Literally begging for help/advice..

I am at my wits' end and have come here to seek refuge, find solace and ultimately fix my bloody water problem.. I would appreciate your advice..

I have a Pulsacoil 2000 and Horstmann Quartz Economy 7 timer.

I have hot water if I use the boost a few times during the day. Pressing the boost results in the kettling noise and hot water.

The hot water from the daily 'timed' process is a disaster. It is tepid at best, unpredictable, and doesn't last.

When the timer light is on there is no noise from the boiler.

I have has TWO separate people, Gledhill and another Pulsacoil expert look at the boiler and both ran tests and both said there is nothing wrong with it.

I called Horstmann today and someone there said if the boost is working and the light comes on when timed then the Horstmann unit is functioning as it should. However the timed duration is only 3(ish) hours - 3am to 6am. No noise.

I really don't know what to do. I have paid £99 twice to two engineers to take a look and I'm no better off.

My partner and I are taking frequent luke warm/cold showers and washing up with tepid water. It really is an absurd situation.

Also, as a footnote, there is no limescale buildup anywhere apparently.

Where so I go from here??! Please!!

Thank you in advance.

Andy

Right first things first.
Have you read all the posts on PC 2000's ?
Have you the manual?
The PC 2000 is not a hard one to fix.
It has 2 heaters.
Bottom one is off peak and is the one to use as cheaper.
Heats the unit up over the 7 hour period at night until hot.
On peak is the back up heater or if hot water usage is higher then used to boost.
Each heater has a stat.
There are 2 sensors 1 for the DHW temperature and 1 for the PHE.
These work via the pump drive board.
And run the DHW pump.
Put your hand on the fattest pipe on the top of the unit.
If that is very hot then you should have hot water as the unit is hot.
If it is cold or warm then you will not.
So therefore get the unit hot as above.
Then run a tap, if it is not hot or up and down you have sensors, pump or PCB problems.
Mike
MGC/H2O
Norfolk.

Hi. Thanks for the reply.

I have read loads on the problem.

I have has two people, one Gledhill engineer and one engineer from a company called MK Group ltd, look at the boiler and neither found a fault with the unit. That's why I am wondering if its a Horstmann Quartz problem.

The boost heats the water up.
The timer comes on for a 3 hour period, not 7 - could this be the problem? If so, is it a case of just getting a new box?

The fat pipe is very hot as I have been activating the boost button just so I can wash up.

Thanks again

Pipe is red hot.
Have you got hot water?

Yes. It was never that we didn't have hot water - it is warm water - like warm. Runs out quickly, too cold to shower comfortably, not warm to wash up well. Pressing the boost consecutively gives sufficiently hot water, the timer doesn't.

If you use the boost and heat it up
Do you get hot water

Yes, boost gives hot water. Pressing the boost gives a kettling sound.

When the timer is on - 4-5 hours max - there is no sound at all, just the timer light comes on.

Sound not really important.
So when the E7 timer is on does the unit heat up?
Is the timer giving the heater a supply?

Did the engineers test the timer?
Did they show you the unit working?
This is not rocket science

I'm not sure if the tepid water on a day is from the boost the previous day.

Not rocket science - thanks for that.

I will leave the boost alone for today and see if that top pipe is hot first thing tomorrow.

Ok

Regarding sound it might be important for me, as I know the boost is working well. If the sound should be the same then I know the timer isn't giving a supply because there is no sound at all when the light is on

One last thing from me for now (I appreciate your help) - when you say about the pipe being hot, do you mean the slightly thicker one of the two that come out of the boiler at the top (and go into the plastic container of water as well)?

Yes

Thank you

Ok, update.

Boost heats up water
Timer doesn't - I don't think.

Think I have been finishing off the day before hot water from boost.

I have just moved the timer so it comes on and has been on for 4-5 hours today. Just had a shower and it was luke warm, nearer cold actually.

So, two engineers (one was Gledhill) said nothing wrong with boiler, boost works, timer doesn't it seems although light comes on and clock still turns and ticks. Must be box/timer?

I did notice a loud, continuous humming sound from boiler today after I fiddled with the inside of the timer and the cogs to try and lengthen the time it heats up during off peak (currently 4 hours).

Humming sound has stopped now (after a couple of hours).

I can not believe, that they have not checked / tested the timer.
Mike

They literally checked the boiler and said it was fine.

Where would you suggest I go from here, mike?

Thanks

Well if you can not check it.
Get any decent electrician and it should be easy for them.
Mike

How can I check it?

You need a meter or test leads / probes.
But by asking that question I would advise against that.
Mike

Ok! Thanks!

I will get an electrician to have a look - trouble is finding one that is reliable!

Ask friends, family, work colleagues or neighbours.
Mike

Will do. Thanks again. No doubt I'll be back on saying they said nothing is wrong! I can't understand it, must be the off peak not working.

No LED Faults, water in the top plastic tank, boost gets water hot, two people have checked boiler and says there are no faults (put some testing kit on two main bits on the front (once cover removed)). No scaling build up either.