PacSeal Hydraulics offers six different SV directional control valve sizes (SV-12, SV-25, SV-50, SV-100, SV-150, and SV-200) and eight different KR pressure regulator sizes (KR-12, KR-38, KR-75, KR-100, KR-140, KR-150, KR-175, and KR-200). As you can see below in Table 1 and Table 2, there is some overlap. In plain terms, the KR-38 can work well when paired with the SV-25 or SV-50, and the KR-75 can work well with the SV-50 or SV-100. This might leave you scratching your head, but the choice that you make will depend on your circuit. If you have a smaller circuit with 1/2” piping and lots of bends where flow rate is not the greatest concern, then a KR-38 would properly pair better with the SV-50. Conversely, if you have less bends and strive for high flow to close a BOP quickly, then the KR-75 will certainly work better with the SV-50, but be sure to get pipe adapters for the KR pressure regulator.
Then there’s the overlap between the KR-75 and the KR-100… The KR-75 is considered the “work-horse” of all regulators. It is highly dependable with the SV-50 and SV-100 while having the most add-ons and configurations compared to any other regulator. We will always recommend the KR-75 to be paired with the SV-100, regardless of the circuit. The KR-100 in contrast, is a legacy product paired with the SV-100 that is built for equipment builders that must stick to old specifications. The KR-75 is the perfect replacement that is always in stock, less expensive, and is guaranteed to be a better performer.
The KR-140 is the KR-75’s big brother. This regulator is less expensive and more dependable than the KR-150. Like the KR-100, the KR-150 too is a legacy product that is not as available and can be more challenging to work with. If deciding to use the KR-150, be sure to have a small accumulator/pulsation dampener just downstream of the regulator, while using 2″ piping between the outlet of the regulator and the 4-way valve. Nevertheless, the KR-140 works great when paired with the SV-150 and 1-1/2″ piping in any circuit.
For our largest valve, the SV-200, the KR-200 or KR-175 both are good matches. The KR-175 has slightly less flow than the KR-200 but is slightly less expensive and may have a slightly better delivery lead time.
Our smallest regulator, the KR-12, is typically used for regulating the pilot valve in a circuit or pairs well with the SV-12.
To regulate the SV-25, we will always recommend the KR-38.
Please note that this article serves only as a guideline for how to properly pair a KR pressure regulator with an SV directional control valve. Your control system circuit will dictate which options will be best. As always, we recommend to match your piping and all fittings to the exact same size as that of the valve. For example, if your circuit uses an SV-150 and KR-140, all piping and pipe fittings (especially for the accumulator bottle inlets) must be 1-1/2” piping. Also note that the schedule of your piping will dictate the amount of flow. If you plan to use schedule 160 piping, then there will always be less flow due to the smaller inner diameter of the pipe. There are a variety of factors that can cause issues with the regulator like hammering, so it is important to analyze the entire circuit (accumulator pre-charge, piping size, number of bends, etc.) before replacing the regulator. Thus, please refer to our page on system integration guidelines, operation, and trouble shooting or please call us at 714-529-9495 to help solve your problem promptly.
Summary
The KR-12 is always a good match for the SV-12.
The KR-38 can regulate a circuit with SV-25’s or SV-50’s, depending on desired flow rate.
The KR-75 can regulate a circuit with SV-50’s or SV-100’s, depending on desired flow rate. The KR-75 is always recommended for 1” circuits with SV-100 valves. The KR-75 has proven thousands of times over to work well in 1/2” or 1” circuits, thus being termed the “workhorse of regulators”.
The KR-100 is a legacy product that is suited for 1” circuits with SV-100’s, but is only intended for older units that cannot be upgraded with KR-75’s.
The KR-140 is always recommended for 1.5” circuits with SV-150’s.
The KR-150 is another legacy product that is suited for 1.5” circuits, but is only intended for older units that cannot be upgraded with KR-140’s.
The KR-175 is intended for 2” circuits equipped with SV-200’s.
The KR-200 is intended for extremely high flow applications with 2” circuits equipped with SV-200’s.
