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Does anyone have experience of these new (all bronze) valves? See here: http://www.guidisrl.it/en and click on the link on the right of the screen.
TIA
Rob
TIA
Rob
Guidi "Alex" valves
- Thread starter [2574]
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Alpha22
Well-Known Member
I saw them at LIBS and liked the idea....
Plus points - nothing to corrode.
minus, if some weed got in the valve, it might not seal properly.
It scares me that they may be very expensive!!
Plus points - nothing to corrode.
minus, if some weed got in the valve, it might not seal properly.
It scares me that they may be very expensive!!
macd
Well-Known Member
Just out of interest, Guidi claim they're made of CC491K: 85% Cu, 5% each of Sn, Pb, Zn, 0.25 P, traces of 'others'.
Another metals site states that this is "the most commonly used leaded gunmetal offering excellent machining properties and a very good wear resistance. It is a medium strength alloy with good pressure tightness, is resistant to dezincification and offers a reasonable corrosion resistance in sea water and brine." [My bolds.]
That doesn't sound quite the same as "nothing to corrode", but what do I know? No doubt Vyv could tell us what this all means in practice.
Another metals site states that this is "the most commonly used leaded gunmetal offering excellent machining properties and a very good wear resistance. It is a medium strength alloy with good pressure tightness, is resistant to dezincification and offers a reasonable corrosion resistance in sea water and brine." [My bolds.]
That doesn't sound quite the same as "nothing to corrode", but what do I know? No doubt Vyv could tell us what this all means in practice.
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[2574]
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They are roughly twice the price of a DZR equivalent valve. So, for example, a DZR 1 1/4" ball valve is £34.96 whereas the equivalent Alex valve is £68.22. In reality its not a major difference on the scale of boating costs.
[2574]
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Interesting. How do we attract Vyv's attention?
macd
Well-Known Member
Adamastor
Well-Known Member
You mean you don't have a Vyv Signal? It's like a Bat Signal but Different!
jwilson
Well-Known Member
Their 'bronze with S/S handle' valves and 'bronze' skinfittings and tails etc. were what I replaced all underwater stuff with 2 years ago: after about 8 years the original Jeanneau plated brass ones looked mostly OK except for some definitely dezincified hose tails.
Chose these on the recommendation of a local marine surveyor whose opinions I trust. So far so good, though others have commented that the 'bronze' spec is not ideal and that the balls in the valves will be a different metal.
[2574]
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yes, I looked at the bronze gate valves too but, as you say, the guts is apparently brass so rather defeats the purpose of the bronze fitting. For that reason I think it has to be bronze through hulls and DZR valves and bronze hose tails. The advantage of the Alex valves is they are only bronze and neoprene, no brass. The disadvantage is the size of the fitting which is difficult to accommodate in confined spaces. So, regrettably, DZR it is.
GrahamM376
Well-Known Member
If you're looking to replace through hull + seacock + tail then TrueDesign composite work out cheaper than bronze or dzr. Through hulls can be bedded in Sika or epoxied in. Service kits also available for seacocks. I fitted them last winter. See - http://www.leesan.com/index.asp?m=3&cat1=3&cat2=40&t=Seacocks
Alpha22
Well-Known Member
PLASTIC!!! What witchcraft is this you speak of????
macd
Well-Known Member
Quite. Send him to the ducking stool (which, these days, will probably be made of grp)
