Potterton Suprima 80 "Lockout"
David Longley
============================
I'm getting a rather too frequent red flashing light on our Potterton
Suprima 80 boiler which indicates "lockout" after 3 attempted lights.
This is invariably corrected by pressing the reset button, ie it then
lights and seems OK for a while (day or so). I recently opened the
boiler up and cleaned the jets etc. That sorted it out for about 4 days
but it's now happened again.
Can anyone tell me what the usual causes of this are, and what one
usually has to do? I replaced the fan about 9 months ago, and that seems
to be working fine.
--
David Longley
nick smith
> usually has to do? I replaced the fan about 9 months ago, and that seems
> to be working fine.
Its almost certainly the board - Exactly this happened to my Suprima 80 Jan 2003
and Geoff of CET (I think I got all that right) does exchange boards. He posts
here and will probably see this and offer / confirm symptoms.
Great service - minimal down time (January was cold !!)- recommended - no
connection other than as a satisfied customer.
Nick
Bill M
Been there done that - two weeks ago!!
Mine would fire once, then cut out when the boiler stat was satisfied,
then never fire again. Had to power off then on to recover.
You will find lots of threads on this boiler range already posted.
Usually the printed circuit board at fault. Easy to change. £160 + VAT
etc. new OR go to:
and get an exchange board with good service thrown in,(probably better
than new as the new boards allegedly still have duff soldering)and a
lot cheaper.
I did, everthing ok now.
However, suggest you first go to the Potterton site and download the
installation PDF. It describes the ignition sequence and has a
troubleshooting flow chart. Worth a look before you commit to a change
of PCB.
HTH
Bill M
Peter Andrews
"Bill M" <bills...@btopenworld.com> wrote in message
news:4eddc40d.04070...@posting.google.com...
Wish I'd seen this reference earlier this year when I replaced a faulty
Potterton PCB (even at trade price it was over £100) CET want £25 :-( The
old one only has a faulty relay but I couldn't find a replacement relay in a
reasonable time frame.
Peter
nick smith
around £30 -£40
Nick
Richard Savage
Removed PCB and remade all the soldered joints - result: no more lock
outs. Poterton 'Tech Support' had previously told me that there were no
widespread problems with the Suprima boilers. This I found especially
amusing as my local Plumb Center told me that Poterton had replaced all
the PCBs in unsold Suprima boilers last year having dumped the previous
PCB manufacturer.
Reoldering the joints is not difficult with patience.
Reply to RJSavage at Bigfoot dot com
Rob
>Reoldering the joints is not difficult with patience.
I'd beg to differ.
Had mine out last year - and you'd have to be pretty good with a
soldering iron and have a pretty steady hand to be sure not to short
some of the connectors. I'm good with a soldering iron but didn't feel
happy with the distance between some of the pins.
2 different solutions - one - get a refurb PCB as suggested elsewhere.
Or take out a maintenance contract and hope it's OK on the day they
inspect......
I wonder just how many times Potterton can say to people "First we've
heard of it, mate".
-Rob
Richard Savage
Rob wrote:
>
> I'd beg to differ.
>
> Had mine out last year - and you'd have to be pretty good with a
> soldering iron and have a pretty steady hand to be sure not to short
> some of the connectors. I'm good with a soldering iron but didn't feel
> happy with the distance between some of the pins.
>
Fair enough. I have a ancient but efficient (de)soldering station but
even so I opted to use a bog standard Antex 21W iron with a narrow bit
along a with a manual solder sucker and it was fine.
> 2 different solutions - one - get a refurb PCB as suggested elsewhere.
> Or take out a maintenance contract and hope it's OK on the day they
> inspect......
>
Absolutely!
Similar experience with my shower pump - it refused to work after a
holiday. No problem, it's less than a year old. Oh dear, it must be
located not mre than 6' from the HW tank (slightly closer than the 40
odd foot away that mine was. So, relocate pump then phone Techflow, who
just sent me a different starter capacitor!
Richar ;-)
> I wonder just how many times Potterton can say to people "First we've
> heard of it, mate".
>
> -Rob
>
>
--
ulindel
Dear fellow "Lock-out" sufferers
The corgi experts and the Spare parts vendors inform us that Suprimas
came out of the factory with problematic PCBs, and Potterton recalled
Suprimas on the shelfs and replaced them with the new type PCB to
alleviate this problem.
Scores of people in various heating forums are wondering, soldering,
trying to help each other and paying from £50 to £250 to change the
faulty PCBs, yet nobody questioned whether Potterton should correct
this inherent manufacturing fault on their own expence.
