Radiator Trv's have been replaced but not working properly

richardc1983

Just had home breakdown cover company out to some rads that could not be controlled with the trv's. The original trv's & valves are 10 years old and made by eca, he said the mounting clips had snapped so this is why they were not working as they were no longer sitting properly on the pin. He's replaced all the heads to be safe with new ones made by Altech but has kept the original valve body.

They are very stiff to turn and I am wondering if he's put them on too tight. Also should the valve body that goes onto the radiator with the pin in it have been changed as well or will these new ones now not control properly due to diff valve body and heads being from a diff manufacturer. Some of the rads were cold after they were replaced and he said that the pins were jammed down but they were ok before. He also said that they are ok to replace as long as they fit the valve body. The problem is that they do not come on unless turned above 4 and to get the rad hot they need to be on 5. Anything below 4 and they do not come on and that's with a room temp of 17c.

Thought I would come and ask the experts here after the visit.

Regards
Richard.

JohnB47

richardc1983 wrote: »

Just had home breakdown cover company out to some rads that could not be controlled with the trv's. The original trv's & valves are 10 years old and made by eca, he said the mounting clips had snapped so this is why they were not working as they were no longer sitting properly on the pin. He's replaced all the heads to be safe with new ones made by Altech but has kept the original valve body.

They are very stiff to turn and I am wondering if he's put them on too tight. Also should the valve body that goes onto the radiator with the pin in it have been changed as well or will these new ones now not control properly due to diff valve body and heads being from a diff manufacturer. Some of the rads were cold after they were replaced and he said that the pins were jammed down but they were ok before. He also said that they are ok to replace as long as they fit the valve body. The problem is that they do not come on unless turned above 4 and to get the rad hot they need to be on 5. Anything below 4 and they do not come on and that's with a room temp of 17c.

Thought I would come and ask the experts here after the visit.

Regards
Richard.

I'm just a DIYer but I feel your controls are not working properly. My rads, in a room around 17c would come on somewhere between setting 2 and 3. I'm also a bit surprised that you could fit a TRV top from one make to a body of another. Perhaps they are of a universal design but I wonder if they've simply taken the easy route.

Perhaps others can confirm if your trvs are behaving normally, otherwise you'll need to get them back to replace the whole units.

Edit: just did a quick search and found one forum where someone claimed that you can't fit a top from one make to the body of another.

richardc1983

JohnB47 wrote: »

I'm just a DIYer but I feel your controls are not working properly. My rads, in a room around 17c would come on somewhere between setting 2 and 3. I'm also a bit surprised that you could fit a TRV top from one make to a body of another. Perhaps they are of a universal design but I wonder if they've simply taken the easy route.

Perhaps others can confirm if your trvs are behaving normally, otherwise you'll need to get them back to replace the whole units.

Edit: just did a quick search and found one forum where someone claimed that you can't fit a top from one make to the body of another.

Yes I also have seen this but then also seen others say it is possible, the previous trv's would keep a room at about 17c on setting 2 then at 3 it would be 20c and so on.

Norman_Castle

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=168617&start=0

The III or halfway setting on mine is 70 degrees.

richardc1983

Norman_Castle wrote: »

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=168617&start=0

The III or halfway setting on mine is 70 degrees.

Thanks I've already replied on that post.

Seronera

Norman_Castle wrote: »

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=168617&start=0

The III or halfway setting on mine is 70 degrees.

Should be approx 21c on setting 3.

My guess is the new heads are not compatible with the old valves. How can he possibly know if the pin throw matches between the old valve and new head.It sounds to me like a bodge job.