Queensland Country Life

When it comes to float valves, it’s all about performance

When it comes to float valves, it’s all about performance
When it comes to float valves, it’s all about performance

This article is sponsored content for CRT.

What should you consider when choosing a float valve for your trough?

How much water your stock requires is a good starting point, but this will vary depending on the type and the number of animals you have, how many animals drink at once, and the time of year.

Generally it’s best to choose a valve that has a flow to meet the maximum demand of the stock.

To assist with float valve selection, Philmac publish the flow at different pressures. This is normally measured as the number of litres a valve discharges in a minute (litre per minute).

As the inlet size of the valve increases we can generally expect a higher flow rate. But some valves, such as the 200 Series High Flow Float Valves, have been designed for high flow rates.

For example, a 200 Series with a two inch inlet operating at 100 kilopascals (kPa) has over double the flow of a 150 Series Brass Horizontal Valve with the same inlet size.

It is also important to choose a float valve that will shut off and not leak. Float valves at the bottom of hills or on mains water supply will probably need to shut off against higher pressure.

Shut off pressure is measured in kilopascals and is the maximum inlet pressure at which the valve will remain closed. Above this pressure, the water at the inlet will overcome the force being applied by the lever and float, and begin to open.

With some valves such as the 200 Series High Flow Float Valve, it is possible to fit larger floats, such as a nine and a half inch turbo, and increase the shut-off.

Your local CRT store representative can assist you with float valve performance data, the trough selection and advice on the best size of pipe for your needs.

This article is sponsored content for CRT.