New boiler being fitted. Worried!
Discussion
New boiler is being installed today. Old one fubar. Organised by our landlord. I have been at work and the missus babysitting the fitter. Many remarks from her about seeming incompetence and time taken.
He was here at 9 this morning to start. I just got home and he isn't finished! He isn't here. Went out 2 hrs ago to get more parts. I went to have a look at the boiler and was met with one in a state of total dismantlement. And a smell of burning electricals. Looks like he has wired it up wrong and burnt out a pcb. Fair enough we all make mistakes. What is worrying me is the use of chocolate blocks wrapped in insulation tape combined with the obvious incompetence. Is this normal for a boiler install? Looks pretty dodgy.
I have pics but have always used photo book which no longer works. Can send or upload if somone has a new working method.
Hang on. He's just returned. With the part.
He was here at 9 this morning to start. I just got home and he isn't finished! He isn't here. Went out 2 hrs ago to get more parts. I went to have a look at the boiler and was met with one in a state of total dismantlement. And a smell of burning electricals. Looks like he has wired it up wrong and burnt out a pcb. Fair enough we all make mistakes. What is worrying me is the use of chocolate blocks wrapped in insulation tape combined with the obvious incompetence. Is this normal for a boiler install? Looks pretty dodgy.
I have pics but have always used photo book which no longer works. Can send or upload if somone has a new working method.
Hang on. He's just returned. With the part.
Cool. Looks to be enclosed. Can't really tell with the state of it at present. Apparently he had to go and get a converter because he didn't realise it was lpg. That's clearly bull as I had a look at the circuit board and can quite clearly see a burnt out condensor. Anyway. He has the new "converter" and has fitted it. Now can't find a trigger from the thermostat.
I think we are there. We now have hot water which is good. I did feel a bit sorry for him. As you said, I think he was out of his comfort zone on this one. We live in a grade 2 listed building and nothing is normal about anything plumbing or wiring wise. Looks OK to me now as far as I know these things. Was just a bit concerned when I saw chocolate blocks. I'm automotive. In my world chocolate blocks are the work of the devil. I guess boilers don't tend to rattle around down damp and muddy lanes though eh.
I was surprised that I had to use chock blocks on a new Vailant combi. I had an existing 230v timer and a separate thermostat. The Valiant just didn't have the available connections, ended up having to join neutrals and lives in chocolate block as there was no space on the board.
It was really designed to use Vailant's own controls rather than 3rd party.
And the installation instructions where rubbish, even my plumber, who has fitted loads, had to refer to their customer services to confirm connections. Very easy to stick 230v into the wrong terminal.
It was really designed to use Vailant's own controls rather than 3rd party.
And the installation instructions where rubbish, even my plumber, who has fitted loads, had to refer to their customer services to confirm connections. Very easy to stick 230v into the wrong terminal.
Edited by megaphone on Friday 4th August 19:14
I had a plumber fit a new Vokera boiler.
Bearing in mind this plumber (now retired) likes nothing better than going on our local Facebook page and reminding people to use 'apprentice trained' tradespeople.
Except he wired the boiler up wrong so it shut off when the boiler went off rather than running the fan for a bit. Eventually I got my electrician mate in to do it properly and as he had no previous boiler experience it took him a while to figure it all out.
I suspect old school plumbers may struggle with modern boiler systems.
(Don't start me on him failing to cap a radiator properly when he removed it resulting in a 10k insurance claim from the flat below. Hats off to the Halifax insurance co)
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