tinkerbell in the flow control valve

[peter_j_dunn]

The B/G flow control valve in our three zone hot water system tinkles as if there is a loose washer in the water stream, but only when the central zone of the house is activated. Does this indicate a problem with the valve? Is there a subliminal message in the tinkling?

[KField]

It must be caused by some kind of turbulence. The check weight inside the flow valve is loose and it needs to be lifted by the water flow. Yours must be jumping around in there. Is there a valve in the return line of that zone you could close slightly to try to change the water flow?

Ken

[peter_j_dunn]

Thanks for the insight, Ken.
I expect that I can close a valve to restrict the flow.
But your description suggests that I need to increase it.
Perhaps I can open something up to help it out.
Can you tell me why I need a flow control valve?
Sorry for the delay in reply: I'm actually quite a way from the house now.
But I will check out these ideas after Thanksgiving.

[KField]

Flow controls prevent unwanted circulation. Convection would cause circulation when the boiler water is warmer than the water in the radiators. If you have one zone and don't use the boiler for domestic hot water, you actually don't need a flow check. But with multiple zones using circulators you need one for each zone. If you zone with zone valves, you don't need a flow check either because the zone valve prevents circulation unless it is activated. I don't know how you would get more flow than you now have but if you can, go for it.

Ken

[peter_j_dunn]

Ken:
There seemed to be miles of pipes down in the 'engine room' of the house (in Vermont).
You'll be pleased to know we are loyal to oil there.
I could only find one flow control valve: it was in the main water line from the boiler, before it split into three.
There are three devices in each return line which are connected to each thermostat.
I think they are pumps (circulators?).
I'll explore some more next week.
There are gate valves everywhere and I'll use them to try and tune away the tinkling.
Thankyou, and enjoy Thanksgiving,
Peter

[KField]

Those things in the return line would have to be zone valves if there is only one flow check and the good news is that if they are zone valves, you don't even need the flow check. If you identify the items as zone valves, there would be one circulator between them and the boiler. Let me know and if that is the case, I'll tell you how to diasble tinkerbell.

Your loyalty is appreciated

Ken

[peter_j_dunn]

Ken:
I found two other flow valves for the other lines: smaller than the main one housing tinkerbell. There are also three circulators, one for each zone. If I set a ball valve just before the main valve to about 45 degrees, then tinkerbell sleeps. But the water pressure n the main supply line to the kitchen now causes the other woman in my life to complain. I also wonder if the main pump has to work harder with the restriction.
There are instructions on the valve for setting for gravity flow. Should I fiddle with this option? How would I know if it is set wrong? And if it is, would it cause the tinkling? Is this a healthy situation for a control valve or an indication that it is not working correctly?
I hope you don't mind the plethora of questions and the glacial pace at which they are posed.
Perhaps we can get her under control by Christmas.
Appreciatively, Peter

[KField]

That all sounds correct. When you set the valve for gravity flow, you are just lifting the weight off of the seat and letting water flow on convection. You don't have top worry about overworking the circulator. You could try turning the knob for gravity flow slightly and seeing if you can get the valve to get quiet without actually opening it up. What brand of flow valve do you have. (The noisy one). The scenario is unusual but not necessarily a sign of anything bad. Just annoying.

Ken

[peter_j_dunn]

The manufacturer of the valve is Bell and Gosset.
The gravity flow adjustment is frozen: apparently in the non-gravity position.
I'll spray a little WD40 on it and try to tune her out when the adjuster is free.

[KField]

Good luck, those valves are junk when it comes to using that lever. They are usually broken off the first time you need to use the manual feature. You can then put a pair of vise grips on the shaft and try that.

Ken