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TIMED WATER ADDITIONS..have you tried it and does it work?

This is a copy of Finishing.com's "20 ways to cut water usage in plating shops" SOLUTION NUMBER 11 -- TIMED WATER ADDITIONS . . .

It states:

It's easy, and relatively inexpensive, to rig up a timer and solenoid valve to deliver a fixed quantity of water to the rinse tank with each load. The timer can be triggered by a limit switch, or from the hoist programming. A user reported a water savings of more than 50%, and a payback time of 3 months!

This sounds great, but could someone who has experience with this please fill me in a little further? I would like to try this if I felt someone else was getting great results. Thanks and have a good one.

James D. Browning
- Batesville, Mississippi
2000

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2000

I have seen this in many shops. You can purchase microswitches with a wire "feeler" from any of a number of industrial supply houses (such as Grainger). Simple variable interval countdown timers are available from National Controls. Everyone sells solenoid valves for the fresh water feed.

The raising of the work bar actuates the solenoid valve, which will be interrupted by the timer at 5, 10 or 15 seconds. In rack plating, using sprays as in #3, Top Sprays, will really help. Small air driven pumps can be added to provide a cheap counterflow.

The microswitch with timer and solenoid can cost $ 250.00 to 350.00 per tank. Adding the air pump with air solenoid can bring the per tank pricing up to $ 500.00 to 750.00 each.

The conductivity controller with solenoid valve is $ 280.00 to 350.00 per tank. I think for the small shop, it is the best answer. Happy rinsing! Chuck

Charles R. Reichert CEF-SE
Chemithon Surface Finishing - Seattle, Washington