Now im needing to start looking for solenoids for my Yamato( and maybe the Kongo eventually) and need the pros and cons of the KIPS vs the Spartans. and best voltage for running them.
Heres a discussion on them: https://rcwarshipcombat.com/threads/anyone-using-spartan-scientific-6v-soloniod.443065/
Pros: cheaper than KIP's, lighter than KIP's, and waterproof. Not sure if there are any con's that are significant. There are both 6v and 12v versions so you can get the right ones for the voltage you'll be running.
Cons: Not a KIP and that bothers some people Best voltage for running them is the voltage on the label
The primary difference between the Spartans and KIP's: Coil casing - Spartan is glass reinforced nylon, coil encapsulated molded in place, KIP is stamped steel, coil inserted. Plunger tube: Spartan is brass and stainless, KIP is all stainless. Plunger tube attachment to valve body: Spartan plunger tube is attached via a hold-down plate and two screws, KIP plunger tube is threaded into place. Valve body: Spartan is glass reinforced nylon, KIP is brass Valve seat: Spartan is a replaceable plastic insert, KIP is non-replaceable machined into valve body. Weight: Spartan's weighs less Cost: Spartan's cost less Both valves mechanically and electrically work the same. The primary design differences are the plunger tube material, the way the plunger it is inserted into the valve body, and the valve seat design. The brass and stainless construction of the Spartan tubes is the stock version. Spartan does offer all stainless plunger tubes at higher cost and special order (FYI, plunger tube material options are provided for fluid compatibility). The replaceable valve seat of the Spartan's are unique to them. This feature does introduce one extra o-ring to the mix (and one potential leak by point in the valve). All in all, both valves perform the same. The KIP's are the old-school industrial all metal design that has served the hobby reliably for years. Spartan's are the new kids on the block, a clean-sheet design utilizing injected molded composites in place of the brass and steel.
Kips have been used by me for 30 years now, Spartan valves not so much. I don't think there is that much of a difference generally but Kips do cycle faster.
Do you know the response time on the KIPs? Spartan advertises 12-14 ms complete cycle which seems plenty fast. If you say the Kip is faster then I believe you, I'm just wondering by how much and if we really make use of that.
How much faster is just a guess, but I know that Plato has them in his and he isn't very impressed with the cycle rate of the Spartan vrs. Kip. I have the Spartan valves and haven't seen a huge difference but then again I haven't battled those valves. Everything changes when you really battle something, not just data sheets and manufacture spec.
flow rating on the solenoid would play a part as well. I'm not sure if the cv or scfm #s are available for both though.
All these things affect the cycle rate and yes both valves are about the same in paper spec. It also doesn't take into account that I run 6 volt valves on more voltage just to up the rate a bit/alot.
Not really Steve, you really should come to a battle and play with the big boats some time. The difference in these valves is very small and the real issue is how they are installed and plumbed, gun plumbing is a art and its variants give different results.
