TRV4 "Presetting Key" to balance with lock shields open?

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Hi,

I've spent FAR too much time messing with the 22 radiators in my house over the last five years. Some are hot some are cold.. I have seriously struggled to balance it all up.

Can't believe I've only just found out that you can keep all lock shields fully open and balance with the Drayton Presetting Key.

http://www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk/drayton-presetting-key-pair.html

Has anyone used this method?

My house is a shambles.. it's been extended and messed about with no end. I can "empty" the system and change TRV's downstairs then do some upstairs to find they are full of water still?!?!

I'm keen to try this method.. if I can work out the direction of flow from the boiler. I think we have three different loops up and down. OMG.

Also does anyone know any stores where this tool can be purchased from? It's an absolute rip off for a bit of plastic so I don't want to have to pay delivery too.
 
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not a bad price really if you want your heating working properly ( in theory ) . it doesn't really matter ( well sort off ) which is flow or return because its a two pipe system. follow the thread in FAQ thread its all in there to read until your hearts content .
 
I sent an email to Drayton asking where I could obtain them. They emailed back asking for my address and subsequently sent me a couple for nothing.

Alternatively you can set all your lockshield valves to 1/3rd turn open and use that as the starting point for balancing. Any further adjustment should be very small (1/12th turn or less) and allow about 10 minutes for the change to take effect.
 
not a bad price really if you want your heating working properly ( in theory ) . it doesn't really matter ( well sort off ) which is flow or return because its a two pipe system. follow the thread in FAQ thread its all in there to read until your hearts content .

Paul will PM you
 
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TRV4 is self balancing due to size of orifice @ valve entry so tool not required.
You have other issues so don't waste your time trying to balance the TRV4.
Every system I install using the TRV4 has all lockshields fully open.
 
Never seen these plastic things before. How do they work?

How would they have any benefit over balancing using the lock shields?

As @Gaswizard says. If the system doesn't work properly after trying to balance using the lock shields then you have other issues
 
.....and I couldn't give a rats what DHailsham has to say as I do this for a living.
 
I'll see if I can blag some from Drayton.

£20 inc delivery is stupid. They should come with them!! Surely pence to make.

I spent £100 on 10 wax Drayton TRVs today. As they break I'll upgrade the heads with TRV4.

In the mean time I'm going to try lock shield balancing using 11 degree temp drop method.

Balancing at TRV is better if you need to remove a rad for decorating.
 
Balancing is carried out on heating return valve and not flow valve...why do think commissioning valves are fitted on return as opposed to flow?
 
I spent £100 on 10 wax Drayton TRVs today. As they break I'll upgrade the heads with TRV4.

If you knew just how slow wax TRVs are the respond then you would agree with me that you have just wasted £100 !
 
I spent £100 on 10 wax Drayton TRVs today. As they break I'll upgrade the heads with TRV4.

If you knew just how slow wax TRVs are the respond then you would agree with me that you have just wasted £100 !
I'm not really that bothered. Our house is solid brick and cold. I never managed to heat the house up above 19 degrees unless wood burner is on.

Radiators are either on off depending if we have visitors coming.

Prior to this 50% of our rads had ancient TRVs that didn't work so even with the wax ones it's a massive improvement.
 
TRV4 is self balancing due to size of orifice @ valve entry so tool not required.
So it automatically knows both whether it's fitted to a condensing or non-condensing system, and what the temp drop across the individual rad it's fitted to, is? That's one clever TRV! Also, what's your explanation for them going to all the trouble of making an integral balancing system if it's not required?
 
Massive thumbs up to Drayton. I emailed them at 6:45 and get a response before 8:30am and they are sending them in the post free.

Hopefully they will come tomorrow and I can get this done.

Next task is to try and figure out the radiator order... I swear it splits down in more than one place. Eeeek.
 
So it automatically knows both whether it's fitted to a condensing or non-condensing system, and what the temp drop across the individual rad it's fitted to, is? That's one clever TRV! Also, what's your explanation for them going to all the trouble of making an integral balancing system if it's not required?
:)
Really?
 
BTW someone needs to invent self balancing valves. I've spent years trying to get ours balanced.

TRV4 certainly doesn't self balance. Even I know this and I'm a mere DIY dick head.
 

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