Ferrolli Optimax 25

[Deleted member 2053]

JUst had a call from the father of a customer. He has one of these units running off LPG. Apparently every time he allows the gas to run out he needs a new circuit board???????? This has happened 7 times in 4 years, and understandably he is not best chuffed. He is certain that changing the board was what fixed it as he has watched the engineer, so this does not appear to be a case of the thing being purged when he is not looking and him being ripped off for the cost of a new board. However from the way he describes the fault and the current sequence of events on the boiler it DOES sound as if the spark unit has failed. Anyone had any similar experiences with this boiler? I usually try and run away when I hear the name Ferrolli!

 

[solarsavings]

Doesn't sound reasonable, more like the UPSO (under pressure shut off) needs resetting. If that were the case I'd be looking to Ferroli to be paying as the boiler wouldn't be fit for purpose.

 

[Deleted member 2053]

Sorry should have headed that one off by saying that he has a cooker slightly downstream of the boiler which is working fine, so we know the gas is there. He can also see the gas rate on the hob drop when the boiler tries to light which implies that the gas valve is opening correctly - and a lot of negatives as well!!! Let's leave the issue of pipe sizing out of this discussion. Were I not away on holiday I would be round there testing the inlet pressures....

Having said that, I suppose there is always the possibility there is a problem with the main regulator, and not with the boiler at all.

 

[fatoftheland]

Does the Boiler just keep sparking when the gas goes off? It should try lighting half a dozen times then lock out. If it keeps sparking non stop the spark generator will overheat and burn out. Another great design!

 

[Deleted member 2053]

You have probably hit the nail on the head saying this doesn't go to lock out and burns out the spark unit. Thanks.

 

[fatoftheland]

The boiler was designed for natural gas which does not run out!

 

[plumbnuts]

This occurs on several boilers when the gas runs out. The boiler will keep trying to light and eventually wrecks the PCB as you have found out. It is common in rented student accomodation when they are on a card meter. When the funds on the card run out the PCB goes with it after some time. Keeps me busy though
Steve