Stromquist has been selling Maxitrol regulators for many years, and we are proud to be an authorized distributor for such a great, time-tested company. Maxitrol has been manufacturing high-quality regulators for 65 years, and to honor their 65 year anniversary, they are having a cool contest to find the oldest regulator that is still regulating. Read More
Since 1965 Minvalco has enjoyed growth as one of the largest HVAC/R controls distributors in the upper Midwest.
Check out the Maxitrol Certification Gas Pressure Regulator Class that was held at Stromquist & Company earlier this month.
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Stromquist & Company stocks Maxitrol Gas Pressure regulators and can meet all your gas pressure regulator needs.
Last week Stromquist hosted a Lunch and Learn on Maxitrol gas regulators that was taught by Maxitrol’s industry expert, Tom Ganfield. We were happy to have our biggest Lunch and Learn turnout ever with 28 people. That goes to show the importance of proper sizing and installation of gas regulators! It proved to be a very helpful training session, and we received a lot of good feedback and comments from the attendees.
If you missed the regulator training and would like to see it, we will be posting a video of the session on this website soon so check back for it. If you need assistance with sizing a regulator, go herefor help from Maxitrol. Or you can call the Stromquist office at 404-794-3440 for help with regulator sizing.
In just about every application where the flow of air, water, oil, gas, or any other fluid needs to be stopped or started a solenoid valve is incorporated into the piping system.
Here is a list of common questions that need to be addressed to properly start the selection of your solenoid valve needs.
Valve Type 2-way, 3-way, 4-way
Operation Normally Open, Normally Closed, Universal
Pipe Size Pipe size or flow requirements
Media Fluid to be controlled (what’s going through valve)
Pressure Minimum and Maximum operating pressure
Temperature Minimum and Maximum fluid and ambient temperature
Voltage Voltage and frequency to be used
Extras Special seals, special seats, manual reset, explosion proof, etc.
Since most of the day by day uses of solenoid valves are 2-way/ 2-position let’s look at the above questions closer.
Operation This the most misunderstood question. Normally Open simply put means that when the valve is not energized (no power to coil) the valve is open allowing the media to pass through the valve. When the Normally Open valve is energized (power to coil) the Normally Open valve will shut down not allowing media to pass through the valve. The Normally Closed valve is of course opposite to the Normally Open valve. When the Normally Closed valve is not energized the valve will not allow media to flow through the valve. When the Normally Closed valve is energized the valve will open to allow media to flow.
Pipe Size Most all valves are listed by pipe size and Cv rating along with the valve’s orifice size. Notice that the smaller the orifice size is on a solenoid valve that the Cv rating is reduced. So what Cv do you need? Here is a “rule of thumb”. Cv = 50% of the gpm flow through a valve based on a 2-5 psi pressure drop between the inlet and outlet of the valve. So by way of example if you need 10 gpm of water to supply your need to some equipment with a 2-5 psi pressure drop the solenoid’s Cv factor would be 5.
Media Most common of media type for solenoid valves is air, water, gas, steam, or oil.
Pressure Maximum Operating Pressure Differential (M.O.P.D.) The maximum operating pressure differential refers to the maximum difference in pressure between the inlet and the outlet, against which the solenoid can safely operate the valve. If the pressure at the valve OUTLET is not known, it is safest to regard SUPPLY pressure as the M.O.P.D. Minimum Operating Pressure Differential is that which is required to OPEN the valve and keep it open. 2-way way solenoids with a floating piston or diaphragm, the valve will start to close below the minimum operating differential pressure.
Temperature The normal limitation of 32 degrees F (O degrees C) is advisable for any valve that might contain moisture (water Vapor). Where freezing water is not a factor, minimum ambience as low as 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C) can be tolerated. Special constructions are available for lower temperature ratings. Maximum ambient temperature is usually controlled by the UL listing for the coil insulation available for the valve.
Voltage There are various coil voltages available for solenoids to meet your needs. Please remember when asking for valves to state if the voltage is AC or DC and whether 50 or 60 cycles.
Stromquist and Company is proud to service your needs for solenoid valves by ASCO, GC Valve, and Honeywell. Let us help you pick the right solenoid valve for your needs by calling us at 1-800-241-9471 or 1-800-638-7828.
