Donate SIGN UP

Radiator Connection

Avatar Image
Old_Geezer | 12:21 Fri 09th Oct 2020 | DIY
22 Answers
Wondered what plumbing expertise we had here. I need some information as I'm trying to consider options and work out what's feasible. What I need to know is whether one can get an end pipe connector that is identical to that on a radiator thermostat that I can connect the radiator to.

The background is that I wanted to box in some vertical pipes but it turned out that the radiator was too near to them; and to get sufficient room I needed to move the radiator along the wall.

I had decided to move it about 50 mm, but then an idea struck me. I could avoid drilling more holes in the wall by simply turning the radiator brackets around. This shifted things about 30 mm. Not ideal, but I think probably sufficient.

But just 30 mm means that any new hole in the floorboard for the pipe is rather near it's existing hole, and would possibly break though and make one massive hole. However a further thought has occurred to me that may avoid that.

One option I could try is to replace the floorboard upside-down, which would increase the distance between the holes. The downside being that the pipe would exit a little way from the radiator. I think I need to have the pipe hit the thermostat where it exits and then return the short distance horizontally to the radiator. The thermostat is then automatically acting as a 90⁰ joint.

But looking at the radiator and thermostat it's unclear if one can make a connection as the output of the radiator is similar to a pipe end with 'olive' and a screw nut part behind it, looking for something to screw onto.

But can one get a connection for the pipe that mimics the female connection aspect of the thermostat ? I can't recall seeing one.

Cheers.
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 20 of 22rss feed

1 2 Next Last

Avatar Image
I "think" I know what you mean OG. Not your fault. One look at these things is worth a thousand words, as they say. Anyway, is this on the right lines?...
12:26 Fri 09th Oct 2020
I "think" I know what you mean OG. Not your fault. One look at these things is worth a thousand words, as they say.

Anyway, is this on the right lines?

https://www.screwfix.com/p/tesla-x-15mm-telescopic-trv-extension-piece-25-60mm/4972R?tc=HC3&ds_kid=92700055281954499&ds_rl=1249404&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxe_-r8Cn7AIVB-ztCh3tXgugEAQYASABEgIMt_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
If so, have a look at alternatives down the right hand side of that Screwfix page
Question Author
It could be. Looks hopeful. I'm not at my place presently; I was earlier. My concern would be the set length of the thing at 60 mm. If it took up most of the distance anyway, but not all, then I'd be fiddling trying to get another short length of pipe in as well. Or if too long, then the other issue. I'll have to check lengths next time I'm back, thanks. Ideally it'd be very short and let the pipe define the length. In any case, I now know what description to search for :-)
Question Author
Ah relooking, is it suggesting it can be as short as 25 mm ?
Yep, it does say that doesn't it? 25mm at its shortest.

Anyway, at least you know what to look for now OG.
I think there are several of these available. I hope you find it ;o)
Question Author
Initially paid more attention to the picture than the description. I will most certainly give it a try. (Hope I don't experience the leaks mentioned in the question section though.) Thanks again, had no idea these existed.
Question Author
Well got the bit this morning, but it isn't overly clear how it's fitted. No instructions (and the bag was open). Have come away from the workplace, half expecting to have to return it. Sat here, I think I may have figured it out.

The olive must have to go onto the chromed "blank" end, rather than on a copper pipe as one would normally expect, and then connect directly to the thermostatic valve. That then leaves the end with an external screw thread to fit to a copper pipe. It'd only be fittable directly to the radiator if the full extension of 60mm was required since the sliding tube part unthreaded end appears to need to pass through the threaded end and then be swallowed inside the pipe. That's just weird and uninstictive. What odds that it'll be ok ?

I may try it later this week. Trouble is after trying, it won't be returnable any more.
Question Author
Thanks Donny, but my radiator doesn't look like that. I'm seeing the screw nut on the radiator and a pipe sized inner bit sticking out. There's no way this item could slide into the radiator.
Question Author
Maybe there's something I have to try and wrench off the radiator first then. But it seems tight on, so much so it seems part of the radiator itself.
I have usually found that standard house rads. have a half inch female connection.
OG if you start to succeed doing what was shown, you should use a spanner to tighten the new tail onto the valve, while holding the valve with grips to avoid it twisting and damaging the existing compression joint with the pipe coming up through the floor.
By the way, he was using PTFE tape, just in case you didn't know.
Question Author
I may try to post a photo later today, I did take one while I was there but my usual image hosting site has stopped offering that service free. But it does suggest that there is something other than the radiator itself already attached then.
Question Author
Yeah got lots of tape, thanks. Hope it's still usable after years shoved in the toolbox.
As Donny has stated, many radiators have a half inch female connection.
But lots of times an adapter is fitted to bring the thread up to three quarter. This would allow you to fit a specific TRV if you needed to. I have a long tapered hexagon key to fit and remove this adapter.
The piece in your rad. should unscrew, check the inside to see if it takes an allan key if not then gland pliers.
What a good guess..looks like you have the 3/4" Adapter.
It will be 1/2" Male going to 3/4" Female. Used to accept a TRV. As I said, you will need a hexagon wrench to remove it. Mine is like a tapered Allen key and will fit most sizes.
Question Author
Thanks. I assumed it was just part of the rad. I'll check it in detail when I go back. But if it needed it, maybe the extension piece needs something similar.

1 to 20 of 22rss feed

1 2 Next Last

Do you know the answer?

Radiator Connection

Answer Question >>