Programmer not working properly

[NBee]

Hi guys, my heating kit is as follows:

- Worcester Greenstar boiler (around 3yrs old)
- Drayton LP522 programmer

Just recently, the heating isn't responding when I click the 'advance' button on the programmer. This has always worked fine until now. The programmer light comes on, but the boiler doesn't fire up. To get the heating running, I have to turn on both the hot water and heating, which fires the boiler up, and then turn off the hot water, and the heating continues to run.

If the programmer reaches the end of its timed period and turns off, or if I turn it off manually using the 'advance' button, it works and turns off the heating as normal. So it's just the 'advance on' whioh isn't working for some reason.

What could be going on here? What's the likely culprit? Thanks in advance.

 

[tomy]

you need to test for voltage with a multimeter , could be the programmer or could be a zone valve .

 

[jackthom]

If you allow the programmer timer to switch on the heating as normal ( with hot water still off) not using the advance button at all, does it always work?

 

[Jackrae]

On the basis that your programmer timer can be made to control the heating and the advance button does not work as expected then the fault lies within the programmer unit. That conclusion arrived at on the basis that the programmer timed output control to the boiler is the same set of contacts as that controlled by the advance button.

 

[NBee]

Thanks for the quick replies.

If you allow the programmer timer to switch on the heating as normal ( with hot water still off) not using the advance button at all, does it always work?

Wasn't sure so just tested this, and No, it doesn't work either when set by the programmer.

 

[picasso]

What controls do you have ie room stat, 3 port valve or 2 x 2 port and what model of boiler ?

 

[NBee]

What controls do you have ie room stat, 3 port valve or 2 x 2 port and what model of boiler ?

Boiler is Greenstar 12Ri.

Stat is in the hall, but I'm fairly sure this is nothing to do with the issue as this seems fine while the boiler is running. As for port valves I'm afraid I have no idea what that means!

 

[jackthom]

One of these

Untitled

• jackthom
• 19 Dec 2008
• 18

Or two of these

Untitled

• jackthom
• 4 Nov 2011
• 5

 

[picasso]

Have a look near the hot water cylinder.

 

[NBee]

There seems to be two of the 2-way valves, each is on a different pipe, and one is much newer than the other - it has a larger plastic cover with the logo 'Danfoss' or something. I seem to remember this was added when the boiler was installed, as previously we couldn't control the water and heating separately. Both are covered in dust do I'll do some cleaning!

 

[picasso]

Are you sure the heating continues when you turn off the hot water ?

 

[NBee]

Are you sure the heating continues when you turn off the hot water ?

Yes, as it's the only way we have heating!

 

[picasso]

Then I would go with faulty programmer.

 

[NBee]

Then I would go with faulty programmer.

Thanks Picasso. Anyone else care to second, or challenge that, before I order a new one?

If it is the programmer I won't be too dismayed, as it's a bit useless. I have to reset the time every couple of months as it goes backwards!

 

[jackthom]

It's hard to see how the 2 port valves could cause those symptoms so the programmer is the best bet.