Silver linings

[OFSO]

With our central heating boiler having a fault which the local agent can neither find nor fix (or this being Spain, can't be bothered with) I've found it will always fire up if the combustion chamber is slightly warm, which means about six hours since it was last on. I have a clockwork timer switch next to the thermostat which enables times from 12 to 60 minutes to be selected, so a few minutes on every six hours or so keeps it happy.

Like most men I keep the house cooler than my spouse would like, indeed I have received a few depositions on that matter, but she said today that the house has never been as comfortable as during this winter.

And a contentrd spouse is beyond price..

[TheGreenGoblin]

With our central heating boiler having a fault which the local agent can neither find nor fix (or this being Spain, can't be bothered with) I've found it will always fire up if the combustion chamber is slightly warm, which means about six hours since it was last on. I have a clockwork timer switch next to the thermostat which enables times from 12 to 60 minutes to be selected, so a few minutes on every six hours or so keeps it happy.

Like most men I keep the house cooler than my spouse would like, indeed I have received a few depositions on that matter, but she said the house has never been as comfortable as during this winter.

So the course of true love doth warm through!

Ay me! For aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth.

[TheGreenGoblin]

[johngreen]

What make and model is this piece of quality kit OFSO?

[OFSO]

Chaffoteaux, large Spanish producers of Central Heating crap, oops, boilers. Model Pigma Green.

[johngreen]

Ah. Quality kit then!
Does it show an error code when it refuses to work.
Something like 501 perhaps?

[OFSO]

In detail -
Three attempted starts in succession. Each time the temperature at which the start fails is higher.
Then a red light and fault code 504
Hit "Reset" button to clear fault code.
Next attempted start successful.

Or, just start it up for ten minutes every six hours. Then starts are successful.

[johngreen]

Curious and so frustrating when there is no way of easily checking to be certain of a diagnosis.

I can find no reference to a 5 04 fault code for Chaffoteaux kit (I am not suggesting you are telling porkies!) but the 5 01 'lack of flame detection' fits very well with your problem.

The flame confirmation by ionisation requires measuring current in the range of a very few micro amps, so not exactly easy to check without specialised equipment, but the difference between being cold and warm could easily make the difference between no go and go.

If the sensor electrodes are fitted with the right dimensions (looks like between 7 -9 mm from the burner), the connecting cables are in good condition (have no damage from being trapped between screw clamps for example), and the earth has perfect continuity, then the fault is very likely on the main PCB.

There is an adjustment to the rate of increase of the flame from ignition (parameter 220) but if that has not been changed prior to the problem, it's an unlikely source of the problem.

If you are feeling so adventurous, it maybe worth removing the PCB and cleaning any dust or other nastiness from both sides of it if only to make it feel like you have done something.

A bit of research might find you a replacement PCB for somewhat less than the monstrous price probably asked by the main sources but it is important to make sure all the part numbers tally up.

I need hardly add that if you do change the PCB and the fault still exists, then you've sort of done your dough - but possibly learnt something useful in the process...

That's my too sense worth and I shall probably STFU now as I fear I may be doing no more than advising the already knowing on how to apply a vacuum to ova...

[OFSO]

A very helpful reply! I have changed the ionising detector for a new one. I have not yet looked at the ignition electrodes but that's next. The PCB was changed just after the warrenty ran out, about six years ago I think, and as you intimidate, very expensive, about three times the UK price. I can live with the occasional reset, unlike my wife who is living with clothes pegs jammed into place to hold the Smeg oven door shut. Waiting six weeks now for a Smegging Repair.

[OFSO]

Except - see elsewhere - Smeg coming on Monday. Silly name, Smeg. Borgia would have been better. A good Catalan family, Borgia. "The oven the Pope uses."

[Undried Plum]

When we were looking at kitchen gear to outfit a renewing kitchen in Embra, I had to explain to someone why I would not want that name on food preparation gear. I had to go so far as to explain what a smeg spoon was for, and why it is so small.

Forgive her, for she went to Cheltenham Ladies College when they didn't have boys.