I'm trying to increase the flow of water through the water dispenser
in my fridge door. I've narrowed the problem down to the solenoid at
the back of the fridge that only has 1/4" tubing ports on it. I
bypass it and the flow is really nice.

Does someone know of a 120VAC solenoid with 3/8" ports on it? I'll
need a part number or the make/model of the applicance it came from so
I can order one.

thx

Here you go. You're not going to like the price

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3UK48

Solenoid Valve,2 Way,NC,Brass,3/8 In

* Plumbing
* Valves
* Solenoid Valves

Solenoid Valve, High Flow, Number of Ways 2, Configuration Normally
Closed, Pipe Size 3/8 In, Orifice Dia 5/8 In, PSI Differential Min 5,
Pressure Differential Max 200, PSI Differential Air Inert Gas 200, PSI
Differential Water 150, PSI Differential Light Oil 135, Max Fluid Temp
180 F, Voltage 120, Watts 6.1, Body Material Brass, Gasket Material
NBR, Length 2.75 In, Width 2.28 In, Center Line Pipe Center Size 1.94
In, Height 3.38 In, Agency Compliance CSA Certified
Grainger Item # 3UK48
Price (ea.) $110.95
Brand RED HAT
Mfr. Model # 8210G001
Ship Qty. 1
Sell Qty. (Will-Call) 1
Ship Weight (lbs.) 1.95
Usually Ships** Today
Catalog Page No. 3551 catalog
[Solenoid Valve, High Flow, Number of Ways 2, Configuration Normally
Closed, Pipe Size 3/8 In, Orifice Dia 5/8 In, PSI Differential Min 5,
Pressure Differential Max 200, PSI Differential Air Inert Gas 200, PSI
Differential Water 150, PSI Differential Light Oil 135, Max Fluid Temp
180 F, Voltage 120, Watts 6.1, Body Material Brass, Gasket Material
NBR, Length 2.75 In, Width 2.28 In, Center Line Pipe Center Size 1.94
In, Height 3.38 In, Agency Compliance CSA Certified]
Enlarge Image
See Notes & Restrictions for important safety information.
Qty.
Add a TripleGuardSM Extended Warranty for $35

wrote:
I'm trying to increase the flow of water through the water dispenser
in my fridge door. I've narrowed the problem down to the solenoid at
the back of the fridge that only has 1/4" tubing ports on it. I
bypass it and the flow is really nice.

Does someone know of a 120VAC solenoid with 3/8" ports on it? I'll
need a part number or the make/model of the applicance it came from so
I can order one.

thx


Did you check to see if the present solenoid might have a spec of junk
inside it impeding the flow?

A few months ago I had a new Sears' fridge delivered and the "installer"
screwed up a rubber washer on the connection between my 1/4" copper
supply line and the plastic input line on the new fridge.

I wasn't home when that installation took place and SWMBO didn't test
the water system until after the guy left.

I figured if I started troubleshooting it myself I might screw up the
warranty so I asked for Sears' help and between myself and a more
competant tech we narrowed down the obstruction.

A chunk of that rubber washer ended up stuck inside the inlet port of
the solenoid valve, cutting the flow to barely a dribble. We removed
that obstruction with a pair of sharp pointed tweezers. Problem solved.

The water dispenser doesn't exactly "**** like a racehorse", but it's
fast enough for us.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

was the fridge ever OK flow wise? Its likely just a bad solenoid
valve, I have replaced a few of them.

On Jan 3, 10:42*pm, " wrote:
was the fridge ever OK flow wise? Its likely just a bad solenoid
valve, I have replaced a few of them.

We are just now connecting it, however the fridge is 1 year old. I
checked the solenoid and there is no obstruction and it is working
OK. With its 1/4 ports and our low water pressure (well system) it is
just too slow. I found some dishwasher solenoinds that have large
ports, I may retrofit one of those if I can't find a 'fridge' one.

thx

On Jan 4, 12:47�pm, wrote:
On Jan 3, 10:42�pm, " wrote:

was the fridge ever OK flow wise? Its likely just a bad solenoid
valve, I have replaced a few of them.

We are just now connecting it, however the fridge is 1 year old. �I
checked the solenoid and there is no obstruction and it is working
OK. �With its 1/4 ports and our low water pressure (well system) it is
just too slow. �I found some dishwasher solenoinds that have large
ports, I may retrofit one of those if I can't find a 'fridge' one.

thx

might also be the self piercing valve try turning off and on a couple
times. dirt in water can clog needle valve

On Jan 4, 12:55*pm, " wrote:
On Jan 4, 12:47 pm, wrote:

On Jan 3, 10:42 pm, " wrote:

was the fridge ever OK flow wise? Its likely just a bad solenoid
valve, I have replaced a few of them.

We are just now connecting it, however the fridge is 1 year old. I
checked the solenoid and there is no obstruction and it is working
OK. With its 1/4 ports and our low water pressure (well system) it is
just too slow. I found some dishwasher solenoinds that have large
ports, I may retrofit one of those if I can't find a 'fridge' one.

thx

might also be the self piercing valve try turning off and on a couple
times. dirt in water can clog needle valve

No self-pierce valve used, I ran 1/2"pipe all the way with a full-flow
3/8" shutoff valve at the wall and 3/8 tubing to the fridge. Except
for the solenoid it gives great flow especially considering it is a
well system with RO!

wrote:

On Jan 4, 12:55 pm, " wrote:

On Jan 4, 12:47 pm, wrote:


On Jan 3, 10:42 pm, " wrote:

was the fridge ever OK flow wise? Its likely just a bad solenoid
valve, I have replaced a few of them.

We are just now connecting it, however the fridge is 1 year old. I
checked the solenoid and there is no obstruction and it is working
OK. With its 1/4 ports and our low water pressure (well system) it is
just too slow. I found some dishwasher solenoinds that have large
ports, I may retrofit one of those if I can't find a 'fridge' one.

thx

might also be the self piercing valve try turning off and on a couple
times. dirt in water can clog needle valve


No self-pierce valve used, I ran 1/2"pipe all the way with a full-flow
3/8" shutoff valve at the wall and 3/8 tubing to the fridge. Except
for the solenoid it gives great flow especially considering it is a
well system with RO!

It sure sounds like you've narrowed the problem down to the restriction
of the solenoid valve correctly.

Could you maybe just adapt your supply line to the "hose thread" inlet
fitting on a washing machine valve assembly? They have 120 volt coils.

Those valves can be had pretty cheap, or even cost nada if you pinch one
off a junked machine.

Like this one on eBay:

http://tinyurl.com/787q4s

Plus, You'll have a spare valve sitting right next to the one in use, or
you could plumb your supply to BOTH inlets and get half the restriction
of one side. G

I using just one half of the valve assembly you might have to cap off
the water inlet on the other half, just to play it safe.

Good Luck,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.