Filter/temp control unit help

Mike Té · Feb 22, 2023

Hi, all.
I'm looking for help identifying this filter/temp control unit. I found this on Kijiji and have replaced some washers, all the teflon, still dealing with 3 minor leaks.
The Hennings Graphic co. seems to be unfindable.
Identifying might help me to find what I need:
- gaskets for the filter housings. I have a couple of trial gaskets coming from "Captain O-Ring", based on OD/ID. Not exact size, but with a wee smidge of stretch, might work.
- the other thing is that one of the brass drain valves is stripped. Now, these are super common items, but the threading is unusual at 10mm x 1.0 threading. Normally, these are sold as 3/8, 1/4", etc, even in Europe. I could always re-tap, but don't want to chance mucking it up permanently...
TIA

Mike Té · Feb 22, 2023

I guess I still have a chance to try the off-brand gaskets that are coming.
Would anyone know a source for metric draincocks?
Thx

mshchem · Feb 23, 2023

Mike Té said:
Hi, all.
I'm looking for help identifying this filter/temp control unit. I found this on Kijiji and have replaced some washers, all the teflon, still dealing with 3 minor leaks.
The Hennings Graphic co. seems to be unfindable.
Identifying might help me to find what I need:
- gaskets for the filter housings. I have a couple of trial gaskets coming from "Captain O-Ring", based on OD/ID. Not exact size, but with a wee smidge of stretch, might work.
- the other thing is that one of the brass drain valves is stripped. Now, these are super common items, but the threading is unusual at 10mm x 1.0 threading. Normally, these are sold as 3/8, 1/4", etc, even in Europe. I could always re-tap, but don't want to chance mucking it up permanently...
TIA

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Do you need the filters at all? If you're on clean municipal water, shouldn't need filter. Big question is, the mixing valve it works you have good temperature control
The mixing valves I use have tiny screen filters, the size of a thumb, reusable forever.

Mike Té · Feb 23, 2023

mshchem said:
Do you need the filters at all? If you're on clean municipal water, shouldn't need filter. Big question is, the mixing valve it works you have good temperature control
The mixing valves I use have tiny screen filters, the size of a thumb, reusable forever.

Ha! You're right, of course. It's just that I found this for $180 CDN from an old lab. Part of the attraction of the deal, of course, is that its retail value is $2800+ CDN delivered....
You know how that goes; can't resist!

Plus, that column for gallons/minute with the little brass bobbing thing is beyond cool.

It's far more sophisticated than I need for my modest darkroom, but I also can't help wanting to fix/refurbish things. I'm optimistic about finding a gasket at some point. I'm not sure about finding a metric stopcock, though.....
I'm ready to consider a helicoil to thread in a 3/8" valve, but I'm not sure how well that would seal in a plumbing situation.

mshchem · Feb 23, 2023

Mike Té said:
Ha! You're right, of course. It's just that I found this for $180 CDN from an old lab. Part of the attraction of the deal, of course, is that its retail value is $2800+ CDN delivered....
You know how that goes; can't resist!

Plus, that column for gallons/minute with the little brass bobbing thing is beyond cool.

It's far more sophisticated than I need for my modest darkroom, but I also can't help wanting to fix/refurbish things. I'm optimistic about finding a gasket at some point. I'm not sure about finding a metric stopcock, though.....
I'm ready to consider a helicoil to thread in a 3/8" valve, but I'm not sure how well that would seal in a plumbing situation.

The clear plastic flow meter is great. I check flow rate with a bucket and a stop watch, so your setup is great. I've restored a couple of these things. Usually a couple gaskets are all that's needed. The filter canisters should take a standard element that's quite reasonable. Keep us updated.

MattKing · Feb 23, 2023

Mike Té said:
I'm not sure about finding a metric stopcock, though.....

Perhaps from a European supplier?

Mike Té · Feb 23, 2023

MattKing said:
Perhaps from a European supplier?

Yes, I've been looking; UK, France. I'll check others. Thx.

MattKing · Feb 23, 2023

Have you talked with a plumber? There are probably a few who have had to deal with fancy metric equipment installations.

Mike Té · Feb 23, 2023

MattKing said:
Have you talked with a plumber? There are probably a few who have had to deal with fancy metric equipment installations.

I did stop at a plumbing supply store/warehouse. Nothing that fits. Didn't talk with an actual plumber yet.... At $120/hr, I'll wait and see what I can find/do first.

mshchem · Feb 23, 2023

Mike Té said:
I did stop at a plumbing supply store/warehouse. Nothing that fits. Didn't talk with an actual plumber yet.... At $120/hr, I'll wait and see what I can find/do first.

Take a close up of the mixing valve. Most of the valves are either Lawler, Powers or Leonard. Different companies would source mixing valves and put these panels together. Same with the filters, probably take simple sediment filters.

ic-racer · Feb 23, 2023

mshchem said:
Take a close up of the mixing valve. Most of the valves are either Lawler, Powers or Leonard. Different companies would source mixing valves and put these panels together. Same with the filters, probably take simple sediment filters.

Yes and I found my new seals for my Powers fotopanel under WATTS WATER TECHNOLOGY.

ic-racer · Feb 23, 2023

In terms of the drain valves, I'd just remove them and plug the holes with approprate metric bolts. Unless you are draining all the water in your house to winterize it, I don't see any need to ever drain the bottom of the filters.

ic-racer · Feb 23, 2023

Can you make the gasket you need out of gasket material? I did that for my darkroom faucet.

btaylor · Feb 24, 2023

The drains hardly seem necessary. If you want to drain them, just pull the filter canister. Tap a standard pipe thread into it and either thread a replacement peacock or a pipe thread plug. If all else fails epoxy is your friend!

Mike Té · Feb 24, 2023

Thanks for all the advice! This will work out fine. The idea that I don't really need the drain valve, simply a bolt, is so very common sense. I've been trying too hard : )

Mike Té · Apr 7, 2023

An update; all worked out.

I went to a big plumbing supply store with the measurements for the gasket, parts department specialist gave me something way too big. Found the right thing from "Captain O-Ring", if you can imagine. Fit right on and the cylinder squeaked over it very satisfyingly.
I found some stainless thumb-bolts to simply plug the bottoms.

Now, I'd agreed that this was a bit overkill for my little darkroom, and it is. However, I stumbled on it all for cheap and sold my old Delta setup, which I had never gotten around to installing.
What I didn't realize is that I appreciate so much having 3 water outlets available; 2 from this unit and a 3rd from the original tap because this frees the tap up.
Plus, I am able to keep water flow to a very low level most of the time.
Recycle, reuse and all that, plus I feel less guilty about water use. : )

ic-racer · Apr 8, 2023

Looks good. Nice paper washer. 11x14?

mshchem · Apr 8, 2023

Captain O-ring good find!

Mike Té · Apr 8, 2023

ic-racer said:
Looks good. Nice paper washer. 11x14?

Thx. It's a Kostiner 16 x 20.

Filter/temp control unit help

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