supply lines

[One Tough Pressure 580]

This started in another thread (3/4" supply lines) and then went off the subject, so I am starting a new one.

I am in the process of redoing some plumbing on my trailer. I needed some 3 way ball valves and got them at my dealer, without looking at them first. When I get home, I find that my 1/2" ball valves are more like 3/8" as it goes through the ball. So I called my dealer and asked if that would restrict flow to my pump, and he said no, we do it all the time.

Now I know what you are probably thinking right now, is why in the world would he put a 1/2" ball valve on the pump inlet?

Well, as I see it, the pump inlet is 1/2", so why should I go any bigger?

All that aside, if I use this ball valve, my pump inlet will now be 3/8" off of the valve.

Has anyone else here done this, and what was the outcome? I know that 3/8" will flow 10 gpm plus in a pressure setting, but this is the draw line off of the tank.

[Aplus 525]

One quick point. Ball valves come in two styles, full port, which you need and don't have, and the reducing style, which you have, and don't want.

[One Tough Pressure 580]

I understand that, but according to my dealer, they do this all the time. This person is a Founder of All American, and as much as I trust him, I wanted to hear what others are doing.

[Dave Olson 23]

Gravity feed from these tanks. We use 1-1/2" from the tank 2-500 gallon verticals plumbed together. Just before the inlet to the pump we reduced to 3/4". Pump output is 8 gpm. All valves are full port.

Dave Olson

[One Tough Pressure 580]

Went ahead and used the 1/2" valves with the 3/8" orifice and all was fine.