Actuated Temp control water reg valve

Any chance you could use a simple bi-metal strip thermostat switch and a solenoid-operated valve?

As a last resort we probably could. We were concerned with the accuracy and the dependability of the unit.

Shhh.... Don't let the Infernal Revenooers and the Department of ATF know about this.

You can find self actuated temp controlled valves in Danfos and Johnson Control as well.

I have already checked with Johnson and they are pretty pricey also. I did however send an email to Danfos this evening as I have never heard of them before . I thank you sir and will keep everyone advised as to my progress.. thanks again

Klixon makes inexpensive temperature switches, but I'm not sure if in the right range and differential. How closely do you need to control the temperature?

I would like to see it + or- 2 degrees but a couple either way is not going to end the world.. Keeping the temperature at a certain point and steady makes for a higher percentage of alcohol in the mix.. thanks for the ideas guys i really appreciate them..

These temps are really close to a car thermostat. I would check with the manufacturers of those stats and see what they have for some hot running engine. What about steam heat controls? They do the same thing, mass produced. The electric control is a good idea, too, you can adjust the temp to fine tune the system. The control valve may not have to be in a hot area.

Car radiator thermostats and electrical thermostats are not the same thing. An electrical thermostat makes or breaks a circuit according to the sensed temperature. This can be used to operate a solenoid valve. There are other, more complex, types of controllers that can modulate valves or regulators wider/narrower open. (PID or fuzzy logic, for instance.) A radiator thermostat opens and closes a valve according to the sensed temperature. One manufacturer is Amot. This technology is economical, but I don't know if it always controls the temperature as closely as desired. We have some 450-hp screw compressors in our refrigeration plant that use Amot valves to regulate oil temperature. For about the last month, the oil has held consistently at 130-132°F, under wide variations of compressor loading. By selecting different eutectic waxes to charge the actuating element, a broad range of nominal temperatures can be accommodated. For engine water cooling, it would be about 190°F.

Don't think a car radiator type approach would work, as it would have to open to allow the cooling water to flow, rather than opening to allow the hot water to flow (and be replaced by cooler water from the "other end" of the system).

May be possible, but I think what's really needed is temperature sensing at one point operating a remote valve.

_{^{Bad description, but I think you'll follow.}}

How about go east? (not west young man) They
have lots cheap in the far east, search the online cats.

There are so many thermostats in use that it is very likely
one would suit? e.g. electric kettles? Immersion heaters?
Central heating systems? Convection heaters?
The list is endless, should find one that will be ok.

jt

ps...
send me the plans for the ethanol, I promise not to blow myself up.

Modern automobile engines use a coolant temperature sensor to regulate fuel mapping, engine cooling fan cycling, idle speed, temperature gauge, etc. The sensor output is analog using a 5vDC reference signal over a wide range through a wide range. You'd have to build an electronic control circuit to open and close a solenoid valve, but it couid be very accurate. Wax thermostatic switches are still available that were used for cooling fan operation but the open/shut cycle is wider than what you need--something like 230F on, 180F off. If you could contact the supplier of these switches they may have someone, or point you to someone who developed them and has knowledge of the available waxes. Bob

I believe that this is one of the greatest think tanks that I have ever been in. It just goes to show you that a few heads are better than one and you guys think differently so that there are many more ideas spread around.. Thanks again and I am awaiting answers back from two or three suppliers presently.. I am going to try the China one also today and see what I can find out.. Thanks again and may everyone have a wonderful day..