Pilot-operated, pressure reducing/relieving main stage with integral T-8A control cavity and drain to port 4

Capacity: 40 gpm160 L/min. | Cavity: T-23A
PVHL8 : Pilot-operated, pressure reducing/relieving main stage with integral T-8A control cavity and drain to port 4
Technical Features [ + ]

This valve is a 3-way, normally open modulating element, externally drained, that incorporates an integral pilot control cavity. The pilot control cavity will accept any T-8A pressure control cartridge. The valve reduces a high primary pressure at the inlet (port 2) to a constant reduced pressure at port 1, with a full flow relief function from port 1 to tank (port 3). The pilot cartridge's setting determines the difference in pressure between reduced pressure (port 1) and the drain (port 4).

This valve is open in the transition from reducing to relieving which provides good pressure control and dynamic response at the expense of higher pilot flow in the deadheaded condition.

  • Maximum pressure at port 3 should be limited to 3000 psi (210 bar).
  • This valve has been optimized to work with the RBAP X**, RBAP L**, and RBAN electro-proportional pilot reliefs.
  • The transition from reducing to relieving is slightly open. The result is very good pressure control with oil consumption of about 0.1 gpm (0,4 L/min.). The relatively high pilot control flow is only a factor in a dead-headed condition.
  • 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.
  • Pilot operated valves exhibit very low dead-band transition between reducing and relieving modes.
  • Pilot operated valves exhibit exceptionally flat pressure/flow characteristics, are very stable and have low hysteresis.
  • Pressure on the drain (port 4) is directly additive to the valve setting at a 1:1 ratio and should not exceed 5000 psi (350 bar).
  • Maximum inlet pressure is determined by the bias spring. The D spring is tested with 2000 psi (140 bar) maximum differential pressure and the W spring is tested with 5000 psi (350 bar) maximum inlet pressure.
  • 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.
  • Full reverse flow from reduced pressure (port 1) to inlet (port 2) may cause the main spool to close. If reverse free flow is required in the circuit, consider adding a separate check valve to the circuit.
  • 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-23A
Series 3
Capacity 40 gpm160 L/min.
Maximum Operating Pressure 5000 psi350 bar
Control Pilot Flow 25 - 30 in³/min.0,40 - 0,50 L/min.
Pilot Control Cavity T-8AT-8A
Pilot Control Valve Installation Torque 20 - 25 lbf ft27 - 33 Nm
Pilot Control Valve Hex Size 7/8 in.22,2 mm
Valve Hex Size 1 1/4 in.31,8 mm
Valve Installation Torque 150 - 160 lbf ft203 - 217 Nm
Model Weight 1.30 lb0,60 kg
Seal kit - Cartridge Buna: 990023007
Seal kit - Cartridge EPDM: 990023014
Seal kit - Cartridge Polyurethane: 990023002
Seal kit - Cartridge Viton: 990023006
Performance Curves [ + ]
FAQs [ + ]

Our reducing valves are outside-in valves; the supply pressure on the outside of the working parts is higher than the inside. At some pressure differential, the outside (sleeve) will close in on the piston and cause the valve to stick. A D range is adjustable from 25 to 800 psi with a maximum differential of 2000 psi. This means you could set the valve at 600 psi and expect it to work correctly with a supply pressure of 2600 psi. The valve may work at higher differentials, but we do not recommend it. The W and C ranges are tested over their entire range with an inlet pressure of 5000 psi. All direct-acting valves are tested with an inlet pressure of 5000 psi.

No. A reducing/relieving valve throttles a supply of oil to maintain a set pressure in a secondary circuit. The valve is open until the secondary or downstream pressure rises to the setting of the valve at which time it starts to close to limit the pressure. If the secondary or downstream pressure is caused to go above the setting, the valve shifts into relieving mode and throttles the secondary circuit back to tank to prevent over-pressure. At no time can the valve connect the supply to tank.

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

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.

Yes. A reducing or reducing/relieving valve is normally open. If the pressure in the secondary circuit is less than the setting, it will be open.

2 caveats: (1) If the valve is in the reducing mode and you suddenly reverse the flow, the valve will not have time to open and will shift into relieving mode or (2) If the back flow generates a pressure drop through the valve that exceeds the setting, the valve will shift into the relieving mode.

When in doubt, use a reverse flow check.

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.

Yes. If you look in the sandwich section you will see that we offer many such packages. When you are pressurizing B, A is connected to tank, allowing the reducer to do its job. When you reverse, the drain or tank port of the reducer is pressurized by A. This increases the setting of the reducer and helps keep the reducer open in the reverse flow direction.

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 [ + ]