/pdf/D%2...V60norgren.pdf

You may also try Miller, which it seems is now owned by Parker. Both Miller and Norgren make top-notch products that will certainly outlast anything from automation direct if longevity is something you seek.

This page has the manifolds, for that size/series.

5-port (4-way), 2-pos., Body Ported / Manifold (AVS-5,AM Series) Products

A phone call or IM will verify that the manifolds are correct, but I suspect they are for the same series, and the only differences I see are the lack of solenoid coils.

I don't think that I would be comfortable with those.
They just seem to be too "cheap".


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I am Ox and I approve thie h'yah post!

Don't understand why they seem to be too cheap. As long as you aren't putting on 500,000 cycles a year, I don't see why not. We have several dozen of that brand at my workplace, FWIW.