Pilot-operated, balanced piston relief main stage with integral T-8A control cavity

Capacity: 200 gpm760 L/min. | Cavity: T-18A
RPKC8 : Pilot-operated, balanced piston relief main stage with integral T-8A control cavity
Technical Features [ + ]

This valve is a normally closed modulating element that incorporates an integral pilot control cavity. It is a balanced piston design. The pilot control cavity will accept any T-8A pressure control cartridge. When the pressure at the inlet (port 1) reaches the pilot control cartridge's setting, the modulating element starts to open to tank (port 2), throttling flow to regulate the pressure. The pilot cartridge's setting determines the difference in pressure between port 1 and port 2.

  • All 2-port relief cartridges (except pilot reliefs) are physically and functionally interchangeable (same flow path, same cavity for a given frame size).
  • Will accept maximum pressure at port 2; suitable for use in cross port relief circuits.
  • Main stage orifice is protected by a 150-micron stainless steel screen.
  • Not suitable for use in load holding applications due to spool leakage.
  • Back pressure on the tank port (port 2) is directly additive to the valve setting at a 1:1 ratio.
  • NOTE: With the -8 control option, the main stage valve should first be installed to the correct torque value. The T-8A pilot control valve should then be installed into the main stage valve to its required torque value.
  • The -8 control option allows the pilot control valve to be incorporated directly into the end of the relief cartridge via the T-8A cavity. These pilot control cartridges are sold separately and include electro-proportional, solenoid, air pilot, and hydraulic pilot operation. See Pilot Control Cartridges.
  • Cartridges configured with EPDM seals are for use in systems with phosphate ester fluids. Exposure to petroleum based fluids, greases and lubricants will damage the seals.
  • Incorporates the Sun floating style construction to minimize the possibility of internal parts binding due to excessive installation torque and/or cavity/cartridge machining variations.
Technical Data [ + ]
Note: Data may vary by configuration. See CONFIGURATION section.
Cavity T-18A
Series 4
Capacity 200 gpm760 L/min.
Maximum Operating Pressure 5000 psi350 bar
Control Pilot Flow 15 - 20 in³/min.0,25 - 0,33 L/min.
Pilot Control Cavity T-8AT-8A
Main stage leakage at 110 SUS (24 cSt) 5 in³/min.@1000 psi80 cc/min.@70 bar
Valve Hex Size 1 5/8 in.41,3 mm
Valve Installation Torque 350 - 375 lbf ft474 - 508 Nm
Model Weight 2.50 lb1,15 kg
Seal kit - Cartridge Buna: 990018007
Seal kit - Cartridge EPDM: 990018014
Seal kit - Cartridge Polyurethane: 990018002
Seal kit - Cartridge Viton: 990018006
Performance Curves [ + ]
FAQs [ + ]

One graphic example is on a portable grain auger for silos. When the farmer gets caught in the auger the kick-down relief trips and allows him to escape.

There are exactly 250 Sun drops in a cubic inch or 15 in a cc.

Pressure setting tolerances are listed in our Performance Data page. A link to this page can also be found in the Additional Resources tab of the applicable product page.

Maybe not. We build in a good amount of overlap in the kick-down reliefs to prevent false tripping. This means they are not as fast as our standard pilot-operated reliefs. A direct-acting relief valve set just above the kick-down relief valve would be good insurance.

Direct-acting valves are used to prevent over pressure, and pilot-operated valves are used to regulate pressure. If you are unsure, use a direct-acting valve. Sun's direct acting valves are very fast, dirt tolerant, stable, and robust. Sun's pilot-operated valves are moderately fast, they have a low pressure rise vs. flow curve, and they are easy to adjust.

The kick-down relief acts much like a circuit breaker. When the pressure at the inlet (port 1) of the relief valve rises to the setting, the valve pops open and drops the pressure down to 100 psi or so. The valve stays open until flow through it stops. Shutting off the supply of oil will reset the valve; reversing pressure on the valve is a positive way of resetting it.

Only external seals are serviceable.  Sun offers replacement seal kits for all cartridge models. The applicable kit part number can be found in the product page's Technical Data table or by using our Cartridge Seal Kit search function located under Accessories. Please note: Converting the external seals from one material to another does not ensure fluid compatibility with that material due to the existence of internal seals within the cartridge.
Notes [ + ]
  • Compound cartridge (pilot and main stage) assembly information is provided for reference only. Cartridges must be ordered separately and assembled at point of use.
Additional Resources [ + ]
Highlights
Technical Tips
Technical Information