Choosing the Best Float Valve: Key Considerations

Find the Perfect Fit with Application-Specific Float Valves

Float valves play a vital role in countless industries, from agricultural waterers and car washes to industrial cooling towers and swimming pools. They help maintain proper fluid levels without the need for electricity, programming, or constant recalibration, all while reducing downtime, saving costs, and providing peace of mind.

So, when it comes to selecting the right float valve for your specific operation, there are several key factors to keep in mind.

Why Float Valves Matter

Float valves are a cornerstone of fluid control solutions because they regulate water or other fluids automatically. Once installed, these devices operate without needing electricity, complex programming, or frequent adjusting. Their mechanical simplicity makes them reliable and easy to maintain.

A well-chosen float valve will provide consistent performance for years, requiring only minimal upkeep. When seals wear out, standard repair kits make it straightforward to replace them, preventing costly downtimes.

Understanding Application-Specific Float Valves

Every industry has different operational demands, which is why application-specific float valves are crucial. For example, a car wash might require higher flow than a small livestock watering system. Meanwhile, an industrial cooling tower could demand exceptional corrosion resistance and durability.

By focusing on valves optimized for each application, you ensure that your operations run smoothly.

Key Factors to Consider

By matching capacity, mount style, inlet size, and outlet configuration to your exact application, you’ll maximize efficiency, extend component life, and ensure your float valve performs flawlessly from day one.

1. Determine How Much Fluid Needs to Flow Through the Valve

• To maintain the fluid level in a tank, the valve must have adequate flow capacity to fill the tank faster than it is being used or drained.
• Excessive flow causes the valve to open and close rapidly, ultimately reducing the life of the seals.
• Control Devices offers float valves with flow capacities as little as .3 GPM to our 3” valves flowing at 400 GPMs.

2. Inlet Pressure

• The inlet pressure is critical to proper operation of a float valve. Too little pressure and the valve may not open properly. Too much and the valve may not close completely.
• Control Devices offers float valves designed for up to 125 psi.

3. Float Valve Materials

• Float valves can be used with many different fluids. Some fluids are corrosive and require valve materials that can withstand the chemicals and or temperatures.
• Some fluids need to be stored without risk of contamination and require NSF certification for use with food products.
• Control Devices offers float valves made of PVC, Brass, Lead-Free Brass and Stainless Steel.

4. Pipe or Tank Mount Configuration

Selecting the proper mounting style sets the stage for long-term reliability.

• Pipe-mount valves thread directly into a supply line—ideal for pressurized systems where space is limited and you want the float to remain inside the vessel. They install quickly, minimize external hardware, and simplify future service.
• Tank-mount valves mount directly to the tank wall and keep the body inside the vessel. Tank mounting ensures the exact location of the float valve and eliminates any stress on the water supply lines. It also allows for lighter weight or even flexible supply line connections.

Match the mounting style to your maintenance preferences and the physical layout of your system to reduce downtime and streamline future repairs.

5. Inlet Size and Connection Type

A valve’s inlet size governs how much fluid it can admit under peak demand. Undersize the inlet and you’ll fight slow fill times; oversize it and you may waste money on capacity you’ll never use.

• Measure peak flow (gallons per minute ).
• The most common inlet connections are either male of female National Pipe Thread (MNPT or FNPT).
• There are also valves with barbed and compression connections.

6. Outlet Size / Style

The outlet determines how smoothly fluid exits—and where you want to route it.

• Free Flow outlets deliver high-volume discharge directly into tanks or troughs.
• Threaded outlets allow rigid pipe connections to route the fluids as needed and minimize surface turbulence.

Pairing the right outlet style with the correct size prevents back-pressure, eliminates splatter, and keeps your whole system running cleanly.

Crafting Your Perfect Fluid Control Solution

When you combine optimal material selection, proper sizing to meet capacity requirements, and a valve design that fits your operating conditions, you create a fluid management system that runs seamlessly.

At Control Devices, we pride ourselves on delivering solutions that ensure performance and longevity. We’ve integrated expertise from proven brands such as RMC, Kerick Valve, and Gadren Machine Company to ensure each unit meets exacting requirements.

1. Broad Application Range: Whether you need a pilot-operated float valve for industrial cooling towers or a float valve for livestock troughs, we have the right solution.
2. Industry-Leading Quality: Our float valves are assembled, tested, and stocked in the United States. We prioritize quality control at every stage—from design to delivery—ensuring prompt availability and reliability.
3. Expert Support: Selecting the correct valve involves evaluating your capacity requirements and material selection criteria. Our support team is always on hand to walk you through the process.
4. Minimal Maintenance: We offer straightforward maintenance kits to replace seals quickly, so your systems remain up and running with minimal downtime.

Contact CDI today and discover how easy it can be to streamline your fluid management. Rely on our decades of expertise, commitment to quality, and deep understanding of fluid control solutions for improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and a system you can trust for years to come.