Recent content by jdamnation

Crumbs. What a mess.....

Hmm - the HW one has now decided to go back to the A position, even though it's supposed to be on all the time. Is this normal? JD

Got a multimeter - but checking the clock power to the CH motor.. I have to open the control panel thing up, with everything switched on? :? JD

To recap: 1) Power is going to the motor 2) Actuator is not turning when CH is switched on 3) Valve is turnable by hand 4) Actuator is manually switchable to 'B' and stays there so long as there is power 5) Valve closes to 'A' position when power removed. JD

Hmm - so you are saying these Drayton control jobbies are basically doing a crap job of either not sending the motor power when I want it (to open it) or not removing power when I don't want it (making it 'stick open') which was our problem. It is likely it might do this just for the CH...

Hmm - clock. Looks just like this one:

Right so if there was no power - if I forced the lever from A to B - it would just slide back to A again right? Because it's saying on B and going back when I cut the power - I must have 240V going to the motor right? JD

The motor must be getting power from the clock, because after I force the CH setting from A to B - when I switch the mains off - the lever moves back to A. If there was no power from the clock I wouldn't be able to move it to B - it seems like it needs power to hold it there.... JD

Yep I can turn it easily - actually feels a bit loose! So just a new head it must be then. Compete re-drain my *ss. This bad boy is quite close up against the wall - I'm wondering if the honeywell ones are any bigger - might not fit? JD

Now we're getting somewhere! Obviously the experts are all working late and don't get up until noon! Right then - here is what I have found. Popped the button, thing just comes off. Bit dusty, isolated mains had a look inside, nothing really exciting in there. The identical HW one...

Does anyone know if I can just take this sucker off? I've turned off the system. Safe for a 'non plumber' or something for an expert!? I was thinking - I'll take it off, and let him come in to replace it - I'll then tell him the 'good news' that I figured out how to remove it without draining...

Ah! Well that would explain it - sorry! What a daft idea - having different designs of parts with the same model number!?! Do these help they were installed new (I hope) a few years ago.... JD

Thanks ExpertGasMan. Is there any way I can tell if it's the actuator / motor or valve? Perhaps he's not telling me porkies after all - just being a bit expensive! JD

Exactly! Which is why I mentioned that it's a Drayton ZA5. I had read that you did not need to drain the system to change these however this did not tally with what my plumber told me. I don't believe everything I read on the internet so I thought it might be a good idea to ask in a place...

OK thanks for that - this is the guy that actually built and installed the entire system just a few years ago - which is why I guess he came round and gave a free diagnosis (and on the same day!). We've given his company a lot of money over the last few years. I have always trusted him in the...