ZAC36 Valve Actuator Installation Guide

Please follow the below steps carefully to complete the Titan Valve Actuator installation safely.

Check Your Valve

Ball valve type 0.5" - 1.25" only.
3" clearance from the valve center to each side on the pipe
At least 1.25" clearance between the valve handle and the pipe
At least 1" clearance between the pipe and the wall

Adjustable Clamps:

If you find there are fittings in the way of the clamps, please note that the clamps can slide.

We've included images below that show how close they clamps can slide as well as how far they can extend:

If the ZAC36 does not fit your valve/pipe:

Extension kits are available as a whole (fork, clamps, spacers) or we can break the kit into 3 separate parts and provide just the part that is necessary.
- In order to verify what part may be needed or if the extension kit will work for your installation, please provide images of the installation with measurements marked on the image (or a tape measure included with the image) so we can verify what is needed.
- Please specify if the Titan fits over the nut and if the clamps reach the pipe without issue.
- Please also let us know the pipe diameter and the size of the valve as well.

Titan Installation

Follow the steps in the exact order listed below. We've included images for each step, but if you encounter any issues with the installation, please scroll down to the troubleshooting steps and full installation video at the bottom of the article.

NEVER power, test, operate, or add the Titan Valve Actuator to your Z-Wave hub before it's fully installed on the pipe. It needs to calibrate first to work correctly.

1. CLOSE THE WATER VALVE

The valve handle should be perpendicular to the pipe before attempting to install the Titan:

2. POSITION THE TITAN

Ensure the Titan clamp fasteners (blue) are facing the same direction as the valve handle.
Unscrew the Titan clamps so they are loose enough to go around the pipe.
The Titan fork between the clamps needs to be positioned exactly above the valve screw.
If using a low profile valve, you may need to add the included spacer between the valve handle and the fork (only use it for low-profile valves).

3. SEAT THE TITAN ON THE VALVE

The fork needs to be perfectly aligned with the valve handle screw.

The clamps need to be open to go around the pipe.
Press the Titan down FIRMLY so that the fork catches the screw and the clamps embrace the pipe. There can be some space to the sides between the fork and the screw (see the video below for detailed view).

4. FASTEN THE TITAN

Tighten the blue clamp fasteners by turning them clockwise until the clamps are firmly gripping the pipe.

5. INSTALL WIRED LEAK PROBE (optional)

Important: take off the rubber cap from the receiver jack on the ZAC36.
Confirm the probe "clicks" into place when inserted: this is the step most frequently missed and the cause of 99% of the issues we encounter. It takes some force to ensure the probe audibly clicks into place; this is necessary so the Titan and probe can maintain the IP66 rating against water intrusion.

Watch the video to see how to install your Titan water probe correctly:

6. POWER THE TITAN

Connect the power jack on the included DC adapter with the Titan’s power cord.
Turn clockwise until the seal cover is fully secured.
Plug into a standard 120 V receptacle. The LED will start blinking yellow.

7. CALIBRATE THE TITAN: DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP

Verify the Titan is mounted securely.
Verify the LED indicator is slowly blinking yellow.
Hold the Z-Wave button until you hear 2 beeps and then immediately release it so that the valve can initiate calibration.
- This is a touch button so don't expect any tactile feedback from it, simply place your finger on the button and hold it until 2 beeps sound. If something goes wrong and the valve starts blinking red, just remove your finger from the button and try it again a few seconds later. Do NOT touch, move, or try to stop the actuator when it's operating the valve to avoid injury.
  - It will make a full open-close cycle while flashing and blinking.
  - It's normal that the valve handle will hit the actuator's leg and the device will wobble a little - it only happens during calibration so that the device can establish the end of the cycle.
  - The Titan will blink green twice to confirm successful calibration.

8. TEST THE TITAN

Once the device is calibrated, you can test it by tapping the button. It will then automatically open or close your valve. Tap the button again to revers the operation. Anytime you tap the button, a beep will sound so if it's silent and nothing happens, simply tap it again, a little more firmly.

Failed Calibration

If you encounter a calibration error where the LED flashes red and the ZAC36 beeps, try forced calibration.

Hold the Z-Wave button until you hear 5 beeps, then tap the Z-Wave button 5 times.
It will make a full open-close cycle while flashing and blinking.
It's normal that the valve handle will hit the actuator's leg and the device will wobble a little - it only happens during calibration so that the device can establish the end of the cycle.
The Titan will blink green twice to confirm successful calibration.

Once the device is calibrated, you can test it by tapping the button. It will then automatically open or close your valve. Tap the button again to revers the operation. Anytime you tap the button, a beep will sound so if it's silent and nothing happens, simply tap it again, a little more firmly.

