Replacement controllers.....

[adrian riordan]

I am mot sure what you have done to achieve that.

Are you running the machine without any of the sensors (T1 to T5) operational through the controller?

If so my advice is to stop it immediately.

The compressor must be run through the controller and the phase monitor ( for the electrical supply) The controller drives the phase monitor from the O1 output.

The compressor discharge sensor T4 drives the 4 way valve.

Both of those are key operational and protection devices.

If it is your machine - take a risk if you wish - if it is a customers machine you are taking a real risk of destroying (boiling) the compressor - whilst it is a budget machine, it is still a £3 to 4k unit to replace and instal.

Hey Brambles, thanks for your concern it's appreciated. But I don't think it should be a problem as the machine is running in default with all of it's sensors still operating . To put it in default mode I simply disconnected to controller then reset the breaker. You might agree that once the circuit board parameters are correctly set via the controller then the controller becomes nothing more than a clock to switch it on and off witch I can do remotely for the moment via an independent timer switch on my breaker panel. The photo I sent you, is it something your familiar with is it something you might have in stock?
Thanks again I very much appreciate your help.

 

[Brambles]

The photo you have shown above is the back of the Chico RBXH LCD unit which has a three wire connection to the PCB. It can either be mounted on the unit, remotely, up to 30m away using the correct wire or through a WiFi connector.

The unit (the LCD display and button controls) is supplied with the PCB and configured to the specific type of compressor.

Normally, once you disconnect the control panel from the PCB the unit locks out.

In my experience, with these units your either replace the controller with a new PCB and control panel configured to the machine or opt for an aftermarket Honeywell control system.

My earlier note is the part for replacing the control unit with a newly configured PCB and LCD control panel. Conversion to Honeywell would require an on site presence or the unit bringing into the workshop.

If you question is “can you just replace the LCD control panel ?” In theory yes, but we have never been able to source the part and coding for a single phase machine. A three phase machine would be even more challenging.

Your machine is an older model, the current series of Chico RBX controllers won’t work on your machine.

Hope this helps you

 

[adrian riordan]

The photo you have shown above is the back of the Chico RBXH LCD unit which has a three wire connection to the PCB. It can either be mounted on the unit, remotely, up to 30m away using the correct wire or through a WiFi connector.

The unit (the LCD display and button controls) is supplied with the PCB and configured to the specific type of compressor.

Normally, once you disconnect the control panel from the PCB the unit locks out.

In my experience, with these units your either replace the controller with a new PCB and control panel configured to the machine or opt for an aftermarket Honeywell control system.

My earlier note is the part for replacing the control unit with a newly configured PCB and LCD control panel. Conversion to Honeywell would require an on site presence or the unit bringing into the workshop.

If you question is “can you just replace the LCD control panel ?” In theory yes, but we have never been able to source the part and coding for a single phase machine. A three phase machine would be even more challenging.

Your machine is an older model, the current series of Chico RBX controllers won’t work on your machine.

Hope this helps you

Just to update you on how things are going. Everything is running well with no problems

The photo you have shown above is the back of the Chico RBXH LCD unit which has a three wire connection to the PCB. It can either be mounted on the unit, remotely, up to 30m away using the correct wire or through a WiFi connector.

The unit (the LCD display and button controls) is supplied with the PCB and configured to the specific type of compressor.

Normally, once you disconnect the control panel from the PCB the unit locks out.

In my experience, with these units your either replace the controller with a new PCB and control panel configured to the machine or opt for an aftermarket Honeywell control system.

My earlier note is the part for replacing the control unit with a newly configured PCB and LCD control panel. Conversion to Honeywell would require an on site presence or the unit bringing into the workshop.

If you question is “can you just replace the LCD control panel ?” In theory yes, but we have never been able to source the part and coding for a single phase machine. A three phase machine would be even more challenging.

Your machine is an older model, the current series of Chico RBX controllers won’t work on your machine.

Hope this helps you

Thought you might appreciate a quick update. All is well and working as it should without the controller connected. I have still been able to change settings such as return water temp. as needed by simply connecting the controller just for as long as it takes to input a new value into the parameters and then disconnecting it again. I think that I have sourced a replacement controller but I wont consider it job done until I receive and install it with the correct parameters inputted. If that fails then my next option would be changing out the PCB as well. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[betagin]

Thanks for your rely, our ASHP is a Dream -ESDAW-22KW-3PH. Where would the serial number be?
Many thanks!

