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Geyser “Proton” – products of the Tula plant “Vanadium-Tulachermet”. Their release was established over the course of eight years – 1990-1998. These domestic devices are durable and reliable – many of them still safely heat water for the domestic needs of their owners.
About Us
The Tula company “Vanadium-Tulachermet” works for the needs of the metallurgical industry, producing flux-cored wire, chromium carbide and other products needed in this industry. The plant no longer produces gas water heaters, only heat exchangers and other spare parts that may be needed for their operation.
What models?
The Tula enterprise for eight years of production of gas water heaters has produced five series “PROTON 1, 1M, 2, 3, 4. Having not worked out their resource over the years of operation, these devices need to be replaced parts and assemblies, repair and maintenance. You can only buy these speakers second-hand, but spare parts are still being produced, however, in limited quantities. Everything you need for Proton speakers can be purchased at specialized stores. If necessary, you can replace any element – heat exchanger tubes, membranes, hydraulic unit and much more.
The Tula manufacturer, in order to increase the efficiency and durability of its speakers, used imported parts in their production – to complete automatic circuits. All modifications are equipped with filters – at the inlets of water and gas pipes. The connection scheme is standard and does not raise questions.
Operating principle
• Inside the heat exchanger is supplied tap water (or deep – from a well). Its pressure should be at the level of 2-2,5 kg / cm².
• Water, heated up to the temperature set by the user, is sent to the DHW system.
• Fuel approaches the solenoid valve, which is responsible for stopping its supply in the event of a malfunction of the device or a critical drop in fuel pressure.
• The gas is directed to a reducer that lowers its pressure to normal. Then it ends up in the central burner, which is ignited by ignition devices.
• Turning on is started by pressing the button – it is held for several seconds.
• The gas is then fed to the igniter and to the auxiliary burner.
• Switching on is carried out by means of a piezo ignition connected to a candle.
• When the button is pressed, a spark jumps out, igniting the auxiliary burners.
• After some time, an EMF appears at the ends of the thermocouple, opening the way for the fuel.
• If you press the second “Open” button, the blue fuel is sent to the place of its combustion.
• When the button is pressed, a spark jumps between the candle and the body, igniting the auxiliary burners.
• After a few seconds, an EMF develops at the ends of the thermocouple, which keeps the valve responsible for the gas supply open.
• If you press the second “Open” button, the gas is directed to the main burner.
• A water reducer provides a stable temperature of the heated water. Thanks to the throughput system, it is possible to stabilize the parameters at the same level. The user sets the temperature by means of a mechanical regulator. The modification “Proton 1M-1” has a thermometer – the user can control the heating.
• Shutdown is performed by pressing “Extinguishing” – it has a mechanical connection with “Ignition” and “Opening”. When the first click is heard, the central burner turns off – this is a switch, the device switches to the “On Duty” mode – there is a flame only in the igniter.
• To turn off the standby mode and put the device in working condition, you just need to turn the DHW tap.
Overview of Tula speakers
“Proton-1M”
Production designation VPG-1712-V11-UHL4.2. Dimensions – 71,9x36x23 cm (height / width / depth). The device weighs a little – 13,5 kg. Heated water is dispensed at a rate of 5 l/min.
“Proton 2”
17 kW. 15 kg – weight. Specifications are similar to the previous version. They were less expensive. The price reduction was achieved due to the simplification of the design of the gas-water unit. There are no gearboxes – therefore, there is no parameter stability. There is also no thermometer. On the facade there is a piezo-ignition push-button lever and a mechanical regulator.
The device can operate at low pressure in water pipes – this fact is important for consumers without a centralized water supply. The minimum is set with an adjusting screw located directly on the water reducer.
Constructive simplicity and the absence of blockers is a fact that forces users to follow the instructions as accurately as possible. It is strictly forbidden to set fire to the main burner if the DHW taps are open. This situation causes the accumulation of fuel in the column – if you then turn on the piezo ignition, it may explode.
“Proton 3”
Their power is 17 kW. They weigh 15 kg and heat 5 liters of water every minute. Functional and electrical diagram, as well as protection systems are similar to previous models. But when compared with the 1M modification, the third model has several disadvantages:
- The retention of the push-button lever has increased tenfold – you have to hold it for half a minute.
- There is no gas reducer – it is impossible to track how the pressure in the gas pipeline changes. The result – it is not possible to stabilize the heating in the hot water supply, it is difficult for the owners of such a column to wash comfortably.
- Button levers are not strong enough and tend to break.
Plus – a low price with a fairly reliable automatic protection.
Possible accidents
Extinction of the igniter
The fire can go out due to:
- lack of fuel;
- blowing fire with the wind;
- thermocouple failure.