Outdoor installation

If you'd like to install your Titan Valve Actuator outdoors, you will need to lock the Z-Wave button to prevent water damage to the device. Here's how to do that:

Hold the Z-Wave button until 3 beeps sound, then tap the button 3 times - anytime you tap the button a beep will sound so make sure you hear 3 beeps, otherwise tap again.
The LED indicator will start flashing yellow, then it will flash red and beep to confirm the button lock. It will then enter a pulsing yellow mode.
You will no longer be able to use the Z-Wave button for anything else than to disable the lock by repeating the button sequence described in the first step.

How do I Know if the Z-Wave Button is Locked?

If the Z-Wave button is locked, this is indicated with a slow pulsing yellow LED indicator.
If the Z-Wave button is unlocked, the LED will be a rapid yellow flashing when not included to a Z-Wave hub, or rapid flashing green when included to your Z-Wave hub.
To unlock the Z-Wave button:
- Hold the Z-Wave button until 3 beeps sound, release the button, then immediately after, tap the button 3 times (it will flash green and beep once each time you touch it)
- Green, yellow, and red flash to indicate processing
- 3 beeps and and red slow flashing to indicate success
- Back to standby mode (yellow flashing when not included to Z-Wave hub or pulsing green when included to Z-Wave hub)

Inclusion

You can now add your Titan actuator to your Z-Wave hub. Each system is a little different so please click on the hub specific instructions below and if your system is not on the list, simply click on the last generic tutorial:

Titan Installation Video

Watch the video showing how to safely mount and install the Titan Water Valve Actuator:

Troubleshooting Steps

ZAC36 LED Indicator is Flashing Red and Beeping Every Second

When a leak alarm is triggered, whether through the water probe connected directly to the Titan or through a wireless leak sensor programmed to trigger the actuator via Z-Wave, the Titan will start flashing red and beeping (every second). First, check that your Z-Wave button is not locked before attempting to cancel the alarm as indicated above.

Cancel the water leak alarm manually:
- When water presence is no longer detected on the connected sensor or any of the wireless sensors in the network, you can manually cancel the leak alarm mode
- Hold the Z-Wave button until 2 beeps sound to cancel the alarm
- 3 green flashes and beeps to indicate success
- Back to standby mode (yellow flashing when not included to Z-Wave hub or pulsing green when included to Z-Wave hub)
Water leak alarm automatic cancellation:
- Only available if the Titan actuator is included to your Z-Wave hub. When water presence is no longer detected for at least 10 seconds, the alarm mode will be cancelled automatically.
- Actuator will go from flashing and beeping red back to standby mode (pulsing green) by itself 10 seconds after the leak alarm has cleared on all of the sensors in the network

Watch the video showing how to manually cancel the water leak alarm:

Intermittent Long Beep

Our Titan ZAC36 hardware is ready for battery backup and can send signals when it is losing power, or when the power is getting low. The intermittent long beep indicates the Titan is losing power. Generally, we see this happening when the device is sharing an outlet with something with a high inrush current, like a washing machine.
- Whenever the device sharing the outlet has a high inrush current, this prevents the ZAC36 from receiving the necessary power. That is why NEC requires that washing machines and other similar devices with high inrush current fluctuations should be on a separate circuit breaker with a dedicated outlet which is not shared with anything else.

The Power is Out; How do I Remove the Titan Without Power?

If you lose power and would like to open or close your valve by hand, you would simply take the Titan off your valve. It takes around 15 seconds to take it off and another 15 seconds to put it back on if needed so no manual override is necessary for this device. We recommend taking a look at the video showing how quickly the device installs to illustrate this.

We recommend adding the backup battery as well to ensure uninterrupted performance in case of a power outage.

My ZAC36 Keeps Closing and Opening Every 14 Days

The ZAC36, by default, will perform an automatic self-test to confirm proper operation. The frequency of this test is adjustable in the advanced settings for the device:

Parameter 98: Decide how often you'd like the actuator to perform the auto test described in parameter 97. Default: 14 (days).

Values: 1 - 30 (days)

Size: 1 byte dec

What do the LED Colors and Patterns Mean?

Please review the ZAC36 Valve Actuator LED And Sound Indicator Guide for details on each process and the expected LED indicator behavior and sound.

What's Changed in Each Hardware and Firmware Version?

You can check the ZAC36 Change Log against your current version and see if there are any bug fixes implemented with a firmware update that may resolve an issue not noted above. Please ensure you verify the current hardware and firmware version of your unit and if it can be updated to the listed version.

Interesting and Random Questions?

Check out the ZAC36 FAQ Document for all kinds of questions that have been asked in the past (upside down installation, extension kit details, why the new fork is different, etc.)

Reach out to us if you're having any issues with the installation, we'll be happy to help!