Rad Valves

[Doofus]

OK, I've Googled this and got nowt.

The (wet) heated towel rail in one bathroom was leaking. In fact, it's the inlet valve. So I took the rad off, and bought two new (fancy chrome, non-thermostatic) valves. The pair I bought look the same as each other, but one knob grips the valve and therefore turns it on and off, whereas the other valve dosn't grip, it just seems to be a cover. If they're supposed to be like that, then hopefully the above will make sense to soembody. Is it right?

If this is as it's supposed to be, I assume I set the 'non-turning' one to open, and put that on the outlet end, and the turnable one is inlet on the other?


TIA

[miniman]

Yes that's right. If you remove the cap from the "non-turning" one you'll find that there is indeed a valve which can be turned, just not by hand. They are used for balancing the system.

[Doofus]

Lovely, thanks

[Ferg]

It makes no difference which end they are on.

[Doofus]

Oh. I assumed the more easily adjustable one would go on the inlet, so I could control the temperature.

[Ferg]

Doofus said:

Oh. I assumed the more easily adjustable one would go on the inlet, so I could control the temperature.

They both restrict flow, which to be honest will make little difference to the temperature such is the tiny increment needed to make such a difference. Whether you restrict the flow on the way in or the way out makes no appreciable difference.

[Doofus]

OK, ta.