Let's look at the main components and operating principles of Gefest gas condensing boilers. Two models of the device, Star and Econom, are produced. The line has several models of different power: Hephaestus 26, 20, 32 and 16 kW.
From the outside, the gas boiler is covered with a protective white enameled metal casing. At the bottom there is a control panel with a display, temperature regulator, buttons for turning on and controlling the device and a pressure gauge. The casing can be removed without the help of screwdrivers; it is secured with latches.
Heating pipes, as well as hot water supply and gas, are supplied from below. The purpose of each is signed on the bottom cover. There is also a cable connecting to the electrical network with a residual current device.
The gas enters a stainless steel burner, which consists of a base, a tube, nozzles and burner rows. It is ignited by piezoelectric elements, the fuel burns and at the same time heat is released, which is transferred to the primary heat exchanger.
The boiler has two circuits - for heating and providing hot water. The primary heat exchanger is a copper pipe in the form of a coil, to which fins in the form of copper plates are soldered. The hot water heat exchanger consists of a large number of plates that are soldered together. It is also made of copper, has good thermal conductivity and a large heat transfer area.
The combustion chamber is closed type. Therefore, a fan is additionally installed, which removes combustion products through a coaxial chimney. Due to the pressure created inside the combustion chamber, the air necessary for combustion enters it. The fan is modulated with rotation speed adjustment. The chimney pipe is made of stainless steel.
At the bottom right there is a circulation pump with three operating speeds. It pumps coolant through pipes and radiators. Additionally, the pump is equipped with an automatic air vent, which removes air from the coolant during startup and during operation.
An expansion tank with a capacity of six liters is located on the rear wall. It compensates for the increase in coolant volume as its temperature rises. Inside, it is divided into two parts with an elastic membrane between them. The first part is filled with nitrogen, and the second with coolant. Nitrogen, compressing, compensates for the additional volume of coolant when heated.
The boiler is fully equipped with all necessary safety devices. The gas proportional valve smoothly ignites the boiler at minimum gas pressure and maintains the set heating capacity of the equipment, receiving signals from the control panel. When the power goes out or goes out, it immediately shuts off the gas supply. Protection against overheating, low water pressure and defrosting is installed.
Basic error codes
e1
Error e1 means that the coolant pressure in the circulation system is too low. The reason for this may be a blockage in the pipes, insufficient water, problems with the circulation pump or poor contact in the connecting wires.
Gas boiler circulation pump
It is necessary to open the make-up valve and clean the pipes. Using a screwdriver, turn the pump axis several times in different directions. Check the quality of the contacts of the connecting wires and, if necessary, restore the connection.
e2
Error e2 indicates problems in the operation of the combustion and ignition system. Most likely, the control unit has stopped working or there is no voltage at the solenoid valve. The ignition device, ignition electrode may also fail, or the gas valve may be faulty. The error can be corrected by replacing the control unit, ignition device or gas valve.
e6
Error e6 means a breakdown of the combustion products exhaust system. The fan may be faulty or not receiving electricity. An error occurs if the exhaust pipe is clogged or is too long. In this case, you need to check the wiring of the fan and its serviceability and, if necessary, replace it. And also check the draft in the chimney and its cleanliness.
e7
Error e7 lights up when the coolant overheating protection sensor is triggered. The malfunction is in the sensor itself or its control circuits. The control board or one of the temperature sensors may also be inoperative.
Gas boiler temperature sensor
The coolant also overheats because the pipe cross-section is too small or the area of the heated room is less than the boiler capacity. It is necessary to check the operation of the sensor, circuit and control board. If necessary, increase the diameter of the pipes and adjust the power.
ee
Error ee means incorrect digits. You need to re-enter.
Other faults
In addition to the fact that the Hephaestus boiler displays error codes on the display, breakdowns are possible that can be diagnosed in other ways.
After a long period of equipment downtime, the circulation pump may not start. In this case, the anti-blocking function was not performed. Unscrew the plug on the pump and use a screwdriver to turn the shaft several times clockwise and counterclockwise.
Over time, scale accumulates in the hot water heat exchanger, which leads to a decrease in hot water pressure. The rate at which deposits appear is affected by water hardness and too high a heating temperature.
