Electro-Plumbing Repair… of my home heat zones that won’t heat although the boiler is running fine!!

ElectroBOOM
6 May 202214:15
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn the video, the creator faces a heating issue at home with their Combi heater, which led to cold areas. After investigating, they discovered the problem lay with the electric valves controlled by smart thermostats. By examining the motors that operate these valves, they found some had malfunctioned due to friction and disconnected wires. The creator replaced the faulty motors with new ones, highlighting the importance of proper functioning and efficiency in home systems.

Takeaways
  • 🏠 The individual was attempting to create a video while dealing with a malfunctioning home heating system.
  • 🔧 The heating system in question is a Combi heater, a tankless device that heats water for both showers and baseboard heaters.
  • 🤔 The issue was suspected to be with the distribution of heat rather than the heater itself, as hot water was being produced and some areas of the house were warm.
  • 🛠️ The house's heating is divided into five zones, each controlled by an electric valve which receives signals from smart thermostats.
  • 📱 The thermostats are Nest smart models that can be controlled via an app and are capable of detecting the homeowner's absence to save energy.
  • 💡 The individual hypothesized that the thermostats might be in a power-saving mode, causing certain zones to be shut down.
  • 🔍 Upon inspection, it was found that some valves were not opening as expected, suggesting a mechanical issue with the motors controlling them.
  • 🔌 The motors are low voltage AC motors, and their operation was confirmed by testing them and measuring the voltage and current.
  • 🛒 The decision was made to replace the faulty motors with new ones, specifically Honeywell motors, to improve the system's reliability.
  • 🔄 The problem seemed to be a combination of electrical and mechanical issues, not just a plumbing problem, highlighting the interconnected nature of modern home systems.
Q & A

  • What is the main issue the speaker is facing with their house?

    -The main issue is that certain areas of the house are cold because the heater is not effectively heating them.

  • What type of heater does the speaker have?

    -The speaker has a Combi heater, which is a combinational heater that heats water for showers and radiators without a tank.

  • How does the speaker initially assess the functionality of the Combi heater?

    -The speaker assesses the Combi heater by checking if it's creating hot water and if some areas of the house are getting warm.

  • What hierarchy does the speaker joke about in terms of professions?

    -The speaker jokes about a hierarchy where technical Engineers, astrophysicists, rocket scientists, electrical technicians, plumbers, and doctors are ranked, with plumbing being elevated due to its importance.

  • How does the speaker's house heating system distribute hot water to different zones?

    -The hot water from the Combi heater is distributed to five zones in the house through pipes, controlled by electric valves that are managed by thermostats.

  • What does the speaker suspect might be causing the heating issue?

    -The speaker suspects that the thermostats might be in a power-saving mode, shutting down the zones to save energy, especially when they sense that no one is at home.

  • How does the speaker attempt to diagnose the problem with the valves?

    -The speaker opens the valves to inspect them, checks for electrical signals from the thermostats to the valves, and tests the motors that operate the valves.

  • What is the speaker's conclusion about the malfunctioning valves?

    -The speaker concludes that one motor has a friction issue and another has a disconnected wire, while the third motor seems to be functioning correctly.

  • What solution does the speaker implement to fix the problem?

    -The speaker replaces the malfunctioning motors with new ones, ensuring they are properly connected and tested before reassembling the system.

  • What additional issue does the speaker discover regarding the voltage supplied to the motors?

    -The speaker discovers that the voltage supplied to the motors is higher than their rated voltage of 24 volts AC, which could be causing them to die sooner.

  • How does the speaker's experience illustrate the intersection of plumbing and electrical work?

    -The speaker's experience shows that a plumbing issue can be rooted in electrical problems, as the malfunctioning of the heating system's valves was due to issues with the electric motors and voltage supply.

Outlines
00:00
🏠 Heating System Issues and Combi Heater Explanation

The paragraph discusses the narrator's struggle with their home heating system. They describe their Combi heater, a tankless device that heats water for both showers and baseboard heaters. The narrator explains the system's zoning and control via Nest smart thermostats, which can be managed through an app. They hypothesize that the thermostats might be in a power-saving mode, causing certain zones to be cold. The narrator uses a thermal camera to investigate but finds no solution, leading them to manually open two valves that were not functioning correctly.

05:00
🔧 Motor Analysis and Testing of Heating System Valves

In this paragraph, the narrator dives deeper into the mechanics of the heating system, focusing on the motors that control the valves. They describe the motors as simple, low-speed, low-torque devices that use gears to increase their effectiveness. The narrator tests the motors, discovering that one is faulty due to friction and another with a disconnected wire. They also discuss the safety aspects of working with low voltage and the potential dangers of electrical work. After diagnosing the issues, the narrator considers replacing the motors.

