Vacuum Tube geyser retrofit - Not Working

[HennieJH]

I had a vacuum tube system installed on my 200l geyser in April 2019, today, 9 months later, the system seemed to have stopped working. The temperature of the tubes shot up to 122 degrees Celsius, geyser remains at 34 degrees Celsius. Pump icon doesn't come on to show that it is circulating the water. There are no error codes displayed, so don't know what could be the issue. 

Edited December 22, 2019 by HennieJH
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[Gerrie]

1 hour ago, HennieJH said:

The temperature of the tubes shot up to 122 degrees Celsius,

That does not look right, open taps and release hot water to see if water is hot or if the temperature probe is faulty. It is very dangerous if that is really the temperature That is the temperature of steam and can explode. I would get the installer to check that out.

I don’t know the geyser wise but you should check the manual for fault codes.

[HennieJH]

Water from the taps are not hot. Around the 34 degrees Celsius. I am also concerned if the temperature is really at 122 degrees Celsius. Phoned the installer, but they on holiday, and not answering my WhatsApp messages (Piss poor customer service, reminds me when they installed the unit).

Already checked the manual, manual reckons it is either faulty non return valve or a faulty pump.

[Chris Louw]

Geyser wise switches the pump off if the water at the vacuum tubes is 80 degree celsius for safety reasons . The pump should start if there is a difference of 7 degrees between the tank and the vacuum tubes . Remove some hot water to get the vacuum tubes temp below 80 degrees . The pump icon should then show .If the temperature does not go down the sensor  is faulty at the vacuum tubes .

[Chris Louw]

It has happens to me if the  water pressure in our area is very low the water does not circulate to the geyser tank and the vacuum tube then temp rises above 80 degrees . This is the cause for the pump shutting down .

[HennieJH]

Temp has gone down, now on 43 degrees Celsius. Pump sign doesn't come on, but the unit shows no error code that indicates that it could be the pump that is faulty. 

[HennieJH]

1 minute ago, Chris Louw said:

It has happens to me if the  water pressure in our area is very low the water does not circulate to the geyser tank and the vacuum tube then temp rises above 80 degrees . This is the cause for the pump shutting down .

Water pressure is fine by us, no issues.

[Chris Louw]

The pump will only start if the vacuum tubes is 7 degrees warmer than geyser ( 7 degrees is the default ) . Check if pump is on if the vacuum tube temp is going lower . If not check pump and none return valve to vacuum tubes .

[HennieJH]

Checked now, geyser water temp at 29 degrees, outside vacuum tube temp at 36 degrees, motor icon not on on the controller. Suspect the pump has packed up. How would one know if it is the non return valve that has packed up? Problem is where to get a replacement pump this time of year around Pretoria area. Don't want to wait for the useless installer to figure out when they want to come out, especially not if the temperatures are going to reach those high temperatures. 

[Gerrie]

I am just guessing but also  check if there are any fuses that might be blown before assuming that pump is faulty. It might be a small issue causing this failure.

[HennieJH]

Will double check if I see any fuses.

[Chris Louw]

Geyser wise do have a shop in Pretoria . Arno 072 817 2932 help me a year ago . The none return valve must be removed to check . If the pump icon does not light up it can also be the controller . There is a fuse in the battery postive line . Geyser wise Hennopspark Centurion 021 653 1020 . Aron was very helpful and should be able to sort you .

[HennieJH]

Thanks so much,  will give him a call tomorrow. Is the landline correct,  it's Cape Town code?

[Chris Louw]

That is the number on Centurion geyerwise website . Sorry code is  012 653 1020

[HennieJH]

Thanks a mil.

[Solo]

On my solar geyser installation, the pump icon has never displayed, though the pump runs, and all works fine. I suspect it is a bug/fault but I never took any action as the system works.

Watch your temps, if they reach 7 deg diff then rapidly equalise,  then your pump is working 

[HennieJH]

Thanks. Found the problem, there was no supply to the system pump, this was the reason the pump didn't pump. Long story.