What's new

which float valve is better?

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,937
Points
113
Location
Texas
The bottom one is a Walters, which is what I like. I get two or three years out of a 1" valve, and I never have a catastrophic failure, just a slow overfill when they go bad.
 

Ghetto Wash

Active member
Joined
Sep 11, 2007
Messages
611
Reaction score
42
Points
28
You can't get viton parts for the top (CASA) anymore and the buna that comes with it is crap.
 

GoBuckeyes

Self-Serve and Automatics
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
1,057
Reaction score
324
Points
83
Location
Cleveland
No experience with either but if you’re looking to try something different, I’ve had excellent results with Jobe Topaz Industro floats. Get several years out of them then an easy diaphragm replacement.


If you’re running really hot water then this one…

 

Greg Pack

Wash Weenie
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
4,137
Reaction score
1,785
Points
113
Location
Hoover, Alabama
I have good luck with Jobe valves. I've also been using the inexpensive Hudson float valves( $30 from zoro) and they've been pretty good on cold water. At that price, I should probably just chunk them every couple of years instead of waiting for them to fail. The main reason I'm using those is it is easy to build an assembly with a vertical drop. This allows me to set the tanks at a lower water level and I can then top them off with RO reject water.

In my SS pump unit at one site I have a 24V sprinkler solenoid tied into the water feed as a backup in the event of a catastrophic float failure. I just use the cheap ones at Lowes (around $20) and it has worked for years. I need to do it on all my feeds. I have insane sewer at one wash and a catastrophic float failure could easily cost me several hundred dollars.
 
Last edited:

2Biz

Thread Killer!
Joined
Nov 22, 2010
Messages
2,785
Reaction score
402
Points
83
Location
Ohio
Do you have a link to the cheap Walter's float valve on Zori. Can't seem to find it. One thing to keep in mind is the Walter's is a two stage valve which eliminates water hammer. I've tried several designs and the Walters have been the best. Like Mep said, when they start to fail, they don't close completely off and might overfill the tank, but not catastrophic failure. Although I have never experienced any issues with the Walter's. I change them out every 4-5 years.
 

cantbreak80

Maybe I need new clubs
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
1,125
Reaction score
573
Points
113
Location
CO
I’ve been converting my customer’s troublesome float valves with the Hudson Valve.

Some installations require fabricating the inlet plumbing to properly locate the valve inside the tank.

Open tanks can be installed using Hudson's Mounting Bracket

IMG_1296.jpg
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,937
Points
113
Location
Texas
I know one guy who uses the Hudson valve. He's had them fail wide open more than once, and this is what gets cleaned out of the pump strainers because the tanks are open:

IMG_20210208_171511101.jpg
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,301
Reaction score
1,187
Points
113
Location
Ohio
We have a Bob valve and seems pretty reliable. I did replace the seals in it last year because it seemed to fill to an inconsistent level. It has never catastrophically failed.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,667
Reaction score
3,937
Points
113
Location
Texas
We have a Bob valve and seems pretty reliable. I did replace the seals in it last year because it seemed to fill to an inconsistent level. It has never catastrophically failed.
The only time I've seen one of those hang wide open was after someone bent the rod so much that when the tank ran low the float tried to go the wrong way under the valve and stuck against the back wall.
 

Randy

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
5,660
Reaction score
1,971
Points
113
I’ve been converting my customer’s troublesome float valves with the Hudson Valve.

Some installations require fabricating the inlet plumbing to properly locate the valve inside the tank.

Open tanks can be installed using Hudson's Mounting Bracket
I hate tell you this. We have used the Hudson valves and we had nothing but problems with them. Most of the time they would stick full open, a few times they wouldn't come on. Open them up and there's no debris inside of them. unless they've changed in the last couple of years we wouldn't waste our time using them.
 

Dan kamsickas

GinSan Technician
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
597
Reaction score
689
Points
93
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
I hate tell you this. We have used the Hudson valves and we had nothing but problems with them. Most of the time they would stick full open, a few times they wouldn't come on. Open them up and there's no debris inside of them. unless they've changed in the last couple of years we wouldn't waste our time using them.
Us too. We used them for a few years and couldn't find a replacement fast enough. I wouldn't recommend them ever.
 

Waxman

Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 31, 2007
Messages
5,854
Reaction score
1,356
Points
113
Location
Orange, MA
I switched over to Jobe Topaz Float valves exclusively years ago. Not one problem or over flood since then. They're all plastic and easy to adjust. I keep a spare one in stock but have never needed it.
 

Greg Pack

Wash Weenie
Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
4,137
Reaction score
1,785
Points
113
Location
Hoover, Alabama
Jobe is definitely my favorite but I've had the ears break off on the quick change coupling multiple times. Anyone else?

Sounds like I need to get rid of my Hudsons,lol
 

soonermajic

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2014
Messages
3,275
Reaction score
785
Points
113
Location
texas
The bottom one is a Walters, which is what I like. I get two or three years out of a 1" valve, and I never have a catastrophic failure, just a slow overfill when they go bad.
the bottom 1 is actually a Watts,& says so with a stamp. IIRC, they both have a model that looks very similar....?
So, what's kind of the boards general consensus...?
 
Top