Strange ( to me ) Valve

[BOA]

The building I work in has an outside hose bib that is attached inside to a " Parker Solenoid Coil " type electric valve. The markings are " Fluidex Division, Type G23, 9.0 watts. It seems to have a mind of its own where as it will operate, allowing water to flow at one time, but not at another. The only wires coming from it are 14g for the 120v.

Does anyone know anything about why it won't allow water flow all the time? Is there a built in timer or something? I tryed searching on the net but no luck.

Thanks fer any help!!

[joed]

It is probably on a timer or switch somewhere.

[BOA]

It is probably on a timer or switch somewhere.

Not sure how that is possible. Wouldn't there be some more wires besides the voltage ones. I doubt it is remote controlled.

Thanks anyway!!

[Mr T]

Post a pic of it.

[Wgoodrich]

If there was not a switch or timer as a controller that valve would stay on running water continuous. Look outside or at powr source for a controller box or anywhere there is a switch. The timer or switch can be placed anywhere in the cable serving that electronic valve between the panel and the valve having only one cable to that valve.

Wg

[BOA]

Post a pic of it.

859

The bx cable goes to a junction box and is connected to feed wires that are pig tailed with an outside gfci recepticle. The feed wires go back to the main panel to a gfci breaker.

Today the solenoid was buzzing and quite warm to the touch. I suppose it could be going bad. I'm thinking about taking the valve off and running the pipe straight to the hose bib if I can't understand how the valve works or why it doesn't for that matter.

[Mr T]

My guess is that its some kind of remote/automatic cutoff. Could used to prevent unauthorized use of the outside water (such as outside of business hours).

Solenoids get warm when they are in use. If its rated for continuous duty, it is normal.

If it's 120V, it could be wired to a switch somewhere, even in with lights or something (turning the lights off to go home, kills the outside water). If its running intermittently, there could be a contactor or relay somewhere that is failing. Or the valve itself could be gunked up inside. The valve itself would be springloaded to make it close when power is lost (or applied), and the solenoid may not be strong enough to pull it in and keep it.

If you can get the coil off,(appears to be a top bolt/nut) you could actuate the gate manually. OR with the water turned off, that large brass cap should come off with some effort and you can see the whole guts.

[joed]

If it is not controlled by a timer or a switch I don't a reason for this valve. It would shut offf the water in a power failure but I don't see the point of that.