can't get ch on without hw on

[dessie]

Just moved to a new house. ch and hw system seems self explanatory, however if I have just the ch light on the controller on the boiler will not fire up. If I have both ch and hw lights on - only then will the radiators heat up and then not to any great temperature. I have turned the thermostat up to max.

 

[kevplumb]

sounds like a gravity system

what boiler and controls do you have

 

[dessie]

Boiler is Ideal Classic
controller is ACL Lifestyle (model LP241)

 

[kevplumb]

which of these do you have

View media item 11149
View media item 11148
you can't do gravity on a classic ignore the first post

 

[dessie]

Hi Kevplumb, thankyou for your help. Sorry for the slow replies, but I've new to this forum lark! If you're still there (?) the sytem we have in our cylinder cupboard corresponds to the top picture you sent.

 

[doitall]

Do you have and know how to use a multimeter.

 

[dessie]

Hi doitall,
I don't have a multimeter - do you suspect an electrical problem?
Danny

 

[doitall]

Yes in the actuator of the 3port valve.

 

[dessie]

Thanks Doitall,
Is there anything a layman can do to solve the problem, or is it a case of getting someone in - if so do you think it's an expensive problem to rectify?
Danny (Dessie)

 

[doitall]

Tricky question, it could be just the actuator.

Can you post a pic of the valve or the make/model.

 

[Goldberg]

Is there anything a layman can do to solve the problem

There is plenty.

The first and easiest thing is to remove the actuator head and see if you can operate the valve spindle manually.

If it's a Honeywell valve then don't do this unless you've isolated electrical power from the heating system, and only then if you are confident in what you're doing and have a means of checking that you've isolated correctly.

 

[dessie]

the valve has the same name on it as the control panel - ADL Lifestyle

 

[seco services]

you mean ACL LIFESYLE.

if you are getting both heat/hw but only when the hw is on to sounds like
a seized spindle or jammed actuator.

 

[glasgowgas]

you mean ACL LIFESTYLE

 

[D_Hailsham]

if you are getting both heat/hw but only when the hw is on to sounds like a seized spindle or jammed actuator.

If the OP is getting CH and HW, the valve must be opening to mid-position. The boiler is supplied from the HW stat in this case.

If CH is ON and HW is satisfied or turned off, the valve moves to CH only open and the boiler is supplied from the orange wire. If the valve can move to mid-position, it's unlikely that the valve will not move to CH only.

However it is still worth checking the spindle can turn - it won't be a complete revolution, usually less than 90°.

If that's OK we have to find out if it is the actuator or something else.

Turn off power when connecting/ disconnecting wires This usually means unplugging the lead or removing the fuse from a spur.

Disconnect the valves Grey, Orange and White wires (make a note of which terminal they are connected to)
Turn CH OFF and HW ON
Turn HW stat up - boiler should light
HW pipe only from valve should get hot
Turn HW stat down - boiler should go out.

This confirms the Call side of the HW stat is working.

Connect the White wire to a permanent supply.
Turn CH ON and room stat up
Turn HW stat up
Boiler should go on
HW and CH pipes from valve should get hot.
Turn HW stat down
Boiler should go out

This confirms if valve is working in mid-position

Turn HW and CH OFF and set CH and HW thermostats to low
Connect grey wire to a permanent supply
Reconnect the orange wire to its correct terminal
Turn CH ON and CH stat up.
Boiler should light and CH pipe get hot
Turn HW ON (leave HW stat low)
Boiler should continue to run and CH pipe get hot.

This confirms if the valve is working in CH only

Reconnect White and Grey wires to the correct terminals.

If it fails any of these test the fault is in the valve actuator.
If it passes the tests, the fault lies elsewhere. Either the programmer or the HW thermostat.