Gas boiler heat exchangers
It is recommended to heat the water to 45 degrees, this is enough for domestic use and extends the operating time of the device. To correct the problem, we disassemble the boiler, disconnect and remove the heat exchanger. Next, fill it with a hot solution of water with citric acid or vinegar and leave it for a day. After this, we actively rinse.
If just a few decades ago it was believed that there was no worthy, competitive replacement for European heating equipment, today the domestic manufacturer is gradually regaining its occupied positions. Hephaestus gas boilers convincingly prove that water heating units manufactured at Russian factories are no worse than their foreign counterparts.
Types of gas boilers from Gefest
Gefest equipment meets all the requirements for heating equipment:- Reliability - uninterrupted operation is ensured by Italian gas automatics.
- Simplicity of design- since the number of additional components is reduced to a minimum, breakdowns are practically excluded.
- Easy to operate and maintain- all the necessary components can be easily purchased at the nearest heating equipment store.
- Mounted boilers- save space, in most cases have two circuits and are dependent on the availability of electricity.
- Floor-standing boilers- the most productive heating equipment from Hephaestus, the main purpose of which is to heat the coolant. The DHW circuit is either provided as standard or manufactured additionally using a built-in or remote indirect heating boiler.
All Hephaestus boilers, regardless of configuration, are equipped with sensitive Italian automation, which continues to operate even when the gas pressure drops to 4 mBar.
Mounted boilers
The company focuses on the production of powerful floor-standing units, so wall-hung boilers are presented in only a few modifications. Among them are:
Installation of the Hephaestus mounted boiler is carried out using anchor bolts included in the package. For connection, outlets are provided for two heating circuits (central and “warm floors”) and hot water supply.
Floor equipment Hephaestus
Floor-standing units (compared to wall-mounted boilers), although they do not have most of the functionality, are distinguished by high performance and reliability. The following modifications are popular:
The technical characteristics of the Hephaestus floor-standing boiler imply connection to a classic chimney. Traditionally, an open combustion chamber and an atmospheric burner are used. The Hephaestus household gas floor-mounted flow-type boiler can be used exclusively for domestic hot water needs.
Operational Features
As already noted, boiler maintenance does not require a large investment of money and effort. It is carried out quickly due to the simplicity of the design and free access to the nodes. Service may be required in the following cases:
Chimneyless boilers are equipped with reverse draft sensors that prevent spontaneous flame extinguishing, and other monitoring equipment is also used.
A drop in gas pressure or a decrease in the volume of coolant can cause the automation to trigger and send an emergency stop signal. The boiler's solenoid valve shuts off the gas supply and thus prevents the accumulation of explosive substances in the room.
The service life of boilers largely depends on the installed hydraulic group of the boiler. Softening the water and removing large particles and calcium deposits protects the heat exchanger from overheating and extends its service life.
Why does the Hephaestus cauldron go out?
Judging by the reviews, one of the most common problems among owners of Hephaestus boilers remains a malfunction due to which the flame goes out. What could be causing the fading?- Violation of coaxial chimney installation technology- the consequence of non-compliance with the requirements is an increased volume of flue gases accumulating in the chimney, which leads to spontaneous attenuation as a result of the operation of the automation.
- Wind - boilers with a closed combustion chamber cannot go out even from a strong gust of wind, since the design includes a gas reverse draft valve. For heat generators with an open combustion chamber, such a sensor is not provided (can be purchased and installed separately).
- Violation of operating conditions- if the pilot light goes out, the reason is not always a malfunction of the automation; there is probably a problem with power surges or gas supply. For volatile models, it is recommended to install a UPS and a pressure stabilizer.
For more than 15 years, the ZAO PKF "GEFEST VPR" plant (Taganrog, Rostov region), known throughout Russia, has been producing heating boilers of its own design. A distinctive feature of our products is high quality at an affordable price. The power of manufactured equipment for heating and water supply of individual apartments, cottages and country houses varies from 6 to 50 kW. Hephaestus Cauldrons have a unique heat exchanger design, which, when using reliable European components, allows saving gas consumption by up to 20%. The plant is the first domestic manufacturer of boilers with a closed combustion chamber, has a “Certificate of the Highest Category of Quality” (Rostest-Moscow) and is certified according to the international quality standard ISO 9001: 2008.
