A Vickers DG4V or DG5V model code has up to eighteen positions, and almost nobody needs all of them. This page decodes every one, from the official Eaton Vickers solenoid operated directional valve catalog, so you can work out exactly what you have and order the right spool, coil or seal kit.
Just want the answer? Send us the code and we will decode it and tell you what we hold.
The full code structure
DG4V-3(S)-** *(L)-(**)-(V)M-(S*)-* ** * D* (L)-* *-6*-(EN***)-(P**-A**-B**-T**)
In practice most valves use a short form, because unused positions are simply left out. A common real code is DG4V-3-2A-M-U-H7-60, which reads as: high performance valve, spool type 2, spring offset end to end, electrical flag, ISO 4400 coil connector, 24V DC coil, port T rated 207 bar, basic design number.
Position by position
1. Model series
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| D | Directional valve |
| G | Subplate or manifold mounted |
| 4 | Solenoid operated |
| V | Pressure rating 350 bar (5,075 PSI) on P, A and B ports |
2. Standard or high performance
| Code | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3 | High performance, up to 80 l/min (21 US gpm) at 350 bar |
| 3S | Standard performance, up to 40 l/min (10.5 US gpm) at 350 bar |
This is the single most missed character. A DG4V-3S is not the same valve as a DG4V-3, and several options below are not available on the 3S.
3. Spool type
A number identifying the spool porting function: which ports connect in each position, and what the center condition is. Common types include 0, 2, 6, 7, 8, 22, 33, 34, 51 and 52. Type 8 spools are the exception that conforms to both US and European solenoid conventions, and they take design number 61 rather than 60.
4. Spool spring arrangement
| Code | Arrangement |
|---|---|
| A | Spring offset, end to end |
| AL | As A, left hand build |
| B | Spring offset, end to center |
| BL | As B, left hand build |
| C | Spring centered |
| F | Spring offset, shift to center |
| FL | As F, left hand build |
| N | No spring, detented |
5. Manual override
| Code | Override |
|---|---|
| omitted | Plain override in the solenoid end(s) only |
| H | Water resistant override on solenoid end(s) |
| H2 | Water resistant override both ends of solenoid |
| P2 | Plain override both ends of a single solenoid valve |
| Y | Latching manual override on solenoid ends. Not available on DG4V-3S AC models |
| Z | No overrides at either end |
6. Solenoid energization identity
V means European convention: solenoid A sits at the A port end and solenoid B at the B port end, regardless of spool type. Omitted means US ANSI B93.9: energizing solenoid A connects P to A and solenoid B connects P to B, regardless of where the solenoid physically sits. Get this wrong and the valve works backwards.
7. Flag symbol
M simply signals that electrical options and features follow. Everything after the M describes the solenoid and its wiring.
8. Spool position indicator switch
| Code | Switch |
|---|---|
| S6 | LVDT type DC switch with Pg7 connector plug. High performance DG4V-3 only, spool type 0, 2 or 22 |
| S3 | Mechanical AC switch, wired normally open |
| S4 | Mechanical AC switch, wired normally closed |
| S5 | Mechanical AC switch, free leads |
9. Coil type
| Code | Coil connection |
|---|---|
| U | ISO 4400 (DIN 43650) mounting. Female connector supplied by the customer |
| U1 | Connector fitted |
| U6 | Connector fitted with lights |
| U11 | Connector fitted with rectifier and lights (AC service) |
| U12 | Connector fitted with rectifier (AC service) |
| F | 1/2 inch NPT thread conduit box |
| KU | Top exit flying leads (DC only) |
| SP1 / SP2 | Single or dual 6.3 mm spade (DC only) |
| X1 | Flame resistant solenoids, TP EEx-d-11B-T4 |
| X2 | Hazardous location solenoids, UL and CSA approved |
| X3 | Special protection solenoids, BASEEFA SFA009:1972, class EX-S-11-T4 |
10 to 13. Connector, housing, suppressor, lights
| Position | Codes |
|---|---|
| 10. Electrical connector | T wired terminal block; PA Instaplug male receptacle only; PB Instaplug male and female; PA3 three pin; PA5 five pin |
| 11. Housing (F type coils only) | W 1/2 inch NPT wiring housing; J 20 mm thread wiring housing |
| 12. Surge suppressor | D1 encapsulated diode, industrial; D2 encapsulated diode, mobile; D7 transzorb type (F, KU, U, SP1, SP2 only) |
| 13. Indicator lights | Not available on PA, KU, U, SP1 or SP2 |
14. Coil voltage
| Code | Voltage |
|---|---|
| A | 110V AC 50 Hz |
| B | 110V AC 50 Hz / 120V AC 60 Hz |
| C | 220V AC 50 Hz |
| D | 220V AC 50 Hz / 240V AC 60 Hz |
| G | 12V DC |
| H | 24V DC |
| BL / DL / GL / HL | Low power versions of B, D, G and H. DG4V-3 only, and not available on N no-spring detented models |
This is the position to read first when a valve will not shift: a burnt coil is the most common failure on these valves, and the voltage letter tells you exactly what to order.
