
When you hear about a 4-inch 24V AC solenoid valve, the first thing that comes to mind is a regular shut-off valve. But in practice, the difference between expectation and reality sometimes takes a toll. Many people still confuse the AC and DC versions, and then wonder why the coil overheats in systems with a long operating cycle. By the way, about the diameter - there are also nuances here: 4 inches is not just a pipe, but a calculation of the throughput for a certain pressure.
I once took a valve from Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC - nothing special in appearance. But when I started opening it, I noticed a reinforced stainless steel stem. The manufacturer clearly took into account Russian conditions with hard water. By the way, on their website lyzhihuinongye.ru there is a detailed description of the materials, but rarely anyone checks them in person.
The 24V AC coil is a different story. In comparison with Chinese analogues, the difference in the thickness of the winding is visible. I remember an incident at a facility near Voronezh, where a cheap option was installed - after six months, failures began due to voltage surges. We had to redo the entire control scheme.
O-rings are often an underrated item. 4-inch models from Lingyao use EPDM with the addition of Teflon. It may seem like a small thing, but it was this solution that made it possible to increase the service interval in drip irrigation systems.
When installing4" solenoid valveMany people forget about vibration compensators. This is especially critical when working with centrifugal pumps - without flexible inserts, after a month a thread leak appears. Tested through bitter experience in a greenhouse complex near Krasnodar.
Electrical part - here they often save on protection. For AC24V it is mandatory to install an RCD with a leakage current of no more than 30mA. I once saw how “specialists” powered a valve directly from the panel without protection - the result: short circuit and failure of the entire control line.
Orientation during installation - the manufacturer recommends vertical installation, but in field conditions this is not always possible. I checked the horizontal position - it works, but the resource is reduced by 15-20%. For temporary solutions it is acceptable, for permanent systems it is better not to risk it.
In 2022, an irrigation system was launched for vegetable farming in the Rostov region. We installed 12 4DN AC24V valves from Shandong Lingyao. We worked through the season without any complaints, although the water had a high iron content. The design solution with a double seal turned out to be key.
But a negative example is a greenhouse complex in Belgorod, where they decided to save money and used valves without protection against water hammer. Following a power outage, three valves failed. The repairs cost more than the initial savings.
I had an interesting experience on a gardening farm near Sochi. Used theresolenoid valve 4 inch AC24Vin combination with frequency converters from the same manufacturer. The result is energy savings of about 23% due to optimization of work cycles.
Feedback problems often arise when integrating with controllers. Standard models from Lingyao do not have built-in position sensors, so limit switches must be added for precise control. Not ideal, but a working solution.
Control protocols - here the manufacturer offers flexible options. Through their website lyzhihuinongye.ru you can request custom solutions for specific tasks. For example, for a project in the Stavropol Territory they made a version with Modbus RTU support.
An important point is compatibility with fine filters. For 4-inch valves, I recommend installing filters of at least 120 microns. The smaller size quickly becomes clogged when working with open sources of water.
The first service check is after 2000 hours of operation. Many people skip this point, especially during the season. The result is souring of the rod and expensive repairs. I tested it in practice: timely prevention increases the resource by 40-50%.
Cleaning the valve seat seems like a simple operation, but there are nuances. Do not use abrasives, only soft brushes and special solutions. I have seen cases when they tried to clean it with sandpaper - they completely killed the sealing surface.
Replacing a coil is a common mistake when purchasing non-original spare parts. Coils for4 inch solenoid valvemust have certain inductance parameters. Once they installed “analogues” - the valve worked, but consumed 30% more energy.
The cost of moisture is something that is often overlooked. A cheap valve for 5,000 rubles may require replacement after a year, while a model from Linyao for 8,000 rubles will last 3-4 seasons. The difference is obvious if you consider not the initial investment, but the long-term costs.
Maintainability - 4-inch AC24V models from this manufacturer have a well-thought-out modular design. I somehow changed only the plunger pair, without touching the other components. In analogues, it is usually necessary to change the entire assembly.
Delivery times are an important factor when planning the season. I have worked with Shandong Linyao Intelligent Agriculture Technology LLC several times, they always keep to the schedule. For urgent orders there is an option from a warehouse in Russia, although the range is limited.
Judging by the latest developments that I saw on lyzhihuinongye.ru, the manufacturer is moving towards energy efficiency. New models4" solenoid valvesconsume 15% less at the same operating pressure.
Integration with IoT is still a weak point for most manufacturers. But Linyao is already testing versions with built-in flow sensors. If implemented, there will be a breakthrough for precision farming.
Materials - gradually switching to composite hulls. I’m not sure that this is good for Russian conditions - our frosts are better tolerated by brass and stainless steel. But due to the weight, the gain in transportation is significant.