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Published: 11/13/2019
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A gas valve is required to organize a fuel supply system to the gas burner device of the boiler. This allows it to operate in an economical mode with high power, guaranteeing safe operation and automatic control of thermal processes.
Photo source: ulyanovsk.santechsystemy.ru
This device is operated under increased load, since it constantly works in tandem with a source of thermal energy, so its parts and components are subject to wear and require periodic repair and maintenance. Simple gas boiler valve repairs can be done independently at home.
- 1 Types of valves in a gas boiler
- 2 Valve design 2.1 Operating principle
- 4.1 Checking electrical components
Features of Navien boilers
There are several other reasons why more than a million wall-mounted boilers of this brand have already been purchased in Russia. The product is perfectly adapted to Russian realities: it is highly resistant to low temperatures and other aggressive environments. Protected from network voltage sags. It is possible to connect boilers in a cascade chain. Elegant shape, design that fits into any Russian interior. The boilers come with a 36 month warranty. The manufacturer has established the supply of spare parts for service centers in the Russian Federation to eliminate breakdowns. Navien boilers are highly reliable; it is very difficult to permanently break the boiler. The boilers have an intelligent problem detection system built into the boiler system; using the error number, it is possible to determine what is broken in the boiler.
Basic list of Navien boiler errors
For more convenient communication between the boiler and the user or service worker, unique error codes have been developed to indicate a problem in Navien gas boilers. Eighteen errors can be independently detected by the system. Inspiring diversity can pinpoint the problem. But product users will see a small part of possible messages from the boiler communication system. Decoding the main errors of heating systems:
- “02” – Stop coolant circulation
- “03” – Ignition problem
- “16” – Heat exchanger overheating
These malfunctions are the most common, the reasons are: poor quality of centralized water supply, careless attitude of boiler users, increased network voltage. But this is not the end of the world, all problems are solved.
Other Navien boiler malfunctions:
- “01” - Boiler overheating
- “05” – Temperature sensor failure
- “06” – Temperature sensor short circuit
- “08” – Short circuit of the water supply sensor
- "09" - Turbine failure
- “10” - Chimney clogged
- “13” - Flow sensor failure
- “15” - Exceeding the maximum permissible voltage
- “27” - APS sensor failure
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Below is a useful video for your reference, which demonstrates the disassembly of a device that regulates heat flows in a gas boiler. Moreover, the practice of disassembling it yourself is given.
The distribution device described in the video is equipped with a hydraulic rod drive. Familiarization with this repair practice will help you understand how to check devices of a similar type and repair if there are defects.
Thus, a three-way valve for a domestic gas boiler can be tested in almost any design, regardless of individual design. The main point is to correctly determine which drive the gas boiler switchgear is used with. Information on this issue can be obtained from the documentation for the equipment or by relying on the drive demonstration examples in this article.
Do you have useful information on the topic discussed above and want to share it with other users? Write your remarks and comments in the block below, add photos, leave your recommendations - the feedback form is located below.
Gas boilers are reliable equipment that supply our country houses and some city apartments with heat and hot water. Unfortunately, they cannot work completely without breakdowns. And violations often include valves - devices for protecting and supplying fuel to units.
We will tell you how and what kind of gas boiler valve repairs you can do yourself. We will analyze in detail the situations that signal the occurrence of related disruptions in work. We’ll tell you whether it’s worth making your own efforts or whether it’s better to turn to gas workers.
In our article you will find step-by-step guides to restoring the performance of gas boilers by repairing or replacing the gas, safety and three-way valves.
Eliminating common errors
Let's look at the common errors of Navien boilers and figure out how to fix them.
Error “02” - stop coolant circulation
The filters of the boiler or heating system often become clogged, this leads to the appearance of two unfortunate numbers of fault 02. It is also very likely that the cause of this error is the main heat exchanger clogged with scale. These troubles occur due to the high hardness of the water used to operate the device. The ubiquitous scale affects the most important parts of the device, stopping operation. To resume boiler operation, you must:
- Clean the filters in the boiler itself and the heating system.
- Remove the heat exchanger from the housing.
- Prepare an acid solution to destroy scale on the heat exchanger.
- Place the heat exchanger in a container with an acid solution.
- Wait for the chemistry to do its job.
After simple manipulations, if you have the necessary ingredients and knowledge, you can independently get rid of error “02” of the Navien gas boiler. Monitor the circulation sensor inside the boiler, wash the filters regularly to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Types of valves in a gas boiler
The normal operation of gas equipment intended for heating sanitary water and preparing coolant is ensured by a wide range of systems, parts, devices, each of which clearly performs the important function assigned to it.
The design of gas boilers has the following types of valves:
- Gas valve. A component of the gas system responsible for the proportional supply of blue fuel to the gas burner, ensuring a stable combustion process in accordance with the commands of the electronic board. This electromagnetic device also includes shut-off and control valves.
- Safety valve. A component of the hydraulic system designed to discharge excess coolant from the heating circuit in case of exceeding standard pressure values.
- Three way valve. Part of the hydraulic system of double-circuit boilers only. Redirects the flow of heated water from the heating circuit to the hot water supply during its consumption for hygienic purposes. Depending on the class of the boiler, it can be with or without a servo drive.
All of the listed types of valves involved in the operation of a gas boiler can be replaced or repaired in the event of a breakdown.
Let's take a look at the technology for restoring their functionality. By mastering simple repair principles and techniques, you can significantly increase the service life of the boiler itself.
If the boiler is humming, what should you do?
All of the above errors usually lead to a complete stop of the boiler, but a much more common, less destructive problem is an unpleasant sound from the equipment. Annoying noises will cause headaches and increased stress. It’s clear that a properly installed and operated Navien boiler should operate silently; humming is a symptom that can warn of a major malfunction in the future.