10:02
🛠️ Repair and Replacement of Heating System Components

The narrator's exploration of the heating system leads to the decision to replace the faulty motors. They purchase new motors, install them, and discuss the process. The narrator also examines the power supply to the motors, finding that the transformer provides 24 volts AC from the 120 volts AC mains. They note that the voltage drops to 26 volts under maximum load, which could be a reason for the motors' premature failure. The paragraph concludes with the narrator hoping that the new motors will last longer than the original ones and reflects on how the plumbing issue was, in fact, an electrical problem.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Combi heater
A Combi heater is a type of heating system that provides hot water for both domestic use, such as showers, and heating purposes, like baseboard heaters. In the video, the Combi heater is described as a tankless device that efficiently uses space and energy to perform its dual functions. The issue arises when the hot water short circuits and returns directly to the heater instead of circulating through the intended zones, which is a problem the speaker aims to diagnose and fix.
💡Baseboard heaters
Baseboard heaters are low-mounted, radiant heating units that circulate hot water through them to warm up a space. They are often used in homes and are connected to a central heating system. In the context of the video, the baseboard heaters are part of the heating system that is not functioning properly in some areas of the house, leading to cold spots.
💡Tankless device
A tankless device, in the context of heating systems, refers to a heater that does not use a storage tank to hold heated water. Instead, it heats water on demand as it passes through the system. This type of device is known for its energy efficiency and space-saving design. The video highlights the benefits of the tankless Combi heater but also reveals the challenges when it malfunctions.
💡Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats are programmable devices that can be controlled remotely, often through an app on a smartphone. They can adjust the temperature in a home based on user preferences, schedules, and even occupancy detection. In the video, the Nest smart thermostats are mentioned as a key component of the home's heating system, which may be contributing to the issue by potentially shutting down zones to save energy when the user is away.
💡Electric valves
Electric valves are components that control the flow of a fluid, like hot water, through an electrical signal. They open or close in response to the signals from a control system, such as a thermostat. In the video, the electric valves are integral to the functioning of the heating zones and are suspected to be part of the problem when certain areas of the house remain cold.
💡Short circuit
A short circuit occurs when an electrical current takes an unintended path, often due to a fault in the system. This can prevent the current from reaching its intended destination, disrupting the normal operation of the system. In the video, the short circuit is described as the hot water returning directly to the heater instead of circulating through the baseboard heaters, which is a sign of a malfunction in the heating system.
💡AC voltages
AC voltages refer to alternating current electrical voltages, which periodically change direction and are commonly used in household and commercial power supplies. In the context of the video, the AC voltages are the power source for the electric valves, and the speaker discovers that they are receiving almost 29 volts AC, which is the intended voltage for their operation.
💡Inductive impedance
Inductive impedance is a measure of the opposition that an inductor offers to alternating current. It is a combination of resistance and reactance, where the reactance is due to the inductor's property of storing energy in its magnetic field. In the video, the coil's inductive impedance is calculated to be around 30 ohms at 60 Hz, which, along with the resistance, determines the total impedance and the current flowing through the motor.
💡Induction motor
An induction motor is a type of AC motor that operates on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It does not have brushes or a commutator, making it simpler and more robust than other motor types. The video describes the motor as having a rotor that is not magnetic, but the changing magnetic fields create currents in the rotor that force it to turn.
💡Power supply regulation
Power supply regulation refers to the process of maintaining a stable voltage output from a power supply, regardless of changes in load or input voltage. In the video, the unregulated power supply results in a voltage drop under maximum load, which can affect the performance and lifespan of the motors. The speaker notes the need for a higher voltage to compensate for the voltage drop, but this approach risks damaging the motors due to over-voltage.
💡Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency refers to the amount of energy that is used to provide a specific service or to achieve a desired outcome, with less energy waste. In the video, the speaker critiques the existing system as inefficient due to its design, which keeps motors running even when they are not needed, wasting energy. The suggestion is made to use DC motors and eliminate springs, which would save power by only running the motors when necessary.
Highlights

The individual expresses frustration with household issues disrupting work, specifically the malfunctioning of their Combi heater.

The Combi heater is described as a combinational device that heats water for showers and baseboard heaters, and is a tankless device saving space.

The baseboard heaters in the house are radiators through which hot water runs to create heat.

The hot water system in the house is a closed loop, with water splitting into five zones controlled by electric valves.

The individual uses a thermal camera to diagnose issues with the heating system, indicating a multifaceted approach to problem-solving.

The thermostats in the house are Nest smart devices, which can be controlled remotely via an app.

The individual hypothesizes that the thermostats might be in a power-saving mode, affecting the operation of the heating zones.

The individual manually opens valves to troubleshoot the heating system, demonstrating practical knowledge and hands-on problem-solving.

The heating system's valves are controlled by AC motors, which the individual tests for functionality and power issues.

The individual discovers that one motor has a disconnected wire and another has friction issues, showing attention to detail and mechanical understanding.

The individual performs a risky test by burning one of the motors, which unexpectedly fixes the issue, revealing a trial-and-error approach to repairs.

The replacement of the faulty motors with new ones is discussed, highlighting the individual's resourcefulness and willingness to invest in solutions.

The individual's critique of the motor design points out inefficiencies and suggests an alternative DC motor design for energy saving.

The individual's self-reflection on the learning experience from a plumbing issue turning into an electrical problem provides insight into their problem-solving process.

The importance of voltage regulation is discussed to prevent motor damage and ensure system efficiency.

The individual concludes with optimism that the new motors will last longer, showing a positive outlook and forward-thinking.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Heating SystemSmart HomeDo-It-YourselfElectrical TroubleshootingPlumbing IssuesCombi HeaterNest ThermostatMotor ReplacementEnergy EfficiencyHome Improvement