Systemate Hotwater Problem

[rschwaber]

I bought a flat a year ago and I inherited a Systemate SP 114. Today I started having a problem with my hot water. Hot water will come out for a 15-20 seconds but then get warm or cool. There is a blending valve on the Hot Water out and you can feel the hot input and it is very hot. The cold input into the valve is hot as well. My guess is the blending valve has gone bad but before I spend 50 quid on a new one I want to be sure.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[superdupergasman]

I think you could be correct in your diagnosis!

A very common fault on the gledhills!

 

[rschwaber]

I want to replace it but the drain valve on the bottom has seized. The valve is close to the top of the tank. What is the best way to drain out the water.

 

[rschwaber]

In my last post I meant the blending valve is close to the top. The drain is all the way at the bottom.

 

[nickso]

its definately the blending valve.

turn off the mains water to the systemate and turn on a hot tap to drain the water in the top of the tank. then remove and replace the old valve.

 

[BigBurner]

This blending valve must an addition by a plumber. The standard Systemate does not have a blending valve. The DHW pumps modulates to maintain the DHW temperature setpoint.

 

[nickso]

good point, neither the 2000 or sp's have a mixer valve. maybe he is talking about a boilermate.

 

[rschwaber]

It is a systemate SP 114 It has a sticker on the front that says it. On the sticker it also says "The white capped valve on the side is used to regulate water temperature to your taps." The white capped valve that they are referring to is an oventrop blending valve.

 

[BigBurner]

It is a systemate SP 114 It has a sticker on the front that says it. On the sticker it also says "The white capped valve on the side is used to regulate water temperature to your taps." The white capped valve that they are referring to is an oventrop blending valve.

Yep a blending valve. Gledhill always modulated the pump to maintain the DHW temperature, which is much more efficient.
http://www.gledhill.net/pdfmanuals/Older Ranges/SysteMateIII.pdf

 

[rschwaber]

Can you give me an idea how old this system is and if it is good quality. What would the pro's and cons of replacing it with a Combi-boiler

 

[nickso]

Can you give me an idea how old this system is and if it is good quality. What would the pro's and cons of replacing it with a Combi-boiler

ive not seen that model before, it basically is a boilermate.

first thing to know is the blending valve is approx £95 last time i checked.

 

[BigBurner]

Can you give me an idea how old this system is and if it is good quality. What would the pro's and cons of replacing it with a Combi-boiler

ive not seen that model before, it basically is a boilermate.

first thing to know is the blending valve is approx £95 last time i checked.

Sometimes you can get cheaper valves to fit. Ovetrop is usually good quality.

It is not a boilermate. It is a DHW only thermal store heated indirectly via a coil.

 

[BigBurner]

Can you give me an idea how old this system is and if it is good quality. What would the pro's and cons of replacing it with a Combi-boiler

Leave it. They are excellent. They are basically like unvented cylinders without the explosion risk. The CH & DHW, bar the boiler, is all inside one neat box.

 

[rschwaber]

I have replaced it with and identical oventrop valve that I special ordered for 95 quid. The hot water is now working again. However My kitchen which is across the flat now has terrible water pressure. The bathrooms pressure is fine. I am guessing there is air in the pipes. Any ideas?

 

[Softus]

The hot water is now working again. However My kitchen which is across the flat now has terrible water pressure. The bathrooms pressure is fine. I am guessing there is air in the pipes. Any ideas?

At mains pressure it's unlikely to be an air problem - more likely a problem with the tap itself.

What type of kitchen tap is it?