Hi thanks for getting back to me. The heat pump's controller has been acting up lately. The clock run's slow if at all and now the on/off button is stuck in stand by mode so I'm not getting any heat. I think I need a new controller, but I don't know where to get one as it would have to be programmed for my machine and therefore be compatible with my machine in the first place. Any ideas?

hi i know this nis an old thread, ust wondered if you managed to source a controller as i need one

 

[Brambles]

Oddly we had an enquiry yesterday afternoon from some one with a Microwell ASHP - it is made by the same people who manufacture for Dream and Enerflow - a near identical issue to yours.

In this case moisture appears to have got into the control panel

 

[Toshmarple]

I am posting here in desperation guys! I have a three year old 8kW Dream Heat Pump which has worked reasonably well so far but initially with two intermittent faults: faulty hot gas sensor and low water flow. The sensor fault turned out to be poor assembly (insulation damage during assembly) and the low water flow turned out to be a misaligned flow switch! Both faults were corrected easily and cheaply but yesterday a much more serious fault developed: the machine became stuck in coooling mode, as shown on the lcd screen and would not respond to the buttons beyond showing water temperatures and switching the unit on/off.

Being a retired heating engineer with some knowledge of heat pumps I disconnected the mode changeover valve from the board terminal and connected it to the water pump supply as it is powered for heating and unpowered for cooling. I then switched the heat pump back on and bingo, normal service was seemingly resumed, thereby ruling out a faulty valve. Keeping my eye on it, all turned out to be well until it needed to de-ice so I then swithed it off, disconnected the mode changeover valve from the water pump power, pulled the terminal off the fan contactor (to stop it running) and switched the heat pump back on and ten minutes later after de-icing was completed, reverted back to heating mode.

The operating mode is normally selected on the lcd screen but can also be selected on the main board by a wire link. However Removing it and remaking made no difference which suggests something on the main board has failed.

I have been in touch with Dream who informed me that they have no after sales service arrangements. They say the pump is now: "old, way out of warranty and the controller itself has been superceded". They say they could provide a new controller at a cost of £140.oo plus £20.oo delivery but with no guarantees as they say the fault could lie elsewhere which I think is unlikely as there are no other processors, everyting is either on the board or in the lcd device. At the moment I am waiting for an email from Dream confirming that they can supply a replacement controller, it's price and delivery.

To pick up on the previous post, Elechico (the control manufacturers) do say on their website that the controller can work without the lcd connected and this I can confirm to be be so. However in my case, it remains in cooling mode, unless I jump it as I previously said, and therefore can not defrost automatically. The actual controller is a CC305S-v2.1 but this has clearly been superceded as Ellchico website shows versions 3 to 6 but all are unpriced.

I have contacted, by email, the controller manufacturer in China (Guangdong Chico Electronic), via their website but have yet to receive a reply so I am seeking help from you guys. Does anybody have a Chinese sourcing contact or other ideas?

Incidentally, the heat pump has an electronic expansion valve so requires a controller which incorporates this feature and, other than the Chico ones, I have not been able to find one and I don't know what would happen if I fitted a controller without same.

Well guys, here's hoping, Charles (Heap), Anglesey

 

[betagin]

I am posting here in desperation guys! I have a three year old 8kW Dream Heat Pump which has worked reasonably well so far but initially with two intermittent faults: faulty hot gas sensor and low water flow. The sensor fault turned out to be poor assembly (insulation damage during assembly) and the low water flow turned out to be a misaligned flow switch! Both faults were corrected easily and cheaply but yesterday a much more serious fault developed: the machine became stuck in coooling mode, as shown on the lcd screen and would not respond to the buttons beyond showing water temperatures and switching the unit on/off.

Being a retired heating engineer with some knowledge of heat pumps I disconnected the mode changeover valve from the board terminal and connected it to the water pump supply as it is powered for heating and unpowered for cooling. I then switched the heat pump back on and bingo, normal service was seemingly resumed, thereby ruling out a faulty valve. Keeping my eye on it, all turned out to be well until it needed to de-ice so I then swithed it off, disconnected the mode changeover valve from the water pump power, pulled the terminal off the fan contactor (to stop it running) and switched the heat pump back on and ten minutes later after de-icing was completed, reverted back to heating mode.

The operating mode is normally selected on the lcd screen but can also be selected on the main board by a wire link. However Removing it and remaking made no difference which suggests something on the main board has failed.

I have been in touch with Dream who informed me that they have no after sales service arrangements. They say the pump is now: "old, way out of warranty and the controller itself has been superceded". They say they could provide a new controller at a cost of £140.oo plus £20.oo delivery but with no guarantees as they say the fault could lie elsewhere which I think is unlikely as there are no other processors, everyting is either on the board or in the lcd device. At the moment I am waiting for an email from Dream confirming that they can supply a replacement controller, it's price and delivery.

