DHW flow switch for Alpha CB24 combi boiler?

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Hot water doesn't always turn on when requested - so we end up putting the central heating on when we need to run a bath or shower to get the boiler to fire up.

Problem seems to be with the flow switch. I used to be able to take it of 'fiddle' and put it back & it would work again for a while. the 'while' is getting shorter & shorter

Anyway doing some tests it seems to me that the microswitch is not functioning properly - checked up on price & it's £23.25 from a 'cheaper than trade' place on the web - another place total came to £43.55 inc VAT P&P managers beer money etc

A similar looking microswitch at Maplins is £2.09 - the official part comes with all the clamp & stuff - but I don't think i really need that...

Any ideas on cheapest way to do this?

Cheers

Mick

 

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I cannot tell you how to bodge your boiler. At the end of the day its only a switch so whatever you do its up to you.

As a professional in the heating industry I am only expected to fit genuine manufacturer's parts.

As your house is presumably worth at least £100,000 I am very surprised that you dont want to spend just £20 on the correct part for your boiler.

Tony

 

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Tony thanks for your quick response...

I know where you are coming from... But maybe the £23 quote will end up at £40+ by the time I get it ordered and delivered...

It's only a switch to make or break a circuit at the end of the day - so I'd hardly call it a bodge to replace just the mirco switch... - perhaps it would be an improvement if the one I got was more robust than the Alpha part?

Sometimes it can be the best thing to just fit the manufacturers part rather than spend time and money experimenting and then still have to shell out for that part after many wasted hours...

BUT I am unemployed at the mo...

Cheers

Mick

 

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You may find a local place called HRPC or Parts Centre where you can just go and collect it.

I agree that as its only a microswitch that you should be able to just change it for any one which fits and I dont see any safety hazard with this part either.

Its just that we have to use the proper bits.

Tony

 

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Just got a 99p microswitch from Maplin http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=6452&criteria=Micro Switches&doy=17m5

Does the job - except that I connected to wrong part of the switch... and the boiler was on with no water flowing and off when i turned the taps on - to make it worse I had broken off the extra contact totry to avoid accidental connection problems

Ah well - At least i know that part will do the job... I need some tidy connectors to attach the wire to it as well so I will get them tomorrow too...

Cheers

Mick

 

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OK - another 99p switch from Maplin - connected right way round this time - soldered joints covered in shrink wrap tubing this time for better insulation

Jobs a goodun

thanks for looking...

Mick