Graveyard of Heat-Timer Varivalves

patrykrebisz

I wanted to share a "post-mortem" I did on a pile of Heat-Timer Varivalves I’ve pulled from my house recently. While these valves are popular for their sleek look and adjustable sliders, I’ve found them to be fundamentally flawed, with several units failing in my home after only a year or two.

If you have these on your radiators, take one off and shake it. If you hear a rattle, the valve has failed internally.

I cut a few of these open to see exactly why they die so quickly. The issue is the connection between the bellows and the sealing ball. It appears to be held together by a chemical adhesive or glue. Between the constant expansion/contraction cycles and the exposure to high-heat steam, that glue eventually gives way. Once the ball detaches, the bellows can no longer force the valve shut, making it useless for controlling your steam.

It’s disappointing that a design this old hasn't been updated with a permanent mechanical connection. I've personally stopped using them and have switched to more reliable alternatives like Vent-Rite or Maid-O'-Mist.

I put together a quick video showing the internal teardown and the "graveyard" of failed valves I've collected:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0b13Us9b3U

Captain Who

I just had one die on my tiny bathroom radiator on the 2nd floor. And this one measured 132 F closure when I put it into service. Not happy camper right now because I bought this and installed it only a hair over a year ago! First time I've had one fail so soon. I removed it and indeed it had a rattle. The radiator was completely cold, including the supply piping to it in the basement. I had it set to as low an opening as it will go. They are on backorder apparently. I ordered a MOM to try there going forward.

PS: I think in a lot of cases these companies know how to fix their product but they also know that fixing it will cost them maybe tens of thousands of $$$ in sales, and the FTC doesn't go after them. Thanks for this video and I hope it puts the screws to them.

ethicalpaul

I watched this video last night, it's very good. I wish these vents were better because the company is just up the road about 10 minutes from my house and I love a good local company.

But as it is, I agree with your assessment @patrykrebisz and I'm glad to now know the reason why they fail. I think this also explains why so many people complain of them "spitting". The condensate can't escape past the fallen ball and then gets blown out of the vent on the next call for heat.

So so many of my "clients" have these vents. I finally bought a couple to try but haven't put them into service yet.

dabrakeman

Wish you would go down there and give them a good talking to😄

geemalar

Expensive vent valve, appears high quality when taken out of the packaging, sliding mechanism feels smooth and effortless………..and everyone I’ve used has failed after 2 years or less.

I’ve moved on to Maid o Mist and have had nothing but complete satisfaction from their operation and longevity.

ethicalpaul

@patrykrebisz did you find out how they assemble them? Are they press fit from the top? Or what? Their construction is rather mysterious on first look but I haven't removed the sticker off the top yet

patrykrebisz

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1887465#Comment_1887465

The bellows are made from thin cooper with some sort of check valve at the tope. The whole assembly (bellows and the ball) seems to be pressed into the the housing from the top.

The ball has a rubber-like ring around it.

Captain Who

Not to be nitpicky…..great video and taking the thing apart with the cross section cut was very informative, but the bellows is actually phosphor bronze, which is a spring tempered copper alloy. It's a darn shame what they have done. They see fit to do a press fit for the cap so we can't take the things apart and actually repair them, but they can't solder or press fit the ball pintle into the bellows. I'm also wondering if the QC is lapsing on these or the earlier ones I got were just luck. I wonder what the check valve does, which they make no mention of. Also lol at "puppet" instead of poppet and "steam or condensation does not enter valve body" 🤣

PS: Does anyone know if there is any warranty on these puppies? Supplyhouse.com shows a 1 year warranty for the straight version but doesn't specify any warranty for the angled version that most of us use. I would imagine the straight version when used vertically may not hold condensate as well, which may help with longevity.