New 3way raw water intake valves for my Ferretti

[baylabayla3288]

I need to replace the raw water intake valves on my Ferretti 480 year model 2001. These are of 3 way type that allows for emergency bilage emptying. They have seized and cannot be moved anymore. I have difficulies of sourcing new ones that would fit like plug in and play. The original ones are likely to be an Italian brand but I’m not able to find the origin. Any suggestion on brands or models that could fit is highly appreciated

 

[Portofino]

Maestrini

 

[penfold]

What are they made of? If bronze they may just need unseizing.

 

[baylabayla3288]

They are bronze. I can move them but it requires very heavy force. We have tried various things including applying wd40 lubrication but no improvement unfortunately. Apparently they are quite stiff from the beginning as Ferretti has provided a steel bar that fits the handles to get extra leverage when operating the valves. But now they would need a sledge hammer to move…

 

[Portofino]

Try a brick cleaner acid soak to dissolve the scale / crud . Block up the outlet on the hull with gaffer tape .Remove the engine sea water pipe .Fill the valve with the acid and leave it an hour or so ……….

As you probably know they require regular exercise to prevent them getting too stiff , but you are past that point now .

 

[stelican]

Try a brick cleaner acid soak to dissolve the scale / crud . Block up the outlet on the hull with gaffer tape .Remove the engine sea water pipe .Fill the valve with the acid and leave it an hour or so ……….

As you probably know they require regular exercise to prevent them getting too stiff , but you are past that point now .

Have also done by this method successfully.
Osculati may have been the supplier.

 

[ChromeDome]

WD40 has close to no lubricating properties.

Recent thread about the subject
WD40

 

[baylabayla3288]

Big thanks for all replies! I will try the acid cleaning first and if it does not work I will contact Maestrini

 

[MapisM]

if it does not work I will contact Maestrini

Forget Maestrini, they don't produce any bronze 3-way valve.
There should be a logo somewhere on the valve side, if you can post a pic we might suggest who the producer is.

BTW, I never liked that Ferretti arrangement, because imho this particular cat is much better skinned with two straight valves and a T fitting.
But I appreciate that replacing the valve with an identical one would be easier/faster.

 

[Portofino]

WD40 has close to no lubricating properties.

Recent thread about the subject
WD40

It’s cleans lime scale off taps and such .So must be acidic amongst its other multitude of claimed properties one of which is could be lubrication as you mention .

 

[penfold]

If they're bronze dismantle and bathe the removed parts in vinegar; apply wallpaper paste with vinegar to the scaled areas of the valve body if leaving in place. Brick acid is fine but it's nasty stuff to handle, vinegar works just as well.

 

[baylabayla3288]

I checked the walves more in detail and it seems they are not made of bronze. The have the logo RB on the valve body. The size is 3,5 inches

 

[Portofino]

A pic certainly does paint a 1000 words .
RB seacocks in Google comes up with nothing reliable.
RB valves I am afraid is not so good news .

Gate Valves - Industrial Gate Valves And Single Piece Gate Valves from R. B. Enterprise

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/rb-brass-ball-valve-nrv-8784633188.html

They appear (if it’s them ? ) to be brass balls valves made in India !

Leaving the country of manufacturing and its quality control out of the conversation for the time being …….if it’s brass only the ball it’s probably corroded , jammed stuck ( assume open + the boats in a winter hanger ? ) .

They need replacing before the next launch .Those elbows look bronze btw .
How long have had the boat ? I suspect a previous owner or his technician has replaced those main seacock / valves ?

Very surprised it it left the factory with those .
Also the pipe on the pic top RHS is kinked ….that needs further investigation in terms of its integrity internally it may have delimitation inside ??
Replace that …..well all of the black pipage if it’s original May as well .Try to get nice even runs and curve no kinks in them = weakens the walls .
Hope this helps .

 

[MapisM]

The have the logo RB on the valve body

Bonomi is the producer of those valves.
I don't have time for googling the exact model right now, but I'm sure you can get some more details if you look for "Rubinetterie Bonomi" website.

PS for Portofino: when there's a subject about which you don't have a clue, saying nothing is always a pretty good option.
If it were just a matter of googling, I see no reason why baylabayla shouldn't have already found the answer he's looking for.
Oh, and while I can't swear that Bonomi builds everything in Italy, they do have a large factory in Brescia, which doesn't have a lot to see with India.

 

[Portofino]

Bonomi is the producer of those valves.
I don't have time for googling the exact model right now, but I'm sure you can get some more details if you look for "Rubinetterie Bonomi" website.

