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Remove and Replace Old White Rodgers Zone Valve on Boiler

I have an old boiler system with two white rodgers 1311 zone vlaves. These connect to mercury thermostats with three wires and work on power open / power close.

I am trying to replace the mercury thermostats with wifi thermostats but am encountering problems with this type of series 20 wiring. What I want to do is replace the old power open / power closed zone vlaves with different vlaves that will work with the new thermostats.

I don't know which vlave to use as a replacement and how to install it. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    What model thermostats?
    Most can use the O/B terminal to power close.
  • MitchAgainN8
    MitchAgainN8 Member Posts: 4
    I have the ecobee smart thermostat... So you're suggesting wiring the y wire from my mercury stat into the ob on the wifi stat...
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,574
    Could always use a spdt relay as well
  • MitchAgainN8
    MitchAgainN8 Member Posts: 4
    The spdt relay is the next thing in going to try. My main concern with that is failure... Worried that a relay might fail every couple of years...
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 9,574
    edited December 2019
    The relay has very little load on the contacts and a lot less moving parts than the zone valve.

    I would be far more concerned with everything about the ecobee.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,022
    Are you wiring via a relay box? At least 3 wires at the t-stat location? Ecobee work fine with 3 wires and a typical power open zone valve.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,804
    I would contact Ecobee.
    I dont see anything in their manual for series 20 wiring.
    The Honeywell stats use W and O/B.
  • MitchAgainN8
    MitchAgainN8 Member Posts: 4
    I'm also considering just swapping out the zone valves. Can I use any zone valve or do you recommend one to replace the white rodgers 1311?
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 22,022
    Any zone valve should work. Spring return are the most common. Numerous brands available
    The Caleffi Z one has a 5 year warranty is you install it with a Caleffi ZVR relay box. This would solve the valve and wiring issues and work with any of the WiFi stats if you have 3 wires at the stat it will be a simple Install

    https://www.caleffi.com/sites/default/files/file/01115_0616_na.pdf
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream