Honeywell Zone Valve Proper Cycle Time

StanKatz

I noticed that the Honeywell residential hydronic zone valve has a limit to the time it can remain energized. To avoid premature failure the valve should not be energized for more than 30 minutes. There is no information on minimum rest time. Are there residential zone valves with no time limit to energizing time? I have a zone that needs a nearly continuous call for heat when outdoor temperature falls below 30F. I have to put up with a chilly master bedroom to make sure the valve cycles in winter cold weather.

HomerJSmith

Boy, that's news to me. What model valve? I have striped Honeywell valves down to unwinding the motor windings and I didn't see anything that would suggest what you are saying is possible.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I never heard that either but I suppose it could be in the fine print somewhere

EdTheHeaterMan

Well according the ChatGPT regarding the Honeywell V8043 series valves:

"There is no published “maximum continuous open time” for this model. These zone valves are intended to remain open as long as the zone is calling for heat or cooling and will stay in that position without issue. That’s normal operation in a hydronic zoning system."

And we all know that this must be true because it is on the internet …and the internet would not lie to us!

hot_rod

I’d be in where you found that data? If this for a common spring return valve?

Normally open ZV use the same motor and components and they stay powered most of their lives, the entire off season typically

StanKatz

I read this in a Honeywell spec sheet some 15 years ago. They no longer give the 30 minute maximum energized, but if you read the last paragraph of the following Honeywell spec sheet they specifically warn of shortened life if continuosly energized:

https://www.honeywellmanual.com/pdf/ea156978-8edb-4793-8014-c6a1af3e0932.pdf

109A_5

So what do you use to cycle the valve every 30 minutes ? I see no 'Duty Cycle' data in the specifications.

So the boiler runs almost continuously also ? Maybe the room needs more radiation. Louvers open ? Fins not blocked or restricted.

hot_rod

i suppose any design or below design day could have the zone valve powered open 24/7

Also jobs where rooms are under radiated would see the same condition. That includes radiant systems with actuators on the manifold, or a manifold with a zone valve.

Data from the weather service shows many heating climates at design temperature conditions 10% or so of the year?

We still sell a fair amount on NO zone valves to commercial projects. They do have a shorter life cycle however.

Caleffi testing shows as many a 5000 cycles per year in a Wisconsin test with a NC zone valve

Components are designed with 100,000 cycles life, so 20 years in a severe climate