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How To Make a One-Way Check Valve - For Cheap!!

3,494,014 views November 14, 2013 4:29

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ChannelThe King of Random

In brief

Build a functional one-way check valve for under $0.35 each using simple materials, perfect for low-pressure water or air projects like DIY pumps or Super Soakers. The creator demonstrates a practical, adaptable design that fits standard PVC systems and avoids costly commercial valves.

Questions & answers

What pressure levels work best?

The creator says up to 60PSI for normal operation; higher pressures may cause locking or failure.

Can rubber bouncy balls be used?

Only for very low-pressure applications like balloons or improvised water guns.

Description from the creator

The most expensive parts of a water pump, or DIY Super Soaker, are usually the check valves. In this project, we're making some from scratch, for as little as $0.35 each.

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WARNING:

The pressure tests and claims made on these check-valves is based solely on my personal experiences with the ones demonstrated in the video. Individual results may vary, and caution and care should be taken when loading the valves with high pressure. The risk of higher pressures is that the balls may be forced from the adaptor, shooting out like projectiles. High pressures may also cause the ball to lock up, preventing normal operation of the valve, or possibly even structural failure of the valve altogether. These valves are not made, or claimed, to be used in any heavy duty operations. Use of this content is at your own risk.

Music By: Music by Jason Shaw (TU-GetAMoveOn) audionautix.com

Project Inspired By:

WaterWolf sscentral.org/homemade/check_valves.html

Project History & More Info:

I wanted to build a PVC water pump, but the check valves were around $10.00 each. That seemed a little steep for a PVC build, so while looking for alternative options, I settled on this design, which is about the cheapest, while still being practical and useful, that I could imagine.

In my testing, the valves work great with air and water. Air pressures up to 60PSI seemed to be fine for normal operation, while pressures above 60PSI occasionally caused the ball to lock into the O-Ring, and required substantial "back-pressure" to unlock it.

If you try using rubber bouncy balls as the valve mechanism, only use them in very low pressure applications like blowing up balloons, and possibly for improvised water guns. Relatively high pressures used with these balls seems to eventually force them out of the adaptor, and can shoot them out at surprising velocities.

Overall, I'm really happy with the valves because they can be fit into any part of a PVC system, and can be duplicated quickly, easily, and for very very low cost.
#tkor #thekingofrandom

About this tutorial

The King of Random published this 4:29 video tutorial on November 14, 2013. It has been watched 3,494,014 times on YouTube.

Category
Education
Duration
4:29
Published
November 14, 2013
Views
3,494,014
Likes
41,136

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