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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 18:20:52

Title: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 18:20:52
It's my Mums!  :)

Its a conventional system with a 20 year old Potterton Profile boiler, which packed up and couple of weeks ago so Mum had the plumber out and he fitted a new PCB and all was good.  ::)

However, now the central heating isn't coming on either with the timer or manually, but the boiler fires up fine for the hot water!  :-\

Any thoughts lads?  :-\  TIA :y

UPDATE: I think it might be the 3 way valve sticking as it was in the mid position and I pressed the button underneath and the lever moved to H and the boiler fired up!  I'll give it a squirt of WD and will see how it goes!  :y  Although thinking as I type, the boiler should still fire with the valve in the mid position?  :-\
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: joff on 14 February 2015, 18:25:24
3 way valve stuck closed/ hot water only
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 18:29:04
Thanks Joff, must type faster!  :y  I've had a fiddle with that and it's come on. Ta!  :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 February 2015, 19:36:10
Those 3 way valves are pretty crude when they work at all, so worth keeping an eye on it in case it plays up again.

They often suffer the same issue as the Omega's central locking motors - knackered microswitches. Mine actually use the same type. :y

Oh, and the Potterton PCBs suffer due to poor construction and 85oC capacitors mounted just under the gas burner! But, they are a very easy DIY fix with a soldering iron, so if it goes wrong again.. :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: 4x4 on 14 February 2015, 19:38:20
Depending what valve it is,you might be able to just get the motorised head,but usally they start weeping around the spindle,so might be worth replacing complete valve,and if doing your self get the correct number of wires. :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Terbs on 14 February 2015, 19:49:46
Yes..I got a motorised head and just replaced that on mine, had no trouble since :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 20:03:11

Oh, and the Potterton PCBs suffer due to poor construction and 85oC capacitors mounted just under the gas burner! But, they are a very easy DIY fix with a soldering iron, so if it goes wrong again.. :y

I replaced the PCB about 3 years ago so yes they don't last long, but the old one that I pulled out is still kicking about somewhere so I'll dig it out and have a looky see!  Thanks for the tip Kevin!  :y

I'll have a look at the 3 way, I've got a feeling that I took the motorised head off a few years ago and squirted it with WD.  :-\ 

Changing the motorised head sounds good, as no need to drain down!  :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: joff on 14 February 2015, 20:33:56
Looking at your location I'm thinking chalk build up in the valve.  :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: The Sheriff on 14 February 2015, 20:43:11
Those three way valves don't seem to last long at all. Ours is a siemens, which I thought would be a reasonable make, but it usually starts playing up every three years or so.
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 February 2015, 20:49:26

Oh, and the Potterton PCBs suffer due to poor construction and 85oC capacitors mounted just under the gas burner! But, they are a very easy DIY fix with a soldering iron, so if it goes wrong again.. :y

I replaced the PCB about 3 years ago so yes they don't last long, but the old one that I pulled out is still kicking about somewhere so I'll dig it out and have a looky see!  Thanks for the tip Kevin!  :y

I'll have a look at the 3 way, I've got a feeling that I took the motorised head off a few years ago and squirted it with WD.  :-\ 

Changing the motorised head sounds good, as no need to drain down!  :y

Happy to give you a hand refurbing it next time I'm down your way. I have a stock of the capacitors somewhere. :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: TheBoy on 14 February 2015, 22:07:52
Did they let you keep the old PCB?  As you can refurb that easily enough - in the case of Potterton, its usually a combo of poor components and poor build quality.  Will save you the best part of £200 every time.

Mine, touch wood, has been reliable since I've remade most of the shit soldering.
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 22:23:55
Yes, I'm sure I have the PCB that I replaced a few years ago somewhere, when I got lucky and found a new one on ebay for £25!  :y

I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale!  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 February 2015, 22:45:50
I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale!  :y :y :y

I'm starting to get used to it, actually. Reminds me of my home brew. ;)
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 22:51:50
I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale!  :y :y :y

I'm starting to get used to it, actually. Reminds me of my home brew. ;)

I expect your home brew is far superior!  ;D  Have you tried 'Tally Ho' yet?  ::)  :y
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 February 2015, 22:59:58
I hold you to that offer Kevin thanks, that's gotta be worth a pint or two of Palmer's best gutrot ale!  :y :y :y

I'm starting to get used to it, actually. Reminds me of my home brew. ;)

I expect your home brew is far superior!  ;D  Have you tried 'Tally Ho' yet?  ::)  :y
Probably. Memories are a bit vague. ::)

I did happen across this place a few months back http://www.bottle-inn.net/ (http://www.bottle-inn.net/)  ..aaand they were having a beer festival! God knows how many beers they had on, but I decided it would be rude not to try some of them.  ::) Was a bit wobbly when mrs. KW decided it was time for her to take me home. ;D
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 14 February 2015, 23:15:26
Ah yes the Bottle!  :y  The Shave Cross is also good, although it's gone a bit 'gastro' in recent years.  ::)  If you can find it, there's nice beer garden which is good for a quiet pint on a summers evening.  :y

http://www.theshavecrossinn.co.uk/index.htm
Title: Re: Central heating not coming on!
Post by: Kevin Wood on 14 February 2015, 23:46:05
Ah yes the Bottle!  :y  The Shave Cross is also good, although it's gone a bit 'gastro' in recent years.  ::)  If you can find it, there's nice beer garden which is good for a quiet pint on a summers evening.  :y

http://www.theshavecrossinn.co.uk/index.htm

Yes, found that one! We stay in Salwayash, so that's almost the local. Caribbean food was nice. :y