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To ensure peak performance and longevity of your automatic 

control 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 & 

diaphragm assembly.

6          IOM-ACV-116-5_6116-5 2115 

EDP# 1917051 

© 2021 Watts

IOM-ACV-116-5_6116-5 2115 

EDP# 1917051 

© 2021 Watts         7

Summary of Contents for LFM116-5

Page 1: ...2 Setting the Pressure Controls 3 Maintenance Schedule 6 Trouble Shooting Guide 6 Valve Disassembly Instructions 8 ACV Schematic 11 Local building or plumbing codes may require modifica tions to the information provided You are required to consult the local building and plumbing codes prior to installation If the information provided here is not consistent with local building or plumbing codes the...

Page 2: ...nclude the optional opening speed control when used for Backpressure applications When the Model valve is located in line connecting two distribution zones the valve acts as a Pressure Sustaining Control Valve When pressure in the upstream zone falls below the pilot setting the valve modulates toward a closed position sustaining pressure in the upstream zone The valve will close if necessary until...

Page 3: ... to 21 2 turns from full closed position STEP 2 To ensure proper operation any trapped air will need to be bled off the valve cover during startup If your ACV includes a bleed valve use a flat head screwdriver to slowly open the valve See Figure 1 If your valve does not include a bleed valve bleed air by loosening a fitting on the valve or a plug at the highest point of the valve as sembly STEP 3 ...

Page 4: ...and close the up stream isolation valve until the inlet pressure drops to the desired setting STEP 7 Adjust the Sustaining Control screw IN clockwise until the inlet pressure begins to increase or OUT counterclockwise to de crease stopping at the desired pressure See Figure 2 4 IOM ACV 116 5_6116 5 2115 EDP 1917051 2021 Watts Figure 2 PV20C Pressure Sustaining Control Clockwise to increase inlet p...

Page 5: ...sing IF INSTALLED Opening Speed Flow Control Adjustment The Opening speed flow control allows free flow into the cover and re stricted flow out of the cover of the main valve If recovery of pres sure is slow upon increased downstream demand turn the adjust ment screw OUT counterclockwise increasing the rate of open ing IF recovery of downstream pressure is too quick as indicated in a rapid increas...

Page 6: ...e 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 valv...

Page 7: ...mbly by partially opening from full closed position Improperly configured opening speed control if equipped Adjust opening speed control to verify functionality adjust as required Standard setting for opening speed control is 11 2 21 2 turns open from full closed position Can be adjusted in field Main Valve will not close Closed isolation valves in pilot system Check isolation valves ensure open D...

Page 8: ... Remove cover nuts and washers 3 Remove the cover If cover is not free to be removed loosen it by tapping upward along its outside edge with a dull cold chisel pic tured above a Large valves may require the installation of lifting eye bolts in order to facilitate cover removal installation ports are provided on the cover for this purpose 4 Remove the Disc and Diaphragm Assembly from the valve body...

Page 9: ... brush or by using a Mineral Dissolving Solution Inspect parts for wear and replace if necessary 7 Inspect valve seat If seat is not damaged removal is not necessary Valve seats 6 and smaller are threaded into the body of the valve and require a seat removal tool Figure 4 Table 1 details the tool dimensions for seat removal Valve seats 8 and larger are held in the valve body with stainless steel c...

Page 10: ... Nuts in a crossing pattern 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 following the Seat Seal Test procedure in previous section 12 Return valve to service by following instructions on the Technical Bulletin matching the valve function Size in 1...

Page 11: ...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 13 Seat Disc Buna N Nitrile 14 Spacer Washer x5 NY300 Fiber 15 Disc Guide ASTM A743 CF8M 316 Stainless Steel 16 Shaft ASTM A276 304 Stainless Steel 17 Seat Ring ASTM A743 CF8M 316 Stainless Steel 17A...

Page 12: ...ot be responsible for any incidental special or consequential damages including without limitation lost profits or the cost of repairing or replacing other property which is damaged if this product does not work properly other costs resulting from labor charges delays vandalism negligence fouling caused by foreign material damage from adverse water conditions chemical or any other circumstances ov...

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