Brass float valve, ancient one high pressure, 1/2" I think

[spendorman]

Going out into the garden this morning to feed monster cat, it was very strange, it seemed to be raining on me, but it wasn't raining!

I looked up and saw that water was dripping out of a pipe at roof level. An overflow pipe.

Went into the loft and found that the heating header tank was overflowing.

Turned off the rising main, with difficulty took the very old (perhaps 1950's) float valve out.

Piston rubber washer was worn.

Could not find a replacement, so reversed it (this was my mistake, I should have measured the diameter first).

Put valve back, all OK.

I want to order new rubber piston washers, anyone know the diameter?

Thanks.

[struth]

they come in all different sizes alas.

[struth]

is it the o ring flat type or the full solid one?

[struth]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fixman-961227-Assorted-Washers-120-Piece/dp/B01LSCUZS0?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

you might find the right one in this box set

[spendorman]

Hi Grant, thanks for the reply.

My second mistake is calling it a washer, it's in fact a flat disc, no hole in the centre.

Over the years I've done a few of these valves, usually large disc for low pressure valve, smaller disc for high pressure valve. Normally just these two sizes.

[struth]

ah then its the solid stops... try this link.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATER-CISTERN-FLOAT-BALL-COCK-VALVE-SPARE-PISTON-RUBBER-WASHERS-SEALS-ALL-SIZES/292656107000?hash=item4423a9cdf8:m:m3OC9vRB1phlLy9 gbLSCwIQ:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true

sure if u asked they could supply you with a few different sizes. there are different shaped one too alas.

[spendorman]

ah then its the solid stops... try this link.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WATER-CISTERN-FLOAT-BALL-COCK-VALVE-SPARE-PISTON-RUBBER-WASHERS-SEALS-ALL-SIZES/292656107000?hash=item4423a9cdf8:m:m3OC9vRB1phlLy9 gbLSCwIQ:rk:1:pf:1&frcectupt=true


lol. yes. was looking at that listing before posting here, hence the question of size!

[struth]

i did one for my mothers years ago. it was pretty old and if memory serves it was an inch and a quarter dia. but as you see from his listing there are lots of different ones and styles. ypurs is obviously a much smaller one so probably 13 or 14 mm.

[spendorman]

Thanks Grant it's probably 3/8" or 1/2" diameter as it's so old.

I'm going into the loft shortly to check for any leaks. I have a vague recollection that there are a couple of spare float valves there, if so I'll measure them. It'd be my luck that they are low pressure ones.

Noticed in the loft, cardboard boxes for my Quad stuff those for the ESL 57's and 63's are massive.

[spendorman]

Well, just looked at the repair, no apparent leaks, found the spare complete brass float valve, yes it's the wrong one, later type diaphragm type low pressure, probably bought for toilet cistern.

Also noticed in the loft, two Garrard SP25's, one a Mk2 fitted with a Audio Technica AT66, the other Mk3 with Goldring G800, and a Garrard AT6 fitted with a Decca Deram. Be nice to get these going one day.

[struth]

Well, just looked at the repair, no apparent leaks, found the spare complete brass float valve, yes it's the wrong one, later type diaphragm type low pressure, probably bought for toilet cistern.

Also noticed in the loft, two Garrard SP25's, one a Mk2 fitted with a Audio Technica AT66, the other Mk3 with Goldring G800, and a Garrard AT6 fitted with a Decca Deram. Be nice to get these going one day.

you must have some amount of spare gear Alex. Probably a small fortune:)

[spendorman]

you must have some amount of spare gear Alex. Probably a small fortune:)

Quite a bit of stuff, yes. There is more up there too!

Not that much worth when one comes down to it.

[spendorman]

This Company I have used for parts in the past and found them very good.

https://www.bes.co.uk/search/?q=Float+Valve+Piston+Washers

Interestingly, they only list one rubber disc for 1/2" valves, but don't state it's diameter.

I'm getting my friend to measure a spare rubber disc that he has.

[Ian7633]

Thanks Grant it's probably 3/8" or 1/2" diameter as it's so old.

I'm going into the loft shortly to check for any leaks. I have a vague recollection that there are a couple of spare float valves there, if so I'll measure them. It'd be my luck that they are low pressure ones.

Noticed in the loft, cardboard boxes for my Quad stuff those for the ESL 57's and 63's are massive.

I've got the original boxes for my Mordaunt Short Signifers, they are enormous and finding somewhere to store them in the flat was errrrr challenging as I didn't want to damage them. Careful removal of the giant staples and peeling the hot glue off and they folded flat and with the inserts just fit under the bed. Really I could lose them as the Signifers are going nowhere, even if I get something else, they're just so good.

[spendorman]

I've got the original boxes for my Mordaunt Short Signifers, they are enormous and finding somewhere to store them in the flat was errrrr challenging as I didn't want to damage them. Careful removal of the giant staples and peeling the hot glue off and they folded flat and with the inserts just fit under the bed. Really I could lose them as the Signifers are going nowhere, even if I get something else, they're just so good.

If they were mine, I'd keep them, but I keep everything. I'm sure that friends call me the second Edmund Trebus. I'm half Polish, so that's a similarity.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=edmund+trebus

[Ian7633]

I remember Mr Trebus, he came over as a cantankerous old chap but the reality was he had serious mental health problems. He had such a troubled and tragic history it's little wonder he wouldn't let go of anything. The help he was offered and the care and patience of the council staff was only fitting. A very misunderstood man.

[spendorman]

They were good documentaries.

Strange thing, several of my good friends are quite similar.

[spendorman]

Right, I went into the downstairs toilet, because that I remembered that I fixed the float valve in there some years ago. Tied to one of the pipes was a plastic bag with various float valve spares. In it was one for high pressure valve. I then remembered that details of the company that supplied them is on my PC. Did a search and it was a small company, Stevenson Heating and Electrical and I used them in 2013.

They were very good if anyone needs stuff. I like to give a plug if something is good.

https://www.stevensonplumbing.co.uk/search.html?search%5Bkeywords%5D=Float+Valve+High+ Pressure+Washer&_a=category&token=8d0867ca9df1cfff8764a693197e76a8

I believe the correct rubber disc seal is the 12.7 x 3.3mm one. Hopefully, this may help others.

[Barry]

A Garrard SP25 with Audio Technica AT66 cartridge was my first vinyl player. :) (Though it might have been fitted briefly with a Shure M3D. It was a very long time ago!)

If you still have a set of Quad 57s, hang on to those boxes: Quad charge a fortune for them now. I used to have a set which I kept in the garage. At one time, I let my neighbour keep his car in my garage for a few weeks whilst I was away. In my absence he disposed of the boxes thinking they were unimportant! :doh:

[spendorman]

A Garrard SP25 with Audio Technica AT66 cartridge was my first vinyl player. :) (Though it might have been fitted briefly with a Shure M3D. It was a very long time ago!)

If you still have a set of Quad 57s, hang on to those boxes: Quad charge a fortune for them now. I used to have a set which I kept in the garage. At one time, I let my neighbour keep his car in my garage for a few weeks whilst I was away. In my absence he disposed of the boxes thinking they were unimportant! :doh:

Yes, keeping the 57 boxes, trouble is, have two pairs of 57's.

The AT66 cartridge, finding the one in the loft makes three that I have.

[Barry]

But you only need the boxes for one set of speakers. You would be most unlucky if all four speakers needed attention at the same time.

[spendorman]

I think both possibly need attention. I put some new parts in both pairs decades ago. I remember fitting new treble panels, one EHT transformer and various resistors/ capacitors.