Why do we not all UNITE and demand this.
I wrote to Potterton and also sent the plea below to Watchdog:-
Dear Sir/Madam,
We wonder if you could help us with this.
There is an inherent problem regarding Potterton CH Suprima boilers,
which we started suffering about two months ago, on our 3-4 yrs old
boiler. Warranty expired.
From the postings of scores of fellow sufferers on this, in various web
forums (diybanter.com, DIYnot.com, etc),it is clear that the Suprima
range of boilers, which all incorporate the same type of PCB (Printed
Circuit Board)the heart and brains of controlling the boiler, was a
manufacturing fault.
As soon as Potterton noticed it 3 yrs ago they recalled and changed the
PCBs with a new type on all Suprima boilers on the shelf.
Me and the other people on the forums contacted Potterton, but they
refused to admit the fault. Could you help us please?.
Regards, and thank you for the wonderful program Nick
Comments and extra suggestions would be appreciated, Thank you,
Nicholas
Rob Wrote:
> On Thu, 08 Jul 2004 18:47:10 +0100, Richard Savage n...@use.net wrote:
> -
> Reoldering the joints is not difficult with patience.-
>
> I'd beg to differ.
>
> Had mine out last year - and you'd have to be pretty good with a
> soldering iron and have a pretty steady hand to be sure not to short
> some of the connectors. I'm good with a soldering iron but didn't feel
> happy with the distance between some of the pins.
>
> 2 different solutions - one - get a refurb PCB as suggested elsewhere.
> Or take out a maintenance contract and hope it's OK on the day they
> inspect......
>
> I wonder just how many times Potterton can say to people "First we've
> heard of it, mate".
>
> -Rob
--
ulindel
ulindel
ulindel Wrote:
> Dear fellow "Lock-out" sufferers
>
Letter sent to BBC Watchdog, as per suggestion.
Comments and extra suggestions would be appreciated, Thank you,
Nicholas
"......Dear Sir/Madam,
I wonder if you could help us with this.
There is an inherent problem regarding Potterton CH Suprima boilers,
which we started suffering about two months ago, on our 3-4 yrs old
boiler. Warranty expired.
From the postings of scores of fellow sufferers on this, in various web
forums (diybanter.com, DIYnot.com, etc),it is clear that the Suprima
range of boilers, which all incorporate the same type of PCB (Printed
Circuit Board)the heart and brains of controlling the boiler, was a
manufacturing fault.
We heard that as soon as Potterton noticed it 3 yrs ago they recalled
and changed the PCBs with a new type on all Suprima boilers on the
shelf.
Me and the other people on the forums contacted Potterton, but they
refused to admit the fault. Could you help us please?.
Regards, and thank you for your wonderful program Nicholas.
........"
--
ulindel
raden
<ulindel...@news.diybanter.com> writes
>
>Dear fellow "Lock-out" sufferers
>The corgi experts and the Spare parts vendors inform us that Suprimas
>came out of the factory with problematic PCBs, and Potterton recalled
>Suprimas on the shelfs and replaced them with the new type PCB to
>alleviate this problem.
>
>Scores of people in various heating forums are wondering, soldering,
>trying to help each other and paying from £50 to £250 to change the
>faulty PCBs, yet nobody questioned whether Potterton should correct
>this inherent manufacturing fault on their own expence.
>
>Why do we not all UNITE and demand this.
That's what Potterton depend on - divide and conquer, although I've
known of small groups which have got together, people who have written
letters via solicitors, people who have contacted Watchdog etc.
Potterton just flatly refuse to acknowledge that there's an "issue" with
the Suprima PCB.
The problem is that it would cost Potterton a fortune to replace all
these PCBs (apart from the loss of a nice little earner, the PCB must
cost what, £10 - £15 to manufacture in bulk ?)
Since there's not a safety issue with the boards and since (from the 1st
April this year, with a few exceptions) it is no longer legal to fit a
non condensing boiler, Potterton would refuse to do anything.
>
>I wrote to Potterton and also sent the plea below to Watchdog:-
>There is an inherent problem regarding Potterton CH Suprima boilers,
>which we started suffering about two months ago, on our 3-4 yrs old
>boiler. Warranty expired.
That's the problem isn't it
> the Suprima
>range of boilers,
has
> a
>manufacturing fault.
