Dodgy zone valve? (Link to video enclosed)

[MJN]

I've got a Siemens CSV222 2-port zone valve which is making a clicking
sound when closing. Functionally it seems to work fine, however I am
wondering if the noise is indicitive of impending failure or some
other issue. Furthermore, the noise can be annoying as the valve is in
the airing cupboard above the lounge and can be quite noticable (to me
at least; noone else seems to hear it!).

Here's a video of the valve opening and closing (and clicking as it
does the latter):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1vYo69Gepc

(Who says YouTube's full of cr@p?!)

I'm wondering if the momentum of the servo caused by the spring-loaded
closure is causing the gearing to jump instead of stopping dead...?

Is this normal and/or something I can do something about? We've only
recently moved in so have little to compare it to.

Mathew

 

[MJN]

Update:

Decided to take the valve apart and found the problem:

The first few teeth of the valve arm had been worn away. Presumably it is only a matter of time until there's nothing for the motor to grip to start the valve opening?

I can pick up a new valve off eBay for £20 but something tells me it's likely to happen again as the plastic arm is clearly an achiles heel. Will other actuators fit this valve, perhaps you can tell by this picture of the valve body?

I could of course replace the whole lot but I'd rather not if at all possible.

Mathew

 

[MJN]

Okay, I've decided that Siemens is not worth my money given their valve only lasted 4 years so I'm going to go for a Honeywell V4043 as they seem to be held in high regard by all accounts here? The valve length is 112mm - exactly the same as my Siemens so should hopefully be an easy slot in.

However, the datasheet for the Honeywell says:

'NOTE: Continuous operation of the valve motor at the fully open position is not recommended'

What does this mean? If I, say, have the heating on for 15 hours at a time in the middle of winter, with the stat constantly calling for heat, does this count as continuous? It's not a warning I'm seeing on other valves...

Mathew

 

[D_Hailsham]

'NOTE: Continuous operation of the valve motor at the fully open position is not recommended'

What does this mean? If I, say, have the heating on for 15 hours at a time in the middle of winter, with the stat constantly calling for heat, does this count as continuous?

If your boiler is running non-stop for 15 hours, that would suggest that the heating in your house is inadequate and you should get either a larger boiler, or larger/more radiators, or possibly both.

In a properly working system the room thermostat should run the boiler for, say an hour, to bring the house up to temperature. The room stat then opens so turning the boiler off. The house cools down a bit, the stat closes, boiler lights, the house warms up to temperature and the cycle continues.

The valve is only held open if the room thermostat is calling for heat. So it is continually opening and closing in response to the wall stat.

 

[MJN]

Of course, it was a hypothetical scenario.

Accepting the context, in such a situation would the Honeywell not cut it? Or is it just back-covering against design/use where the valve is purposely held open for months or even years on end?

Really, I am wondering what the definition of 'continuous' is. 1 hour, 15 hours, 15 days ...? Of course I do not expect you to second guess Honeywell however I wondered if those 'in the know' happen to be familiar with the implied limitation of this Honeywell valve. It just seems to be an odd throwaway statement for a datasheet with nothing to qualify it.

Mathew

 

[htgeng]

They fail every couple of years. You will have to expect it and if you have the honeywell at least you can replace the head unit easy enough.

 

[MJN]

Oh right, I didn't realise they were so unreliable! That puts a completely different spin on things.

Given the 4 years for my Siemens I may as well just replace the actuator - at least then I'll still have a spare motor should that ever go.

Cheers,

Mathew

 

[misterdubya]

They fail every couple of years. You will have to expect it and if you have the honeywell at least you can replace the head unit easy enough.

Quite a flippant statement! How the metal on a honeywell wears like that plastic on the siemens is beyond me. My Honeywell 2 ports have been in 9 years now and not had to replace even a synchron yet, let alone the whole head.

Mr. W.

 

[MJN]

Ah, two sides to every story I guess then?!

Htgeng, can you qualify your statement that they should only be expected to last a couple of years? Has your experience been with particular makes/models?

Mathew