Help me find an HS TARM furnace valve so I don't need a new furnace
December 7, 2016 5:16 PM Subscribe
I have a very non standard furnace (photos) that is broken and would like to repair a broken valve instead of replacing the system. Furnace repair companies alway are scared away from fixing this furnace.
It is an HS TARM of unknown model number - it burns oil, wood, and coal. The broken valve regulates the circulation of hot water up to the radiators and is controlled by the thermostat. The tech removed it and explained that they do not make the part anymore and it cannot be replaced. It was stuck open and no longer functions.
The heating system still functions, but must be turned on and off manually. The tech said that a new system would be required if I wanted to regulate the heat by thermostat.
Does anyone know of a source to buy this part, or a company that deals with these older but expensive units in Western New Jersey?
It is an HS TARM of unknown model number - it burns oil, wood, and coal. The broken valve regulates the circulation of hot water up to the radiators and is controlled by the thermostat. The tech removed it and explained that they do not make the part anymore and it cannot be replaced. It was stuck open and no longer functions.
The heating system still functions, but must be turned on and off manually. The tech said that a new system would be required if I wanted to regulate the heat by thermostat.
Does anyone know of a source to buy this part, or a company that deals with these older but expensive units in Western New Jersey?
Best answer: Looks like he broke it for you taking it off (the last two images show two mating parts, one that goes on the front of the other, with a broken piece still attached to the valve body, image 3, and a missing part still showing on the actuator, image 4). Yep, you're going to need a new one of those, for sure. In the wintertime, too. Don't call that fucker back.
Was the valve actually frozen? Did the thermostat fail? Did the valve motor fail? You don't know, and he wasn't interested in anything but selling you a new furnace.
What you have is a 3 or 4 way proportional mixing valve. Here's an ebay item that might do about the same thing, not that I'm suggesting you buy it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/esbe-danfoss-3-way-mixing-valve-hvac-proportional-zone-control-actuator-motor-24-/231114441115. That's a Danfoss Model MG - 065B8981 valve with a Danfoss Model 62P - 082F8973 actuator to operate it. Both of these are superseded, and they are doubtless the wrong size, but it'll give other answerers something to argue about and perhaps give you some kind of clue about what the part was.
Get a photograph of your thermostat into that dropbox, but I think the thermostat, valve and valve motor/actuator are all matched, and you'll have to replace them as a set. Work harder at getting part numbers, because they are there.
Here are some likely looking modern replacements for your very conventional valve set, made by the same company:
http://www.kuenzel.de/files/automix-en.pdf
http://www.avmterm.ee/Juhendid/Automaatika/AUTOMIX20.pdf
If you find real part numbers, and work the internet a little, you might be able to find a direct replacment for your old furnace part. And then there's the problem of getting it installed. And remember, don't call that guy back.
posted by the Real Dan at 9:02 PM on December 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Was the valve actually frozen? Did the thermostat fail? Did the valve motor fail? You don't know, and he wasn't interested in anything but selling you a new furnace.
What you have is a 3 or 4 way proportional mixing valve. Here's an ebay item that might do about the same thing, not that I'm suggesting you buy it:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/esbe-danfoss-3-way-mixing-valve-hvac-proportional-zone-control-actuator-motor-24-/231114441115. That's a Danfoss Model MG - 065B8981 valve with a Danfoss Model 62P - 082F8973 actuator to operate it. Both of these are superseded, and they are doubtless the wrong size, but it'll give other answerers something to argue about and perhaps give you some kind of clue about what the part was.
Get a photograph of your thermostat into that dropbox, but I think the thermostat, valve and valve motor/actuator are all matched, and you'll have to replace them as a set. Work harder at getting part numbers, because they are there.
Here are some likely looking modern replacements for your very conventional valve set, made by the same company:
http://www.kuenzel.de/files/automix-en.pdf
http://www.avmterm.ee/Juhendid/Automaatika/AUTOMIX20.pdf
If you find real part numbers, and work the internet a little, you might be able to find a direct replacment for your old furnace part. And then there's the problem of getting it installed. And remember, don't call that guy back.
posted by the Real Dan at 9:02 PM on December 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: That first link JayRwv posted looks like an SEO trap, and doesn't have much that's useful. The TARM Biomass site seems to have lots of good info though, including old manuals:
http://woodboilers.com/resources/resources-discontinued-boilers
Looking at the pictures in the brochures on that page, it appears you have an OT series, and there's a manual there for the OT series models (which appear to vary only by size).
I agree with the Real Dan that a replacement mixing valve looks to be available,
TARM Biomass also talk about importing these furnaces for >30 years, so there's probably someone there who can give you some direction if you call. They posted a 1979 Pop. Mechanics article which looks like your furnace too: http://woodboilers.com/media/wysiwyg/Downloads/Product_Brochures/Popular_Mechanics_1979.pdf
posted by dttocs at 11:07 PM on December 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
http://woodboilers.com/resources/resources-discontinued-boilers
Looking at the pictures in the brochures on that page, it appears you have an OT series, and there's a manual there for the OT series models (which appear to vary only by size).
I agree with the Real Dan that a replacement mixing valve looks to be available,
TARM Biomass also talk about importing these furnaces for >30 years, so there's probably someone there who can give you some direction if you call. They posted a 1979 Pop. Mechanics article which looks like your furnace too: http://woodboilers.com/media/wysiwyg/Downloads/Product_Brochures/Popular_Mechanics_1979.pdf
posted by dttocs at 11:07 PM on December 7, 2016 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: This all looks useful so I'm digging in to try to find the part. I've added a thermostat photo to the dropbox link above.
posted by ridogi at 7:23 AM on December 8, 2016
posted by ridogi at 7:23 AM on December 8, 2016
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posted by JayRwv at 5:43 PM on December 7, 2016