Glowworm Compact

[newcomers]

Had a job friday where the spidle on the pressure diffential assembly was permanently out, even without the pump running, what would cause this?

Thanks

 

[Alfredo]

Which model Compact?

When you say "spindle on pressure differential assembly" can you say if there are two similar looking items. They are a bronze coloured plate with a pin in the middle and screws holding them on. There is also a microswitch clipped to the front which is activated by the pin.

If it is one of these pins stuck then its a failed diaphragm . The assembly needs removing and the pin freeing up, and lubed with silicone grease, then reassembled with a new diaphragm. Don't overtighten screws as the housing is plastic. Also us plenty of paper towel to stop water gettign into electronics

This is usually the problem..You are advised to reduce pressure and drain boiler. You can shut off flow and returns, but at your own risk as the dratted things usually leak once disturbed. Re-pressurise to 1 bar then switch it on and off a few times as pump will have air in it and it takes a few moments to re-prime, otherwise boiler might overheat. Takes me 30 mins, but if its your first time take it steady and allow an hour. If its the 75e,80e,100e, you will need star screw set. Dunno about earlier models

Alfredo

 

[Agile]

These are one of my least favorite boilers partly because they are sold as Sonya Duval which is a name I hate.

Assuming you are talking about the system flow switck on the left then I have never yet found a diaphragm failed but the housing can become blocked by dirt and the shaft can get deposits of dirt and seize in the gland.

Tony

 

[Alfredo]

Agile must mean the earlier Compacts which have a different internal arrangement to the later electronic models which do split diaphragms by the bucket load. We installed a couple of hundred 80e and 100e Compacts in 2001/2 and the diaphragms last about 2 years..its almost a service item..very poor really. This is why i asked which model.

I can cope with most things on the compact, its the G-worm Swiftflow that I don't like at all.

Alfredo

 

[Agile]

I do usually get called to older boilers because they are the most likely to have failed.

Tomorrow I have to go to one which is not recognising a DHW demand. Is there any common failure point or is it just the usual seized gland, holed diaphragm or failed switch?

What is the model with the DHW turbine demand sensor?

Tony

 

[Alfredo]

There is a turbine (Hall Effect) sensor in the Glow Worm 24/ 30 ci range (The ones that replaced the Compact). This is a Saunier Duval rebadge. Early sensor stuck too easily..and I think they were black..then they did an upgrade, and the revised ones are grey..but don't quote me on this as its a bit since I have changed one.

Heatcall will be able to tell you..assuming you can get through!

Alfredo

 

[corgiman]

I have gone to my first compact the other day and its heat exchanger is bunged uo to ****** on the DHW side, so i have to change it

is it hard??

 

[newcomers]

I have gone to my first compact the other day and its heat exchanger is bunged uo to **** on the DHW side, so i have to change it

is it hard??

I did one for the first time the other week. Its not too bad, hardest part is trying to get it out from under the expansion vessel, and same with putting the new one in. I think its only held in by 2 screws

btw, it is definitely the ch assembly thats the problem, as the I can see the dhw spindle moving in and out with demand.

Will get a new diaghram and see how it goes

Thanks

 

[andsam]

The front seal on the brass section is worth changing as well but If you order them from Glow worm you will get all the brass section complete.

The seal is the same as on the Vokera Maxims and you can get the seal on its own.

On a service I Usually clean the flow switches out, clean and grease spindles, replace diaphragms and front seals.It just stops silly recalls.

 

[Agile]

I needed to remove the plate on a Compact a few weeks ago but the Torx screws were too tight to undo and I ended up cleaning it in situ.

Tony

 

[gasgeezer]

The compact with the hall effect sensor is the P range it has a bi-thermal h/exch (no plateh/exch) and a pilot, can be difficult to change sensor from memory.

 

[Alfredo]

If its the CH pin thats stuck (the one on the left) then you might get away with just cleaning it up & lubing it. Even though they are identical we find its the DHW diaphragms that take a hammering. We do change CH ones as well, but not half as often for some strange reason. I'd put a new one in anyway..I carry three on the van!!

Alfredo