Faults occur in any technique, regardless of manufacturer. Be it a famous German brand or its Chinese counterpart. With the difference that the second they occur more often.
Failure of such an indispensable device as a gas column creates a lot of inconvenience. If the malfunction is not related to a gas leak, in most cases, the repair of the Oasis gas column can be done independently. We will talk in detail in this publication about which failures are most often diagnosed in the columns of this brand popular among users, as well as about how to eliminate them.
Varieties of gas stoves brand
According to the type of water heating, the columns are divided into two types: flow and storage.
The former heat a continuous stream of water passing through the internal coil under the pressure of the plumbing system. The work of the second involves pre-filling the tank by analogy with electric boilers.
Water heating requires a certain time depending on the tank capacity. This type of water heater is extremely rare and is not in demand by a domestic buyer.
Flowing gas columns are most common, primarily due to the rapid heating of water. This article will consider this particular type of column.
Depending on the method of output of combustion products, gas columns Oasis are: chimney and turbocharged (chimneyless).
Chimneys have an open combustion chamber and a natural exhaust through the chimney. The turbocharged closed chamber with forced exhaust
A distinctive feature of the latter is its own ventilation system, made in the form of a coaxial double-circuit chimney. Consists of two pipes embedded one into the other. The internal combustion products are discharged, and air from the street enters the gap between the pipes.
Forced ventilation of the turbocharged columns is due to the internal fan. This requires an increased power supply compared to conventional chimney appliances. Therefore, many smokeless models are powered from the network.
The internal structure of the column “Oasis”
Before proceeding with the troubleshooting of the Oasis gas column and choosing a method for their elimination, it is necessary to clearly understand what type the device belongs to, to know the device, the principle of its operation.
The arrangement of the nodes of the gas column Oasis is typical for most models of flowing columns in China
Above in the diagram, the device of a typical gas water heater is considered, which is also characteristic of Oasis columns. Let us further consider how the most common type of chimney flow model of the brand with automatic ignition works.
When the tap is opened, water is supplied through the inlet pipe to the water-gas block, which includes ignition and gas supply. As soon as it ignites, a signal is sent from the flame sensor to the electronic unit to stop sparking.
Next, the water passes through a coil rigidly mounted on a heat exchanger, which is heated by a burning gas. The coil gives off heat to the running water.
When the valve closes, the gas-water unit shuts off the gas supply. Combustion stops and the column goes into standby mode to open the water tap.
An important condition for the normal and safe operation of the column is the removal of combustion products through the ventilation chimney.If the hood is absent or insufficient, the draft sensor is activated and the column is turned off.
For the timely shutdown of the column when the limit temperature is reached, the overheating sensor is responsible. It is an important element of the column that provides overheating protection.
Maintaining the required temperature is an equally important condition for fire safety and long life of the column. Overheating negatively affects the condition of all elements, primarily the heat exchanger, which leads to their premature failure.
Frequent malfunctions and their elimination
Before proceeding with troubleshooting a column of the Oasis brand and choosing a solution, make sure that there is a normal water pressure in the system and draft in the chimney. It is better to check the draft with a candle or a match, the flame should deflect well until attenuation.
Consider the most common malfunctions that occur during operation of the Oasis speakers, possible causes of their occurrence, and solutions.
Problem # 1 - the flame in the burner does not ignite
If the Oasis geyser does not light, there may be several main reasons. Let's talk about the main ones.
Insufficient speaker power
Insufficient power supply or lack thereof. The most likely and simple cause of this malfunction is dead batteries. If during the opening of the crane a discharge crack is heard, there is a spark, the pressure is normal, but the gas does not ignite, then the reason is most likely in the batteries.
Over time, they lose their capacity. Their power drops, they cannot give the necessary current to the load. It is only enough to start the high-voltage generator, and power is not enough to open the electromagnetic valve.
Contact degradation Corrosion and contamination in the battery compartment can also cause ignition problems. Corrosion can be caused by leaking batteries, or by moisture entering the contacts from the outside.
Remedy: replace the batteries with new ones. Alkaline elements should be installed. First you need to check the status of contacts. If necessary, wipe them with alcohol, or clean them with an emery, knife or file. If corrosion damage occurs as a result of moisture, its source should be identified and leakage should be eliminated.
