three way valve.

[GedsJeep]

having run this so that it fails to veg last night I have encountered the next problem. the lift pump on the musso is known to be a good strong one. Capable of running single tank throughout winter. this morning it wasn't capable of pulling 1 Mic veg at 6 deg. Through the restricted side. I will run it energized today and then decide....

[GedsJeep]

i placed a temp sensor on the black casing surrounding the coil.

it measures in degrees c.

[therecklessengineer]

That's a bit hot.

You might like to try sticking a resistor in series with it. It wouldn't take many ohms to limit the current a bit so it doesn't run so hot. You'll probably want to experiment with the lowest current that'll hold it in and make sure you're sufficiently above it.

[GedsJeep]

I understand your reasoning but at the end of the day this product has been sold specifically for use with vegetable oil . There is obviously something seriously wrong with it.

Simon Allen has one and it doesn't get anywhere near this hot. i think this is a faulty unit which to be fair could happen to anyone I just need replacing or refunding.

[therecklessengineer]

If that's the case then, it's likely a short in the windings.

[greasemonkey]

So it's getting hot, and it's difficult to get the oil through?
Wonder is the valve moving properly? If the valve wasn't moving properly, the solenoid would be working flat out to try and get it to open.
Might explain it.
Send it back, only thing you can do.

[GedsJeep]

that's exactly what I have been thinking. I sent biotuning an e-mail yesterday explained that there was a restriction on one side but I was sort of the dismissed with semi technical information about how the valve was designed.

I have just had to pull over at the side of the road and disconnect everything as the temperature gauge hit 86.2 degrees centigrade.

I'm just waiting for bio tuning to get back in touch from the e-mail I sent this morning. thankfully I paid via paypal.

[GedsJeep]

Oh.and they suggested that the heat was a good thing as it would help warm the Oil.


Really?

[greasemonkey]

It's irritating when there is a problem, and you get hold of some twit who has the first instinct to deny responsibility.   
It probably no skin off their nose to replace it. Just being stubborn.
Keep trying. Someone there must have some sense.

[GedsJeep]

I'm hoping so. I will publish the emails once it's sorted

[therecklessengineer]

Wonder is the valve moving properly? If the valve wasn't moving properly, the solenoid would be working flat out to try and get it to open.

It'll be magnetic, not motorised. So the current through it would be the same regardless of whether the physical element actually moved or not.

[Rotary-Motion]

my valves get upto 86c most the time, but the oil is going through a heat exchanger first at the engine/coolant temp then hitting the valve passing through...

[greasemonkey]

Wonder is the valve moving properly? If the valve wasn't moving properly, the solenoid would be working flat out to try and get it to open.

It'll be magnetic, not motorised. So the current through it would be the same regardless of whether the physical element actually moved or not.

Would the core that slides through the electromagnet, being stuck half way, not cause the electromagnet to overheat?
I haven't had much to do with them, but they seem to buzz loudly, until it fully retracts the core.

[GedsJeep]

i have had an email from mike (owner?)

he has taken my info and tested his valves, and they all go above 90 deg when left energised and empty.

mine wasnt empty.

does anyone else have these valves fitted, simon does but he`s in rhodes.

i need to know how hot they get.

[therecklessengineer]

Would the core that slides through the electromagnet, being stuck half way, not cause the electromagnet to overheat?
I haven't had much to do with them, but they seem to buzz loudly, until it fully retracts the core.

No, solenoid valves don't work like that.

As soon as you apply voltage, you get a slow inrush of current which builds to a maximum as a magnetic field is built. A permanent magnet then moves within the magnetic field which opens/closes the valve. The only time the current will change is if the magnet moves. As long as it is stationary, the current will remain constant regardless of where the magnet is - or even if it's there at all.