Odd size radiators

[bullethead123]

Hi,
I have an odd sized radiator I need to change. I gurss it's a really old imperial sized rad, slightly more than 5' 2" long and 23 inches high.would I be right in thinking I should go for a 1200mm x 600mm model and use longer tails as a replacement?

 

[CBW]

I don’t think tail extensions will work. Yes 1200mm wide x 600mm high would be suitable replacement.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. If that tape measure in your picture shows the length of the existing radiator, it is 4' 2 1/4" long, not 5' 2". Equivalent to 1,276 mm.
If you got a 1200 wide, you would need to "make up" 76 mm. One 1" and one 2" extension = 76.2 mm, so should do the job. Not symmetrical but you might be able to get away with a 30 mm and a 50 mm or something similar. I would steer clear of adjustable extensions, they have a reputation for leaking.
2. 23" (height) is 584 mm, so the nearest is 600 mm as you suggest.
3. The existing is a double. If you get the same again there is a reasonable chance you won't have to do any pipework modifications for distance from the wall. You should be able to check before buying. Measure the distance from the wall to the centre line of the pipe at one end, and compare with the measurements given for your chosen radiator.

 

[bullethead123]

Thanks very much Oldbuffer. You're quite correct re the length. Thanks for the advice.
I've got another problem though.
Having taken the rad off and closed the valves (one is a thermostatic valve) which are still connected to the pipes, I'm trying to recharge the system via the filler loop but water is just dripping from the boiler. No water is coming out of either valve though.
Any idea what's going on?

 

[bullethead123]

I don’t think tail extensions will work. Yes 1200mm wide x 600mm high would be suitable replacement.

Hi CBW, could you elaborate on why the extensions wouldn't work?

 

[oldbuffer]

Where is the water dripping from?
Photo of drip and of boiler filling loop would be useful.

 

[gas112]

Are you changing the rad valves as well ? can you put pic of existing valves

 

[Mottie]

and use longer tails as a replacement?

When I had a similar amount to make up, I bought a couple of 100mm rad tails and cut them to size.

 

[bullethead123]

After turning off the filling loop, I popped off the boiler cover and the highest point where I could see dripping was from the bottom of the expansion vessell (red in the photo).

 

[bullethead123]

I hadn't intended to change the rad valves

 

[gas112]

use these tails to take up difference ant cut to size . do not use the telescopic tails that look similar they leak for fun

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[CBW]

Hi CBW, could you elaborate on why the extensions wouldn't work?

Apologies, I thought only small extensions were available, seems long ones are

 

[bullethead123]

Thanks Gas. No worries CBW.

 

[Mottie]

I hadn't intended to change the rad valves

They look fine to me. No leaks or staining on them.