SERIES 38 -- GENERAL INFORMATION

The Brand, Series 38 electric sectional directional control valves are assembled to meet our customer’s requirements for up to twelve individual applications per assembly. Brand Hydraulics does not charge extra for this assembly process, an assembly is priced solely on the overall sum of the prices of its components.

The Series 38 is available with electric unloading in the inlet section. The flow goes directly to tank in the neutral condition. Neutral flow does not pass through the spool sections; therefore, the neutral pressure drop to tank remains low and constant regardless of the number of spool sections. This neutral path is closed whenever a section is activated. If two or more spools are shifted simultaneously, then the spool sections are in parallel. In parallel the flow will take the path of least resistance and the lightest load will move first. The spools are shifted by solenoid controlled pilot valves. This method assures positive shifting and it also minimizes the amperage draw.

It is common to have applications where high flow (above 15 gpm) is needed out some sections and low flow (below 15 gpm) is needed out other sections. The Series 38 can be used for high flow and the Series 36 can be used for low flow. Series 36 and Series 38 sections can be stacked together to meet both flow requirements. Any combination up to twelve sections can be assembled.

Flow can be controlled by machining a pocket in the pressure line so that an orifice plate can fit between the spool sections. If more than one orifice is used in an assembly, then they must be arranged with the largest orifice first (closest to the inlet). We also offer individual orifice plates to restrict the flow out of a work port.

INLETS- can be provided with a closed center inlet, with or without relief, which can be used in a pressure compensated system. Inlets are also available with unloading for use in systems with fixed displacement pumps.

To understand the unloading feature the following explanation may be helpful. The inlet is machined with a pilot operated relief valve and a vent line. By manipulating the vent line we can offer the following features:

ELECTRIC UNLOADING- An inlet machined for a pilot-operated relief valve can be supplied with a vent line that is open to flow through a two-way normally open solenoid cartridge. Thus, we have electric unloading when the solenoid is de-energized and loading when the solenoid is energized. By replacing the two-way normally open solenoid cartridge with a cavity plug the vent line will be blocked and the inlet will not unload. The cavity plug is used for pressure compensated systems while still providing relief valve protection.

CONTINUOUS POWER BEYOND- The tank port can be subjected to down stream pressure by isolating the vent line and draining it separately to tank through it’s own drain line.

AUTOMATIC UNLOADING- When using the handle option it is necessary to use a specially machined inlet that allows the vent line to continue on past each spool section. The vent line is interrupted automatically whenever the handle is moved.

Inlets can be supplied with electric unloading, automatic unloading, or continuous power beyond. Our most popular combination is an inlet machined for electric and automatic unloading. This combination allows the customer to manually control the valve with handles during an electrical failure.

LOW SPOOL SECTIONS- are available with two types of spools, open (Y) and blocked (X). Spring centering is standard on every spool section. Spring offset (O) allows the customer to use a cavity plug on the side of the spring offset instead of a solenoid and cartridge. Manual override/stroke control (M) is available for ports A & B of each section. It allows the customer to manually move the spool, which can lower a load or to limit the travel of the spool so that it acts as a speed control. Manual handles are also available for use when there is no electricity or for manual and electric control of the same section.

HIGH SPOOL SECTIONS- offer the same options as listed for the low sections with the addition of individual port reliefs. Three types of reliefs are offered for high sections machined with port relief cavities, ball spring (B), area-differential (R), or area-differential with anti-cavitation check (C). The high section can also be made with a pilot-operated double lock (38BL2G). The double lock section is not recommended for high flows. (See pressure drop vs. flow graph)

END SPOOL SECTIONS- are the last spool section of an assembly. The end section is not an outlet and it does not have cross-holes drilled all the way through the casting.

ELECTRIC/MANUAL SECTIONS- When manual handles are used it is necessary to route the relief vent line past each spool section. The vent line is routed by specially machining each section for automatic unloading. Every section (low, high, and double lock) is available with automatic unloading (A). We can assemble any combination of electric, manual handle, or electric/manual handle controlled spool sections. If any section has automatic unloading, then every spool section in the assembly must be machined for a vent line (A).

CARTRIDGES AND COILS- are used to open and close pilot flow paths when shifting the spool electrically. The cartridges and coils must be specified for each section of an assembly. The standard cartridge and coil for a 36PG2UP** inlet section is C300-00000 (Normally open cartridge) and C500-00000 (12 VDC coil). A C100-00002 (Normally closed cartridge) and C500-00000 (12 VDC coil) are required for each work port of any work section. Please refer to “SERIES 38 – LIST OF OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES” for other types of coils and cartridges. (Please contact factory for availability of other cartridges and coils)

ACCESSORY ITEMS- All standard tie rod kits contain rods, foot brackets, lock washers and hex nuts. Please be sure to note correct tie rod torque spec of 85 inch lbs. (9.60 N m).

ASSEMBLY MODEL CODES- and list prices for complete assemblies will be issued by the factory upon the request of an authorized Brand Distributor. All model codes that are issued become proprietary to the requesting distributor. Model codes will not be descriptive in nature, but shall be of a sequential numerical type.

Individual sections and accessories can be purchased so that custom valve stacks can be assembled or modified outside the factory.

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