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Old Vitodens 200WB2 Burner Control Board (LGM29.55) Change VR-20 board with LGM Board, Failure rates

PerryHolzman
PerryHolzman Member Posts: 236
in THE MAIN WALL

Hello everyone who remembers me: I was active on the Forum from about 2006 to I believe 2010, then returned for a year or so in 2019.

I have a Vitodens 200 WB2 6-24 installed in 2006 (18 1/2 years old). I have now had my 3rd Burner Control Board failure and recieved what I interpret as questionable advice from Viessmann Technical Service today.

That being that I should always replace the VR-20 board when I replace the Burner Control board. I have never heard that before - and its a costly option (Burner Control Board is currently $1400+ and VR-20 Board is close to $500.

My 1st question: Has any Viessman Vitodens heating contractor heard this before and do you change the VR-20 board when you change the Burner Control Board?

My 2nd question relates to failure rates. My original Burner Control Board lasted 13 years. The 2nd one (new part number) 5 years. This one (a newer part number - and the current part number) just under 1 year.

While I will get either a warranty credit or replacement after I return the failed board… this is a disturbing trend. Note that my boiler is protected from all voltage spikes by a very expensive double conversion pure sine wave output UPS (it converts incoming AC into DC, then converts the DC into a pure sign wave output. There is about a 1 week (with new batteries) battery backup when the power goes out (only had to use it for 2 days so far, but numerous occurrences of up to 6 hours.

What kind of longevity and failure rates is everyone else servicing older Vitoden 200 Boilers getting from their Burner Control boards?

Other information: I have only had 2 other part failures in 18 1/2 years. I had to change was the Radial Fan because the fan was made of plastic and started coming apart creating a lot of vibration. I hope the new one lasts a lot longer.

I removed the gas control valve differential pressure sensor once and the original O-ring seals fell apart. Fortunately the new gas control valve came with an adapter for another boiler that valve is used on and had an additional set of the newer very robust seals in that adapter. I just replaced the seals and the original gas valve is still doing fine. I now have a spare gas valve with new robust seals in it.

I also changed the ionization rod and igniter rods at one point just because I felt that it was good preventative maintenance, and installed the upgraded ignition transformer kit when I changed the radial fan as the old ignition transformer was just hanging by its wires (for several years) due to the fan vibration breaking off the plastic support ears.

Perry

Comments

  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,624

    We have found that the Enclosure for the LGM 29 is like a "Hotbox"!

    Before Installing a new LGM 29 We started drilling ventilation holes into the bottom of the enclosure and leaving the top white cover off of the enclosure.By doing this and protecting the Boiler via a UPS/Voltage Regulator we have found that the LGM 29. Lasts longer.

    As it is very important to have a good sine wave as you are ensuring, It is also VERY important to restrict the voltage output via a voltage Regulator to approximately 110 volt as the secondary voltage side may exceed the maximum allowance of 220 Voltage supplied to the Siemens control. For example: IF your voltage supplied to boilers internal Step up transformer is at 130 Volt you will be supplying 260 Volt to the Boilers electrical system.This 260 VAC will be rectified into a Higher DC voltage which again will cause issues with the LGM 29 and the VR 20

    Hope this helps explain some of the issues with the WB2A Models.

    Richard. Heatmeister Group LLC.

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 12,137
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1849364#Comment_1849364

    That sure sounds like poor quality or improperly specified capacitors to me.

  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,624

    BTW...Some of our 20 plus year old WB2A boilers are being replaced when the issues with the LGM 29 arise....High price of replacement boards/Parts and the probability of a HX failure in the near future are contributing factors to consider !

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 17,452

    Parts prices are out of control on Mod Cons although 18 1/2 years is a good run.

    Just curious as to how much you have spent on parts total since new? I you case the labor is "free" but how many hours would you say you have spent on this boiler over the years?

    Is a Mod Con worth the problems based on fuel savings?

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