Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

Boiler now seems to lock out but only after is has reached it operating
set-point. That is it doesn't lock out if either of the thermostats
(cylinder and room) switch it off first.
The CORGI registered installer/maintainer (it's four years old) has now
replaced the igniter and sensor and both the main control PCB and the
Ignition PCB have been swapped out and so we are pretty sure it is none of
those. I'm wondering if the safety cut-out is operating before the
setpoint is reached.. Perhaps we should start measuring the temperatures.
I guess by closing down all the TRVs we could speed the process up a bit.
He's loath to hang around all day.
Or could the control thermister not be functioning in and allowing the
boiler to overheat. It's currently set to operate at the factory set point
of 82 degrees. If anyone else has had this problem with this boiler I'd
like to hear their solution or suggestions..
Michael

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

"Michael Shergold" wrote in message
...
Boiler now seems to lock out but only after is has reached it operating
set-point. That is it doesn't lock out if either of the thermostats
(cylinder and room) switch it off first.
The CORGI registered installer/maintainer (it's four years old) has now
replaced the igniter and sensor and both the main control PCB and the
Ignition PCB have been swapped out and so we are pretty sure it is none
of those. I'm wondering if the safety cut-out is operating before the
setpoint is reached.. Perhaps we should start measuring the
temperatures. I guess by closing down all the TRVs we could speed the
process up a bit. He's loath to hang around all day.
Or could the control thermister not be functioning in and allowing the
boiler to overheat. It's currently set to operate at the factory set
point of 82 degrees. If anyone else has had this problem with this
boiler I'd like to hear their solution or suggestions..
Michael

Follow-up: In case anyone has similar problems

A second person was also experiencing exactly the same symptoms and over
a week ago we conducted various tests and experiments measuring maximum
temperatures and checking thermister values etc.. This duplication
encouraged my Corgi man to phone Pottertons and at their suggestion on
Nov5th evening he came and inspected the combustion chamber door seal
and found it to be leaking.
Coincidentally the other person had also decided to take off his combustion
chamber door and found that there were large gaps in the sealing strip.
Both Boilers have now been re-sealed and are back in test mode.
It is all looking promising as we have at last found something
promising. Curiously my Promax locked out again twice during next two
days day but not after a long heating spells as before. It has now remained
lockout free for the last week now, so the jury must still be out on
whether we have eventually determined the ultimate fix to this boiler.

There are still significant questions though:
How did both CORGI engineers miss this during the annual service or at the
very least not investigate this when called back to investigate the
problem?. (no doubt the seals was damaged before or during the service.
Both boilers had been working faultlessly until the annual service. )
The Potterton service manual supplied with this boiler is pretty poor,
(decision blocks with no real decision)! The combustion chamber seals
come low down the list after changing almost everything else.
Do boiler manufacturers like Potterton not have any further contact with
installer/maintainers or customers?
The spares supplier said that these door seals were often ordered!
I've written 'Check firebox door seals' in large letters for the engineer
next time.
Michael

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:13:21 -0000 someone who may be "Michael
Shergold" wrote this:-

How did both CORGI engineers miss this during the annual service or at the
very least not investigate this when called back to investigate the
problem?. (no doubt the seals was damaged before or during the service.
Both boilers had been working faultlessly until the annual service. )

You are assuming that the CORGI con has anything to do with quality
and workmanship. It doesn't.

I have met some excellent workmen who are registered with this
organisation. However, when I tried to get an incompetent struck off
the words of CORGI over the phone, almost word for word, were, "we
are not interested in the technical competence of someone's work,
only in whether they have paid their fees."



--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

You are assuming that the CORGI con has anything to do with quality
and workmanship. It doesn't.
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

From the trustcorgi.com website

"Consequently, the CORGI badge is now a guarantee of quality, making it the
standard to look for when employing a tradesman. We can help you find an
installer in your local area who is qualified to work in your home - use
our find an installer tool."

Michael

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:50:45 -0000 someone who may be "Michael
Shergold" wrote this:-

From the trustcorgi.com website

I certainly wouldn't trust them with anything. I have seen some of
their members in action.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

"Owain" wrote in message
...
Michael Shergold wrote:
You are assuming that the CORGI con has anything to do with quality
and workmanship. It doesn't.
From the trustcorgi.com website
"Consequently, the CORGI badge is now a guarantee of quality,

It doesn't say whether it's good quality or bad quality (and suggests
that it hasn't always been a guarantee of quality, I wonder how far back
they are referring to)

making it the standard to look for when employing a tradesman.

That's like saying pustules are something to look for on a whore. They
are, but you'd want to run away fast if you find them.

We can help you find an installer in your local area who is qualified to
work in your home

Qualified = has obtained a qualification. Does not necessarily mean (a)
competent (b) reliable (c) honest (d) a good businessperson
Owain
Thanks for the commiserations/suggestions etc. In fact in both our cases
it is slightly embarrassing as in my colleague's case the Corgi man is a
family friend and in my case the plumbing/heating company is part of a
family dynasty. Originally three brothers running individual but
collaborating carpenter-builders/electricians/plumbers companies
respectively, who have served us well over the thirty odd years that we
have lived here. The current Corgi man and his cousin, recently took over
the company from their fathers (now retired), and both were a school with
my sons so they were a fairly natural first choice to install my new boiler
four years ago and has serviced it each year since. I have often
recommended them to neighbours and friends, though they are not the
cheapest tradesmen around. I will be more cautious in future and may well
think again the next time I need a service/repair. In fact I seem to have
learned so much about this boiler now I might well service it myself!!
How do you find an enthusiastic competent tradesman?
Michael

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

In message , David Hansen
writes
On Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:50:45 -0000 someone who may be "Michael
Shergold" wrote this:-

From the trustcorgi.com website

I certainly wouldn't trust them with anything. I have seen some of
their members in action.

Ha, rant time then...

Yesterday

CORGI "I'm not sure whether it's the gas valve or the PCB"

Me "Have you checked whether you have mains to the gas valve"

CORGI "No, it's at the back and difficult to get at"


There were actually a couple of other goodies last week, but some ice
cream has just arrived ...


--
geoff

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

In message , Owain
writes
Michael Shergold wrote:
You are assuming that the CORGI con has anything to do with quality
and workmanship. It doesn't.
From the trustcorgi.com website
"Consequently, the CORGI badge is now a guarantee of quality,

It doesn't say whether it's good quality or bad quality (and suggests
that it hasn't always been a guarantee of quality, I wonder how far
back they are referring to)

making it the standard to look for when employing a tradesman.

That's like saying pustules are something to look for on a whore. They
are, but you'd want to run away fast if you find them.

We can help you find an installer in your local area who is
qualified to work in your home

Qualified = has obtained a qualification. Does not necessarily mean (a)
competent

in which case it's illegal for him to work on a gas appliance, even his
own



--
geoff

Problem with Potterton Promax 15 HE boiler. Ignition lockout
 

In message , Michael Shergold
writes
In fact in both our cases
it is slightly embarrassing as in my colleague's case the Corgi man is a
family friend and in my case the plumbing/heating company is part of a
family dynasty.

Ah - mixing business with friends / relatives, always a bad move

I will be more cautious in future and may well
think again the next time I need a service/repair. In fact I seem to have
learned so much about this boiler now I might well service it myself!!
How do you find an enthusiastic competent tradesman?

You DIY instead

--
geoff