# DIY Non-thermostatic radiator valve

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924>\
**Category:** Share Your Projects\
**Created:** [5 January 2020 10:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924 "2020-01-05T10:53:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 17\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [6 January 2020 18:35 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/21 "2020-01-06T18:35:18Z")

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> [@bakman2](#):
>
> Anyway we are way offtopic of my beautiful valve 😖 contraption, the lever already failed, back to the drawingboard

Well your just going to to have to get a 3D solid metal printer 🤣

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**Author:** ![muggins](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/muggins/32/63013_2.png) [@muggins](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/muggins)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 09:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/22 "2020-01-07T09:50:59Z")

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I use these on a couple of my rads via sonoff. They work well

> **[Actuator for underfloor Heating 230 V incl. Adapter VA10, fits on...](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Actuator-underfloor-Heating-Adapter-Cronatherm/dp/B075HNRZQ4/ref=asc_df_B075HNRZQ4/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=231908893094&hvpos=1o5&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3881772384057993897&hvpone&hvptwo&hvqmt&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvlocint&hvlocphy=1007275&hvtargid=pla-421964960298&psc=1)**
>
> Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Actuator for underfloor Heating 230 V incl. Adapter VA10, fits on Beulco/Cronatherm/Kamo/Purmo/Watts/Rehau an Others/Wärmer System.

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**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 09:53 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/23 "2020-01-07T09:53:23Z")

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Those are for thermostatic valves.

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**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 09:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/24 "2020-01-07T09:55:55Z")

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> [@bakman2](#):
>
> ... the lever already failed, back to the drawingboard

Did you print it solid? or with an infill? Where did it break?

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 10:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/25 "2020-01-07T10:09:19Z")

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> [@bakman2](#):
>
> Those are for thermostatic valves.

I don't think so, they are on/off valves controlled by the applied voltage, however I think they work by heating wax which melts and the expansion/contraction is used to drive the valve. This means they are very slow (3 minutes in the spec) so they are not ideal if you are looking for good control. It does not rule them out but means you cannot do just a short pulse of heat to keep a radiator just warm.

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**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 10:29 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/26 "2020-01-07T10:29:15Z")

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The documentation on amazon shows that it pushes in a piston and states that it is for thermostatic valve. mine needs to turn, plus mine has a weird mounting point.

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**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 10:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/27 "2020-01-07T10:43:17Z")

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@bakman2, would a heavy duty servo work?, it would give you finer control too.

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 10:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/28 "2020-01-07T10:50:05Z")

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> [@bakman2](#):
>
> The documentation on amazon shows that it pushes in a piston and states that it is for thermostatic valve

That means that it is for a valve that is compatible with a thermostatic valve head. You are right that it doesn't do what you want as you need a rotary drive.

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 10:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/29 "2020-01-07T10:52:11Z")

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> [@ghayne](#):
>
> would a heavy duty servo work

One of the issues is that you need a spring somewhere in the system so that the drive can 'overdrive' it closed and the spring will absorb the excess travel.

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**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 10:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/30 "2020-01-07T10:55:43Z")

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Good point Colin. Now if every house had a supply of compressed air it would be much easier 🙂

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 11:16 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/31 "2020-01-07T11:16:11Z")

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> [@Colin](#):
>
> One of the issues is that you need a spring somewhere in the system so that the drive can 'overdrive' it closed

Though actually, having said that, some of the commercial products use a low power geared stepper motor that is just driven till it stalls and is left stalled while the valve is open, then has a spring which unwinds it when the power is switched off and closes the valve. [These ones](https://www.toolstation.com/powerhead-for-v4043h-valves/p19864), for example, work like that. They need a valve that opens/closes in 90 degrees or thereabouts.

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**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 11:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/32 "2020-01-07T11:43:12Z")

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Ah yes, have one in the airing cupboard controlling the diverter valve.

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**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 12:07 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/33 "2020-01-07T12:07:07Z")

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That is exactly how my valve now works.

@zenofmud yes 100% infill, problem is that the moint point also gets very hot so every time it opens/closes, more wiggleroom gets added. Metal will be the only solution.

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**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 12:15 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/34 "2020-01-07T12:15:57Z")

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Maybe a metal inlay into the printed piece??

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 12:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/35 "2020-01-07T12:23:23Z")

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> [@bakman2](#):
>
> Metal will be the only solution

No chance of adapting a standard spanner / Wrench?

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**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 13:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/36 "2020-01-07T13:01:50Z")

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Yes i have to find one that fits nicely in the right angle.

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**Author:** ![ghayne](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/ghayne/32/39_2.png) [@ghayne](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/ghayne)\
**Post date:** [7 January 2020 13:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/diy-non-thermostatic-radiator-valve/19924/37 "2020-01-07T13:22:24Z")

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A universal wrench like this maybe?

 ![wrench](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/2X/b/bec4e2b9a0f502d029d8ca8ffa0d58f551afdd0c.jpeg)

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