Zone valve not turning on, is there a way for me to test if it works at all by "leaving it open"?

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 12:33pm #1

I recall when the zone valve was being fitted the plumber mentioned that he could leave it open to test it was working without requiring the clock to trigger it, how do I do that?

Wearb · 14-11-2023 12:38pm

Post a pic, but there's usually a little leaver on the head.

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 1:26pm

They're under a kickboard so a little hard to see

Apparently the brand is "Danfoss" according to the invoice

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 1:31pm

The downstairs zone is working fine (I'm assuming it's the one on the left) so it's just the upstairs zone not kicking in

Wearb · 14-11-2023 2:21pm

Feel at the far side. There should be a leaver the will slowly move. At the end of its travel you need to slot it into its holding slot.

Use a mirror or look it up online to see what you're dealing with.

Wearb · 14-11-2023 2:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121366816#Comment_121366816

If you look closely on the left valve, you can see which way it goes for "auto" or "manual".

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 2:48pm

and just so I know, when I set it to manual it should kick in regardless of whether the clock is on?

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 2:51pm

I'm assuming this is what I'm feeling for?

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 2:53pm

actually that video is a gold mine for navigation 😁 I see which side is auto and man now, interesting how the "Man" side actually dips a bit so it stays locked in (actually sorry, I see you mentioned this before!)

Wearb · 14-11-2023 3:10pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121367523#Comment_121367523

Yes, if it has standard wiring. Lots do not.

Wearb · 14-11-2023 3:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121367541#Comment_121367541

That might have a plastic cover on it in some cases.

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 6:37pm

Switched it to manual and heating started right away and I heard the familiar little whirring sound from the controller as I switched it.

So I guess that means its not dead?

Or does manual work even if no electricity running through the controller?

I switched it back to Auto after a few minutes and then tried turning it on at the clock and no change.

The clock is apparently fine as I had an electrician view it recently, so where could the problem lie given manual works?

Wearb · 14-11-2023 6:59pm

It could be the motor part of the zone valve, the thermostat controlling it or the programmer/timer.

mrcheez · 14-11-2023 8:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121368658#Comment_121368658

interesting.. these are new valves fitted around 2 weeks ago. Do they die that easily?

I'll call the guys who fitted it, but would it be a plumber job or an electrician job? They seem to outsource their electricians.

Wearb · 14-11-2023 10:18pm

Well if fitted only 2 weeks ago, I'd be calling the fitter back to sort it.

No they don't fail so quickly, but then again that was not the sole reason that I gave for your fault.

Any good plumber or boiler person should be able to sort it, but as you observe, some leave that part to electricians.

pocketse · 14-11-2023 11:49pm

Have you checked what the thermostat is set to? Had a similar issue. Heat not turning on in one zone. Thought it was a valve. The kids had set the upstairs thermostat to a lower temperature that the actual temperature so the heat didn't need to fire. Raised the thermostat value and problem solved.

mrcheez · 15-11-2023 12:58am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121369776#Comment_121369776

Yeah I checked that. Thermostat is up high.

Turning it left it clicked when it was around 16C... cold!

Zone valve not turning on, is there a way for me to test if it works at all by "leaving it open"?

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