Today the plant of CJSC PKF " Hephaestus VPR» produces more than 40 types of gas non-volatile boilers of various modifications:
- GEPHAESTUS boilers with an open combustion chamber (power from 6 to 50 kW)
(used in a closed heating system with an open expansion tank with free or forced circulation of water in the heating circuit, air to support combustion is taken directly from the room in which the boiler is installed; used for heating and hot water supply of individual residential buildings)
- GEFEST steel boilers using natural gas, solid fuel, electric heating element (power from 12.5 to 50 kW)
(these boilers are considered universal, they can operate on both natural gas and solid fuel. They are supplied either with a gas burner unit or with a device for operating on solid fuel (the thickness of the metal of the internal firebox is 3 mm), it is also possible to install an electric heating element for heating the heating circuit; used for heating and hot water supply of individual residential buildings)
- GEPHAESTUS boilers with a closed combustion chamber (power from 6 to 20 kW)
(in a heated room, oxygen in the air is not “burned out”, air to support combustion comes from the street, and combustion products are discharged outside, thanks to the unique water-tube design of the heat exchanger, the entire heating circuit is quickly and efficiently heated with natural circulation, boilers are produced with a coaxial and separate chimney; can be used both in an ordinary apartment and in an individual house)
- Wall-mounted boilers GEPHAESTUS TURBO (power 20 kW)
(when assembling boilers, components from the best European manufacturers are used: gas automatic equipment EUROSIT 630 (Italy), solenoid valve BRAHMA (Spain), hydraulic unit FUGAS (Italy), combustion chamber MORA TOP (Czech Republic), pump GRUNDFOS (Germany), boilers are adapted to the conditions operation in Russia, the ability to work without an electronic control unit allows you to withstand power surges from 110 to 300 V; can be used both in an ordinary apartment and in an individual house).
The use of the original water-tube design of the heat exchanger, which ensures a compact and durable design, with an efficiency of 90-92%, which does not decrease throughout the entire service life of the boiler, as well as reliable automation EUROSIT (Italy) and a slotted low-flame burner made of stainless steel POLIDORO (Italy) makes it stand out Hephaestus brand boilers stand before other Russian manufacturers as a promising dynamically developing enterprise.
More than 10 years company "TeploMarkeT" cooperates with PKF GEFEST VPR CJSC, our online store presents the most popular boilers of the Hephaestus brand, which have gained popularity among domestic buyers for such qualities as reliability, efficiency, the use of new technologies and the best European components at competitive prices.
Heating private houses using solid fuel does not lose its relevance. It does not require large expenditures on equipment and fuel, allowing you to maintain heat in the house even far from gas mains. The most affordable are classic hot water boilers.
One of the domestic manufacturers supplying heating equipment is the Novosibirsk Metalworking Company. Over 20 years of work, its highly qualified specialists have developed a wide range of solid fuel boilers.
Water heating boilers Hephaestus
NMK products are manufactured using modern equipment from high-quality materials. It includes heating equipment and metal products, in particular, various furnaces and boilers that differ in design, purpose, and cost.
The Siberia series of hot water boilers includes the Hephaestus model range, designed for heating houses up to 300 m2 with an autonomous heating system with natural or forced circulation.
These steel solid fuel units are in no way inferior to their foreign counterparts in performance and quality. In addition, the boilers have an attractive modern design. The spacious firebox allows for both front and top loading.
Water from the return flow enters the pipe at the bottom and circulates in the water jacket and through the pipes, and then exits into the upper pipe. Inside the body there is a firebox in which fuel burns, heating the walls, lid and bottom, from which thermal energy is transferred to the water.
The air flow into the combustion zone is adjusted manually, or you can additionally purchase a draft regulator. The kit includes a heating element that can be used to heat water in the heating system simultaneously with fuel combustion or separately.
Design features make the boilers easy to use and economical. In addition to the water jacket, there are heat exchanger systems at the bottom and at the outlet, in the zone of maximum temperature of heated gases.