If the thermocouple does not heat up, the voltage level at the ends is zero, which causes the fuel path to close. The solution to the problem depends on the reason that caused it.
Lost traction
A decrease in the outflow of heated gas is observed. The coolant temperature rises – when it reaches 90 degrees, the thermostat breaks the electrical circuit, and without voltage, the device turns off. Reasons for this situation:
- The chimney is clogged – it needs cleaning.
- Any damage has occurred – do-it-yourself repairs will be needed.
Missing water
The seal of the heat exchanger is broken. It heats up quickly. When the temperature rises above 130 ° C, the thermostat fuse melts – the electrical circuit breaks, there is no voltage – everything goes out.
Missing gas
This situation may occur due to work on the gas pipeline. The consequence is the extinction of the igniter. The thermocouple, without generating EMF, blocks the path to the fuel. How to light a column? To resume the operation of the device, you need to re-enable it in the traditional way.
Parameters have changed critically
The lack of water usually happens in high-rise buildings – this situation happens during peak hours on the top floors. In private housing construction, there are also interruptions in water supply – due to a decrease in well productivity and malfunctions at water intake stations. Prevention of an emergency is provided by a water regulator that equalizes pressure and turns off the flame. The device goes into standby mode.
Breakdown
To troubleshoot, you need to know how a water heater works. It is in new water heaters that displays displaying error codes. And the owners of Tula columns have to focus on their sense of smell – is there a suspicious smell, indicating a leak of gaseous fuel. If there is a smell, the first thing to do is to turn off the device and shut off the gas pipeline valve – before entering it.
The main thing is not to do anything that can cause sparks to appear. It is forbidden:
- kindle a fire;
- turn on lights and electrical appliances.
Open windows and doors to let in fresh air. The gas-air mixture is explosive – one spark is enough to cause an explosion.
How to fix a leak?
The leak test is performed with soapy water. The most common place for leaks in Tula water heaters is a plug valve installed at the inlet. This happens due to the drying of the lubricant and leakage. To fix the problem, you need:
- turn off the gas and disassemble the valve;
- kerosene or other solvent removes the remnants of old grease;
- if there are scratches on the tap cone, they need to be sanded;
- generously apply grease;
- put the valve in place and tighten the threaded connection tightly;
How to check if the valve is securely tightened? Perform a control check – repeatedly turn the valve in a circle.
If the leak occurred at the joints of the pipes, you need to tighten the couplings and nuts harder.
What other breakdowns are there?
Common problems and how to fix them:
- Leak in the place of the eyeliner. Replace gaskets. Tighten nuts.
- Switching on occurs only when the pressure in the water pipes reaches 2 atm. Most likely, the matter is in the membranes of the water reducer. As they are used, they become less elastic and cease to perform their functions – they need to be replaced with new ones.
- The igniter flame turned yellow instead of purple. The gas filter at the inlet of the burner is probably dirty – it is made of metal wire. Need to clean it up. In general, the filter and wick are cleaned every six months. If this is not done in a timely manner, the thermocouple wears out intensively.
Reviews
There are practically no reviews as such about old water heaters, the time of their purchase was in the 90s. If information about rare Tula products appears on the network, then it is associated with advantages with questions – how to improve their work or how to find the right spare part. For example:
“Proton-3”: Efim D., Vereshchagino
My old water heater is connected to a water pipe with a flexible hose – a section of about 5 mm. If you want to take a bath, you need to wait half an hour, at least. While the water is being collected, it is already not very hot, it still has time to cool down. So I’m thinking – if 5 mm is changed to 10 – can I get more pressure from a hot tap?
“Proton M”: Ilya Ch., Verkhneuralsk
The creation of Tula masters from JSC with the amazing name “Vannadiytulachermet” I once bought in my Khrushchev. Moreover, the instructions said that it was assembled under a Japanese license, but for some reason from Eastern European components. Anyway. I connected it to the pipes with flexible pipes and started using hot water. True, this did not last long – soon the thrust sensor flew and the device stopped igniting. On the advice of the master, it was safely unscrewed – supposedly it breaks for everyone, but you can live without it. I lived a year without a sensor – everything is fine. But the turn of the electromagnetic valve came – it began to click and extinguish the wick. I had to wash with an assistant – one washes, the second sets fire to the wick if it goes out. In general, my torment lasted until I collected money and bought a Swedish Electrolux, which I advise you to do.
Geysers of the Tula plant are real “dinosaurs” of heating equipment. However, they continue to serve their owners, as they have a large margin of physical strength. Their main drawback is the inconsistency with the modern view of security. In the new generation products, the very possibility of an accident is excluded – a multi-level protection system is used. The manufacturing plant stopped producing irrelevant products a long time ago, and if you are offered such a device, think about the problems that it threatens you with.