Incredibly stiff radiator valves

[Bob Kellock]

I'm having problems with 1/2" x 15mm lockshield/manual radiator valves that I've bought from one of the major suppliers who mainly sells goods originating from China or India. Apart from the first lot which came in individual bags labelled as 1/22 X 15 but contained 1/2" X 10 they've sent 3 replacement sets of valves all of which were incredibly stiff and which my local plumber said that they were unusable.
The seller claims that their Quality Assurance people have checked them and said that they are OK.

I've knocked up a lash-up rig to test the torque required to move the valve which was 2.3 Newton metres from the closed position or 1.4 at mid range. I understand that British Standard 2767:1991 "Specification for manually operated copper alloy valves for radiators" gives figures for the torsion range but at £134 I'm reluctant to buy a copy just to prove a point. If anyone has a copy I'd be very grateful if they could let me have that information.

The seller does not claim that their valves meet the BS but, if as I suspect, the measured torque wildly exceeds the BS then I may be able get them to supply properly working valves.

 

[cjg]

if you are not happy with them just return them.

 

[Ben-gee]

Take them back.

Let your plumber supply them from the merchant he/she/them/they/etc usually uses.

 

[Bob Kellock]

Take them back.

Let your plumber supply them from the merchant he/she/them/they/etc usually uses.

After a protracted ding dong with the goons at S......x I was finally contacted by the CEO's aide who was highly apologetic and supplied me with Pegler valves foc

 

[king of pipes]

Never use fake cheap copy valves they may look ok but in reality are totally inadequate and not fit for purpose , pegler are a sound trusted brand and will be work just fine . Kop