Solenoid valve 2.5" pulse

When you hear aboutsolenoid valve 2.5" pulse, the first thing that comes to mind is something like an ordinary solenoid valve, only larger. But in practice the difference turns out to be fundamental. Many people still confuse impulse models with classic ones, and then wonder why the drip irrigation system works intermittently. I came across it myself when in one of the turnkey projectsShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltdthe customer insisted on standard valves, although the pulse version was required in terms of pressure and water flow. I had to convince them by citing examples from the fields where such valves had already worked for 3-4 seasons without breakdowns.

Design features and typical installation errors

The 2.5" impulse valve is not just a larger copy of the small-sized models. What is important here is the ratio of the diameter of the passage hole and the power of the solenoid. If in valves of 1-2 inches you can get by with a standard coil, then a reinforced version is required here, otherwise there will not be enough force to open/close during pressure surges. By the way, pressure is a separate issue. Some installers forget that pulse valves are sensitive to water hammer and install them without dampers. As a result, after a month we get a leaking rod or a torn membrane.

Spare parts are another sore point. In projectsintegration of water and fertilizersfrom Linyao Technology, we initially installed valves with ceramic components, but it turned out that with a high fertilizer content, ceramics wear out quickly. I had to switch to composite materials, although they are more expensive. But the service life has increased from 2 to 5 years, even in aggressive environments.

The mounting thread would seem to be a small thing, but it is at 2.5 inches that problems with tightness often arise. Standard pipe threads sometimes do not provide a tight seal, especially if the pipes are old. In such cases, we add o-rings or switch to a flange connection. Yes, this makes the system more expensive, but it eliminates leaks at the joints.

Real cases in irrigation automation systems

Last year, we launched a project for a smart agricultural park in the Rostov region. They were used there2.5" impulse valvesfor zone watering. An interesting point: initially the valves were located in close proximity to the pumping station, and constant vibration led to false alarms. We had to move it 15 meters further, with the installation of compensators. This is the case when theory diverges from practice - vibration is usually not written about in the specifications.

Another example is a water filtration system for a greenhouse complex. There, the valves worked in tandem with sand filters, and sharp pressure drops occurred during backwashing. Standard valves could not cope, but pulse valves could cope, but only if a bypass was installed. By the way, it was after this incident inShandong Lingyao Co.,Ltdbegan to equip such systems with pressure reducers by default.

Winter operation is a separate headache. In the Moscow region, one of the clients complained of a valve body rupture after frost. It turned out that the water in the pipeline froze and the valve was closed. We now always recommend installing drains in front of the valves if the system is not designed for winter operation. It’s a small thing, but it saves you from thousands of rubles in losses.

Control system compatibility and common failures

With pulse valves there are often compatibility issues with controllers. Especially if equipment from different manufacturers is used. For example, in one of the projects onremote valve controlWe encountered the fact that the controller was producing too short a pulse to operate the valve by 2.5 inches. I had to adjust the delay via the PID controller. By the way, this is a common mistake - many people think that any pulse valve will work with any controller.

Power supply is another consideration. Most 2.5" pulse valves require 24V, but there are 12V models available. If the control lines are long, the voltage drop may cause unstable operation. In projectsintelligent water and fertilizer integration equipmentWe now always lay stabilizers every 50 meters.

An interesting case occurred in the Krasnodar region, where valves failed due to static electricity. It turned out that dry air and plastic pipelines created discharges of up to 5 kV. We decided to install grounding bars on all metal parts of the valves. It would seem elementary, but manufacturers’ specifications rarely mention this.

Economic aspects and payback periods

The cost of a 2.5-inch pulse valve is 2-3 times higher than a regular one, but its service life is significantly longer. In calculations forhigh quality agricultural fieldsWe usually take a payback period of 2-3 seasons. This takes into account saving water and fertilizers due to precise dosing. By the way, many people forget that pulse valves can reduce energy consumption - they consume current only at the moment of switching, and not constantly, like standard solenoid valves.

Maintainability is an important factor. Unlike cheap analogues, most 2.5-inch pulse valves can be disassembled and individual components replaced. For example, in valves from Linyao Technology, membranes, springs and even coils are replaced without replacing the entire body. This is especially important for remote farms, where new equipment can take weeks to arrive.

Cost of operation - in addition to the initial costs, it is worth considering maintenance. In our projects onsmart agricultural parksThe annual maintenance cost of one pulse valve is about 5-7% of its cost. For conventional valves, this figure reaches 15-20%, especially if the water contains mechanical impurities.

Development prospects and new solutions

Now I see a trend towards integrating pulse valves with IoT systems. In the sameShandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,LtdThey are already testing valves with built-in pressure and flow sensors. This allows you not only to control irrigation, but also to monitor the condition of the pipeline in real time. For example, detect blockages or leaks in time.

Case materials - composite materials are increasingly being used instead of brass. They are lighter, do not corrode and are cheaper to produce. However, there is a nuance with UV radiation - some plastics become cloudy over time and lose strength. Therefore, for outdoor installation we still recommend models with UV protection.

Compatibility with organic fertilizers is a pressing issue. Many farms are switching to biological products, which can be aggressive to sealing materials. New valve models are starting to use EPDM seals instead of standard NBR. This increases the cost of the design by 10-15%, but increases the service life by 2 times.

Overall,solenoid valve 2.5" pulsecontinues to evolve, and the main thing is not to be afraid to experiment with settings. Yes, sometimes you have to select the optimal solutions through trial and error, but this is how you gain that very practical experience that no instruction can replace.