15. Port T pressure code
| Code | Tank port rating |
|---|---|
| 2 | 10 bar (150 PSI), for spool indicator models S3, S4, S5 |
| 4 | 70 bar (1,000 PSI) |
| 5 | 100 bar (1,500 PSI), standard performance DG4V-3S, AC or DC |
| 6 | 207 bar (3,000 PSI), AC high performance DG4V-3 |
| 7 | 207 bar (3,000 PSI), DC high performance DG4V-3 |
16 to 18. Design number and extras
| Position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 16. Design number | 60 basic design, 61 type 8 spool |
| 17. Special features | EN*** codes assigned as required. For example EN21, CSA approved with 1/2 inch NPT conduit box |
| 18. Port restrictor plugs | Orifice plugs in P, T, A or B for flow restriction or circuit damping, for example P08 for a 0.8 mm orifice in port P. Omitted when none are fitted |
Size and mounting pattern
Vickers valve sizes follow the standard industrial mounting patterns, so a DG4V-3 shares a bolt pattern and port layout with any other manufacturer's size 03 valve. That matters when the original is discontinued, because the interface is the part that has to match.
| Vickers | ISO 4401 | Cetop | NFPA / D-code | Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DG4V-3 | Size 03 | Cetop 3 | D03 | Direct solenoid |
| DG4V-5 | Size 05 | Cetop 5 | D05 | Direct solenoid |
| DG5V-7 | Size 07 | Cetop 7 | D07 | Solenoid controlled, pilot operated |
| DG5V-8 | Size 08 | Cetop 8 | D08 | Solenoid controlled, pilot operated |
DG3V is the manually and mechanically operated equivalent. KCG and KBDG are the proportional and Cetop mounted pressure control range.
What actually fails, and what to order
| Symptom | Usual cause | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Will not shift, no click at the solenoid | Burnt out coil, or no voltage reaching it | Solenoid coil, matched to position 14 |
| Clicks but does not shift, or shifts slowly | Spool sticking from contamination or varnish | Spool, and a fluid clean up |
| External weeping around the subplate face | Perished body seals | Valve seal kit |
| Drifting cylinder, will not hold position | Spool or bore wear, internal leakage past the lands | Spool, or a rebuilt valve |
| Pilot operated valve will not shift under load | Insufficient pilot pressure, or a blocked pilot passage | Check pilot supply before replacing anything |
| Valve works backwards | US versus European solenoid convention, position 6 | Confirm whether the code carries a V |
The cast body almost never fails, so a rebuild is nearly always cheaper than a replacement valve and far faster when the original build is discontinued.
Parts catalogs by family
| Family | Catalog | Parts listed |
|---|---|---|
| DG4V-3 | DG4V-3 parts and seal kits | 102 |
| DG4V-5 | DG4V-5 parts and seal kits | 15 |
| DG5V-7 | DG5V-7 parts and seal kits | 4 |
| DG5V-8 | DG5V-8 parts and seal kits | 13 |
| DG3V | DG3V parts and seal kits | 2 |
| KCG / KBDG | KCG and KBDG Cetop valve parts | 58 |
| Coils | DG4S4 solenoid coils, all voltages | 152 |
| Seal kits | Directional valve seal kits | 6 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I read a Vickers DG4V-3 model code?
Left to right. DG4V is a subplate mounted solenoid operated directional valve rated 350 bar. The next character is 3 for high performance or 3S for standard. Then the spool type number, the spring arrangement letter, any manual override code, an M flag, then the electrical block ending in the coil voltage letter, then the port T pressure code and the design number.
What is the difference between DG4V-3 and DG4V-3S?
Flow capacity. The DG4V-3 is the high performance build rated up to 80 l/min (21 US gpm) at 350 bar; the DG4V-3S is the standard build rated up to 40 l/min (10.5 US gpm). Several options, including low power coils and the latching override, are not available on the 3S.
What does the letter after M mean on a DG4V code?
M is only a flag saying electrical options follow. The letter straight after it is the coil type, most commonly U for the ISO 4400 (DIN 43650) connector. The coil voltage letter comes later in the same block: G is 12V DC, H is 24V DC.
What is the difference between DG4V and DG5V?
DG4V valves are shifted directly by the solenoid. DG5V valves are solenoid controlled and pilot operated, which is how the larger sizes generate enough force to shift the spool. That is why sizes 07 and 08 are DG5V.
My DG4V number is discontinued. What now?
Send us the code. Most discontinued DG4V numbers were low volume spool, override and voltage combinations rather than unique valves, so the body, spool and coil are usually still obtainable. See also obsolete Vickers valve replacements.
Where to go next
- Obsolete and hard to find Vickers valves
- Vickers valve parts catalog and service guide
- Vickers directional control valves
- Valve repair and rebuild service
- How to identify a Vickers hydraulic pump
- All Vickers and Eaton hydraulic parts
Send us the code. Email info@restopower.com or call (810) 882-1171 and we will decode it and confirm what we hold.
Code positions above are taken from the Eaton Vickers solenoid operated directional valves product catalog, V-VLDI-MC011-E.