I have acquired a Chaffateaux gas-fired domestic water heater. The gas inlet is a short (12" approx) length of flexible hose, covered in steel braiding. It has brass female threads at each end. Is this normal? Why would a boiler need a flexible gas inlet?
TIA
Al
I don't think it's allowed unless it is specifically supplied by the manufacturer for that purpose, and documented as such in the Installation Instructions, and thus has a GC part number.
Is that part of the appliance movable such that a solid pipework connection wouldn't work?
snipped-for-privacy@cucumber.demon.co.uk (Andrew Gabriel) wrote in news:j35rbo$nif$1 @dont-email.me:
It is not actually part of the appliance; it is just screwed onto a threaded inlet, so I assumed it was supplied as originally supplied. Perhpas it wasn't. I do know that it was previously installed by a proper company, as it was isnstalled under a welfare grant scheme, about 4 years ago.
I wonderd if the flexible pipe was a necessity for some reason. I can't se any reason why a solid pipework connection wouldn't work.
Al
Actually, another rule I just remembered is that appliances with flues are not permitted to be supplied by a flexible pipe, as it might enable the appliance to be operated when moved and disconnected from the flue.
However, the manufacturer can override any of these rules, which is why you need to check the installation instructions.
are you *absolutely* sure that gas flowed through this pipe? if so I suspect it might have been on bottled gas?
If not then it would be a filler loop with two check valves whcih are present on both condensing and combi boilers. that do not have header tanks.
Regards
Stephen.
Both good points. The rating plate should have N20 on it (IIRC) if it's intended for natural gas at the standard 20 millibars. I don't know what the marking for bottled gas is.
A water heater won't have a filling loop, but it might well have used flexible tap connectors for the water-in and/or water-out connections. After removal, someone might have just screwed one of these to any pipe connection on it just to stop it getting lost.
Of course, someone might have used one a flexible tap connector illegally on the gas connection. I have heard of that once before.
"Stephen" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@brightview.co.uk:
No - I am not sure, in retrospect! Below is a link to a photo. You can see the braided hose at the left. The other two (copper) pipes can also be seen.
I have downloaded the manual, but funnily enough, even the manual doesn't specify what the braided hose is for, although it shows it in a diagram.
BTW, yes, it IS configured for UK NG.
Al
innews: snipped-for-privacy@brightview.co.uk:
All the Brittony manuals I can find (Britonny 2 and Britonny FF) look the same and the braided hose is marked water outlet, the middle copper is the gas and the right hand copper the water inlet.
John
innews: snipped-for-privacy@brightview.co.uk:
Which is what it looks like in the picture. The centre pipe goes to what looks like an adjustable gas pressure regulator/ control valve, the right hand pipe connects to a (Pressure/ flow sensor?), which is linked to the gas control, and the braided pipe is on the other connection.
JohnW wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@z15g2000yqk.googlegroups.com:
Thank you very much..
-Al
I would guess the middle one is the gas supply, since it appears to have a pressure test nipple, the the central aluminium block looks more like a gas valve than the right hand brass gubbins which looks more like it's for water.
However, you have to get hold of the _installation_ manual (not just a user manual).
The flex hose may be because you can't easily access the water connection hidden behind the control box.
Your picture also appears to show what I assume is a combustion chamber seal, which has come adrift and hence not sealing anymore. That has to be fixed (probably replaced) before it's used, and the rest of it checked out too.
snipped-for-privacy@cucumber.demon.co.uk (Andrew Gabriel) wrote in news:j388e4$s6u$ snipped-for-privacy@dont-email.me:
Yes, I have got that, thanks.
Thanks for spotting that. Can you advise how to get it checked out? Should that be done only by an (expensive) Chaffateaux depot, or will any local plumbing firm suffice?
Al
I doubt they would have a facility to deal with whole units sent in, as that isn't how gas appliances are serviced. A competent gas installer should be able to service it whilst doing the installation, but you may have difficultly finding anyone to install a second-hand gas appliance. Obviously won't come with any guarantee even if you do. You may need some replacement parts too, e.g. external flue if you don't have it or it has been cut too short for your wall, and anything else which is cut to size during installation, replacement seals, etc.
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