1. Crossing Between Metrex and Johnson Controls Penn Valves

Metrex and Johnson Controls Penn make competing lines of self-contained water regulating valves: pressure-actuated and temperature-actuated, two-way and three-way, commercial through marine and Navy service. The two catalogs overlap closely enough that most models cross directly by size, connection, and actuation type, and buyers move between the brands in both directions. A plant standardized on Penn sometimes inherits equipment built with Metrex valves. A Metrex user facing a lead time wants the Penn equivalent that ships today. Either way, the cross is the same table read in opposite directions.

This page maps the two catalogs family by family. The tables cross by size and connection, which is how the manufacturers themselves publish the compatibility. The section after the tables covers what else must match before a substitution is safe, because a cross reference identifies the candidate, not the confirmation.

2. How to Use These Tables

Find your existing part number in either column. The matching row gives the other brand’s nearest equivalent at the same size and connection.

Three rules apply to every row:

Actuation type must match. Pressure-actuated valves (V46 and Metrex 800P/DA families) cross only to pressure-actuated valves. Temperature-actuated valves (V47 and Metrex 800T) cross only to temperature-actuated. The two are not interchangeable in either brand; our V46 vs V47 guide covers why.

The cross identifies the body, not the full specification. On the pressure side, the opening-point range and maximum refrigerant pressure must suit your system. On the temperature side, the range and bulb style must suit your application. Several JC models at one size differ only by range, which is why multiple V47 numbers cross to a single Metrex body size below.

These are equivalent applications, not identical valves. Flow coefficients, adjustment ranges, differentials, and materials differ between manufacturers at the same nominal size. For condenser duty at standard conditions the crosses below are field-proven substitutions. For applications near a limit, confirm the target valve’s datasheet before ordering.

3. V46 Standard Service to Metrex 800P (2-Way, Pressure Actuated)

Rows marked “No Penn number published” are sizes and connections Metrex offers with no Penn counterpart listed in the published chart. Crossing from one of those Metrex valves to Penn usually means the nearest threaded model plus a piping change; send us the Metrex number and we’ll confirm the closest Penn option.

4. V46 Commercial Marine to Metrex DA Series (Direct Acting)

Marine-service valves on both sides use saltwater-rated construction. The Metrex DA series splits by connection: DA868P for threaded ends, DA867P for union ends.

5. V46 Navy Service to Metrex DA866P Series

Navy-service crosses add flange pattern to the match: ANSI 4-hole and Navy 4-hole and 6-hole patterns are not interchangeable, so the flange on the existing valve decides the row.

6. V47 to Metrex 800T (Temperature Actuated)

The V47 crosses collapse by size because the JC suffix encodes the temperature range, not the body. All V47 models at one size share a body and cross to one Metrex 800T body size. The Metrex side still requires a temperature range selection at order time, so a V47 cross is a two-step order: body size from this table, then range to match the existing valve’s nameplate. Range type matters too; cross-ambient applications need the cross-ambient construction on either brand.

7. High Pressure Families: V146, V148, V246, V248

The high-pressure Penn families cross to Metrex’s high-pressure series. V146 and V148 are the high water-side pressure valves (350 psig). V246 and V248 are the high refrigerant pressure valves for R-410A class systems.

Don’t see your part number, or working from a nameplate that doesn’t match either column cleanly? Contact TCI Supply or call 1-800-755-2883 with the full number and we’ll identify the cross.

8. What to Verify Before Substituting

A matching row makes a candidate. Five checks make it a safe order:

• Actuation and action. Pressure to pressure, temperature to temperature, direct acting to direct acting. A reverse-acting bypass valve does not cross to a direct-acting condenser valve at any size.
• Opening point range. The replacement valve’s adjustable range must bracket your system’s set point. Refrigerant class drives this on pressure valves; R-410A class systems need the high-pressure families, not the standard ones.
• Maximum pressures. Confirm the replacement’s maximum refrigerant pressure and maximum water-side pressure against your system. The standard families top out well below the V146/V246 class limits.
• Connection and flange pattern. Threaded, union, and flanged do not interchange without piping work, and ANSI versus Navy flange patterns do not interchange at all.
• Service and materials. Marine and Navy valves exist because standard brass does not survive seawater. Cross within the service class: commercial to commercial, marine to marine, Navy to Navy.

9. Source Either Side of This Chart From TCI Supply

We stock and source the Johnson Controls Penn water regulating valve line, including the V46 and V47 families this chart is built around, and we quote the Metrex side as well. Whichever column your existing valve sits in, send us the full part number from the nameplate, the refrigerant or temperature range, and the service class, and we’ll confirm the right replacement, same brand or cross-brand, and get you a quote. For help telling a V46 from a V47 in the first place, our V46 vs V47 guide covers identification, including unlabeled and corroded valves. Contact TCI Supply or call us at 1-800-755-2883.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Metrex and Johnson Controls Penn valves direct drop-in replacements for each other?

At the same size, connection, actuation type, and service class, the crosses above are established field substitutions, and face-to-face dimensions are generally close. They are different manufacturers’ designs, so ranges, flow coefficients, and adjustment behavior differ in the details. Verify the range and pressure limits against your system before ordering, and expect to set the replacement’s opening point at startup.

Why do several V47 part numbers cross to one Metrex number?

The V47 suffix encodes the temperature range on a shared body. The cross identifies the body size; the temperature range is a second selection on the Metrex side. Order the body from the table and specify the range from your existing valve’s nameplate.

My valve has three pipe connections. Which table am I in?

Three connections means a three-way diverting valve: the V148 or V248 families on the Penn side, the WCME and 965-3W series on the Metrex side. Two-way and three-way valves do not cross to each other.

Does the C at the end of my Penn part number matter for the cross?

The trailing C reflects current Penn packaging revisions and does not change the valve’s fit or function for cross purposes. Match the base number and suffix digits; a V46AB-1 and V46AB-1C cross identically.

Can I rebuild my existing valve instead of crossing brands?

Often, yes. Both manufacturers publish rebuild kits, and a sound body with a worn seat is a kit candidate. Our V46 vs V47 guide covers the repair-or-replace decision for the Penn side. When lead time is the problem, the cross above is usually the faster path; when the body is damaged or the service class was wrong, replacement wins regardless of brand.