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Water feeder "stuck" open (VTX-24)

impossible
impossible Member Posts: 28
I have a Weil McLain peg-40 boiler one pipe system. A few weeks ago the power went out throughout the house and when it was restored, the Hydrolevel VXT-24 feeder kicked on and flooded the system to the point water was coming out of the release valve. I immediately shut down the system and drained the it back to a normal level.

I powered up the system and noticed the LWCO light is on but the feeder doesn’t kick on until I press the manual FEED button on the feeder. After I press the manual feed button, the boiler starts to fill, and the LWCO light goes out but the feeder doesn’t turn off.

This is the second VXT-24 I’ve had since I bought the house 7 years ago. The current feeder is 3 years old.

For what it’s worth, I recorded a video. At the start of the video, the water level is 1” from the bottom of the sight glass and the LWCO light is on. I open the valve and engage the feeder by pressing the manual FEED button.

You may want to turn down your speakers before viewing. The auto feeder is LOUD. https://youtu.be/8nOywpX15jw

I’ve scoured this board looking for answers but all I really found was people complaining about this water feeder. Nothing about one being “stuck” open. Hoping someone has some advice.

Thank you.

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    When the VXT is acting up, check to see if you have 24 volts between the F and N terminals where the cable connects. If so, it's getting a "feed" signal from the low-water cutoff, which may have gone bad.

    If not, see if you have 24 volts at the connections to the coil that operates the valve. If so, the board in the VXT was probably damaged in the power event.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
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    impossible
  • Shane_2
    Shane_2 Member Posts: 191
    I would try this kit. Much less expensive than another new water feeder

    https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hydrolevel-45-345-VXT-Feed-Valve-Service-Kit
    impossible
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,455
    @impossible

    search u tube videos for Gordon Schweitzer. he had a multitude of videos on the vxts
    impossible
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    edited August 2022
    The little dot after the third number on the feeder counter means it's being called on to feed. It should shut when the dot goes away. I see it's not doing that. Seems like a mechanical failure to me. I would call Hydrolevel and see if they'll send you that service kit for free.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
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    impossible
  • impossible
    impossible Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2022
    Steamhead said:

    When the VXT is acting up, check to see if you have 24 volts between the F and N terminals where the cable connects. If so, it's getting a "feed" signal from the low-water cutoff, which may have gone bad.

    If not, see if you have 24 volts at the connections to the coil that operates the valve. If so, the board in the VXT was probably damaged in the power event.

    For what its worth, the Hydrolevel rep said to check for 24 volts between common and A terminals. (I haven't explored this yet.)

    Correct me if I am wrong but here's why I don't think my problem is with the VXT-24 feed valve. The water level is low below the sight glass. When I turn on the system, the LWCO light comes on and the VXT display lights up but the water does not immediately start feeding. After a few minutes delay, the VXT starts feeding but doesn't stop on its own. If the feeder valve was stuck then wouldn't the VXT start to feed as soon as power was restored to the boiler, LWC and VXT?
  • impossible
    impossible Member Posts: 28
    I
    Shane_2 said:

    I would try this kit. Much less expensive than another new water feeder

    https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hydrolevel-45-345-VXT-Feed-Valve-Service-Kit

    Thanks Shane, this service kit solved my issue. When I opened the solenoid and didn't see any mineral build up, I was a little skeptical but by simply replacing the diaphragm, I was able to solve my problem... just in time for Winter.

    Thanks to everyone who helped. Here is a link to Gordon Schweitzer video on how to use the kit:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZc_wQgqhaI

    Cheers