drayton ma1 actuator

[mumsiedeborah]

my hot water works ok but i have to manually move the actuator switch to get the heating to come on.
Can i just buy a new actuatoror do i need a full valve? do i have to drain the system? many thanks.

 

[D_Hailsham]

my hot water works ok but i have to manually move the actuator switch to get the heating to come on.
Can i just buy a new actuator or do i need a full valve? do i have to drain the system? many thanks.

It may just be the motor has failed. Listen to the valve while someone turns the heating on. You should be able to hear the motor run as the valve opens. (Take the cover off the actuator if necessary)

You can get a new motor (less than £20) from any plumbers merchant and often from DIY sheds.

If you hear the motor, but the valve doesn't open, you need a new actuator. You can buy these on their own.

You don't have to drain down to change either motor or actuator.

If you know how to use a multimeter, you can check the motor by checking the voltage on the White wire when CH and HW are ON. If you have 240Vac between white and Blue, but the motor does not open the valve, the motor is dead.

 

[mumsiedeborah]

Thanks for reply. The valve makes a noise when I manually change it. Ordered an actuatir from eBay. Hope I don't need the whole valve. I had to replace two in less than a year in my last house.