Product Information

New Float Valve Revolutionizes Car Wash Maintenance Programs

pic1One of the biggest headaches in the car wash maintenance industry is the float valve. In the past, float valves were cumbersome, inefficient and used oversize floats and long stems to create mechanical leverage. This leverage was then used to shut off the valves which caused wear and tear on valve parts. Expensive cast brass bodies were needed to support the water pressure and flow required to operate water systems for car washes. All of these factors led to continual repair and or replacement of float valves at a high cost to all people involved.

The Cleveland Valve Company has been in the business of solving float valve problems for a number of applications throughout the industry. Some of their revolutionary designs have been incorporated for use in applications ranging from evaporation cooling towers to livestock watering tanks.  Now they have a new valve designed for car washes.

This valve eliminates all of the problems caused by mechanical float valves as well as out performs any other valve on the market with respect to valve life, inlet pressure and water flow all at an affordable price.


Compact Size and Design Make Cleveland’s Stage 2 Valve Unique

The Cleveland Valve Company used existing technology to design a valve that is compact, yet provides unprecedented flow rates for a valve of its overall size.

The Stage 2 Valve works with water pressure and has an operating range of 5-110 psi with flow rates up to 250 GPM (88 GPM at 60 PSI). The valve design provides for POSITIVE SHUTOFF – eliminating chatter, water hammer, and blow by.  With only a 2 1/2″ float needed to shut the 1 1/2″ NPT valve off, bulky space consuming 8″, 10″, or 12″ floats are eliminated.  This fact along with a short lever arm allow the valve to operate in a fraction of the space needed for a standard mechanical valve.

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Stage 2 Valve Works With Water Pressure

While other valves use leverage created by water levels to force valves closed, the Stage 2 Valve opens and closes using differential water pressures to activate a diaphragm, eliminating most wearable parts.

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Open – When the pilot valve is in the open position, water enters the inlet under pressure. The diaphragm is forced into a nesting position in the body cavity. Water flows through the small hole in the diaphragm then through the outlet at the pilot valve to the reservoir. (The valve is now open.)

Closed – When the pilot valve is in the closed position, water passing through the small hole in the diaphragm is trapped in the body cavity. The diaphragm is slowly forced into the inlet opening stopping the flow of water through the valve.

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Conventional Valves are made from precision machined brass parts and use water levels to create leverage on the stem which forces the Plunger inward to close the valve. As the valve begins to close, chattering, blow by and undue stress occur causing the valve to wear out at the plunger, seat, and cup.


Stage 2 Valve Can Take The Heatpic 5

People who own, operate and maintain car wash systems already know how hot water, microbes and ozone molecules can reek havoc on a water system and its moving parts.

To help combat these problems The Cleveland Valve Company makes all of its housings from glass filled nylon that can operate at higher temperatures. The diaphragms are made from BASF Elastollan #1185A.

Hydrolytic degradation occurs in other polyester-based polyurethanes after short periods of exposure to hot water, moisture vapor or tropical changes. Elastollan 1185A ester type Thermal Polyurethanes exhibit better hydrolytic stability when compared to other commercially available ester type TPUs. (See Figure 1)

It is also resistant to all microbiological and ozone exposure. Even if your system is running too hot or is contaminated by stagnant water conditions, where other valves would stop working, the Stage 2 Valve will continue to operate as normal.


Compact Size Results in Less Shelf Space for Distributors/O.E.M.’s

Conventional valves have long stems and large floats. This creates a problem when trying to keep them in stock. With just a few valves and floats to be stocked and entire shelf can be filled. The Stage 2 Valve comes prepackaged in a single box. The box for the 1″ NPT valve houses the body, stem and float in a 6″ x 4″ x 4″ box with a shipping weight of just .77 lbs.

Saving shelf space is a major concern for stocking distributors and O.E.M.’s. The Stage 2 Valve directly addresses the problem as well as eliminates the need to constantly search for the proper stems and floats for each valve sold.


Cleveland Valve’s Superior Design And Features Inspire Customer Confidence

Mr. John McCreary, the former General Manager of a major manufacturer of traditionally designed leverage action float valves is quoted as saying:

“Any time a product comes out that is superior to existing products in technology and design yet cost less, I am immediately interested. In the case of the Stage 2 Valve it is so superior in design and functionality to traditional industrial float valves, I just had to take part in their transformation of the industry. Since taking on the line, we have found that the Stage 2 Valve has reduced our shelf space for valves and valve parts by 75% and sales and profit margins have increased steadily.”

John McCreary
General Manager


Quality Producers of Float Valves For:

Evaporative Coolers
Livestock Watering Systems
Water Reservoirs
Car Washes
Industrial Applications

Call us today for all of your tough valve applications.