Solenoid valves or valve actuators - which are better?

[chieftaing]

I'm a volunteer pool operations person for 72K gallon neighborhood gunite pool.
We have a Polaris C-660 controller for the main and for a 2.3K gallon wading pool.

The ORP control drives two 24vac solenoid valves to control flow into the (Hayward) chlorinators into which we put regular Trichlor 3" tabs.

The solenoid valves get clogged with debris, stop working, etc. Whats the point in having a sophisticated controller when the weak link seems to be these valves. They are expensive ($230 from Polaris?) and a pain.

I've seen the Intermatic valve actuators - which for almost the same price, would seem a better control solution.


Opinions? Experiences?

Thanks!

Tom

 

[Bama Rambler]

While the actuators aren't really the problem (the valve body is) the very nature of a spring loaded diaphragm valve is a problem wherever there is trash or dirt in the system. Rotating valves with actuators are a much better option. I assume that the mfg expected the solenoids to be in clean service.

I'd definitely switch out the solenoids to rotating valves and actuators.

 

[Aquaman95]

or put a little y-strainer in the chlorinator bypass line prior to the solenoids.