The plug: very different (and that is what i meant basically). Sure it could be chopped off the original wiring harness (not something i want to do) and solder/crimp in a new one.... but where to find such a plug... that's the problem. And then i don't even know if the voltage and ampacity of the circuit is the same anyway.
Typically a solenoid would be energized (or de-energized) for the duration of medium flow, not just for 20 seconds. Such as a liquid line solenoid valve on an air conditioner... energizes to open the duration of runtime, de-energizes when a/c not running (and during pumpdown cycle blah blah blah); and also serves to remain closed during a power loss to prevent liquid migration of refrigerant to crankcase.... blah blah blah blah.... So basically a solenoid energizing for 20 seconds would not be a problem; if this were it's intended purpose; such as on a pump out cycle on an a/c (which would close a valve, typically the txv, for a brief time to reduce the pressure in evaporator and therefore boil off any migrated or settled liquid in evaporator; therefore preventing the liquid from entering the compressor and destroying it). (btw: i work on a/c stuff; and i'm sure this whole paragraph just bored you to tears.)
Solenoid vs valve: The original valve was driven for approx 20 seconds. On a need for hot water it would drive it open for 20 to be sure (heh) it was open, and then it remained open. And on a call for no hot water it would send opposite polarity for 20 seconds to ensure it closed (heh) and remained closed. This solenoid; which by my estimation is normally open (that is, the 'valve' is open when power is not applied); well this solenoid, if only energized for 20 seconds (reverse or normal polarity) would close the valve for only twenty seconds, and then reopen. (from my brief peek at this new valve i figured it was normally open; and closes by the solenoid magnet pushing the valve in; by way of attracting a larger metal mass at the 'other' end. So basically this solenoid would act same as manually opening the original valve (clockwise to open per my original thread)... except with a monkey under the hood closing it for 20 seconds at initial heat or initial cool call.... basically useless in this application. Oh and btw: this new valve flows considerably less fluid than the original valve (according to my approximations).
My guess is this new valve is for a vehicle with a completely different a/c heat controls package... i don't know.
As far as returning the part: no i haven't mangled it. But i did use it. And I very rarely ever return something... unless it's just plain broken. I bought it, i assumed the risk, and i lost this time. (although it would be nice if Fontana offered it...) (but i haven't asked directly, and won't. and perhaps he/she hasn't seen this thread again since my last posting(s).) (no biggie)
