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No hot water—circulator?

JenWalsh
JenWalsh Member Posts: 1
in Domestic Hot Water
Hi all. I’ve read through many many posts but haven’t seen an answer that fits our problem yet so hoping someone can help.

We have a gas-powered boiler and an Amtrol hot water heater. Last week, noticed that our water was only getting warm and then it went completely cold. Baseboard radiators not working either.

The boiler does fire up and the input pipe to the water heater gets hot. But it shuts down once it reaches 160 and when I feel the return pipes, they are cold. Can’t tell if the Taco circulator is running or not but we checked the power on the circulator relay (Honeywell Aquastat) and got nothing. 

Does this mean the board is bad? Is there anything else we should check? 

Note: This is on a houseboat. :)

Comments

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,128
    Check for 120v  at the circulator pump
    Us there pressure  on the boiler gauge?
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,161
    edited November 2023
    That sounds like the control board is doing what it is supposed to do. If the water in the boiler is hot and the water in the Amtrol or the Radiators is not, then there is a circulator pump problem. The hot water in the boiler can't get to the heat emitters... Could be air lock, Could be a defective pump, @hot_rod has the best suggestion. but you will need a voltage tester because many of the newer pumps do not make much noise when ther are operating.

    Since you have zone valves, you may have a problem with those valves. there is a manual open lever that you can open to see if that will get you heat and hot water . Move the lever to the manual open position and lift it up to latch it open

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,331
    edited November 2023
    Is the switch with the white switch plate mounted on the left wall in the off position? If it is off, I am going to assume it needs to be on to operate both the TACO circulator and the zone valves.

    I think you mean you are using marine gasoline for heating fuel in your houseboat.

    It is nice to see a RACOR fuel filter being used for home heating, I have a RACOR 500FG model myself.
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,989
    If you raise one of the heat zones and the circulator runs , the end switch in the zone valve is bad . Change the powerhead to repair .

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,128
    EdTheHeaterMan said:

    That sounds like the control board is doing what it is supposed to do. If the water in the boiler is hot and the water in the Amtrol or the Radiators is not, then there is a circulator pump problem. The hot water in the boiler can't get to the heat emitters... Could be air lock, Could be a defective pump, @hot_rod has the best suggestion. but you will need a voltage tester because many of the newer pumps do not make much noise when ther are operating.

    Since you have zone valves, you may have a problem with those valves. there is a manual open lever that you can open to see if that will get you heat and hot water . Move the lever to the manual open position and lift it up to latch it open

    Not all zone valves will make the end switch when you latch them open manually, so the circulator may not get the call.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    EdTheHeaterManJUGHNE
  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,331
    About your houseboat;

    I was mistaken earlier as you must be using kerosene or most likely diesel fuel
    for your heating system.

    The clear polycarbonate dirt and water settling bowl would be damaged by
    marine gasoline.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,262
    Good eye Leonz......the wall switch.

    Then could you explain what Leonz is talking about?
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,161
    Do houseboats have hydronic heaters installed on them? I don't SEA why they can't.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • leonz
    leonz Member Posts: 1,331
    JUGHNE said:

    Good eye Leonz......the wall switch.

    Then could you explain what Leonz is talking about?

    =================================================================

    I am sure they are using diesel fuel for home heating oil on their houseboat as a permanent residence as
    conventional gasoline or marine gasoline would destroy the clear polycarbonate sediment bowl that also removes water by allowing the water to settle out since it is heavier than diesel fuel or kerosene.

    They have a 2 pipe fuel delivery system as the houseboat would have a single tank for motor fuel and heating fuel and an engine driven generator for electric power while away from land.

    Vessels with living space would also be wired to plug into 220 volt single phase water resistant outlets with waterproof covers at a rented berth space or they pay for vessel berth space/dock use while traveling and buy fuel and supplies at a marina.



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