A basalt fiber jacket under a layer of polymer-coated cladding provides maximum thermal insulation, which increases efficiency. Coal, brown coal or firewood can be used as fuel. The burning time is from 6 to 8 hours.
Such an inexpensive solid fuel boiler of the simplest design with a minimal set of automation has positive reviews and allows you to successfully heat a small, high-quality insulated house. The manufacturer provides a warranty of 36 months, the stated service life is 10 years.
How to choose a boiler for your home
Having decided to buy a solid fuel boiler, you need to decide on the required power of the unit. If it is insufficient, it will not be possible to maintain a comfortable temperature in cold weather. If the power is too high, the heat generation will be excessive, the boiler may overheat and even fail.
For efficient use of fuel, the heat generated by the boiler must correspond to the heat loss. Heat loss occurs through windows, doors, roofing, walls, floors, and ventilation systems.
Consequently, this indicator depends on the thermal conductivity of the materials from which they are made. In addition, the temperature outside is of great importance. The lower it is, the more the room cools down.
For each material there is a certain indicator of heat transfer resistance. The higher it is, the better the material retains heat. These indicators can be found in construction reference books. The calculation is made based on weather data.
Select the coldest week of the year in this region and calculate the average temperature. This will allow you to select a boiler power that will provide warmth in the house even at minimum temperatures.
Based on the initial data, heat loss is calculated for each surface in the house.
Advice! The required boiler power must be calculated by a competent heating engineer. But you can calculate it approximately knowing that with a ceiling height of 2.7 m per 10 m2 there should be 1 kW.
To use fuel more economically, it is important to ensure high-quality thermal insulation at home. To reduce heat loss, it is necessary to insulate the walls, roof and floor, provide waterproofing, and install high-quality windows.
- Installation and connection of the boiler
- Since electrical equipment is used, the boiler must be grounded.
- The floor base must be prepared taking into account the weight of the boiler. To protect floor coverings made of flammable materials, it is necessary to cover an area of the floor within a radius of at least 50 cm around the boiler with a protective steel sheet with an asbestos lining. If the subfloor is not stone, it is recommended to install a quarter-brick brick deck.
- The distances from the walls must be 500 mm, to the ceiling - 1200 mm, from the door side - 1250 mm.
- A safety valve must be installed at the boiler outlet.
- The heating system must provide for complete removal of air, as well as the possibility of completely draining the coolant.
- Thermally insulated stainless steel pipes are recommended for the chimney installation. A brick chimney can be used.
- In forced circulation systems, the pump is placed in parallel in case of power failure.
- At the top point of the system there is an expansion tank (for an open system) or a safety group consisting of a pressure gauge, safety valve and air vent (for a closed system).
Operating rules
To light the boiler, use paper, wood chips, and dry wood. Place them on the grate, set them on fire and let them burn. After this, you can cover the main fuel with a layer of 5-6 cm, and after 20 minutes add more. It is necessary to maintain a layer thickness of about 15 cm.
When the water in the system warms up to the desired level, you can reduce the air supply by closing the damper on the ash pan door. In order for the boiler to burn longer at night, the grate must be cleaned, ash and slag removed, after which the fuel is ignited and the draft is reduced by closing the damper.
Using a heating element will not allow the coolant temperature to drop to a critical level. The ash pan should be cleaned regularly throughout the day, which will help maintain the draft necessary for combustion.
Advice! While the boiler is operating, its surfaces may become hot. Be careful when adding fuel and protect your hands when opening and closing the loading door.
- Do not allow water to boil in the system. Its temperature should not exceed 85 °C at the boiler outlet.
- If a knock is heard in the system, it is necessary to urgently stop the boiler, for which all the coal is removed from the firebox. When the water in the system has cooled to 60 °C, you need to restore its quantity, after which you can light the boiler again.
- During frosts, if the heating system is not used, the water must be drained.
Hephaestus solid fuel boilers, produced in Novosibirsk, with the traditional method of burning fuel, have a low price and are available to the general population. They are quite reliable, economical and have an attractive appearance, as evidenced by consumer reviews. They can be used in water heating systems with natural or forced circulation.
