Long Tail or Short Tail. Information about how to select a Detach valve tail.
When we talk about Long Tail versus Short Tail valves in the Jobe Valves lineup we are referring to valves that have the Detach feature. The patented Detach(R) feature of the Jobe Valves(R) product allows the consumer to remove the main body of the valve with just a 1/4 counter-clockwise turn without the use of tools. This is useful for the occasional cleaning and servicing of the valves - as well as quick replacement of the valve without risk of cross-threading or resealing valve threads. Product ranges that are sold with the Detach feature include Topaz and Megaflow. All variants of the Topaz and Megaflow valve come with the Detach feature. Topaz Partfill and Topaz Differential valves come with Detach Long Tails standard.
When selecting a long tail or short tail valve, the most important consideration is how the valve will be mounted. Whether it is mounted through the tank, or in an existing fitting already in the tank, can impact which style of tail you need. Using adapters like the tank mount adapter will eliminate your need for a long tail valve as the adapter itself is what extends through the tank. The tail of the valve will simply screw into the adapter. If the tail of your valve is not going through the tank wall, in many cases you will be able to use a short tail valve. If you are unsure on how the valve will be mounted, it would be best to get a long tail. The long tail will give you the extra length on the tail but will also include a backing nut and seal washer. Measurements of the different size tail can be viewed at the following links.
Scenario1
You have a Topaz Valve and a 1” thick tank. You intend on mounting the Jobe valve through the tank in the side entry position. In this case a long tail would be a good choice for a connection to your water source. The valve tail would go through the tank wall then screw into the water source plumbing.
In this scenario if you changed to top entry a short tail would most likely suffice
Scenario 2
You have a MegaFlow Valve and a 1” thick tank, this tank has a built in threaded connection at the bottom of the tank. In this case we would use a short tail valve, the tail thread will screw directly in the tank manufacturers provided inlet.
Scenario 3
Using a tank mount adapter J-ADF210. The tank mount adapter is designed to fit into a 2” drain hole of your tank and easily connects to a ¾” garden hose.
This is for side-mounted position only. When using the tank mount adapter you are limited to a 3/4” inlet size so keep that in mind when choosing a valve. In this scenario we would recommend the use of a short tail valve.
In conclusion, when selecting what Jobe Valve to purchase you should know the intended mounting position and the size of the supply line. As we all know mistakes happen, so if you find yourself in a position that you need a different tail or any part for that matter you can reach out to us here.