What have I done wrong!! any help please

[kingfisher1548]

Hi,
I will be attempting to fit a new tower 3 port valve tommorow as a replacement for the old worn out one.
This is a like for like exchange.
Is there anything I must do, obviously I'll have to drain the system and shut the power but how far do I drain down?
I can turn off the main feed and isolate the pump feed but what about the HW cylinder and the pipe at the bottom of the valve that goes under the floor?
Do I have to cut the old valve/pipework out or will I be able to spring the pipework out and back in?

Any advise greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[twgas]

I will be attempting to fit a new tower 3 port valve tommorow as a replacement for the old worn out one

good luck, but what makes you think it's worn out?

.....but how far do I drain down?

below the level of the valve, or until a drain point stops running.

I can turn off the main feed and isolate the pump feed but what about the HW cylinder and the pipe at the bottom of the valve that goes under the floor?

Tie up the ball valve in the f&e tank is the best way, shouldn't have to worry about the HW cylinder or the pipe going under the floor.

Do I have to cut the old valve/pipework out or will I be able to spring the pipework out and back in?

Don't usually have to cut it - but it has been known.

 

[kingfisher1548]

I think the old valve is faulty because it's fairly corroded and when HW is turned on the upstairs rads also come on and get very hot with the downstairs staying cold.
When you say below the level of the valve, how exactly is that done.

 

[twgas]

When you say below the level of the valve, how exactly is that done.

Use my experience, if there's an air vent near you can use that to judge, but just drain it till it stops is probably the best way for a DIYer.

 

[kingfisher1548]

Hi and thanks,
New 3 port valve fitted and wired exactly as the old one was.
Now I have the boiler fire up when HW is turned on and plenty of hot water.
If I turn HW off and turn on CH the boiler wont fire up at all and remain cold.
If HW and CH are on together the rads are getting hot upstairs and are slowly starting to get warm downstairs.
I can hear the 3 port valve changing position when either HW or CH are selected.
Any idea what's wrong now?

 

[XKESTONMAN]

its wired wrong.check hot water off wire from programmer is valve spring return or motor open motor close.

 

[XKESTONMAN]

check hot water OFF. wire from programmer to valve

 

[kingfisher1548]

I can turn HW off from programmer and the valve moves.
It just wont fire up when CH only is selected.
CH and HW on together =valve moves, water gets hot and rads heat up.
HW only on = valve moves, water gets hot.
CH only on = valve moves but boiler wont fire up and no heat to rads.
Hope I've made this clear for you.

 

[seco services]

should be 230v on white, grey, orange. on ch only.

have you placed the orange in the right connector ?

 

[kingfisher1548]

I think the wire is in the correct place.
It's gone in the same place as the old came from, I think!
What should this orange wire be connected to?

 

[kevplumb]

multimeter

• kevplumb
• 12 Oct 2009
• 2

 

[seco services]

put the ch only on the valve should move over fully to close the hw port ch open.

the orange wire will have 230v on it.
if it hasn't its either only going to mid position or the micro switch is not being activated.

check the orange wire for 230v.

the orange should be in the same connector as the call from the cyl stat.
and sw/l to boiler.

 

[kingfisher1548]

How do I check the micro switch is activated?

 

[seco services]

i just said check the orange if it is giving 230v its being activated.
is not giving 230v then its not moving to ch only port or its not activating
the switch.

check for power at the orange.

 

[slapper]

Probably a knackered room stat in the first instance.