Electric seacock valves?

[MagnaBill]

Has anyone had any experience or views on using electric seacock (quarter turn) valves on their boat. I am considering looking at these for selected parts of the boat (toilet outlet / inlet for example). Obviously these would have a manual turn facility.
There are some fairly clever devices out there these days that mean we don't always have to do things the same old way. As I get older and stiffer (arthritis) wriggling into the bilge is ok but less pleasant than it used to be.
Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[MikeP]

I have never seen them (or even heard of them) but the concept sounds interesting. One major issue would be the cost involved in replacing perfectly good seacocks with new ones and, of course the mounting/wiring of the control switch. I just don't see it as a thing to consider unless you need to replace the seacocks anyway.

But, as you noted, it would probably depend on the boat. On our 53, there are 3 seacocks that are what I would call a bit annoying to get to. The rest are actually quite easy. It would be nice, however, to just hit some switches when I'm off the boat for months at a time. Of course, it seems to me that for safety you would still have to go to the seacocks and visually verify that they were open or closed, as the case might be. So I'm not sure it would actually result in much less work than the manual method.

Interesting idea though...

 

[Canuck Dennis]

Flooded bilge...sparks... corrosion.. electrolysis..ABYC..etc..etc..etc..

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sounds like a bad idea to me

 

[MikeP]

Ah, c'mon guys, they said fly-by-wire wouldn't work, they said car steer-by wire wouldn't work. Heck, quite a few years back they even said that hydraulic brakes wouldn't work!

 

[GaryNW]

Actually, I believe CG regs mandate "remote controllable" valves in certain applications on non-recreational passennger vessels. Electric actuators often make more sense than push-pull cables. Those more anal than myself can do the research. I was a aux systems design engineer on Boeing hydrofoils back in the mid-70's (yeah, I'm getting old). While I did not personnally work on the system, I recall that the Jetfoil had a push-button panel to control all the valves on the bilge pump manifolding.
Gary

 

[GOLE IV]

Electric of Pneumatic actuator for ball valves are common on the industry. Also made for any type of environment.
Manual override is standard, also can be setup so that the normal position close, emergency shut down with mechanical devices (spring loaded) and many other options.

Only thing is they are typically bulky and $$$$$ (May be Cheaper in the chemical industry than in the marine industry)

Not a crazy idea at all. Can add remote position indicator on the valve (not the actuator please). Really a benefit for small crew and time pass and start getting difficult to reach the valves. But another gadget to maintain.

 

[REBrueckner]

I bet expensive...and it BETTER be marine grade, corrosion resistant....

 

[Walter P]

Some years ago when I was still designing and manufacturing small arms of various kinds, I felt a need for a remote controled seacock. I felt that electric or air power wasn't the way to go so I concentrated on a hydrolyc system. The thing worked but the cost (as with the other power options) to manufacture was very high and made it impractical for the general boating market. Even a retrofit version would have cost more than most boaters would be willing to pay. A pity, but I still believe the concept is excellent for our boats.

If anyone is interested in an electric unit, Vetus offers them in varous sizes. Check them out.

Walt

 

[krush]

You're looking for a valve actuator, not a valve.

 

[q240z]

I believe process valves are what the OP had in mind. They've been around for a while, apparently, in all kinds of service, including shipping. Electric, air, hydraulic, and probably flux capacitor-driven. $400 for a 2" stainless unit in 12vdc at one online supplier.