Diagnostic displays

[Harry Bloomfield]

When I ordered my last new boiler, one of the items in my specification for it, was that it should have a proper diagnostics display panel (Vaillant), rather than flashing lights and counting the sequence to try to translate it.

I also find it handy for day to day use to, so I have a bit of a clue what it is doing.

I'm likewise a bit obsessive about being able to access my cars own diagnostics for its various systems. I have always carried the diagnostic kit in my boot, for over 30 years, just in case, though I have never needed it.

On my previous more rudimentary heating controls, I fitted several LED's as a warning light system, so I could at a glance know what my heating system was doing and quickly diagnose faults.

 

[Gasguru]

Just remember that Vaillant have some of the most misleading fault codes on their models...

 

[ScottishGasMan]

Just remember that Vaillant have some of the most misleading fault codes on their models...

?

 

[rbranco]

Opentherm seems to be an equivalent for heating like OBD2 is for cars, maybe it should be mandated for all domestic boilers in the UK, a few are as standard, some require addons generally available in the UK but some are not such a Vaillant and you have to get a board from overseas then its not supported here.

Ive not looked too much into the spec but im not sure what extent it has to read back boiler errors etc.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Just remember that Vaillant have some of the most misleading fault codes on their models...

That is equally true of modern car diagnostics, the code is only an indication of the possible fault, a starting point.

My last boiler (Ideal) was of the 'flashing LED' diagnostics variety. It twice produced fault codes, first for the flame sensor, which proved to be correct, the second was fan failure, which again was almost correct - in fact it was a damaged loom feeding the fan.

The Ideal was very restricted in the number of possible codes it was able to produce, the Vaillant has many more possible codes.