Motorised valve for hot water tank

Lolotte · 22-09-2011 12:24pm #1

Hi, does anyone now the shelf life of a motorised valve for hot water? We bought our house in 2009 (built in 2008) and we had to change the motorised valve (blue box) few months later and now the hot water is gone again and our plumber is advising that it's that motorised valve linked to the hot water tank again that needs to be changed (18 months since we got a new one!). We have a timer that control the hot water (separate from heating). Could something linked to the tank cause the valve to go?

DoneDL · 22-09-2011 7:47pm

Could be but its most likely just a cheap valve.

aujopimur · 22-09-2011 8:00pm

Those blue valve actuators are crap, the yellow ones (can't remember the name) are much better and they come with a plug in lead which makes them a handy DIY job to replace.

DoneDL · 22-09-2011 8:02pm

Salus? NO Sauter, sorry.

Lolotte · 22-09-2011 8:27pm

Thanks for your replies. Checked the brand it's Heat Merchants (my plumber told me to go back to them to get the same one, I have reservations now). The first one that broke down was defo a yellow one. We have another yellow one next to the tank (probably for the heating upstairs). Can not find the brand though!
Will it be worth changing the valve to one with a plug in lead? will have to have a plug installed in the hotpress though, is that a big job?

Would you recommend any brands (we had the valve for the heating downstairs that broke down last year too and we changed that one for a Myson one, so far so good)?

DoneDL · 22-09-2011 9:14pm

As aujopimur mentioned these valves have the benefit of being easily changed. I used them on a job three years ago and though they seemed flimsy they have a 5 year guarantee. I know that there hasn`t been a problem with them on that property.

aujopimur · 22-09-2011 9:59pm

Myson are probably the best, but it would mean changing the complete valve.
The plug in type I refer don't need a socket, the control cable is plugged into the the actuator as against being hard wired.

DoneDL · 22-09-2011 10:11pm

is this the one

aujopimur · 22-09-2011 11:04pm

Thats the one.

Lolotte · 23-09-2011 7:36am

Brilliant! thanks very much for your help. Really appreciated. Will go to Heat Merchants and Chadwicks see what they have on offer.

JohnnieK · 23-09-2011 8:33pm

As DonDL stated they are easy to replace. I was badgered into trying sauter by my supplier and as someone stated I thought they were flimsy and low and behold one of them broke 6 months later. It was replaced under warranty but it's just the inconvenience of it. You would be better off with something like Danfoss or Myson.

Motorised valve for hot water tank

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