Diverter valve problems

[stephe117]

I have a problem with my gas fired heating system that I hope someone can advise me on.

During this hot spell I've been wanting to turn the CH off in the evening while leaving the HW on. However simply advancing the 'heating' button on the programmer had no effect, nor did turning the heating to constantly off.

The diverter valve - ACL lifestyle 2 port 779H335 30L10 - has a sliding switch on the top and a lever on the side to select A or B. I jiggled the switch on the top, and left it in the RHS position. I tried altering the AB lever and it broke off (with minimal pressure I might add - it looked skewiff in the first place).

When I removed the white plastic cover of the unit a small plastic nub fell out and I noticed that there's a spring hanging loose. I assume it should be anchored by the nub.

So ... I have a number of questions:

1 What is the sliding switch on top of the unit for? What position should it be in normally?

2 I presume the cause of my problem is that the spring is no longer operational. I think I can repair it by replacing the plastic nub with a small nut and bolt, BUT ...

3 Does the broken AB lever matter? Is it only for manual override and in normal automatic use not needed?

4 It would be a lot easier fixing the spring if the unit weren't in situ. During my research it appears that some units can be removed from the valve; is that the case with this one?

5 If so, how would I do it, and how do I isolate it electrically (and do I need to)? Would turning off the power at the programmer work?

Thank you for reading and if anyone can offer any thoughts I'd be very grateful.

 

[seco services]

So ... I have a number of questions:

1 What is the sliding switch on top of the unit for? What position should it be in normally?

that levers so the valve can be opened to manual to fill the system etc.

2 I presume the cause of my problem is that the spring is no longer operational. I think I can repair it by replacing the plastic nub with a small nut and bolt, BUT ...

the spring pulls the valve back to closed position when heating off.

3 Does the broken AB lever matter? Is it only for manual override and in normal automatic use not needed?

the a b is not a lever its just identifys what position the valve is in.

4 It would be a lot easier fixing the spring if the unit weren't in situ. During my research it appears that some units can be removed from the valve; is that the case with this one?

has it a black button on the oppersite side to the a b that can be pushed in and the top actuator lifted off ?

5 If so, how would I do it, and how do I isolate it electrically (and do I need to)? Would turning off the power at the programmer work?

to isolate the electric turn your fused spur off for the whole heating system.

 

[stephe117]

Thanks for your quick response seco.

So have I messed things up by fiddling with the manual override switch on top? It did seem to turn the rads off when I moved it. Any idea what its default position should be, and whether it'll just flick back to it automatically (fingers crossed)?

No, there's no black button nor any other obvious way of separating the two parts, so it looks like I'll have to contort myself to get the job done. OTOH I found this eBay listing (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DRAYTON-28MM-...Y_Materials_Plumbing_MJ?hash=item230323206047) for a valve body that accepts the ZA6 actuator, which I understand is the replacement model for mine. Then again maybe my model was replaced because it COULDN'T be separated.

I'm guessing that the fused spur for the heating system would be the switched fuse on the wall near the programmer?

 

[seco services]

yes the fused spur will isolate everthing programmer etc.

you'll need the complete valve is yours won't seperate.

 

[stephe117]

Looks like it's sorted. I used a nut and bolt to anchor the spring and it seems to be OK now. My fiddling with the switch on top doesn't seem to have had an effect, though I'm still not sure what position it should be in - but I'm leaving well alone!

Thanks for your advice, it was invaluable, especially re the electricity - I'm always a bit unsure of myself in that area.

 

[seco services]