Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations GregLocock on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

Bad information from supplier or is it me ? 3

Status
Not open for further replies.

xtal01

Mechanical
Mar 15, 2012
143
I can't thank you all enough for your help!

I have one question left but my "gut" feeling is that the factory engineers may be giving me bad advice.

Just to review, I am planning on using a Brand Hydraulics EFC ( electrical proportional control valve ) to set the rate of lift / lower on a simple forklift cylinder.

In the power up mode, I will use it as a three port valve.

In the gravity lower mode, I will use it as a two port valve.

On the manual version of this valve ( FC51 ) you can simply block the EX port ( excess flow port ) and use it as a two port valve.

On the Brand web site I read:

2-PORT- The 2-port (2P) option is a modified version of the standard 3-port EFC. This option lets the
customer use the control flow port while the excess port is plugged. A special compensator spool was
designed to eliminate hunting that can occur between pressure compensated valves and pumps. To use the
EFC 2-port a pressure compensated pump is required. The 2-port can be converted to a 3-port (by
removing the EX plug), but it will not have the same characteristics as the standard 3-port. (See chart on
next page for 2-port EFC)

After reading this, I checked with Brand. The Engineer at Brand says I can ignore this and just order the standard EFC valve.

Hmmmm .... so why even have this option at all? Does this not tell me that I "need" to have this if I am planning on using it as a two port valve?

Maybe I am just reading too much into this but I just don't understand why they would give you a "2P" option if you don't need it.

Can you guys straighten me out please!

I have attached a diagram of the flow up and down through my circuit.

Mike


 
 http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=8c380244-cff7-4bba-86c7-d488dd72dd2b&file=LIFT_HYDR_FLOW_PATH.pdf
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

It's at times like this I realize how very little I know.

My only concern was putting too much flow into the valve (I was afraid my pump might put out 12 - 15 gpm). It seems so obvious that you would want more flow in than what you want to control out ... yet I somehow miss this!

I am hoping the pump puts out 8 to 10 gpm.

My fear was not getting to little flow. I watched the forklift lift it's load full stroke. I don't remember how long it took but I remember being very pleased.

You are definitely my new best friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

EFC12-10-24 it is!!!!!!

Thanks for straightening me out ... again !!!!!!!

Mike




 
Just confirmed with the factory ... the valve can handle up to 30 GPM in.

I usually say I have a firm grip of the obvious ... I sure missed it this time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks so much again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor