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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-127-11_6127-11 2115 

EDP# 1917059 

© 2021 Watts

IOM-ACV-127-11_6127-11 2115 

EDP# 1917059 

© 2021 Watts         7

Summary of Contents for LFM127-11

Page 1: ...tting the Altitude 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 loc...

Page 2: ...e drop can be read at the time the main valve starts opening 8 After installation vent entrapped air from valve cover and pilot system by following instructions on Technical Bulletin Start up of an automatic control valve requires that proper procedures be followed Time must be allowed for the valve to react to adjustments and the system to stabilize The objective is to bring the valve into servic...

Page 3: ...ly open the valve See Figure 1 STEP 3 Pressure the line by opening the upstream isolation valve slowly Air is vented through the air bleed valve Tighten the fitting when liquid begins to vent See Figure 1 Repeat the process until no air is trapped in the system Globe Angle Size in 11 4 11 2 2 21 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 20 24 A in 16 16 20 22 22 24 32 34 38 44 48 52 56 56 B in 10 10 12 14 14 16 24 26...

Page 4: ... slightly below the tank over flow mark eliminating any wave action discharge from the over flow pipe Setting the Altitude Pilot STEP 4 Slowly open the downstream isolation valve STEP 5 If the valve remains closed as indicated by the stem position in the position indicator See Figure 2 and the tank level is known to be below the desired level SLOWLY turn the adjustment screw IN clockwise by to tur...

Page 5: ... Control Adjustment The closing speed needle valve regulates fluid pressure into the main valve cover chamber controlling the valve closing speed If valve closing is too slow turn the adjustment screw OUT counterclockwise increasing the rate of closing Setting the Delayed Opening Control STEP 9 Adjust the tank draw down Delayed Opening Control by turning the adjustment screw IN clockwise to increa...

Page 6: ... 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...

Page 7: ...1 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 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 Blockage in main valve Perform freedom of movement test if va...

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 7 Table 1 details the tool dimensions for seat removal Valve seats 8 and larger are held in the valve body with stainless steel ca...

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 11...

Page 11: ...eel 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 1...

Page 12: ...not 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 o...

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