SVO Valves Better than Pollak

[nature fuels Member Find all posts View Profile Close nature fuels]

We have just made a bulk purchase of Sirai L340 valves with 12-24v coils,

Pollak valves are made out of plastic and cannot handle heat, also their inlet size is only 3/8'' ( 9.5mm ) and this can restrict flow.

The Sirai L340 has large 3/4" ports ( 19mm ) and can fit a half inch ( 12.5mm ) hose barb. They have viton seal ( wont break down in vege ) and are rated at 130 deg C.

We can do them for $150 each Plus P&H for biofuels forum users.

If you want the best they are (a pollak will only let you down as they did me!)

[Fitian Was here Find all posts View Profile Close Fitian]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Is this valve a 6 port or is it only 3 port?

If it is 3 port then we will have to buy two. $300

please advise

Regards

[BjBlaster Donating Member Find all posts View Profile Close BjBlaster]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

It only looks like a 1 way 2 port valve form the PDF ?!?

[Fitian Was here Find all posts View Profile Close Fitian]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Oops, I did not notice the PDF.

Yes it is a three way by the look of it. So it is good for vehicles with no return line or you have to buy two valves to have 6 ports.

[nature fuels Member Find all posts View Profile Close nature fuels]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Hi all,

They may sound expensive but what I have learnt in my brief time in SVO is the a cheap part that you buy twice is not CHEAP. These units will probably out last most vehicles viable lifespan.

I paid $90 bucks for a pollak and found that the flow was to restrictive ( some people use two ) and it failed with temps around 80 deg C after six months. I was not prepared to buy another as it would cost me $180 for 12 months.

Why bother having increased line size only to bottleneck it when it comse to the valve?. The L340 is designed for SVO not many others are, also draw hardly any current and capable of thousands of cycles.

These are the best money can buy If you can find better please let me know, check out what all the German and Europeans are using in quality kits!. They retail up to $220 each.

Let me know if any body wants reliability or a breakdown in the middle of Bf no-where.

[RODEONICK Too Busy To Bio. Find all posts View Profile Close RODEONICK]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

a GENUINE pollack brand IMO WILL last the distance. It seems that there is lots of chinese copies getting around. $300 is a bit steep IMO. what vehicle have you installed these on? are the warrented at all?

[nature fuels Member Find all posts View Profile Close nature fuels]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

a GENUINE pollack brand IMO WILL last the distance. It seems that there is lots of chinese copies getting around. $300 is a bit steep IMO. what vehicle have you installed these on? are the warrented at all?

The pollak I had was the real deal, the instructions actually stated not intended for heated fuel. The L340s are on my Landrover and my partner in germany puts them on anything from huge earthmoving equip to brand new trucks. Not sure of warranty will find out, but if it breaks within time send it back and I will personally replace it.

Have you used a pollak?

[RODEONICK Too Busy To Bio. Find all posts View Profile Close RODEONICK]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Have you used a pollak?

i make bio so no i don't own one. but many friends do and have only had dramas with the pollack knock-offs.

[pangit Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close pangit]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Even though they look expensive it's always good to have other options out there, especially if they have better flow and are designed for the higher temps.

I have just had my vehicle converted by Fitian with a Pollack valve in it so I don't need one myself, but if it ever fails or other people start experiencing problems with their (genuine) Pollacks I'm sure you will get plenty of customers.

As you say they are cheap compared to a tow in the middle of nowhere.

[nature fuels Member Find all posts View Profile Close nature fuels]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Just found out the L340 comes with 12 months, and I will personally replace them for another year after that. So two years replacement warranty, providing normal vege oil use upto 130deg c.

[Tim-HJ61 Donating Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tim-HJ61]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

Fair point re cost comparison. I've no problem with Pollaks for their designed use, switching supply and return for fuel tanks.

However we are pushing their design specs. I get 90°C all the time out of my 30 plate FPHE rising to 95°C when working hard. Pollak's are rated to 80°C.

As others have said, they introduce a restriction in lines too.

I've had two fake valves break, and when they break they stop as you are switching them in the middle of the two outlets, so you have no fuel at all. I've heard the genuine Pollak's tend to leak between fuels, so canola can get into diesel tank and vice versa. Changing a valve over in the dark when it's raining helped me to look for a tool more suited to my installation.

Having two three way valves means you can switch supply and return separately and limit the cross contamination of fuels.

I'm really happy to have moved away from Pollaks to the large manual ball valves electrically driven. Half inch flow, metal construction - failsafe devices. Large bore specialist solenoids are also suitable gear for our use. These are good alternatives that it's good to see coming more available.

On the other hand, Pollaks have got a good reputation and they obviously suit most people. Individual choice to suit their own needs.

Tim

[Nuddy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nuddy]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

I had a look at these solenoid valves (online, not in reality) and thought they were a good thing. If I didn't already have pollaks I would probably pay the extra. If I have trouble with a pollak I will probably change over.
They are expensive but you have to pay more for quality. They are designed to work with hot vegetable oil and pollaks are not.

[nature fuels Member Find all posts View Profile Close nature fuels]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

If you were to purchase a valve for a gas conversion what would it cost? min $100. If you have an old merc fine use a pollak, but if you have a newer vehicle, you would want reliability. Any takers see first post and send me a private message, I will place an order next week.

[nature fuels Member Find all posts View Profile Close nature fuels]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

while the pollacks may not last forever they can be had off ebay for about $60 or less which would mean a person could get 5 of them for the price of one set ( 2x) of these other better valves. for that price you could easy afford to carry a spare pollack around with you at all times in case they did brake. the other valves may be better but the extra quality may be not needed on all cars if the pollacks last a good time.

do you carry a spare alternator, fan, hoses etc. There is only some many spares you can carry. And man I am sick of things breaking at bad times raining or 45 deg heat is always the time, oh when your in a hurry to get somewhere. Yes pollaks are fine for a cheap cars, i would not put one on a new prado.

[Fitian Was here Find all posts View Profile Close Fitian]

Re: SVO Valves Better than Pollak

If you have an old merc fine use a pollak, but if you have a newer vehicle, you would want reliability.

Your valve would sell very well if it was not for your bad marketing.

I drive an old merc and I have a pollak valve installed in it. It is as reliable as I would ever want it to be without your expensive valve.

It is more reliable than lot's of 2008 vehicles parked on the side of the road waiting for the NRMA today.