Testing Taco Power Heads

Jon Ritchey

I have a 1989 Burnham boiler and a four zone system using Taco Zone Valves. How do I test the Taco power heads? I have one zone that is over 100' away from the boiler and either the power head is bad or there's a break in the thermostat wire (very difficult to rewire).
How often should I flush out each line, and is there any special things to be aware of?
Our old (1917) adobe house (large-5,200SF) is out in the country, so I try to do as much as possible by myself.
Thanks for your suggestions.

Jon Ritchey

Testing Taco Power Heads

I have a 1989 Burnham boiler and a four zone system using Taco Zone Valves. How do I test the Taco power heads? I have one zone that is over 100' away from the boiler and either the power head is bad or there's a break in the thermostat wire (very difficult to rewire).
How often should I flush out each line, and is there any special things to be aware of?
Our old (1917) adobe house (large-5,200SF) is out in the country, so I try to do as much as possible by myself.
Thanks for your suggestions.

Unknown

TACO heads

With the thermostat calling you should have 24 volts at 1 and 2 on the head. If you do then feel the head it should be hot and smell like it is burning. Then push down on the manual lever. If it goes down easily then the valve is open. If the system will still not come on then take a piece of wire and jump out 2 & 3 if the system comes on then the end switch on the valve is open and the head needs replaced.

Make sure the anticipator on the thermostat is set above .9 and even a little higher will help say 1 to 1.2.

A run of 100 feet is a little long for a taco valve as a 18 gauge wire will just barely handle that long a run. A wire smaller than 18 is a problem.