For smokeless columns, the absence of ignition may be due to a malfunctionpower supply unit. Only in this case there will be no spark discharge.
Weak head at the outlet of the water heater
Deterioration of the flow of water through the column is a frequent phenomenon.
If the water pressure in the system is normal, and at the outlet of the column is weak, then there may be several options:
- clogged filter at the inlet of the water block;
- the capacity of the heat exchanger coil is impaired due to scale;
- clogged mesh-divider (aerator) on the hot water tap;
- a piece of scale got into a flexible hose supplying hot water to the tap.
Remedy: remove, clean, rinse strainers under running water. Replace flexible hose. Flush heat exchanger.
If salt deposits are present on the filter, boil it in a 10% citric acid solution for 15 minutes.
Water node malfunction
Under the pressure of the incoming water stream, the membrane pushes the rod, which opens the mechanical gas valve and presses the button of the microswitch that activates the ignition.
This mechanism may fail for the following reasons:
- the membrane has worn out, over time it loses its properties, elasticity, breaks;
- stuck stock.
Remedy: disassemble the water unit. If the threaded connections are stuck, treat them with WD-40 anticorrosive agent or brake fluid and leave for half an hour. Then replace the diaphragm, lubricate the stem, spring and oil seal. It is better to put a new membrane silicone, it will serve longer.
Microswitch or solenoid valve malfunction
You can check the health of the microswitch and the solenoid valve with a multimeter. To do this, it must be switched to resistance measurement mode with a minimum limit. Connect the probes to the terminals of the microswitch and press and release the button alternately.
If the readings of the device vary from a unit of Ohms to infinity, then the switch, with a high degree of probability, is serviceable. If indications do not change - the microswitch is faulty.
To check the solenoid valve, measure the resistance of the solenoid windings on the connector terminals. It should be about 400 ohms between the black and yellow wires, as well as yellow and red. Between the red and black wires is about 7 ohms. If the measurement results differ significantly, the solenoid valve is defective.
Sometimes traces of corrosion and moisture are detected on the microswitch, in which case it must be replaced after the leak and its consequences have been eliminated
Remedy: these elements are not repaired and must be replaced.
Problem # 2 - the flame ignites and goes out
This occurs when the electronic unit does not receive an ignition signal, stops the ignition and shuts off the gas. The cause may be a malfunction.flame sensoror carbon deposits on the sensor.
Remedy: Lightly clean the sensor with fine emery (null). At the same time, one cannot be too zealous so as not to damage the metal coating. If the specified procedure does not produce a result, it is required flame sensor replacement.
Problem # 3 - the device goes out after a few minutes
Such a malfunction is often associated with poor traction or overheating.
Remedy: clean the chimney, reduce the water temperature by adjusting the flame and pressure, do not dilute the hot water with the mixer.
Problem # 4 - leak in a column
To determine the exact location of the leak, you must remove the front panel and carefully inspect all the nodes of the column. The most common leak occurs in a water block or heat exchanger.
Leaking stem seal
The gas-water unit has one design feature that is not visible in the normal position. There is a hole in the back wall through which the rod controls the microswitch lever. A leak often occurs through it when the gland is worn.
This feature of the Oasis geyser waterblock device can only be seen from the back when the unit is removed.
To detect leakage of the gland, it is enough to inspect the attachment point of the microswitch. If moisture is present, and it’s dry on top of the block, then the stem seal of the water unit is leaking
Remedy: remove the batteries, remove their installation unit. Loosen the nuts on the inlet and outlet nozzles of the water block. Disconnect a pipe (hose) of water supply and a radiator tube. Disassemble the water unit, replace the stuffing box or the entire stem.
Radiator leak and its elimination
Heat exchangers made of copper and copper alloys have the highest risk of leakage. The reason is that manufacturers often use alloys in which the percentage of copper is less and less.
During operation, small holes begin to appear as a result of corrosion and mechanical damage, violating the tightness of the radiator. This so-called "fistula". In these places, the heat exchanger begins to pass water.
By the way, even a high-quality copper heat exchanger is not protected from rapid destruction - corrosion occurs under the influence of stray currents that occur in the water supply system when the column is improperly grounded or in violation of other operating rules of gas-powered equipment.
