2 zone heating - DIY Chatroom

joetab24 · 11-07-2009, 08:34 AM

hi everyone,

i turned on our heat yesterday and discovered that the back zone isn't causing the gas boiler to fire up. the system fired up when i turned on the front zone, causing the radiators in the back zone to get hot as long as the back thermostat was on. i noticed on the control box in the basement the zone valve light is not lit for the back zone. the boiler is 7 yrs. old. thanks for taking a look!
-------------------------------------------------------------
just to update this: i am not getting any heat in the back zone now. the front (main) zone is working fine though.

Houston204 · 11-07-2009, 03:18 PM

Post more information. What stat is controlling the rear zone. What valve do you have. What zone control make and model do you have?
More information would remove much of the guess work in assisting you.

Do you have a multimeter?
Do you have a digital camera? Pictures can be posted here using www.photobucket.com.

joetab24 · 11-07-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Houston204

Post more information. What stat is controlling the rear zone. What valve do you have. What zone control make and model do you have?
More information would remove much of the guess work in assisting you.

Do you have a multimeter?
Do you have a digital camera? Pictures can be posted here using www.photobucket.com.

I'll take some pics because I really am a novice with the gas boiler. I am trying to better inform myself so I don't get ripped off.

the first three lights are on, the fourth is not.

joetab24 · 11-07-2009, 03:55 PM

hopefully this helps...what else do you need to know?

Houston204 · 11-07-2009, 05:13 PM

Does the zone 2 LED light up when you jumper the 2 terminals going to zone 2 thermostat?

Houston204 · 11-07-2009, 05:46 PM

It appears that you have 2 wire actuators on your Taco valves (I see orange and yellow).

The lower section of your diagram shows a jumper in use with 2 wire actuators. Is the jumper between terminals 3 and 4 to your zone 2 valve loose.

joetab24 · 11-07-2009, 05:47 PM

"Does the zone 2 LED light up when you jumper the 2 terminals going to zone 2 thermostat?"

I am sure I am trying your patience

I am honestly not sure what you mean by "jumper the 2 terminals"?

Houston204 · 11-07-2009, 05:55 PM

I meant create a short across these 2 terminals with the use of a small insulated piece of wire.

The diagram zone 1 valve terminal block displays a jumper (wire) between terminals 3 and 4. If both of your valve are 2 wire, they would both have this jumper wire between terminals 3 and 4.

joetab24 · 11-07-2009, 05:58 PM

"It appears that you have 2 wire actuators on your Taco valves (I see orange and yellow).

The lower section of your diagram shows a jumper in use with 2 wire actuators. Is the jumper between terminals 3 and 4 to your zone 2 valve loose."

not sure what a jumper or wire actuators are. I do see the pic you are referring to. I have 2 taco valves, each with wires. the wires appear to be connected well. you may have read this earlier. when the back zone thermostat calls for heat, the light for thermostat goes on but the zone valve light never goes on and the boiler never lights.

you've already done enough if you don't have the time (or patience) to respond to my rookie questions...thanks for the help you provided!

Houston204 · 11-07-2009, 06:06 PM

An actuator is the small motor on top of your valve that drives it open when 24 volts is supplied to it. I'd at least check that 3-4 jumper for zone 2 before giving up.

I'll gladly off further assistance in a few hours. I promised the wife dinner and a movie

.

joetab24 · 11-07-2009, 06:19 PM

no prob...we did dinner and a movie last night, a real treat when you have two little ones. enjoy!

for later,

referring to the last pic i posted, which taco valve is for zone 2?

beenthere · 11-07-2009, 07:08 PM

Follow your piping, The one that is cold is zone 2.

Bad power head.

joetab24 · 11-08-2009, 09:40 AM

ACTION/RESULT
i disconnected the thermostat in zone 2 and checked the wiring----> the green thermostat light on the control box for zone 2 is lit. It was lit prior to testing, but I just wanted to be sure there was a good connection. Does this rule out the thermostat? And what would be the next logical step?

Houston204 · 11-08-2009, 01:56 PM

I would measure for 24VAC to your zone 2 valve when demand is present.
A meter would actually making testing much easier. If no meter is available...

I suspect that that your valve never gets a signal since your LED isn't lighting up. Again, I would verify that the small wire between terminals 3 and 4 going to your zone 2 valve is making a good connection at each end.

Bypass your zone 2 stat at your zone control. Remove the 2 wires going to your zone 2 stat and connect Terminal T to the other terminal T for zone 2. This would be a "jumper" . This would eliminate the stat and the wiring to the stat as the problem. If the problem persists...

Does the zone 2 LED light up when you remove the wires from terminals 1 and 2 to your zone 2 valve (with a zone 2 heating demand present). If it still won't light up...

If you only have a faulty interated relay on your zone control, I suspect that you could move zone 2 stat and valve wires to your zone 3 stat and valve terminals. Remove power first.

Houston204 · 11-08-2009, 01:58 PM

Both of your zones would be wired as shown in the zone 1 example when you have a 2 wire valve at both zones.