Sprinkler valve help

[Rayman_1337]

Ok, so I went out to the hardware store to start a new project, I made a 2 foot 3 inch chamber, and a 3 foot 2.5" barrel cannon....Of course I wanted to make it with a sprinkler valve so I bought a 1" orbit watermaster...I had one before for my other project, but for some reason it leaked air when it shouldnt have. The selonoid switch was in the right place, the spring was in, the diaphram was greased and placed in tightly, and the arrows were facing the right way. It still leaked, I bought a new sprinkler valve today, and as I pump air into the new 2 foot, 3" thick chamber, it still leaks......obviously its not the valves, its me....

Someone please help me.....or just send me a sprinkler valve you know works lol -.-

[Mr.Russ]

how much PSI are you pumping it up to? If Its too low i dont think they work

[hi]

i had that problem. there is this peice of plastic that is about 1/8'' tall and maybe 1/4'' wide in the diaphram. it has a bunch of little holes drilled in it. it is plugging up the equilization hole. all you need to do is take it out and throw it away and your problem is solved.

[Rayman_1337]

I have no idea how much Psi Im pumping into it, im using a bicycle pump....and is that piece of plastic under the diaphram?

[pyromaniac]

i think hes talking about the littel white thing next to it.

[Rayman_1337]

that thing that goes through the diaphram, that has a little spike on one end?

[hi]

that thing that goes through the diaphram, that has a little spike on one end?

yes, it is actually in the diaphragm. it has a bunch of little holes in it, take it out.

[Rayman_1337]

I did, didnt help, kept on leaking, did you put a ball valve infront or in back of your sprinkler valve, if so what psi did you fill it to?

[hi]

what do you mean in front or in back? i put it on top.... i usually fill mine to about 100 psi.

[Rayman_1337]

So right when you put air into the chamber, there is no leak from the valve?

[MrCrowley]

Im guessing your problem is you are not pumping in enough pressure to seal the diaphragm valve. With a bike pump you need to pump fairly quick to get the valve to seal. You can help it seal by sticking a ball valve in front of it where it connects to the barrel to help build up the pressure.

[Rayman_1337]

I did that, all the air just rushes past through it. should i build it up to like 30-40 psi or what?

[hi]

yea thats about right. at least 20 psi.

[MrCrowley]

Or invest in an air compressor. In this hobby sooner or later you'll get one.

[jimmy101]

One thing to try with a sprinkler valve that is giving you problems is to just hook it up to a garden hose and try running it with water.

The valve was designed for water and definitely should work with water. If it doesn't, then there is something wrong with the valve.

Running water through it for a while will also flush out any crap that might be keeping it from sealing properly.