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Opinions, please: What's the best 1" valve?

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OKSooner

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
What's the best 1" valve available today, period?

Open question. Comments invited. Not gonna post as a poll because I want to leave all options open and don't want to exclude anything right off.
 
#9 ·
W*M has four valves I favor, in four price ranges: The 12000 "Silver Bullet" I consider a ecomomy valve, the 21000 "Black Bullet" for higher pressure applications, the 11000 "Black Max" for pressure and dirty water (where is he anyway?) applications and the top-of-the-line 8200CR "Bronze Bullet" for master valve use. W*M had problems with the solenoid a few years ago on the 12000 series, but we've had problems zero since. I like "reverse flow" porting since it prevents diaphragm "stretching".
 
#10 · (Edited)
For getting the job done and getting your check, I would still pick a 2500TF from Irritrol. With all-PVC systems, that might become the 2500SF. Whatever warranty issues an Irritrol valve will have, it won't get in the way of system performance at installation.

Solenoids would be my Irritrol gripe, but not in the short term, unless they are in sub-freezing locations.

P.S. ~ Or more correctly, locations subject to wide temperature swings, since even in freezing climes, a solenoid in a valve box would thrive, while those from the same lot were untrustworthy atop an antisyphon valve.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Kiril said:
"Best" is subjective. Is money a concern or is the sky the limit? Best bang for the buck IMO is the Irritrol 2500TF. Rock solid valve in my experience.
Click to expand...
Money isn't the primary concern here, within reasonable limits. I'm mainly interested in what folks consider the absolute best valve, period.

I understand this is mostly subjective but still I'm interested in what you guys think. The next question, I suppose, is which valve is most easily serviced AFTER that valve eventually fails?

The main things I'm interested in are:

1) Reliability and long service life.
2) Serviceabilitly when it DOES fail - (Can it be fixed or rebuilt without having to replace it?
3) Availability - Gotta be something that commonly available from at least one of 3 suppliers. (In a metro area of let's say 250,000 people.)
4) Price - This matters of course but it's part of a bigger calculus - I'd rather use a more expensive valve and then NOT have to go back and repair it vs. use a less expensive one and have to repair it, even if I can bill for it.

Best case would be that a valve would outlive me. Second best case is that when it fails in the year 2020 or so I can fix it without having to dig & cut & slip fix...
 
#17 ·
OKSooner said:
Money isn't the primary concern here, within reasonable limits. I'm mainly interested in what folks consider the absolute best valve, period.

I understand this is mostly subjective but still I'm interested in what you guys think. The next question, I suppose, is which valve is most easily serviced AFTER that valve eventually fails?

The main things I'm interested in are:

1) Reliability and long service life.
2) Serviceabilitly when it DOES fail - (Can it be fixed or rebuilt without having to replace it?
3) Availability - Gotta be something that commonly available from at least one of 3 suppliers. (In a metro area of let's say 250,000 people.)
4) Price - This matters of course but it's part of a bigger calculus - I'd rather use a more expensive valve and then NOT have to go back and repair it vs. use a less expensive one and have to repair it, even if I can bill for it.

Best case would be that a valve would outlive me. Second best case is that when it fails in the year 2020 or so I can fix it without having to dig & cut & slip fix...
Click to expand...
Speaking strictly on availability of service parts, I think that depends largely on the most common type of valve used in your area if you are looking for walk-in replacement parts. In my area, Irritrol is probably the most common, so replacement parts are easy to come by. I wouldn't think high quality brass valves are common in any area of the country, so replacement parts are going to depend entirely on your supplier. So since we aren't talking ASCO quality valves here ;), my money is on the Griswold DWS series for high quality valve that is competitively priced.
 
#18 ·
That's a good point, Kiril, different markets and branches stock different brands and that should be considered when buying valves. We hardly see a Irritrol valve in the PNW, though, from the forum members, they have a excellent reputation.
 
#19 ·
Irritrol valves recommended here are (mostly) the original designs from Richdel, going back almost 40 years, and a 70's Richdel valve is still repairable today. Their PVC valve bodies have (knock wood :hammerhead:) been about the best ever, so far as not cracking, and needing replacing. Your grandchildren will be able to repair a Richdel valve.

The 2500F valve is my current favorite, because it uses the improved diaphram design that Richdel invented for the 2400, while having the bolted-on cover used by the original Richdel valves. While the 2500 is Toro's frankensteining of the two Richdel designs, it's one thing they managed to get right.
 
#20 ·
Wet_Boots said:
Irritrol valves recommended here are (mostly) the original designs from Richdel, going back almost 40 years, and a 70's Richdel valve is still repairable today. Their PVC valve bodies have (knock wood :hammerhead:) been about the best ever, so far as not cracking, and needing replacing. Your grandchildren will be able to repair a Richdel valve.

The 2500F valve is my current favorite, because it uses the improved diaphram design that Richdel invented for the 2400, while having the bolted-on cover used by the original Richdel valves. While the 2500 is Toro's frankensteining of the two Richdel designs, it's one thing they managed to get right.
Click to expand...
I concur on the new diaphragm, although they haven't been around long enough to really comment on longevity. To date, I haven't had seen any problems with the new design. I have some clients with Richdel ASV's still in service, probably some 25+ years after install, some with the original solenoid still functioning.
 
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