Not so much a manufacturing fault as such, just bad design and poor
manufacturing quality
>As soon as Potterton noticed it 3 yrs ago
3 years ?
and the rest
>
>Comments and extra suggestions would be appreciated, Thank you,
>Nicholas
>
Potterton have just brought out the new Suprima pcb made by Honeywell
which comes complete with loom and side panel (~ £40 more expensive than
the older versions. From what I hear from a few fitters, they aren't
significantly more reliable than the old ones.
PS ... it's me who does the £50 recon boards
--
geoff
:::Jerry::::
"raden" <ra...@kateda.org> wrote in message
news:sn3QF4Rt...@ntlworld.com...<snip>
> > the Suprima
> >range of boilers,
> has
> > a
> >manufacturing fault.
>
> Not so much a manufacturing fault as such, just bad design and poor
> manufacturing quality
>
Well, the fault with my PCB was a dry solder joint, if that isn't a
manufacturing fault then what is? Once the fault had shown it's self
up by finally vaporising the remaining solder at the said joint the
repair was easy and is still going strong over 12 months later - more
than can be said for the new replacement PCB that was fitted by the
'experts' which then failed within a week [1], and replacement for
that is still in it's box...
[1] new PCB fails within a week, 'experts' and their supplier refuse
to change board saying that they need to send the board back to
Potterton for inspection and warranty authorisation code, so if I
wanted a functioning boiler (this was in winter and well into minus
outside temperatures, BTW) I would have to buy yet another new PCB !
raden
":::Jerry::::" <m...@privacy.net> writes
>
>"raden" <ra...@kateda.org> wrote in message
>news:sn3QF4Rt...@ntlworld.com...
>> In message <ulindel...@news.diybanter.com>, ulindel
>> <ulindel...@news.diybanter.com> writes
>> >
><snip>
>> > the Suprima
>> >range of boilers,
>> has
>> > a
>> >manufacturing fault.
>>
>> Not so much a manufacturing fault as such, just bad design and poor
>> manufacturing quality
>>
>
>Well, the fault with my PCB was a dry solder joint,
Well, it's a cracked joint not a dry joint
> if that isn't a
>manufacturing fault then what is?
I call it poor manufacturing quality above - not enough solder on the
pads ... splitting hairs, I suppose
>Once the fault had shown it's self
>up by finally vaporising the remaining solder at the said joint the
>repair was easy and is still going strong over 12 months later - more
>than can be said for the new replacement PCB that was fitted by the
>'experts' which then failed within a week [1], and replacement for
>that is still in it's box...
I had a customer today who went to buy a new Suprima assy. When he asked
if it would solve his problems he got the raised eyebrows and sharp
intake of breath. When he got told it was £185, he walked out of the
shop
>
>[1] new PCB fails within a week, 'experts' and their supplier refuse
>to change board saying that they need to send the board back to
>Potterton for inspection and warranty authorisation code, so if I
>wanted a functioning boiler (this was in winter and well into minus
>outside temperatures, BTW) I would have to buy yet another new PCB !
>
Sounds about right for Potterton
--
geoff
:::Jerry::::
<snip>
> >
> Sounds about right for Potterton
>
...and guess which make(s) won't be on peoples shopping lists if or
when their current boiler fails beyond repair, just how many customers
are Potterton trying to loose ?...
tony sayer
>I had a customer today who went to buy a new Suprima assy. When he asked
>if it would solve his problems he got the raised eyebrows and sharp
>intake of breath. When he got told it was £185, he walked out of the
>shop
>
Very sensible man. Redeems his stupidity for having one of these heaps
of Pox on the first place!..
>>
>>[1] new PCB fails within a week, 'experts' and their supplier refuse
>>to change board saying that they need to send the board back to
>>Potterton for inspection and warranty authorisation code, so if I
>>wanted a functioning boiler (this was in winter and well into minus
>>outside temperatures, BTW) I would have to buy yet another new PCB !
>>
>Sounds about right for Potterton
>
Sad but too true;(.........
--
Tony Sayer
raden
":::Jerry::::" <m...@privacy.net> writes
won't install a Potterton boiler
They want to fit and forget, not keep on being called back to a boiler
which is faulty within it's warranty period
The thing about the Suprima is that it has a good spec and, for example,
looks good to an architect when designing a housing estate. They don't
see the after effects
--
geoff
Ed Sirett
A lot. Reputations take generations to gain _and_ lose. There are plenty
of architects who still have the idea that Poxi-Batterton are a 'good'
make. They specify the heating system for a new build with a 'Potteron
Suprima'.
I just pull a face and say 'oh well spares are available'.
--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html
Nigel Walker
So what would be a good choice for a reliable condensing non system boiler
domestic boiler?
I have a Potterton Envoy 60 which has been a disaster and I am about to give
up on!!!
