I have a gas central heating system. The original radiators are connected by 8mm microbore pipe. The radiator in the extension (which already has a Drayton TRV4) is on 15mm pipe.
I wish to put thermostatic radiator valves on the rest of the upstairs radiators.
I was hoping to fit TRVs that would directly replace the existing manual valves without having to change any of the pipework, but the 8mm microbore pipes come out of the walls at an angle of about 45deg, so any TRV fitted would stick out a long way. I would like to fit Drayton TRV4 valves. However these are made only with a 15mm connection, although I understand that I can fit a 15 to 8mm converter.
It seems to me that I need to try to bend down the v short length of pipe that sticks out from the wall (approx 4 cm) to be horizontal. Then I can fit a right angle 8mm fitting, then a short length of vertical 8mm pipe and then connect the TRV to this. This would result in the TRV being vertical, although I may need to lift the radiator up the wall a bit.
I read somewhere else on the forum that there are tools for bending 8mm pipe. Will they work with such a short length of pipe? Can it be done with a bending spring and some pliers / grips? If not, can you please suggest another arrangement of pipework and fittings that will work?
I wish to put thermostatic radiator valves on the rest of the upstairs radiators.
I was hoping to fit TRVs that would directly replace the existing manual valves without having to change any of the pipework, but the 8mm microbore pipes come out of the walls at an angle of about 45deg, so any TRV fitted would stick out a long way. I would like to fit Drayton TRV4 valves. However these are made only with a 15mm connection, although I understand that I can fit a 15 to 8mm converter.
It seems to me that I need to try to bend down the v short length of pipe that sticks out from the wall (approx 4 cm) to be horizontal. Then I can fit a right angle 8mm fitting, then a short length of vertical 8mm pipe and then connect the TRV to this. This would result in the TRV being vertical, although I may need to lift the radiator up the wall a bit.
I read somewhere else on the forum that there are tools for bending 8mm pipe. Will they work with such a short length of pipe? Can it be done with a bending spring and some pliers / grips? If not, can you please suggest another arrangement of pipework and fittings that will work?