Kerick Valve MA052 PVC Mini Float Valve, Tank Mount, Adjustable Arm, 1.5 gpm at 60 psi, 1/2" NPT Male

Kerick Valve MA052 PVC Mini Float Valve - Bought Mar 2020 - $16.25 UPDATED DEC 2023 Very Happy with this float valve. I am using it in an automatic watering system for the family dogs. It is installed inside our home near the back door so leakage is a concern. I measured the water supply pressure and found it to be 50 - 55 psi. Installed it just over 3 1/2 years ago now and no issues so far, all the parts are original and the water looks like it is the same level as when I first set it up. Simple and effective design. I thought that I would try one of these, as I had already replaced 2 of the float valves that came with my automatic watering bowl. They were failing around the 6 month mark. (seal would become deformed and water would not shut off completely)

Quality float valve, barely distinguishable from the Chinese copies but I trust the brand that actual plumbers use. Replaced the cracked valve in our backyard water feature that's fed by our lawn & garden irrigation system. Just had to put a little silicone grease on the threads and screw it in by hand.

My supply pipe coming out of the pool, flush on the wall tiles is 1/2". So I buy a 1/2" barb fitting male NPT, 70 cents lowe's. Soften the barb fitting on a trial scrap 1/2" pipe to reduce the barb diameter, or you can sand the barb with drill chuck to the id of barb fitting, around .010 bigger over the 1/2" pipe ID. (Do Not Drill the pool pipe ID to make it bigger, you need a smooth weld when you apply a primer and glue on pipe for water pressure application integrity, wait about 2 hrs. Connect a 1/2" elbow then the kerick valve, so the whole unit is parallel to the wall of the pool for less obstruction. I have it installed for about a 2 weeks now, set about halfway or middle of the mouth of the skimmer, with stable height the whole two weeks. Usually my pool go down 1/2" every 2 days, then I fill it up, about 30-45 minutes with timer, until the middle of mouth of skimmer. The water ball valve on the faucet is set on the low opening to avoid overfill just in case this kerrick valve malfunction. The thread on this is not a standard 1/2" NPT, but that 2 turn is enough, with the help of a provided nut, no leak, so no problem for me.

I have had this valve for nearly a year and it is perfect. It fills up my pond to the proper level and shuts off. The size fits in the palm of your hand and thus could be hidden very easily. There is little noise to the operation when it is topping up your water level and when it shuts off, there is no noise. Very simple to install, this is a DIY set-up...that is how simple it is. I would buy this again if needed.

I wanted a water holding tank and used a 20 gallon Husky Garbage can, mounted this on it and it works just fine. I use the water with a very weak solution of fertilizer to water my 80 plus orchids and other plants. I had to use a couple of sturdy plastic plates to solidify the installation because the weight of the hose would buckle the area where it's mounted. But once that was done, it works just fine. October 28th, 2015 addendum: I think that something like this would also work great for adding water to an aquarium or fish tank. If the water coming out of your tap is chlorinated, letting it sit for a while will help dissipate the chlorine. This could also work as an emergency self filling water tank. Here in Hawaii, we are constantly warned about the possibility of a hurricane. A 33 gallon CLEAN garbage can filled with water would certainly help in an emergency. Just leave the cover on to keep dust and debris from getting into it. Actually, if you think hard enough, there are a lot of possibilities with this.