Joined
·
8,329 Posts
I've been seeing the new Invensys/Eaton/Dole FP-45 Freeze Protection Valves failing all over town this summer and fall. They have been getting hot and the screws that hold the spring loaded guts of the valve inside of the plastic bodies pull out of the bodies. The brass plate separates from the plastic body and they start spewing out of the seal where the 2 meet. This is only happening on the new valves (installed in the last year). The older valves are not doing this. I called the supply house and received the standard "No body else has had any trouble with them." response.
It seems quite obvious to me that Eaton has changed the composition of the plastic body of the valve. I've noticed the in the last year the plastic feels and looks different. This is just a public service announcement. If you use these valves for cold water application (back flow preventers) you will probably not see any issues. Any one who does solar how ever should be advised that these things are going south.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a better FPV? I'm all ears
Just in case you don't know the valve in question, it's this one:
http://www.backflowparts.com/catalog/pdfs/Accessories/Accessories 5.pdf
It seems quite obvious to me that Eaton has changed the composition of the plastic body of the valve. I've noticed the in the last year the plastic feels and looks different. This is just a public service announcement. If you use these valves for cold water application (back flow preventers) you will probably not see any issues. Any one who does solar how ever should be advised that these things are going south.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a better FPV? I'm all ears
Just in case you don't know the valve in question, it's this one:

http://www.backflowparts.com/catalog/pdfs/Accessories/Accessories 5.pdf