Ball Valves getting stuck

[David DeavilleParticipant @daviddeaville66164]

Any advice on how to stop the balls in a Pannier Tank’s hand pump from getting stuck in place after not been used for several weeks. Up to now I have to remove the pump from the tank, tap it with a hammer to free the ball then re-install it.

Thanks

Dave D.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

That couls be down to more than one thing. Ball seat too big/Water very hard

[David DeavilleParticipant @daviddeaville66164]

We definitely have Hard Water but the only way I can see around that is to use distilled water but that’s not really practical.

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

I live in a hard water area and have a similar problem, the loco only gets taken out a couple of times a year and the balls are well stuck on their seats. Cure number one is to leave some water in the bottom of the tank so the suction ball stays wet, the delivery ball, the top one on the pump is not a problem because once the bottom one is free the pump will suck and the top one is forced off its seat. Cure number two is a kettle of hot water in the tank, poured over the pump if possible, the pump will expand ever so slightly and break the stick of the ball.

[David Deaville]

On David Deaville Said:

We definitely have Hard Water but the only way I can see around that is to use distilled water but that’s not really practical.

Rainwater, but keep the collecting system clean!

[David DeavilleParticipant @daviddeaville66164]

2 nice ideas, I will give them a go.

 

Thanks

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

And a third alternative if you get your windows cleaned by a man with a pumped brush system. They use demin water to leave a streak free finish, he could be worth cultivating for a 5 litre container full after a visit. My wife has used it for years for ironing.

Brian

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

I’m with the rain water and a fine mesh strainer, bought or made. Noel.

[Andrew CrowParticipant @andrewcrow91475]

Another source of suitable water is from a dehumidifier, often used in workshops to keep condensation at bay.

Andy

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

You might try very slightly larger diameter balls, in stainless, or ceramic balls are available. The seats might be cupped, a fairly sharp contact ring would be less likely to stick, or seats made from a different material. Any springs might be too strong.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Can you arrange a threaded bush in the tank right under the suction valve, then you could poke a bit of wire in to dislodge the ball. As others have said, the delivery ball is likely to be lifted once the pump had got hold of some water.

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

Do you have a ‘fridge or freezer old enough such that it has to be de-frosted? The ice contains only the contaminants that were in the atmospheric water vapour.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It is said that demineralised water leaches metal out of the system as the calcium carbonate is converted rather than removed.

+1 for the dehumidifier.

We used to have a water collection system that pumped water from a series of butts fed off the clubhouse roof. Nobody cleaned out the autumn leaves so I guess it was well laced with tannin (a water treatment used in full size steam locos)

[Charles LamontParticipant @charleslamont71117]

+2 for the dehumidifier. The one in my shop also supplies water for the ironing.

[Charles Lamont]

On Charles Lamont Said:

+2 for the dehumidifier. The one in my shop also supplies water for the ironing.

-1 for the dehumidifier, unless you already have such a damp workshop that it has to run a lot anyway.  Otherwise a dehumidifier is an expensive way of making clean water, they only make sense when the need to control condensation happens to make reasonable quantities of cleanish water as a by-product.

De-ionised water is cheaper than burning electricity in a dehumidifier, but avoid that sold for ironing because it’s pricey and often perfumed.  Look for the stuff sold for topping up car-batteries etc.

Word of warning, don’t expect freezer or dehumidifier water to be particularly clean, certainly not safe to drink.   Freezer ice tends to be contaminated with packaging and bits of food, whilst dehumidifier water picks up whatever muck is in the air –  such as black mould spores!   The water is plenty good enough for steam boilers though.

Another way of reducing hardness is boil the water.  Too expensive for my taste, and how well it works depends on the type of hardness in your tap water.

Dave

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Before our club had a water supply they collected rain water in butts. A member got a nasty skin infection from it due to accumulated muck. Well before my time fortunately.

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