background image

ES-A-ACV-LF960GD-15-17  2115

 

22

 

To ensure peak performance and longevity of your automatic con-

trol valve, Watts/Ames recommends following the below  

standard maintenance schedule.  
• 

Monthly Maintenance

– Visual inspection of valve(s) for leaks
– Inspect for proper operation(s); exercise valve.

• 

Quarterly Maintenance

– Conduct monthly inspection.
– Validate/Re-establish necessary setpoints of controls/pilots. 

• 

Annual Maintenance

– Conduct monthly & quarterly inspections.
– Inspect & clean all strainers.  
– Inspect valve coating, touch up as required.

• 

3-5 Year Maintenance

– Conduct monthly, quarterly, & annual maintenance.
–  Inspect & replace valve elastomers (diaphragm, O-rings, 

valve/pilot seats)

– Re-establish necessary set points of controls/pilots.

Automatic Control Valve Maintenance Schedule

 

Troubleshooting Guide

 

Warning: 

The valve cannot be serviced under pressure.  

Upstream and downstream Isolation Valves must be installed 

to protect system piping. Accurate diagnosis and trouble-

shooting requires the valve to open fully, and may subject 

downstream piping and equipment to high pressure and/or 

flow rates. The downstream Isolation Valve should be kept 

closed while diagnosing the valve.

Extreme caution should be used while performing the 

troubleshooting techniques listed below.

WARNING

!

Recommended tools for diagnosis: (3) PRESSURE GAUGES, 

installed to monitor the inlet pressure, outlet pressure, and cover 

chamber pressure. If included, a POSITION INDICATOR should 

be installed to visually assess the position of the disc &  

diaphragm assembly.

 Test 1: Diaphragm Seal Test

1.  Close upstream & downstream isolation valves. Close pilot 

isolation valves or remove pilot control tubing to isolate valve 

cover from incoming fluid & pressure. Remove uppermost 

cover plug, test cock, or limit switch.

2.  With the valve cover chamber vented to atmosphere,  

partially open the upstream isolation valve, allowing incoming 

pressure to lift the disc & diaphragm assembly. A volume of 

water will be displaced from the cover chamber as the valve 

opens; consult valve specification sheets for approximate 

cover capacity. A continuous flow of water from the open port 

indicates a damaged diaphragm or loose disc & diaphragm 

assembly. Disassemble valve and replace diaphragm or tighten 

disc & diaphragm assembly.

Test 2: Seat Seal Test

1.  Close downstream isolation valve and install pressure gauges 

on an open inlet and outlet port of main valve.  

2.  Open upstream isolation valve to allow pressure on to the valve 

cover. Allow valve to fully close.

3.  Monitor downstream pressure gauge; reading should hold 

steady below incoming pressure. If pressure on downstream 

side rises to match upstream pressure, leakage is occurring 

through the seat of the main valve. Disassemble valve, inspect 

and repair/replace any required parts.
a.  If gauge pressure rises to match outlet pressure (down-

stream of closed isolation valve) yet remains below inlet 

pressure, the isolation valve may be leaking as opposed to 

main valve seat.

Test 3:  Freedom of Movement/Valve  

Travel Test

1.  Close upstream and downstream isolation valves. Install valve 

position indicator.  

2.  Partially open upstream isolation valve and allow cover to fill 

with fluid & pressure, closing the valve fully. Mark the position 

indicator’s full closed position.

3.  Isolate cover chamber from receiving fluid and pressure by 

closing isolation valves or removing control tubing.  

4.  Carefully vent cover chamber to atmosphere by opening test 

cock or removing a cover plug. Observe the valve position 

indicator as the valve travels to the full-open position. The disc 

& diaphragm assembly should move freely from fully closed to 

fully open position without binding or “grabbing” at any point 

during its movement.

a.  The disc & diaphragm assembly may momentarily “hesi-

tate” while travelling from fully closed to fully open position 

– this is a normal characteristic of diaphragm operated 

control valves, and does not indicate mechanical binding or 

improper valve operation.

b.  A continuous discharge of water from the cover chamber 

after venting to atmosphere indicates leakage past the 

diaphragm.

5.  If necessary, disassemble valve and inspect/repair disc & dia-

phragm assembly.

© 2021 Watts

Installation, Operation and Maintenance - Series LF960GD-15-17 

Summary of Contents for AMES M Series

Page 1: ...ed contractor in accordance with local codes and ordinances WARNING Need for Periodic Inspection Maintenance This product must be tested periodically in compliance with local codes but at least once p...

Page 2: ...he Position Indicator with Air Bleed Petcock allow for visual indication of valve position and allows easy venting of air entrapped in the main valve cover chamber When upstream pressure falls below r...

Page 3: ...ies LF960GD 15 17 This Ames Automatic Control Valve ACV is a full port single chamber basic valve that incorporates a one piece disc and dia phragm assembly This assembly is the only moving part withi...

