Heatslave 20/25 - Actuator rattling

[dalio66]

So, just incase any of you folk are interested, here's what the result was:

The actuator was goosed. Once I took the control box off I could see inside the actuator, the plastic cam type thing that's attached to the motor was snapped inside (see pic). The valve itself had plenty of free movement so I left it in situ.

New actuator and it's all hunkydory!...... almost.

I'd drained the system down in anticipation of swapping the valve, and to sort the loss of pressure issue out as Boilerman2 advised, however water came out of the schrader valve. I'm assuming the expansion vessel is knackered?

Here's the pic, you can see the plastic bit that snapped off the cam. There is no plastic cover as 50% of it had already broken off whilst inside the boiler!

Untitled

• dalio66
• 26 Feb 2015
• 1

 

[Burnerman]

Plenty of water out of the schrader valve means the diaphragm in the EV has called it a day...repressurise the new one with it disconnected from the system.
Interesting post, that!
John

 

[dalio66]

Hi mate what's your definition of "plenty" of water?
I pushed the pin in got some water out, enough to make me need to wipe it off and not want let any more to come out! Would you say I should have left it for longer, say a few seconds?

 

[Burnerman]

The expansion vessel is basically a pressed steel chamber, where the two halves are separated by a rubber diaphragm.
In theory, water can't pass from one side to the other ( the schraeder valve side) but there will be a little condensation or vapour which can pass through the membrane.
To me, ( and this is only my theory), if there is a good squirt of water out of the valve, the EV has had it, but I'm no expert!
If there's more water in there, things don't look too good....nothing to stop you removing the vessel, taking the valve out and turning it upside down, to see what comes out.
When you repressurise with air, 10 psi is a good starting point, but maybe your manufacturers instructions could be more accurate.
John