Bliddy gate valves!

[mick]

Mild steel wheel gone on another gate valve, leaving an otherwise sound item useless. Or is there a way I can still use it? I'm down for launching on Thursday and I'd rather not miss my slot. What does the forum think is the best kind of valve for raw water, sink outlet,etc?

 

[graham]

I think ball valves are better.If the handle isnt 90°to the pipe you know it isnt completely shut.A gate valve can be jammed open and its not immediately obvious.

 

[James_Calvert]

If you can remove the remains of the wheel - there might be a little nut holding it on - you might get a small shifting spanner or open ended spanner onto the squared end of the exposed spindle to open/close the valve.

But don't apply any more force on the valve than you would have using the wheel; you might strip the internal threads and the valve will be useless - and stuck open/closed whatever.

My gatevalves are over 20yrs old, but I strip them right down most winters to check and grease them - and to touch up the steel wheel.

I prefer the idea of ball valves - but I gather they can't be serviced. I think you just have to replace them when they start getting sticky (ie before they get stuck).

 

[doug748]

I've get two of these things. I made up my own handle from a bit of brass drilled to suit and then opened out square. I always try to operate them regularly to keep them up to scratch. Nothing beats Blakes - if you can afford it!

 

[Talbot]

about the only use for a gate valve on a boat is ballast. Get rid of it.

A ball valve or conical valve such as the Blakes, is the only safe type of valve to use.
A gate valve can very quickly jam due to some crustacean, and allow water flow when you think it is firmly shut.

 

[vyv_cox]

Not only due to crustaceans. My cistern at home supplies the hot water tank and is fitted with a gate valve outlet. The shaft driving the gate sheared when the valve was shut and the tank was full, so I couldn't open it. Took some ingenuity to resolve.

Ball valves are extremely cheap and highly reliable, although the handles are also steel and corrode in time. I have some aboard that are probably the age of the boat, 20 years, still functioning perfectly.

 

[rhumlady]

I won't even have gate valves in the house let alone the boat.