Let's look at the most popular sources of hum:
Malfunction of the boiler ventilation system
If the boiler has to be in a dusty basement or you simply use the device for a long time without proper care, then a large amount of dust accumulating inside the housing can disrupt the ventilation. This is perhaps the most common cause of hum in old equipment, but we must not forget that the problem may be a lack of lubrication. To avoid unpleasant sensations from extraneous sounds, remove dust from the boiler and lubricate it regularly. Otherwise, you will have to call a specialist, and perhaps change the fan itself.
Hard water sediment
As with many of the problems discussed earlier, hard water can play a key role in problems related to humming inside equipment. Scale first affects the heat exchanger, and then the entire apparatus, reducing all its positive qualities; due to the narrowed passages for water supply and the abundance of steam, a strange hum appears. An acid solution will help get rid of scale in a Navien boiler, only this time you will have to treat all the parts of the boiler - it is better to entrust this to a specialist.
Water oversaturated with oxygen
Using a natural circulation system, you are at risk of hearing unpleasant sounds, even using the latest boiler. The boiler itself is not in danger, and it will produce the best efficiency while operating stably, but the sound bothers the owner. The cause of the noise is air bubbles bursting inside the heating system. It is easy to get rid of noise by replacing the natural circulation system, improving the boiler system with membranes.
Gas pressure
Reduced gas pressure inside the system causes annoying noise in the room. Gas deficiency forms air pockets, the speed of water movement decreases, and the apparatus overheats. To correct the problem, you just need to change the pressure to an acceptable one equal to two atmospheres. These manipulations should be performed by a trained professional.
Other reasons
Other causes of unpleasant noises in the Navien boiler may be minor reasons. Strange knocking noises associated with the presence of air in the system. Despite the quality of Navien boilers, no one is immune from mistakes, and ordinary factory defects can be the cause of your headaches. Check the product carefully, make a return, warranty exchange.
The best way to avoid problems, breakdowns, hums, errors and other malfunctions is prevention. Regularly undergo a technical inspection of your Navien gas boiler, wipe off dust, add grease, clean out debris, have spare parts, connect clean water, set up the circulation system and you can avoid many unpleasant problems.
Do not try to completely determine the causes of technical problems on your own. A heating boiler is a device that requires increased care. In case of any problems, contact the service center or call specialists, they will accurately determine the cause and make the necessary repairs. Navien independently trains the necessary personnel. Navien has four hundred service centers in the Russian Federation. Contact a professional; self-diagnosis and treatment of complex devices without thorough preparation can damage the device.
The design of a three-way valve for a gas boiler and its breakdown. A few words from NEMOROZ.RU
Three-way boiler valve - device, principle of operation and breakdowns.
We have written more than once that the heating system is a large set of components. Each of the elements has its own configuration, design and purpose. Knowledge of the general principles of operation of each of them will help you build an effective system, and during operation, maintain this indicator at the proper level. Today we invite you to draw your attention to the three-way boiler valve. In most cases, the modern configuration of heating systems cannot do without this solution. It is he who regulates the temperature component of the coolant.
How does he work
The main task of a three-way boiler valve is to force the coolant to move in a small circle. To begin with, we suggest recalling the scheme for switching the boiler from heating to DHW. When the DHW tap is turned off, the coolant circulates in a large circle. That is, when heated in the heat exchanger using a burner, the coolant enters the heating pipeline and then to the heating radiators, where it releases heat. The cooled coolant is returned through the pipeline to the boiler and the heating cycle is repeated. In this format, access to the small circle is closed. When the hot water tap is opened, the water enters the boiler, where it is heated as in the first case. However, before this moment, sensors are triggered, supplying an impulse to the servo drive of the three-way valve of the boiler. They allow access to flow in a small circle, in which cold water is heated by the main flow. At the same time, thanks to the three-way valve, the water remains at a constant temperature. The degree of operation of the three-way valve may depend on the temperature of the coolant. Moreover, the hotter the water, the more strongly it opens the flow from the outside. Thus, hot water at a given temperature enters the mixer. When the DHW tap is closed, the system returns to its original operating mode with circulation in a large circle.
In the description above, an example of the operation of a three-way valve with a servo drive was given. This is one of the popular solutions.
There is also a three-way diaphragm valve. The basic principles are the same with one exception. The three-way valve is activated by water pressure on the valve membrane, which causes flow through a small circle.
If we talk about control, the valve can be controlled not only by a servo drive. There are options with thermostatic control, in which a substance that reacts to changes in temperature expands and presses on the rod. This is how regulation works in this case.
Possible breakdowns
One of the symptoms is barely warm or completely cold water when the hot water tap is turned on. This may mean that the coolant continues to circulate in a large circle. The reason for this may be the failure of the servo drive or its individual elements. Thus, during operation, wear of the rod may occur, followed by loss of tightness and water entering the electrical components of the servo drive. The result is its combustion. Another reason for the failure of a three-way boiler valve is the formation of scale. As we know, this is a common problem with the heating system as a whole. We previously wrote about preventive measures to combat this common problem. It was said just above that a three-way valve may contain a membrane. Accordingly, this element may also fail.
The design of the three-way valve from different manufacturers is a common feature. In other words, this is a kind of “local” standard in heating. As you already know, all manufacturers have different technical specifications. They are reflected in the device passports. So, pay attention to the fact that three-way valves may differ in dimensional characteristics. The use of externally similar devices that differ in size and a number of other characteristics can lead to ineffective operation and possible breakdowns.
We hope that this article was useful to you.
NEMOROZ specialists . RU will help you deal with any heating issue and more!
