Ferrara Tanker

[Wombii]

I don't know if it's relevant to you, or if you've already considered it, but I stumbled upon some older notes. I originally wanted to use a gear pump that could run both ways, and considered using one way check valves. The most basic would be to have side A be monitor and draft with opposite one ways and side B to tank. Running the pump one direction would spray water from the tank and the other direction would fill the tank. There are one way check valves on ebay down to 1mm now. Might save you some solenoids if it works.

[Tgrzes]

I never considered that, but I'll definitely need to keep it in mind for the future!
My mind went straight to valves when I started planning, plus I didn’t know that they even made pumps that worked in both directions. Thinking about it quickly, it certainly seems like it would work for tank-to-monitor and draft-to-tank, but I don’t think it would work for the third option I want, which is draft-to-monitor. Plus at this point, I already have the pump and 2 of the 3 solenoid valves I need, so it will only cost $8 for the third valve.

Here's what I'm planning:


I’ve only bench tested a few parts of the system, not the entire configuration yet. Based on the testing, it seems my biggest challenge will be getting a realistic flow of water out of the ½” square dump chute. Going thru the pump only provides a small stream, so I either need to try a ½” solenoid valve or try building my own servo actuated dump valve.