Potterton boiler or Boilermate at fault

bajangal

Can't figure out if my boiler or hotwater tank is at fault.
Got up this morning to find that the pipes on the Boilermate 2 are warm and lukewarm water. It is left on 24/7 so instant hot water. Everything else "feels" ok (ie, pumps are vibrating but the green light at bottom is constantly on). No squeaks or squeals coming from behind panel. I have moved the temp gauge to max to see if that made a difference.
The Potterton's status light is flashing green. It flashes for approx 15 mins and then fires up for approx 5 mins. Last month the gas valve was changed.
Is there something I can do or which engineer do I need. Thanks.

espresso

If the Boilermate green light is constantly ON, then it sounds like it is a problem with your Potterton because the Boilermate is calling for heat and it is not getting satisfied. What about central heating, is that working? The higher pump is for the central heating and the lower pump circulates the water from the Potterton. The hot flow from the boiler is the third pipe on the RHS down from the top, that should be hot - if it's not then check the Potterton. You need a heating engineer.

bajangal

espresso wrote: »

If the Boilermate green light is constantly ON, then it sounds like it is a problem with your Potterton because the Boilermate is calling for heat and it is not getting satisfied. What about central heating, is that working? The higher pump is for the central heating and the lower pump circulates the water from the Potterton. The hot flow from the boiler is the third pipe on the RHS down from the top, that should be hot - if it's not then check the Potterton. You need a heating engineer.

Hi Espresso and thanks.
The green light on Boilermate has been on all night. It won't "commission" (obviously not hot enough).
Haven't got any heating or hot water.
The Potterton fires up for approx 5 mins (green light on that becomes constant). In that time, the radiators start warming up, but after the 5 mins when the Potterton "clicks" off, the radiators start to cool down. The green status light on the Potterton then starts to flash for approx 15 mins and then fires for 5 mins, etc. etc.
I am just wondering if this would be the gas valve (which was changed last month) or a new problem.

keystone

bajangal wrote: »

Haven't got any heating or hot water.

You might like to check that its actually got water in it then. Do you have a header tank or tap fill?

Cheers

bajangal

keystone wrote: »

You might like to check that its actually got water in it then. Do you have a header tank or tap fill?

Cheers

Header tank (I'm assuming - as there is a top bit on Boilermate). Will check. Thanks.

bajangal

Have checked header tank - and it has water in it.
Pressed down ballcock - and heard water coming in.
Took off front panel of Boilermate and both the delay timer and pump circuit boards (from a novices eye) look ok. No noise coming from either.
Potterton still firing up and shutting down without Boilermate reaching temperature - and still only green light flashing.
Lukewarm hot water and lukewarm radiators.

espresso

bajangal wrote: »

Have checked header tank - and it has water in it.
Pressed down ballcock - and heard water coming in.
Took off front panel of Boilermate and both the delay timer and pump circuit boards (from a novices eye) look ok. No noise coming from either.
Potterton still firing up and shutting down without Boilermate reaching temperature - and still only green light flashing.
Lukewarm hot water and lukewarm radiators.

So is the hot water from the boiler being circulated by the pump as per my previous post - flow into third pipe down and return via the lower pump? If not then the boiler will simply keep shutting down to prevent it overheating.

If you adjust the pump speed, can you hear a change in flow/noise between the different flow rates 1-3?

bajangal

Espresso. Thank you. When I adjust the pumps I can hear a difference in the noise. It is set to the highest.

keystone

bajangal wrote: »

Have checked header tank - and it has water in it.

Thanks I meant water in the Boilermate actually.

Pressed down ballcock - and heard water coming in.

To the header tank or the cylinder? You might have a blockage in the feedpipe if the header is full but still only got warm from both CH and DHW. BM2 known for developing a blockage in the feed pipe!

No noise coming from either.

That rules that idea out then. An annoying buzzing would indicate the pump PCB at fault.

Potterton still firing up and shutting down without Boilermate reaching temperature

Yes the overheat stat is cutting in. Espresso is correct to ask if circulator actually is circulating.

Lukewarm hot water and lukewarm radiators.

Still points to lack of water in the store IMHO.

Cheers

bajangal

Keystone, thanks for replying.
How do I check if water is in the Boilermate. Have bled some radiators and clean water came spouting out of them. How else can I check?

I have checked the pumps. When I turn them down I can hear the change in noise.

espresso

bajangal wrote: »

Keystone, thanks for replying.
How do I check if water is in the Boilermate. Have bled some radiators and clean water came spouting out of them. How else can I check?

I have checked the pumps. When I turn them down I can hear the change in noise.

Surely you can tell if HOT water is being pumped from the boiler to the Boilermate and back by feeling the pipes?