Page 4: ...530 1945 Pressure Drop psi 2 3 4 6 8 10 20 30 40 60 80 100 Flow Rate Gallons per minute Water 2 4 10 20 40 60 80 100 200 500 1000 2000 5000 10000 20000 100000 8 6 4 8 1 0 1 2 1 4 1 6 6 2 1 1 2 3 8 1 0...

Page 5: ...l 9 Stem Washer ASTM A276 304 Stainless Steel 10 Diaphragm Washer ASTM A536 65 45 12 Epoxy Coated Ductile Iron 11 Diaphragm Buna N Nitrile 12 Disc Retainer ASTM A536 65 45 12 Epoxy Coated Ductile Iron...

Page 6: ...e NPT Port Size NPT Shipping Weights A B C D E F G H I J K L in in mm in mm in mm in mm in mm in mm in mm in mm in mm in mm in in lbs kgs 11 4 71 4 184 51 2 140 3 8 1 4 20 9 11 2 71 4 184 81 2 216 51...

Page 7: ...As water level increases the sensed tank head pressure increas es above the control setpoint of the Model 27 causing it to de pressurize the cover of the 3 Way Accelerator closing the Main Valve Turn...

Page 8: ...11 Upper Jam Nut 12 Lower Jam Nut 13 Upper Diaphragm Washer 14 Diaphragm 15 Lower Diaphragm Washer 16 Shaft 17 Bearing 18 O Ring 19 Machine Screw 20 F23 Body 21 Stem 22 Spring 23 O Ring 24 F23 Seat 25...

Page 9: ...oid Float or Altitude Pilot to operate the Main Valve open and closed When the cover of the Accelerator Pilot is de pressurized the main valve cover chamber is connected to upstream pressure causing t...

Page 10: ...lve cover This causes the main valve to close until inlet pressure is again greater than outlet Model LFCK Standard Material Brass Housing and Body Stainless Steel Indicating Rod Optional Material Sta...

Page 11: ...he free flow direction the seat moves out of the flow path to all unrestricted flow Specifications Model LFFC FLOW CLOSED Fluid Speed Controlled by Needle FLOW OPEN Free Flow Seat Full Open FLOW CLOSE...

Page 12: ...Free Diverter Ball Valves Sizes 1 4 2 Series LFB6780 M1 2 Piece Full Port Lead Free Copper Silicon Alloy Diverter Ball Valves are designed to divert liquids and gases in commercial and industrial app...

Page 13: ...Brass standard Stainless Steel optional Elastomers Nitrile standard EPDM optional Viton optional Voltage 24VDC 24VAC or 120VAC Enclosure General Purpose NEMA 4 standard Explosion Proof NEMA 6 6P 7 9 o...

Page 14: ...des The screw driver operated test cock installed on the top of the Model 50 housing provides a controlled method of removal of air from the cover chamber during start up or troubleshooting of the Mai...

Page 15: ...re used in pilot lines to provide a positive shutoff in any override or maintenance situation for simple trouble shooting This 2 piece full port valve features bottom loaded stems PTFE seats and packi...

Page 16: ...r Size 1 4 3 4 NPT Model LF60 Flo Clean Strainers are used to filter the fluid pass ing through the pilot circuit and provide protection to pilot circuit speed controls and pilots It is installed in t...

Page 17: ...ot circuit speed controls and pilots The filter element can be accessed for cleaning by removing the clean out cap or may be cleaned by installing an optional blow down ball valve The wetted surface o...

Page 18: ...tact the trip arm when the main valve is closed The collar can be positioned on the stem by loosening the set screw to actuate the switch at the desired point of valve travel Single Pole Double Throw...

Page 19: ...nstalled according to factory recommendations Consult factory for detailed engineering review prior to ordering if valve is to be installed other than horizontally in line 5 If valve is equipped with...

Page 20: ...t head screwdriver to slowly open the valve See Figure 1 STEP 4 Pressure the line by opening the upstream isolation valve slowly Air is vented through the air bleed valve Tighten the fitting when liqu...

Page 21: ...position indicator stem movement The following is dependent upon the installation application and may not be required on all valves When the valve is closed the Altitude control screw adjustment may...

Page 22: ...valve specification sheets for approximate cover capacity A continuous flow of water from the open port indicates a damaged diaphragm or loose disc diaphragm assembly Disassemble valve and replace di...

Page 23: ...ation valves ensure open Diaphragm is damaged Conduct diaphragm seal test repair and replace if necessary Main valve stem assembly corroded damaged Inspect stem assembly clean replace if necessary Blo...

Page 24: ...require a lifting eye bolt to be installed in the valve stem accessory threads located on the very top of the valve stem 5 Before removing Stem Nut examine stem threads for mineral build up Remove dep...

Page 25: ...ern to ensure even distribution Test the Disc and Diaphragm Assembly for smooth travel by following the Freedom of Movement Test procedure in previous section 11 Test the integrity of the Seat Seal by...

Page 26: ...costs resulting from labor charges delays vandalism negligence fouling caused by foreign material damage from adverse water conditions chemical or any other circumstances over which the Company has n...

Reviews: