I know this is a long shot asking here but does anybody know if the hydraulic valve downside of the pump is still needed if changing the system from the older manual indexing manifold to solenoid valves on a spring well system?

My source of information is out of town for the week and my luck ran out with google.

If the hydraulic valve is part of the pump/ballast tank system, then yes you should still need it. If the hyd valve is part of your manual indexing manifold, then you shouldn't. It should be a direct replacement.

Scott

dang it Scott, exactly what I was going to say.

Sorry, Randy. Great minds and all...

Scott our system does not have a ballast tank, the flow well is plumbed directly to the pump and the independent hydraulic valve is plumbed just on the output side of the pump prior to the current manual indexing valve so that the flow well will not free flow to and out of the sprinkler heads while not operating. I'm thinking with the new solenoid valves there will not be a need for the hydraulic valve because the solenoid valves (in my mind) will have a positive shutoff while not in operation?

Brother Bob,

If the hydraulic valve is self-actuating, so to speak, as a function of reduced downstream pressure, then the solenoid valves would be a replacement in kind and therefore not needed.

If the actuation of the hydraulic valve tells the pump to turn on, then it would still be needed... Unless you tie the solenoid signal to the pump switch.

I guess as with speakers, a picture or diagram would go a long way. You wouldn't happen to have a P&ID drawn up, would you?

Scott

That's exactly what the hydraulic valve is being used for and I also did not believe it would be needed with the new solenoid valves installed.

I'll scramble up a picture ... give me a few minutes.

Hmmmm. The more I think about this... Most irrigation solenoids use line pressure (high) on a diaphragm to close the valve. If the pressure in the water line drops to well pressure (low) when the pump turns off, that may not be enough to keep the irr valve closed. Keeping the hyd valve in the system may lock in the line pressure between it and the solenoid and keep the irr valve closed? Does that make sense to you?

Gotta run out for dinner and some shopping. I'll check in later.

Scott

Here we go.

Top photo shows the existing setup with the hydraulic valve on the output side of the pump between the pump and the filter and on out to the old manual indexing valve.

Second photo shows the solenoid valves and manifold that will replace the old indexing valve.

I'm thinking with the addition of the solenoid valves I can eliminate the hydraulic valve?

I understand what you are saying, I just wasn't aware exactly how the solenoid valves work. Have a good night out, we'll catch you tomorrow.

After seeing the photo, I think you can eliminate the manual index valve. The other valve in the pic, to the right of the filter, looks like the pressure demand valve that I was thinking of that controls pump operation.

The second pic is pure artwork. Nice job on the manifold!

Keep in mind I'm no irrigation specialist. But I do have 24 years in the chemical processing industry and a lot of work with pumps and piping systems. Personally, I'd check with someone in the know to be sure.

Good luck!

Scott

Eliminating the manual indexing valve is the whole idea, it's definitely a goner. The 'other' valve to the right of the filter *is* the hydraulic valve that I was referring to, it's sole purpose is to stop water from free-flowing out to the sprinkler heads whiles the pump is not running ... keep in mind that this is a 2" free flow or artesian well and water will free flow at the rate of 42 GPM without a pump and is a dedicated irrigation well that is not used for household usage.

Yea, I think you're good to ditch the index valve. 42 gpm on a 2" line... What kind of pressure do you get when you stop the flow?

Scott