Drayton Midposition Actuator Problem ?

[kungfuslippers]

Hi,

I've got a Drayton M1 3 port mid position valve controlling the Water / Heating flow in my house.

At the moment the radiators always come on, even if the thermostat is turned all the way down and heating is set to off on my programmable timer.

If I unclip the actuator from the valve I can turn the valve with a set of pliers, so I think the issue is more than likely to do with the actuator itself.

If I reattach the actuator and try to operate the actuator in manual mode the lever is very loose and hardly moves at all. The only way I'm able to get the spindle to turn at all is to unclip the actuator, insert a screwdriver into the notch and turn it that way.

Should I be thinking about replacing the whole thing or just a part of the actuator - they're not cheap!

Are there any tests that anyone can recommend to help me diagnose what the problem is ?

thanks.

 

[seco services]

Theres a position arm on the side of the actuator whats it pointing to H, M, W ?

Check the springs are ok in the actuator they are common to break the plastic pins and the spring won't pull the actuator back to hw only position.

 

[kungfuslippers]

Theres a position arm on the side of the actuator whats it pointing to H, M, W ?

The label has dropped off my actuator, but comparing with images online it looks like its stuck on H at the moment.

Check the springs are ok in the actuator they are common to break the plastic pins and the spring won't pull the actuator back to hw only position.

I take it I should be disconnecting from the power supply before removing the cover etc.

 

[seco services]

I take it I should be disconnecting from the power supply before removing the cover etc.

You can remove cover with elecy on there is plenty of room to see inside.
But isolate if your going to be poking around.

 

[D_Hailsham]

If I unclip the actuator from the valve I can turn the valve with a set of pliers

You should be able to twiddle the shaft easily with your fingers. If it is stiff, try lubricating it with a little silicon lubricant. (WD40 etc will damage the 'O' ring seals.

 

[kungfuslippers]

You should be able to twiddle the shaft easily with your fingers. If it is stiff, try lubricating it with a little silicon lubricant. (WD40 etc will damage the 'O' ring seals.

Didn't realise that it should be that easy to rotate the shaft. I'll try the silicone lubricant.

Check the springs are ok in the actuator they are common to break the plastic pins and the spring won't pull the actuator back to hw only position.

The plastic clips holding the springs look intact to me, but difficult to see clearly as what looks like a motor of some description is in the way.

 

[matt1e]

with the actuator removed from the body turn off the central heating and turn on the hotwater, if the boiler is in demand the actuator should have returned to the W position, if not then remove all power to the heating system. (use the spur or the breaker in the consumer unit) if it still doesn't return to W then it is faulty.

Matt