What does "Valve Error Detected" mean?
This alert means that your device has detected that its valve did not close properly, leading to continuous water flow. Even though the device attempted to close the valve at a specific time, water flow was still detected shortly after. This prevents FlowReporter from effectively stopping leaks. The email will include all details and links to the specific valve and flow events.
Why am I receiving this alert?
Several reasons can trigger this alert:
- Wiring Issue: There might be a problem with the electrical wiring connecting the FlowReporter device to the valve.
- Mechanical Issue: The valve itself might be faulty or sticking, preventing it from closing completely.
- Incorrect Attachment: The valve might have been incorrectly attached to the FlowReporter device.
- Actuator Misalignment: If the valve's actuator (the part that moves the valve) was removed for plumbing, it might not have been lined up or re-seated properly when re-attached.
- Incorrect Device Configuration: If your device doesn't actually have a valve, or the wrong type of valve is selected in the settings, you'll receive this error.
What should I do first?
The first and most important step is to perform a quick check: try to close the valve reliably using the buttons on your FlowReporter device.
How can I check if the valve is closing properly?
When you try to close the valve using the device controls, observe the following:
- Check the valve window: A properly closed valve will typically show a perpendicular line or completely red window (depending on the valve).
- If you have pumps: If the valve closes all the way, the pumps should stop. If the pumps continue to run, the valve is not shutting all the way.
- If you do not have pumps: If the valve closes all the way, an open tap should not receive water pressure. If the tap continues to flow after a few minutes (enough to drain any pipes), the valve is not shutting all the way.
What if the valve closes all the way, but I still got the alert?
If the valve appears to close completely, but you still received the error, it might be due to signal interference on the cable connecting the device and the valve.
What if the valve is not closing all the way?
If the valve is not shutting completely and the pumps keep running, consider these possibilities:
- Mechanical fault: The valve itself may be mechanically faulty or stuck.
- Incorrect attachment: The valve might not have been correctly attached to the FlowReporter device.
- Actuator misalignment: If the actuator was removed prior to plumbing, it's highly likely that it wasn't lined up or re-seated properly with the valve body when re-attaching.
Device Configuration Issues
If your FlowReporter device does not use a valve, or if you're using a valve but the system isn't responding correctly, you need to ensure that its device configuration is set correctly. Go into your device settings and make sure:
- The valve option is set to "None" if your device truly has no valve.
- The correct valve type has been chosen in your settings (e.g., Solenoid vs. Motorized vs. Normally Closed vs. Latching valves). Selecting the wrong type can cause communication issues and lead to these errors.
Who can I contact for further assistance?
If you need any further assistance with troubleshooting this valve error, please don't hesitate to contact us at help@flowreporter.com.
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