When the first signs of a leak appear, do not delay the adoption of measures. A small leak can soon turn into a brook and a fountain, water will get to other nodes, which can lead to their failure
Remedy: you can replace the heat exchanger with a new one, but this will cost a third of the column price.Often this is not justified, it is much easier to solder it without disassembling the entire column and removing the radiator.
Before you start soldering, you need to drain all the water from the radiator, otherwise it will be problematic to warm up the pipeline. To do this, it is necessary to shut off the water supply to the column, disconnect the inlet pipe from the pipe, substitute a container under it, open the hot water tap.
When water drains, it is necessary to purge to remove residues. You can use a vacuum cleaner or compressor. If such devices are not at hand, you can blow with your mouth. To do this, you need to choose a rubber hose that is suitable for the diameter and fit it tightly onto the coil, tighten the crimp connection.
There are two ways to solder: a gas torch or a soldering iron.
Gas soldering
For soldering, you will need a burner with a gas spray, a sponge, flux paste containing tin and copper, solder.
Start by warming the leaking tube to evaporate any remaining water. Sponge the soldering area. Apply flux paste. Warm up again until the color of the flux changes from gray to silver.
Touching the solder rod to the hot tube, ensure that the tin spreads evenly on the surface. It is important that the solder does not melt with the flame of the burner, but from a heated tube
So that the flux residues do not lead to corrosion, it is necessary to remove them with a damp rag.
A detailed briefing on the soldering of copper tubes with a gas burner we have given in this material.
Soldering a column with a soldering iron
Prepare a powerful soldering iron for 100 W or more, solder POS-50, POS-61 or another with a melting point of at least 200 degrees. Flux: rosin or solder fat, aspirin tablets can also be used. Significantly facilitates the use of a building hair dryer.
The place of soldering must be cleaned with nulling, until all traces of corrosion are removed from the metal surface. Then degrease it with alcohol or solvent.
Warm the soldering place well with a soldering iron. Excellent results are obtained by additional heating with a building hairdryer. Surround the soldering iron tip with a piece of solder. Apply a small amount of flux to the soldering place and immediately tin the surface of the metal with a soldering iron. Try to maintain solder fluidity by adding flux at times. Bring the thickness of the solder to 1-3 mm.
With good warming up, a thin layer of solder is enough to reliably eliminate leaks and prevent the destruction of the pipeline at the solder site.
Problem # 5 - head reduction and poor water heating
Signs scale formation in the heat exchanger are a decrease in the flow of water at the outlet of the column and itslow heat. At the same time, the column may ignite poorly, and the radiator overheats due to poor heat exchange with water. This causes the thermal protection sensor to trip and the speaker to turn off.
Clogged radiator plates also leads to overheating. When they become clogged with garbage, scale, the exit of combustion products into the chimney is difficult, which can lead to burnout of the heat exchanger skirt.
Water hardness is the main reason for the deterioration of the pipeline capacity. The presence of salts of calcium, magnesium and other impurities promotes the formation of scale and reduces heat transfer. Heating greatly enhances this process.
Scale reduces efficiency, increases gas costs to achieve the desired temperature. If you do not take measures to remove it, deposits will increase even faster, until the water is completely blocked
Do not use a column with scale tubes clogged with a heat exchanger. This will lead to local overheating, cracks in the coil and the need to replace it.
Remedy: Flush the heat exchanger with a special solution. There is a wide selection of reagents for professional use. They are best suited for descaling without damaging the piping.
Most chemicals contain solutions of various acids.Their concentration and composition are selected in such a way as to effectively dissolve salt deposits, but as gently act on the inner surface of the pipeline. The appropriate reagent should be selected taking into account the heat exchanger material.
For example, reagents designed for copper radiators cannot be used for pipelines made of galvanized and stainless steel and vice versa.
The highest quality flushing is performed using special equipment (boosters). The effect is achieved through repeated circulation of the reagent, its heating, reverse, the use of special compounds. The cost of such equipment, as well as services, is quite high. The purchase of boosters is justified more for professional use.
Good results can be achieved in less costly ways using available devices and reagents.
