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Ponds & Aquatic Plants

Ball Valve Handles

16 years ago

I have two 2" tru-union or quick connect pvc ball valves with stripped handles. The valves are real pricey but the handle connection is fragile. I have been using water pump pliers on the stems, but they are starting to get rounded and harder to grip.

Anyone else had this problem? Anyone found a way to replace the original handles or know of a source for replacement handles?

Thanks.

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Comments (6)

horton
16 years ago
Mike, I don't know exactly where you would buy the replacement handles but have you thought about using a pair of vise grips locked onto the valve stem instead of using the pump pliers.
Yoy can buy two pairs of inexpensive vise grips and set them up,locked in place and leave them on the valve as handles. That will stop the wear and tear on the stem.
"Horton"
mgeca
Original Author
16 years ago
Horton, good and practical idea. Given the cost of the valves, I could buy a lot of vise grips.

Why are these valve so balky to turn? One time the handle turns and the valve does its job. Another time it doesn't turn for anything until maybe I push down on it or try to twist back and forth (let's not mention trying to turn it backward). Stuck and then works.

One handle broke off in routine use, probably with too much torque; the other broke in the winter at 18 F during late summer shut-down.

I have other 2" and a 3" which seems to work easier. Any tips on turning these things (is that a pathetic question?).

Thanks as always - Mike
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mike_il
16 years ago
Mike if these are the valves that I supplied you the amount of force required to turn the handle is adjustable. if you undo the unions and remove the body on one end where the union connects you will see two grooves going from the 2" hole out about 3/4". If you turn the disc with the grooves counterclockwise it will decrease the pressure on the ball and it will turn easier.
Mike
mgeca
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi ya Mike, I believe these are the valves you supplied. I never knew about the adjustment. Is this typical on all union ball valves?

There has never been a pattern of difficulty in turning. I can close a valve easy as pie; when I try to open it it just doesn't turn. Sometimes this, sometimes that--variable. Sometimes press down and it turns. Sometimes a bit eager and the handle is off.

The handle-stem connection looks "stripped" not much of a connection. I can't figure a way to re-connect or replace handles. Anything in your big bag of tricks to guide me?

They are easy enought to replace, great valves, will work with vise grips OK and they are out of sight. But, they are not out of mind---a little something that needs fixing.

Hope you are well and have a great season ahead. Thanks for the info.

Mike
mike_il
16 years ago
Hi Mike,
The better valves are adjustable but not all. They are actually made so the valve comes apart so that valve seats can be replaced. The handles are made that way on purpose so that if the valve jams and you try to turn the handle very hard the handle gives way before you break the valve stem as once the valve stem is broken the valve can not be taken apart and the valve is scrap. What happens and we all are guilty of this is that when we glue the valve in place we use too much glue and the glue runs down into the valve. This glue sets up and causes the ball to catch on it. Also the socket part of the union gets glued to the adjustment disc and as you tighten the nut on the union it turns the union socket just a little tightening the disc a little so that the ball gets hard to turn. Leave it in one position for a period of time and the imperfections in the ball make impressions in the valve seats and now it is even harder to turn the ball. Turning the disc can be hard some times because primer has gotten down into the threads bonding the two pieces of plastic together.
Mike
mgeca
Original Author
16 years ago
Mike - Incredible. I'm going to take them apart, adjust, maybe scrape any glue deposits off, try to get them working smoothly.

I figured out the handles coming off was a protective thing. If I could ever remember which way to turn them it would have helped.

It sounds like I can't replace the handles in some simple way? Vise grips for the interim.

Thanks for the tutorial, as always.

Mike

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