Electrically controlled valve

When you hear aboutelectrically controlled valve, the first thing that comes to mind is an expensive toy for agricultural holdings. But in practice, everything turned out to be more complicated and... cheaper if you approach it wisely. I remember how in 2020 we installed the first samples from Shandong Linyao LLC - then we still doubted whether they would withstand local conditions with hard water and voltage surges.

Design features that are rarely written about in specifications

The most common mistake is the choice between stepper and solenoid drives. The specifications usually indicate only the response time, but no one warns that stepper mechanisms begin to “stick?” after 20,000 cycles in sandy suspended conditions. We had to modify the seals on site, although the documentation of Shandong Linyao LLC honestly indicated recommended filters with a thickness of 120 microns.

By the way, about the case materials. AISI 304 stainless steel is not a panacea, as many people think. In our high chloride soils, the polypropylene versions performed better, although we were initially biased towards them. In the project for a vegetable farm near Voronezh, they used a combined solution from https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru - a brass rod in a polymer case.

It’s important not to overdo it with “optimization”. I remember a case when a customer insisted on titanium springs - they say they are more reliable. As a result, the valve worked perfectly... exactly until the first frost. The coefficient of thermal expansion turned out to be incompatible with HDPE pipes, so we had to urgently install expansion joints. Now we always check this parameter in technical descriptions.

Installation nuances that will not be shown on training videos

The most insidious mistake is ignoring water hammer. It seems elementary: install dampers in frontelectrically controlled valve. But in practice, they often save money by relying on “slow response”. As a result, at one of the facilities it was necessary to replace three drives per season - the winding burned out from sudden pressure surges.

A separate story is cable entries. Manufacturers usually install standard oil seals, but for underground installation in the black earth zone this is not enough. We additionally use heat shrink with sealant, especially for modules with pressure sensors. By the way, Shandong Lingyao has added an option with a double seal in its new models - a trifle, but useful.

Grounding is a topic for a separate discussion. Once on a farm near Krasnodar they neglected the grounding circuit - they say the cable is only 24V. After a thunderstorm, we had to replace half of the controllers. Now we always measure the insulation resistance before starting, even if the object seems simple.

Operational surprises in the field

Temperature conditions are what is most often underestimated. In the summer of 2022, in the Rostov region, the thermometers showed +45°C, and on the soil surface - all 60°C. The electronics in the plastic boxes began to malfunction, although according to the passport the operating range was up to +55°C. We had to organize forced cooling - the simplest casings made of foil insulation reduced the temperature by 15 degrees.

Humidity is another hidden enemy. It would seem that IP68 protects against everything. But with daily condensation, moisture accumulates inside the terminal box. Now we recommend installing silica gel cartridges, although they are not included in the original package. By the way, the systems from Shandong Linyao LLC took this into account - in the latest deliveries I saw desiccant absorbers in the controllers.

Mechanical interference is rarely written about. Mice chew through wires, spiders entwine sensors with cobwebs... It seems like a trifle, but because of such a “trifle”? the whole system may come to a standstill. It was necessary to develop a set of measures - from metal braided cables to regular mechanical cleaning.

Integration with control systems - pitfalls

Communication protocols are a sore subject. MODBUS RTU is considered a standard, but in reality each manufacturer makes its own “improvements”. Somehow we came across the fact thatelectrically controlled valvefrom one brand I didn’t want to work with controllers from another. It turned out that the transmission speed was different. Now we always test compatibility before purchasing a batch.

Sleep mode power consumption is an often overlooked parameter. This is critical at a site with solar panels. I had to reflash the controllers to reduce the no-load current from 5mA to 1.5mA. By the way, in the equipment from https://www.lyzhihuinongye.ru this indicator was initially optimal - it’s clear that they thought about autonomous systems.

Reserving channels is a seemingly basic thing. But many designers save on duplication. In one of the vineyards, due to a break in the RS-485, half of the sections were left without watering. Now we always lay two independent lines, even if the customer resists.

Maintainability and long-term economics

Spare parts are a headache for all operators. Some manufacturers make custom O-rings that cannot be found commercially. Therefore, now when choosingelectrically controlled valveWe require a complete specification of all consumables. Shandong Lingyao is transparent in this regard - all dimensions are in the documentation.

Service hatches are a small detail that saves hours of work. Previously, we had to dismantle the entire module to replace the sensor, now we are looking for models with inspection windows. By the way, new deliveries from Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC took this into account - quick-release covers appeared.

Calibration without special tools is an important point for field conditions. Once in Kazakhstan we were faced with the fact that to adjust a pressure sensor, we needed a calibrator for 3000 €. Now we always check whether the equipment can be calibrated using improvised means. In recent projects we use valves with a mechanical duplication scale - if the electronics fail, you can set the position manually.

Conclusions that are not found in the instructions

The main lesson is that there are no universal solutions. What works in the Moscow region may not be suitable for the Stavropol region. Now we always request data on water salinity and voltage drops from the customer before selecting equipment.

The payback period is an indicator that strongly depends on proper operation. We have seen systems that broke even within a season, and those that did not justify the investment even after three years. The difference is often in the little things: timely washing of filters, calibration of sensors, correct controller settings.

Development prospects are a topic for thought. We are now actively testing hybrid solutions, whereelectrically controlled valveworks in conjunction with mechanical regulators. It turns out cheaper and more reliable, especially for remote areas. Perhaps this is the golden mean between price and functionality.