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ECM Giotto Over Pressure

Postby r60slash5 on Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:21 pm

My ECM Giotto works fine, but after a few hours of being on the pressure gauge will go up to 1.7 bars, and steam comes out of the relief valve. I thought it was the pressure stat and replaced that. It was ok for a bit, and then starting doing it again. If I reduce the pressure with the steam arm it seems to be fine for a few hours. The boiler doesn't get hot enough to click off the high limit. It just steams away
Is it my pressure relief valve?

Thanks, Ted
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Postby erics on Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:40 pm

Unfortunately, :( , it is very likely a relay inside of the Gicar controller that is "sticking". Take some pics of your Gicar box both dressed and undressed and that may reveal a bit.
Skål,

Eric S.
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E-mail: erics at erols dot com
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Postby r60slash5 on Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:55 pm

I haven't had a chance to take the machine apart yet, but it turns out if I don't leave it on over night it works fine. Leading me to believe that there is a cold solder joint in the control box. It's only expands when exposed to heat for too long to break the contact. I've seen the same thing with a motorcycle in the past. If I'm correct I'll post picture when I get to taking it apart. Thank for the help Eric

Ted
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Postby erics on Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:04 pm

I do not have sufficient knowledge about "cold solder joints" to comment except that I would think it would have been a problem from day one (?).

The control scheme on ECM Giotto's has had several iterations and yours is one that (again, I believe) the pstat is simply controlling a secondary relay in the Gicar box to turn the heater on/off. You can see this on the box cover itself where relays R1, R2, & R3 are rated. The highest rated relay connects to the heating element.
Skål,

Eric S.
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E-mail: erics at erols dot com
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