Heat exchangers for domestic use, in particular - geysers, ubiquitous. Devices of this type are generally used for the organization of domestic hot water of a private house, where there is no centralized supply of hot water.
As with any equipment, gas water heaters eventually require replacement of some parts subject to wear during operation of the equipment. Most often, such part of the gas column membrane becomes water reducer. For information on how to replace the membrane of the gas column and whether the work done by hand, will be discussed in this article.
The content of the article:
- ABOUT reducer and the location of a membrane
- How to replace membrane gear
- What you need to know before you start work?
- gear Dismantling and demolition
- Briefing on the membrane replacement
- Forms and membrane materials
- Repair of gas columns membranes
- Useful videos on the topic
ABOUT reducer and the location of a membrane
A device called a water reducer included in the design of virtually any gas heat exchangers.
This part may have a different configuration in performance depending on model water heating apparatus, but the operating principle of these devices remains unchanged.
Water reducer, mounted on the gas column, is used to maintain a stable water pressure directly into the cylinder of the heat exchanger system. Due to the pressure uniformity is ensured uniform flow, and thus a uniform heating of the liquid.
Piece reducer promoting smooth regulation pressure acts rubber membrane. This gear component, made in the form of liners are typically based on technical rubber, it has a circular shape. It is installed inside the gearbox housing.
Due to the long-term operation of water heating equipment, being constantly on the move, the membrane will eventually wear out.
Technical rubber wear in some places lead to gusts material. Accordingly, the function of water pressure regulation ceases to act according to a predetermined algorithm.
In such cases, it becomes inevitable replacement gear rubber membrane in the gas column, because the water heater is not operating properly.
The quality of the individual hot water supply is sharply reduced, and simply can not be included in other cases, the column in the job. Lost user comfort.
How to replace membrane gear
If we start from the gas equipment service rules and strictly follow these rules, to perform any installation, plumbing works as well as works related to power - it is the prerogative of service gas services, in particular, local serving gas company.
What you need to know before you start work?
In other words, to carry out work on gas equipment owners own geysers prohibited.
Even taking into account that the water reducer theory has no relation to the gas system, disassemble the detail design of the membrane and change their own hands is also prohibited.
Sometimes the desire to do everything on their own, without having practical experience in the implementation of this kind of work can result in dire consequences. As evidenced by the numerous accidents related to domestic gas appliances.
Often are the master, ready to independently change the gearbox on the membrane of the gas column. The more that perform such an operation, in fact, quite easy in the presence of plumbing skills.
Make this an easy job as follows:
- With the help documentation or by opening the column housing and internal contents inspection, determine stamp (model) gear set.
- Based on these technical details, acquiring new membrane on the market.
- If the equipment is imported, you may have to purchase the membrane only under the order.
- In the presence of membrane overlap the gas supply equipment, closed valve supplying cold water from EVC.
- Contents poured gas heater exchanger using a service drain valve, whose location is determined by documentation.
After these operations can proceed to the dismantling of the gear device. However, do not rush here. Work required careful, carefully, so as not to damage other parts of the gas closely spaced speakers.
gear Dismantling and demolition
The reducer has a water inlet and outlet water pipes. Actually, due to the threaded Spanner compounds device it is attached inside the gas system directly with the water flow lines.
Therefore, in order to dismantle the device, unscrew the two brass flare nuts on the pipe.
But before we do this work, it is recommended to unscrew one or both plugs on the gearbox drain taps, which are under the poppet housing.
Loosen the nuts should be gently while holding the device against possible rotation. The mechanism of the device has a rod-regulator in contact with another part of the gas column.
On some models the stem head is fixed with a screw. This point should be taken into account and if necessary, loosen the screw.
Dismantling may be accompanied by the occurrence of residual water. It is recommended to stock up on convenient capacious utensils to collect.
Briefing on the membrane replacement
Dismounted pressure regulator is required to make out to get to the rubber (silicone) membrane. Dismantled piece looks like a plate.
Sequence of disassembly / assembly:
- wrench on the top of the tray fixing screws;
- gently with a flathead screwdriver bifurcate plate;
- remove defective membrane;
- install a new one;
- articulate half plate;
- consolidate the joint screws around.
Proper location of the membrane on the plate is determined by a special gear "key" or notch pin, which, in turn, is located on a radial edge in a row with holes for fixing bolts.
It is necessary to combine the "key" to the membrane of the recess before sochlenyat halves of plates and screw in the screws.
Moment screwing fixing screws - traditional action. However, one should bear in mind the uniformity of the tightening part of the gearbox. Technically correct tightening is carried out by "criss-cross".
That is, before successively tightened four screws located opposite one another, and then to draw in all the others.
Assembled gear complete with a new membrane is put in place in reverse sequence.
Gently rod is inserted into the tube adjusting device, the device aligned to the level of water supply pipes. Then, manually wind the tube nuts.
Typically, pipe connections involve the presence of gaskets and their correct installation. This point must be provided by performing the gear assembly on-site.
Next will only tighten the nuts by applying a small force and do not forget to pull the plug under the sink bowl.
Forms and membrane materials
The design of the gas column is varied. Accordingly, it is not excluded the gear change valve device. Therefore, an obvious phenomenon also sees the existence of a variety of gear in the form of membranes.
If the product is considered to be a standard round shape, which can often be found when disassembling the valve domestic gas columns, imported vehicles are often equipped with "exotic".
One such example - gas columns well-known foreign company issuing appliances under the trademark "Electrolux". Many models of this brand of equipment are completed curly membranes in the form of "eight".
Vaillant foreign firm aids somewhat less popular compared to Electrolux, but also stand out from the total number of domestic gas production of non-standard columns geared membranes. When disassembling the valve of a chance encounter with a membrane-flag.
For the sake of fairness it should be noted: irregularly shaped products show a more fine control of the flow pressure, but is often inferior to the standard in terms of long-term operation. Often durability degree determined by the quality of the material.
In practice, it noted that the silicone rubber membranes last longer. However, silicon is an important criterion thorough filtration system water.
Even a small amount of sand or rust, fall in the region of the silicone product location, dramatically reduces the lifetime of the material.
Technical rubber is less sensitive to the effects of particulate material, but most of the "affected" insufficient chemical resistance.
That is, if the composition of the water to a certain extent has an aggressive component, in these conditions, technical rubber generally do not serve long.
Repair of gas columns membranes
The desire to save on everything makes some users resort to this method of virtual replacement, how to repair a defective membrane with your hands.
Immediately it should be noted: the occupation is perhaps interesting for the home handyman, but in terms of service, it is absolutely irrational and senseless.
Membrane repair geysers are trying different ways:
- by putty silicone sealant;
- using adhesives of different types;
- Pentelast overlay;
- installing miniature Latok;
- and even masking tape.
The activities of the "refurbished" parts continues, as a rule, no more than 1-2 days. Then re-start problems, and often even more aggravated.
Repair of gas columns membrane plates, especially the hands, in any case fails. Tested in practice more than once. So, change the "flea" is not recommended, unless the matter is not viewed purely research interest.
Useful videos on the topic
Video shows the personal experience of one of the owners of the heater - that is, repair their own hands the water pressure regulator. In particular, the entire repair is reduced to replacement of membranes. Viewers recall again: try to repair the gas system is unacceptable!
Easier to find and buy a new membrane for the gas column, replace the accessory of the steps described above, and sleep peacefully. Especially that the replacement, in most cases, does not require significant financial costs. On average, for the purchase of the complete accessory enough 200-300 rubles.
