Overflow valve for a tank?

[rick91351]

HELP HELP HELP  -----   I need a an overflow valve or a float valve if you will.  Once upon a time they use to make a very fool proof primitive float valve.  I can not find anything like it now.  It is a simple chamber with holes drilled or slots cut in to it or the bottom hollow.  Inside there is a ball that will float.  This was threaded onto a tee and place into a tank. When the water or fluid raises to the top of the chamber the ball shuts the flow off and the water continues its flow at the tee.  The reason I need such a valve is that this hooks up to a irrigation water holding tank.  The water entering it is not potable and has bits of moss so a regular float valve will not work because the moss plugs up a regular float valve.

I have looked on the internet and there is such a valve for haz-mat and petroleum usage and they are way way out of my price range.  $200 on up to $2000.  They are used because of their simple non electrical design and application.  If you know of something please let me know.

[glenn kangiser]

You might have to make it if you can no longer find it, Rick.  PVC pipe - bushings, cap and tee - a ball that will float - saw cut slots for the trap area.

[muldoon]

I think I used different search terms than you but I found a few of them.

http://www.duralirrigation.com.au/onlinestore/index.cfm?NavigationID=621

my google search was:  irrigation float valve

[rick91351]

Thanks! But sorry Muldoon been there - done that.    Those work about the same as a regular float valve only up side down.  The one I am looking for the float is the ball inside of a cage.  The float acts as a valve.  Can not have the float arms and mechanical valve.

You might have to make it if you can no longer find it, Rick.  PVC pipe - bushings, cap and tee - a ball that will float - saw cut slots for the trap area.

I have not tried that yet.  In my mind I need a dome on the top to funnel the ball or float up to the fitting.  Dang why don't I just use a small funnel turn upside down and .... back fill with something like bondo.

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?itemid=27556&catid=837

Or something like this.

Thanks guys I think I sort of see what I need to do a little better now.       

[Redoverfarm]

Can you not use a "toilet" bowl float.  The older models would probably work much better than the new ones. 

[glenn kangiser]

I think Rick needs a bigger one that can fill a tank and then bypass when full, but needs to handle dirty water which may plug one of the small float valves.

[rick91351]

Ya that is the reason - lots of foreign matter.  Moss is the main  problem, these small bits of moss plug up the inlet.  I have tried a wide verity of float valves.  I know I seem some thing like I need on someones ranch or farm a long - long time ago like when I was a kid.  Right now it just over flows out the top and makes a lot of mud around the tank.  I have some plastic over it to keep the critters out.  Another month and we will dry the tank up, pull the pump and be done with it until late next June.  But in the mean time if you happen to see something around the AG supply places or plumbing shops let me know.   

   

[Minicup28]

something like this:

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10052&storeId=10001&langId=-1&division=FarmTek&productId=122253

[rick91351]

Thanks I will give then a call tomorrow and see if they think it will work.

Rick

[considerations]

Hmm, I don't know what your exact application is, but check the feed store, or the online ones.  They carry overflow valves for stock tanks.    They generally have a ball that floats up and closes the valve, etc.