Kinetic Inlet Valve Bottom Entry

How to Adjust the Float on a Kinetic “Inlet Valve Bottom Entry” For Toilet Cisterns

It was a Sunday morning and the inlet valve on one of my toilets broke down and needed to be replaced. For the uninitiated – The inlet valve lives in the cistern and controls the flow of water coming into the cistern, together with controlling the level of water in the cistern. Not a major problem – it should be a simple job to replace it with a new one.

So, a visit to my local hardware store and I purchased a “Kinetic” brand Inlet Valve Bottom Entry unit – this was the only option I had at this particular store.

Two simple screwed piping connections – What could possibly go wrong ?

 

The Kinetic "How To"

The Kinetic “How To” instruction

I had a long hard look at the installation guide which came with the unit. Mmmmmm – I thought to myself – water level adjustment – a fairly important adjustment – Looks pretty simple on the instruction sheet – Now is that clockwise from the top looking down or from the bottom looking up ? – Not a problem – it will either go one way or the other

WRONG

I pressed the tab in – but it would not move either way. At this point I would normally default to “Brute Force and Ignorance” – it usually works for me. But the unit was all plastic and looked a bit on the flimsy side. So I took a deep breath and re read the instructions. Mmmmmmmmmmm

I won’t bore you with the next fifteen minutes whilst I tried to work out what exactly should be happening when the tab is pressed and I used some “gentle” leverage from a large flat blade screw driver. But still – All to no avail.

Pull Back On Each Side - As shown In The Image

Pull Back On Each Side – As shown In The Image

I looked long and hard and thought – Mmmmmmmm – what are those top tabs holding – Brute Force and Ignorance again being Front and Center.

I pulled back the the tabs and suddenly it all made sense. – This was a locking ring.

 

A Close Up

A Close Up – Showing the Locking Clip In The “Free” position – Easy When You Know How

 

 

 

Release the ring AND THEN press the tab to adjust the float – as per the installation guide.

When the correct height for the float has been set – return the locking ring back to its original position.

As with many things in life – Easy when you know how.

As interesting as the whole exercise was – I just wish that the Kinetic people had added that bit about the locking ring to the installation guide.

If there are other people out there who have purchased one of these inlet valves and are living with it being in the default – low water position. This is how to adjust it.

 

Not Only – But Also ….

Not Only - But Also image. When there is a need to Take a break and ask the question - Is there a Better Way? Or to clear your head and relax for a few minutes

When there is a need to take a deep breath and take a break

  • Looking for “A Better Way” – Go to – Engineering the 3R Way for an overview of the 3R Philosophy                                      Review – Refresh – Reset   and link to the full list of topics
  • Then Take A Break – With the List Of Pages – Engineering Nostalgia for pages of Old Engineer Memories from Engineering practice in the 1960’s/70’s/80’s – with a bit of armed forces and medieval trivia thrown in
  • Or check out Engineering Odd Bits for odd subject matter – including humor and comment
  • Challenge yourself and your colleagues with an Engineering Quiz