PS for Portofino: when there's a subject about which you don't have a clue, saying nothing is always a pretty good option.
If it were just a matter of googling, I see no reason why baylabayla shouldn't have already found the answer he's looking for.
Oh, and while I can't swear that Bonomi builds everything in Italy, they do have a large factory in Brescia, which doesn't have a lot to see with India.

Doesn’t change the outcome ….if brass balled they need changing out and that pipe need a look at too .

 

[baylabayla3288]

Thanks P

A pic certainly does paint a 1000 words .
RB seacocks in Google comes up with nothing reliable.
RB valves I am afraid is not so good news .

Gate Valves - Industrial Gate Valves And Single Piece Gate Valves from R. B. Enterprise

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/rb-brass-ball-valve-nrv-8784633188.html

They appear (if it’s them ? ) to be brass balls valves made in India !

Leaving the country of manufacturing and its quality control out of the conversation for the time being …….if it’s brass only the ball it’s probably corroded , jammed stuck ( assume open + the boats in a winter hanger ? ) .

They need replacing before the next launch .Those elbows look bronze btw .
How long have had the boat ? I suspect a previous owner or his technician has replaced those main seacock / valves ?

Very surprised it it left the factory with those .
Also the pipe on the pic top RHS is kinked ….that needs further investigation in terms of its integrity internally it may have delimitation inside ??
Replace that …..well all of the black pipage if it’s original May as well .Try to get nice even runs and curve no kinks in them = weakens the walls .
Hope this helps .

I have had the boat since 2015 and I know the history from new as well, these are sure original valves. Also the sea strainers have the same RB logo on dem. Also my googling came up with the links to India which would be very strange on an Italian boat. The kinked hose is on the bilage suction side, not perfect but non critical. The hoses leading to the engines are ok and actually replaced when I bought the boat. Tx for pointing out anyway

 

[Portofino]

Bonomi is the producer of those valves.
I don't have time for googling the exact model right now, but I'm sure you can get some more details if you look for "Rubinetterie Bonomi" website.

PS for Portofino: when there's a subject about which you don't have a clue, saying nothing is always a pretty good option.
If it were just a matter of googling, I see no reason why baylabayla shouldn't have already found the answer he's looking for.
Oh, and while I can't swear that Bonomi builds everything in Italy, they do have a large factory in Brescia, which doesn't have a lot to see with India.

Hang on a min holster your weapon !

If you click your RB and search it it ends up at my India source .= identical.

 

[baylabayla3288]

Bonomi is the producer of those valves.
I don't have time for googling the exact model right now, but I'm sure you can get some more details if you look for "Rubinetterie Bonomi" website.

tx MM, this is good info, exactly what I need!

 

[MapisM]

Hang on a min holster your weapon !
If you click your RB and search it it ends up at my India source .= identical.

So, what? There's still a difference between talking of something you've seen first hand vs. what you googled for.
As a proof of the pudding, since you shouted Maestrini in reply to the OP, why don't you post a link to one of their 3-ways valves, if you can?

 

[Portofino]

So, what? There's still a difference between talking of something you've seen first hand vs. what you googled for.
As a proof of the pudding, since you shouted Maestrini in reply to the OP, why don't you post a link to one of their 3-ways valves, if you can?

Does it really matter where they are made ? It’s what they are that matters .

Now having seen the pics the OP posted after my opening post and figured out what he’s got I stand by that post .
I’d move away from brass ball into a Maestrini bronze ( agreeing with your earlier T fitting mod for the added optional bilge pump function.btw ) .

Its a forum I have offered my advice and unearthed something , the brass ball seacocks that could be improved upon at replacement . Sounds like it replacement time if they are ceased up due to brass corroding .

Op reported stiffness from day 1 when he got the boat .As you know ( pardon for making an assumption) it not good they jam open anyhow .Wether corroded brass balls or scaled up bronze .

In my experience bronze Maestrini seem NOT to get stiff ….and are easy with one hand gentle force to periodic exercise.Closing Eg when away from the boat which is good practice .

One day the Op might need to close them or end up in a insurance claim refute when a loss adjuster finds out the brass balled valves are ceased up .


It’s perfectly normal for manufacturers to outsource in the 3 rd world nothing new there .But as my post #15 it’s doesn’t change the outcome .

Fitting Bronze is what I would do and advise.
MapishM what would you advise…..it seems replace with brass balls In a like for like …..Is that the thrust of your anti Porto posts on this thread?