Changed an Actuator Valve now no hot water!

[dp1979]

Please can anyone help on this cold Xmas Eve!

I Live in a flat, We have 4 radiators, a potterton Kingfisher boiler and a header tank (At ceiling height) above a primatic cylinder.

Yesterday the actuator Valve that I believe feeds the DHW into the primatic cylinder failed (Lots of clicking and no actuation). I replaced this with a Drayton 2 port actuator valve from B&Q. Fitted it ok after shutting all the hot water services pipes off. When I removed the old one, about 1/2 a bucket of brown water came out.

Once the water had stopped I fitted the new valve and then I turned it all back on.

The valve worked when turned on but the water does not heat up. I Have good central heating but no hot water.

Have I done something wrong or was the lack of hot water before i started this amateur plumbing attempt pointing to another problem?

I tried running all the hot taps to try and sort any possible air bubbles out following the loss of water from when i removed the old valve but no joy.

Please can someone help. I have no hot water for Xmas!

Picture shows the valve i changed.

Merry Christmas!

Untitled

• dp1979
• 24 Dec 2010
• 1

 

[tryitandsee]

When you changed it, did you make a wiring diagram of the existing wires into the junction box, so you could put it back the same way.

Check your wiring again to make sure.

Some times a bare wire into the plastic connections holders are not making contact, ie the small grub screw is holding it on the plastic sheaf of the wire.

 

[tryitandsee]

Or you just have an air lock in that section through the cylinder. Any air release valves nearby.

 

[TonyW2]

Can you open it manually and lock it open.
After doing the Xmas washing up, start on the wiring checks

 

[slapper]

probably just needs to turn cylinder stat up Is that it lying on the floor

 

[spraggo]

Are you sure that it is a Primatic cylinder? as if so I cannot see how this arrangement worked before or now. It is not possible to have a fully pumped system with a Primatic as it would blow the air bubble that separates the hot water from the heating water inside the cylinder, To get this bubble back you will have to drain the cylinder and then refill.
But with the set up that you have it will surely blow again so that you have in effect an ordinary direct cylinder. Where does the pipe go that is connected between the two motorized valves and dropping to the floor?.

 

[TonyW2]

Advertising for Specsave,. Slapper?
Well spotted

 

[slapper]

Are you sure that it is a Primatic cylinder? as if so I cannot see how this arrangement worked before or now. It is not possible to have a fully pumped system with a Primatic as it would blow the air bubble that separates the hot water from the heating water inside the cylinder, To get this bubble back you will have to drain the cylinder and then refill.
But with the set up that you have it will surely blow again so that you have in effect an ordinary direct cylinder. Where does the pipe go that is connected between the two motorized valves and dropping to the floor?.

Fish Pond outside

 

[45yearsagasman]

That arrowed valve looks like a motor open motor closed valve head and looks like the very old type.Are you sure it was brand new? does the valve spindle move freely?The CH actuator is a more modern head.That pipe dropping down is a system bypass Spraggo.

 

[dp1979]

Hi and thanks to all of you who have replied on this busy day!

Spraggo, the pipe between the 2 actuator valves that goes down goes to the hot water taps in the bathroom. the pipe going down to the left of the left actuator valve goes under the floor and I have no idea where it goes.

 

[spraggo]

Are you sure that it is a Primatic cylinder? as if so I cannot see how this arrangement worked before or now. It is not possible to have a fully pumped system with a Primatic as it would blow the air bubble that separates the hot water from the heating water inside the cylinder, To get this bubble back you will have to drain the cylinder and then refill.
But with the set up that you have it will surely blow again so that you have in effect an ordinary direct cylinder. Where does the pipe go that is connected between the two motorized valves and dropping to the floor?.

Fish Pond outside

probably just needs to turn cylinder stat up Is that it lying on the floor

After this reply I suppose I should have expected that from you slapper.

 

[dp1979]

That arrowed valve looks like a motor open motor closed valve head and looks like the very old type.Are you sure it was brand new? does the valve spindle move freely?The CH actuator is a more modern head.

The picture shows the old valve before i replaced it. Sorry should have mentioned that

 

[dp1979]

probably just needs to turn cylinder stat up Is that it lying on the floor

The thermostat is not on the floor its kinda strapped to the tank about 6" above the floor. it's currently set at 70deg C

 

[tryitandsee]

Turn the heating circuit off and try turning the pump speed up then down a few times. trying to shift the air lock.

 

[dp1979]

When you changed it, did you make a wiring diagram of the existing wires into the junction box, so you could put it back the same way.

Check your wiring again to make sure.

Some times a bare wire into the plastic connections holders are not making contact, ie the small grub screw is holding it on the plastic sheaf of the wire.

I made a drawing of the original wiring and the new valve had 3 wires the same coluor as the old one so i copied the original layout with regards to where they went. but two were different colours so i must admit i guessed where they went (although one of them i know was supposed to go to the thermostat according to the new ones instructions so by deduction i put the final wire in the only empty slot i had left.

When I turned it on the first time i saw the switch operate as it has a little indicator on one side that moved from Position A to B so i think it is working fine. I was a bit worried that maybe I put the whole unit in the wrong way round with regards to flow but I was thinking that it would still work anyway as its open or shut. Am I wrong?