Nigel
Ed Sirett
Most condensing boilers are now system boilers with an integral pump.
It depends on how much you are willing to pay.
Nigel Walker
> On Mon, 25 Apr 2005 17:50:27 +0100, Nigel Walker wrote:
>
>> :::Jerry:::: wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "raden" <ra...@kateda.org> wrote in message
>>> news:ynbXFXKc...@ntlworld.com...
>>> <snip>
>>>> >
>>>> Sounds about right for Potterton
>>>>
>>>
>>> ...and guess which make(s) won't be on peoples shopping lists if or
>>> when their current boiler fails beyond repair, just how many customers
>>> are Potterton trying to loose ?...
>> So what would be a good choice for a reliable condensing non system
>> boiler domestic boiler?
>>
>> I have a Potterton Envoy 60 which has been a disaster and I am about to
>> give up on!!!
>>
> Most condensing boilers are now system boilers with an integral pump.
> It depends on how much you are willing to pay.
>
>
Price isn't really the issue, size is important - needs to fit in standard
kitchen unit wall cupboard (600mm wide) and reliability is vital
Tony Bryer
wrote:
> So what would be a good choice for a reliable condensing non
> system boiler domestic boiler?
>
> I have a Potterton Envoy 60 which has been a disaster and I
> am about to give up on!!!
I gave up on mine a year back - though it had begun to get more
reliable in middle age, Glow-worm/Vaillant (the same parent
company) are among those reckoned to be OK.
--
Tony Bryer SDA UK 'Software to build on' http://www.sda.co.uk
Free SEDBUK boiler database browser
http://www.sda.co.uk/qsedbuk.htm
[Latest version QSEDBUK 1.10 released 4 April 2005]
Nigel Walker
> In article <sOGdnbfR2eL...@pipex.net>, Nigel Walker
> wrote:
>> So what would be a good choice for a reliable condensing non
>> system boiler domestic boiler?
>>
>> I have a Potterton Envoy 60 which has been a disaster and I
>> am about to give up on!!!
>
> I gave up on mine a year back - though it had begun to get more
> reliable in middle age, Glow-worm/Vaillant (the same parent
> company) are among those reckoned to be OK.
>
Thanks Tony - I guess the best recommendation would be which one would a gas
fitter have in their own home?
raden
<to...@delme.sda.co.uk> writes
>In article <sOGdnbfR2eL...@pipex.net>, Nigel Walker
>wrote:
>> So what would be a good choice for a reliable condensing non
>> system boiler domestic boiler?
>>
>> I have a Potterton Envoy 60 which has been a disaster and I
>> am about to give up on!!!
>
>I gave up on mine a year back - though it had begun to get more
>reliable in middle age, Glow-worm/Vaillant (the same parent
>company) are among those reckoned to be OK.
>
That would be why I have 62 Micron pcbs going out to one company
tomorrow
--
geoff
tony sayer
writes
Why is it that they don't seem to be capable of getting reliable PC
boards?. Don't know of any other equipment I own or work with that has
such dodgy electronics;(...
--
Tony Sayer
Mike
"tony sayer" <to...@bancom.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hypbSpBy...@bancom.co.uk...
> >>> So what would be a good choice for a reliable condensing non
> >>> system boiler domestic boiler?
> >>>
> >>> I have a Potterton Envoy 60 which has been a disaster and I
> >>> am about to give up on!!!
> >>
> >>I gave up on mine a year back - though it had begun to get more
> >>reliable in middle age, Glow-worm/Vaillant (the same parent
> >>company) are among those reckoned to be OK.
> >>
> >"Quality through design" ... cough
> >
> >That would be why I have 62 Micron pcbs going out to one company
> >tomorrow
> >
>
> Why is it that they don't seem to be capable of getting reliable PC
> boards?. Don't know of any other equipment I own or work with that has
> such dodgy electronics;(...
That's because everything else electronic you own was made in China, Taiwan,
Korea or Japan in ascending levels of quality. Unfortunately the UK sits
just below northern provinces of China on this list,
raden
<to...@bancom.co.uk> writes
>>"Quality through design" ... cough
>>
>>That would be why I have 62 Micron pcbs going out to one company
>>tomorrow
>>
>
>Why is it that they don't seem to be capable of getting reliable PC
>boards?. Don't know of any other equipment I own or work with that has
>such dodgy electronics;(...
I presume
a) cheapness
and
b) they make a huge profit from spares
c) it's probably cheaper to get someone who's never seen a transistor to
design their pcbs
--
geoff