Stromquist and Company handles just about every brand of gas pressure regulator. We stock Maxitrol, Pietro Fiorentini, Itron (Actaris), Sensus, and American Meter. It does not matter what brand gas regulator you are using or if you have a natural gas regulator or a LP Gas pressure regulator they all have one thing in common. If you don’t install the gas regulator correctly it will not work properly.
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Believe it or not nine times out of ten when a gas pressure regulator is not working properly it is one of two things…….. Read More
Products that perform their job so well that you just do not have to think about them are products that on today’s market seem few and far in between. Maxitrol gas regulators are among this line of products that we as suppliers and contractors have come to depend on.
Founded in 1946 Maxitrol’s headquarters are located in Southfield, Michigan.
The Maxitrol 325 series gas regulators are world renown for their use in the domestic natural gas market. The 325 series allows for inlet pressures up to 10 psig with certified 325 series for 2 and 5 psi systems and vent limiters to reduce the costs of installation by removing the need for a separate gas vent line to be installed by the contractor. New 325-7AL series regulator announced in July of 2010 takes the 325 series to new limits of capacities of over 1,000,000 BTUs. The larger RV series and 210 series are used by OEM boiler and burner manufactures worldwide. Read More
The ASCO relay control panels are designed to operate ASCO 120 volt and DC solenoid valves controlling gas flow to school kitchens, domestic cooking classes, metal shops, and laboratories. Many situations now call for a way to lock out gas supplies during closed hours.
Operating the key switch on the 108D10C (DC panel) or the 108D90C (120 AC panel), the control station energizes the relay to open a normally closed ASCO gas solenoid which turns on the gas flow.
Other Features:
*If the control voltage is lost completely or is reduced to approximately 50% of normal value, the relay de-energizes the normally closed valve to shut off gas flow.
*The gas valve will not re-open at restoration of power until an authorized person operates the key switch on the control station. The gas may also be shut off by depressing the normally closed pushbutton switch located on the control station.
*Shallow NEMA 1 flush-mounted enclosure.
*Clearly marked terminals and installation drawing on inside panel cover.
*Optional auxiliary pushbuttons 173A19 and 173A20 may be located at various accessible locations throughout the building.
*Explosion proof gas valves from ½” to 2” available.
If you are a Stromquist customer located in Georgia or Florida and you need help sizing or ordering an ASCO Gas Control Panel you can contact Stromquist and Company at www.stromquist.com or call us at 1-800-241-9471 1-800-241-9471. All others can order this product from one of our affiliates at CGNA.
You can’t get heat and your troubleshooting skills (hopefully learned at a Stromquist & Company training class) have lead you to the conclusion that your gas valve will have to be replaced. Being the great technician that you are, you write down all the information and part numbers of the furnace or heater you are working on and head off to see Bob, Jerry, or Mark at the Stromquist counter to get a new valve.
After driving across town you are less than happy when you are told that the replacement gas valve cannot be determined by the furnace or heater number. Although there are hundreds of gas heater and furnace manufacturers, there are only three major controls companies that make gas valves for these companies: Honeywell, White Rodgers, and Robertshaw. What makes it tricky is that these three companies will make and sell these valves as OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts for all these different heater companies and will put different part numbers on them. In some cases, the valves even function differently.
Why would a manufacturer want a different part number? For one thing it makes it very difficult for you to get a replacement valve at your local distributor. Think about it, these companies are in business to make money and if you have to come back to them for your replacement parts, they are able to sell more products. The problem with this is that very few of them have local inventory, and since they are manufacturers instead of wholesalers, quick shipping is usually not one of their skill sets. So you have to wait, which is usually not an option when your heat is not working. In a few cases the valve is built differently and you have no choice but to go back to the manufacturer, which usually results in you paying higher prices and dealing with longer lead times.
The good news is that with the right information, your local distributors like Stromquist & Company can provide you with the right gas valve at the right price. To make sure you get the right valve, either take the bad valve out and bring it into your local distributor or use your camera and take pictures of the valve, making sure to get the part numbers in the picture. Make sure to watch Mark’s video, Replacing Gas Valves On Furnances and Hot Water Heaters.
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