Smartap manifold teardown (Patreon)

Smartap manifold teardown (it's a beast!)

What a beast! This thing involved a LOT of engineering. It has shut-off ball valves, motorised ceramic valves and magnetic remanence latching pilot valves for the main water outlet diversion. Then there's the sensor block! Three thermistors (33K at 10C) and two mystery transducers that are mounted between the supply inlets and output manifold. I'm not sure what their purpose is. Random thoughts are pressure differential testing to detect correct flow or that valves have shut properly? The big thing in the middle that I thought was going to be a last resort thermostatic safety device is actually just a water turbulence mixer to combine the hot and cold water. Its filter mesh is for first stage debris filtering to protect the solenoid valves, but also possibly to assist with the water mixing. The solenoid valves are very modular and quite complex with a small pilot valve activating the main diaphragm. It's a 2.5kg (5lb) brass monster with so many places to leak! There seems to be a huge dependence on rubber o-rings everywhere these days. I dread to think how long this system took to develop, or the costs involved. The mechanical and electronic engineering is immense. If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:- https://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's algorithm quirks, allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty. #ElectronicsCreators