How long does Drayton MA1 mid-position actuator last??

[roxburd]

I bought and fitted a Drayton MA1 mid-position actuator at the end of 2018. My boiler is now showing a constant red status light and I suspect the actuator.

How long would you expect them to last? Less then 7 years seems a ridiculously short life-span to me... but I'm a complete plumbing amateur.

It has been struggling to actuate the heating position in the autumn for a coupe of years - after the heating being off all summer. The valve seems really free to me, turning it manually - it was replaced at the same time as the actuator - 2018. Recently, the actuator had been failing to set the heating position but I had been taking it off the valve, moving the valve manually and telling the boiler to run hot water - it didn't know the valve was sending the boiler water round the radiators.

But today, after power off with the user control set to 0, the boiler is immediately showing a red LED and refusing to do anything at all. I plan to replace the actuator and hope for the best. It's an old Potterton Suprema 40.

Thanks!

 

[Exedon]

Truly dreadful things I've seen them last considerably less than 7 years.
If body needs changing we rip them out and fit 2 zone valves.

 

[oilhead]

About 2 weeks after the guarantee expires.

 

[Dereekoo]

My system has been in for 28 years and have 3 old defunct actuators in my garage so 7 years is about right, it seems to be the micro switches that give up the ghost and switching in and out for several years I am not surprised

 

[CountryFan]

You mention a red led at the boiler but suspect the 3 port valve? Check inside and make sure the motor hasn't come loose - had this with Drayton and other valves, granted on 2 ports but still worth checking

 

[roxburd]

Well, I just replaced the actuator and the system's all working fine now. Perhaps I should buy another for next time...

And to think I was considering calling someone in to fit a new boiler to fix the problem... nah. I'll nurse it as long as I can!

Mind you, with the talk of them being banned, perhaps I should do that sooner rather than later...

 

[Madrab]

If there's one thing you can be sure of, it's a mid position valve whose motor will eventually burn out. Honestly, as suggested, get it changed over to an S plan, much more straightforward.

 

[oilhead]

I always found it was cheaper to purchase a complete valve and just use the actuator, throwing the valve in my brass scrap, rather than just an actuator. The low cost of the complete unit exemplifies what the trade thought about the quality.

 

[Johntheo5]

A electrician friend of mine modified his, presumably, as per attached, he has passed on but the mid position valve hasn't and must be approaching ~ 15 years now.

 

[tbcnsg]

Seven years isn’t actually too bad for an MA1, to be honest. They’re not exactly built to last forever - the microswitches and little motor inside tend to get tired, especially after sitting idle through the summer each year.
What you describe (struggling to move into heating position after being off for months) is pretty typical. The internal motor gets sticky, or the return spring weakens a bit. Sometimes you can pop the cover off and give the gears and spindle a tiny dab of silicone grease — might squeeze a bit more life out of it.
But if it’s now locking the boiler out straight away, it’s probably game over for the actuator. The good news is the MA1 is plug-and-play — if you get a new one, it should drop straight on the old valve body in a couple of minutes.
Seven years of service isn’t great, but it’s not terrible either. Most of mine have lasted between 5–8 years before giving up.
Your plan to replace it and hope for the best sounds about righ.