I have an Intermatic PE24VA valve actuator attached to a valve for a water feature. I rarely turn it on, but a few weeks ago it stopped working altogether. I don't have any automation. The actuator is wired to normal appearing light switch on our patio. Previously, if I flipped the switch "on", the valve would turn and the water feature would start. When I flipped the switch "off", the water feature would stop. Now, I can only trigger the actuator with the manual switch on the bottom of the actuator itself and only when the light switch is in the "off" position. The valve motor turns both ways when I flip the switch back and forth on the actuator. When I flip the light switch to "on" I can no longer trigger the actuator manually with the switch on the bottom in either direction. Reading on the forum, it appears the microswitches often go bad. Would that explain this problem? Can I verify if the microswitches are bad before replacing them? They are on backorder, so I don't want to wait several weeks for replacements and then find out they were not broken. Thanks for your help!
Also, I'm curious about the light switch. I don't know much about circuitry, but it appears that the actuator has 2 circuits, one for each direction with a microswitch for each. To control it, power must flow through one of the circuits. Would a simple light switch accomplish this? I had always pictured them as either off or on, but can they be wired to turn 1 circuit on while in the "on" position and the other circuit while in the "off" position? Thanks again!
Also, I'm curious about the light switch. I don't know much about circuitry, but it appears that the actuator has 2 circuits, one for each direction with a microswitch for each. To control it, power must flow through one of the circuits. Would a simple light switch accomplish this? I had always pictured them as either off or on, but can they be wired to turn 1 circuit on while in the "on" position and the other circuit while in the "off" position? Thanks again!
