ECM Giotto Over Pressure
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- Posts: 37
- Joined: 13 years ago
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
Is it my pressure relief valve?
Thanks, Ted
- erics
- Supporter ★
- Posts: 6302
- Joined: 19 years ago
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.
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- Posts: 37
- Joined: 13 years ago
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
Ted
- erics
- Supporter ★
- Posts: 6302
- Joined: 19 years ago
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.
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.