To pick up on the previous post, Elechico (the control manufacturers) do say on their website that the controller can work without the lcd connected and this I can confirm to be be so. However in my case, it remains in cooling mode, unless I jump it as I previously said, and therefore can not defrost automatically. The actual controller is a CC305S-v2.1 but this has clearly been superceded as Ellchico website shows versions 3 to 6 but all are unpriced.

I have contacted, by email, the controller manufacturer in China (Guangdong Chico Electronic), via their website but have yet to receive a reply so I am seeking help from you guys. Does anybody have a Chinese sourcing contact or other ideas?

Incidentally, the heat pump has an electronic expansion valve so requires a controller which incorporates this feature and, other than the Chico ones, I have not been able to find one and I don't know what would happen if I fitted a controller without same.

Well guys, here's hoping, Charles (Heap), Anglesey

Hi

I am posting here in desperation guys! I have a three year old 8kW Dream Heat Pump which has worked reasonably well so far but initially with two intermittent faults: faulty hot gas sensor and low water flow. The sensor fault turned out to be poor assembly (insulation damage during assembly) and the low water flow turned out to be a misaligned flow switch! Both faults were corrected easily and cheaply but yesterday a much more serious fault developed: the machine became stuck in coooling mode, as shown on the lcd screen and would not respond to the buttons beyond showing water temperatures and switching the unit on/off.

Being a retired heating engineer with some knowledge of heat pumps I disconnected the mode changeover valve from the board terminal and connected it to the water pump supply as it is powered for heating and unpowered for cooling. I then switched the heat pump back on and bingo, normal service was seemingly resumed, thereby ruling out a faulty valve. Keeping my eye on it, all turned out to be well until it needed to de-ice so I then swithed it off, disconnected the mode changeover valve from the water pump power, pulled the terminal off the fan contactor (to stop it running) and switched the heat pump back on and ten minutes later after de-icing was completed, reverted back to heating mode.

The operating mode is normally selected on the lcd screen but can also be selected on the main board by a wire link. However Removing it and remaking made no difference which suggests something on the main board has failed.

I have been in touch with Dream who informed me that they have no after sales service arrangements. They say the pump is now: "old, way out of warranty and the controller itself has been superceded". They say they could provide a new controller at a cost of £140.oo plus £20.oo delivery but with no guarantees as they say the fault could lie elsewhere which I think is unlikely as there are no other processors, everyting is either on the board or in the lcd device. At the moment I am waiting for an email from Dream confirming that they can supply a replacement controller, it's price and delivery.

To pick up on the previous post, Elechico (the control manufacturers) do say on their website that the controller can work without the lcd connected and this I can confirm to be be so. However in my case, it remains in cooling mode, unless I jump it as I previously said, and therefore can not defrost automatically. The actual controller is a CC305S-v2.1 but this has clearly been superceded as Ellchico website shows versions 3 to 6 but all are unpriced.

I have contacted, by email, the controller manufacturer in China (Guangdong Chico Electronic), via their website but have yet to receive a reply so I am seeking help from you guys. Does anybody have a Chinese sourcing contact or other ideas?

Incidentally, the heat pump has an electronic expansion valve so requires a controller which incorporates this feature and, other than the Chico ones, I have not been able to find one and I don't know what would happen if I fitted a controller without same.

Well guys, here's hoping, Charles (Heap), Anglesey

 

[betagin]

Hi I believe you may be able to get one from alibaba.com

 

[Toshmarple]

Thanks betagin, I found the same website yesterday and I would say it is definately the same CC305 controller and it is made by Elechico (see attached photo). However there is no facility to actually buy it, only to enquire which I did yesterday but, and I know it's early days, as yet no response, not even an acknowledgement of my email, hence my posting in the hope that someone on the forum might have gone through the same process and found a way to actually buy the controller. The intimated price is attractive so it would not be the end of the world if my money was wasted!

 

[betagin]

Thanks betagin, I found the same website yesterday and I would say it is definately the same CC305 controller and it is made by Elechico (see attached photo). However there is no facility to actually buy it, only to enquire which I did yesterday but, and I know it's early days, as yet no response, not even an acknowledgement of my email, hence my posting in the hope that someone on the forum might have gone through the same process and found a way to actually buy the controller. The intimated price is attractive so it would not be the end of the world if my money was wa

 

[betagin]

You can click get sample and I think it allows you to buy it, approx £85 with postage

 

[Toshmarple]

I am hoping I will get a reply to my request betagin, early next week but I have seen a few posts for controllers so was hoping the way to buy would have been established.