The most popular and proven means of flushing heat exchangers are solutions of citric acid, vinegar, anti-scale and other acidic cleaners. It is important to observe the dosage - excess concentration of the active substance can damage the pipeline
To remove scale, 10 to 20% solutions are usually used. 100 g - 200 g of decalcine or citric acid or 9% vinegar are taken per 1 liter of water. The greatest effect is achieved when the solution is heated to 80 - 100 degrees.
Flushing can be done in two ways:
- without dismantling the radiator;
- with removal of the heat exchanger.
To flush the radiator without withdrawal, you have to perform a series of actions. First shut off the water by substituting a drain tank. Disconnect the outlet pipe, open the tap. Next, unscrew the nut connecting the coil to the water block. Using a flexible hose, connect the funnel from the cut plastic bottle to the inlet of the coil.
Then secure the funnel above the heat exchanger. Pour the working solution in small portions into the funnel until foam appears on the other end of the coil. The procedure will take 4-6 hours - until the termination of the chemical reaction, focusing on the released foam, or using acidity indicators.
With dismantling the heat exchanger washing is performed as follows: first, the column is disassembled, the radiator and the burner are removed. Then perform the cleaning of the plate from soot and soot. After that, the radiator is placed in a large metal container with water, the reagent is poured into the pipeline and the container is heated. At the end, the heat exchanger must be washed with cold water and 10% soda solution.
How to extend the life of the speaker?
The longevity of the column depends on many factors. Most of them are laid at the factory, the rest are determined by the operating conditions.
By following some rules and recommendations, you can significantly reduce the number of breakdowns and extend the life of the speaker.
Battery Features
Of all the parts, the most frequent replacements require batteries. For geysers, only alkaline batteries made using Alkalin power technology of size “D” and the first letter “L” in the designation - LR20 should be selected. Their capacity and service life are five times longer than salt ones: from 1 to 1.5 years.
It’s better not to buy items that are too cheap; they can be fake. It is possible to install NiMH or Li-Ion batteries, but their price with a charger is higher
Quality batteries cost from $ 1.2. There is a radical way to reduce the cost of replacing batteries - alteration of the column to power from the network.
To do this, you can buy a special power supply, 3 V, or use a charger for a mobile phone, 5 V, with an additional stabilizer. The main requirement is that its power is enough for ignition, which occurs at a supply voltage of 3 V and a current of 350 mA.
For cases of power outages, you can always keep batteries in stock, fortunately, alkaline batteries have a shelf life of 5 years or more.
Column heat exchanger quality
When choosing a column, special attention should be paid to the quality of the heat exchanger. The type of metal and its quality have a great influence on the life of the radiator. They are made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper.
The most durable of stainless steel, but inferior to copper in thermal conductivity. Accordingly, less economical, have less efficiency. Copper - the most efficient heat transfer, but also the most expensive.
When replacing a heat exchanger with a new one, pay attention to the thickness of the metal and the weight of the radiator. Quality should not be too easy
The high cost factor of copper leads to the fact that manufacturers save as much as possible on the wall thickness of the heat exchanger, bringing it up to 0.5 mm, which significantly reduces the service life. For the same reason, other metals are added to copper. The alloy thus obtained may have unpredictable properties. As a result, such a heat exchanger is even impossible to solder.
System water quality
If the water in the system is subjected to frequent chlorination, this adversely affects the condition of the copper heat exchanger. Together with the refined walls of the pipeline, this can quickly lead to corrosion and the appearance of fistulas.
No less problems are caused by increased water hardness combined with heating. Scale deposits require periodic flushing.
Water quality can be improved with the help of aquafilters and magnetic softeners. Detailed information and rules for choosing a filter for water purification from a water supply system are given in the next publication.
Geyser overheating
The most important factor leading to malfunctions and a decrease in the life of the speaker is its overheating. It is important not to bring the temperature to 65 degrees or higher.
To reduce the risk of overheating, do not use a mixer to cool it. Only change the temperature with the dedicated knobs for adjusting the flame and water flow.
Clearly about the repair of the gas column and fistulas in the following plot:
How to clean the gas column with chemistry and solve the problem of low water pressure:
Compliance with these simple rules will contribute to the long-term operation of the gas column without breakdowns and repairs. It is important to remember that gas leaks or poor ventilation can lead to tragic consequences. At the first sign of a gas smell, you need to call the emergency service "04".
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