Quick Electric On/Off Water Valves

[CyrexCore2k]

Hey all,

I've been trying for a while to create some electronically controlled water fountains and I've run into a problem. I don't know what kind of electronic valves I should be getting! When I originally started this project I had hoped that I could just use sprinkler valves but I've discovered that they don't open and close quickly enough. Someone explained to me that this is partially intentional to avoid fluid hammer and damage the PVC piping of a lawn sprinkler system.

So first, what kind of valves should I be looking at that will open and close quickly and where might I find them? I would prefer that they be low voltage as I'm not really comfortable mixing 120VAC with water apparatus but I'm not sure if such a thing exists. I would also prefer they be on the cheaper side which I'm aware probably means low flow and low PSI. I'm just in the prototyping stage so this is A-Okay for now.

Second how is fluid hammer dealt with, if at all, in the case of water fountains?

 

[gmax137]

There is an interesting TV show out on the fountains at the Bellaggio (SP?) hotel in Las Vegas. The water there is propelled by tanks of compressed air, and the quick-opening valves are in the air lines. They are like air-powered cannons that shoot the water up. So, I don't think water hammer is an issue there. Not sure how that applies to your ideas.