UPONOR underfloor problems

[the vicar]

I have a Uponor under floor system which was installed in a new barn conversion just 3 years ago. It runs off the oil-fired boiler and covers 4 down-stair rooms. It has been working well up until 4 weeks ago. The Uponor control panel (C35) usually switches the system out of economy mode and into boost mode for 2.5 hours in the mornings and approx 6 hours during the evenings. It then switches back into economy for the rest of the night. However, just recently the system switches on, the pump starts for whichever zone is calling and after 10 mins switches itself off again, also leaving all the hard wired room thermostats without any power or their usual led lights. The only way to start the system again is to knock the power off for 5 mins at the main fuse board. It then fires the boiler again for 5-10 mins, then everything switches off again. Is this a common problem and maybe trouble with the control panel? Has anyone had a similar problem and if so can they please shed a bit of light on it as we are blinkin freezing!! Thank you.

 

[Gray0689]

I have a Uponor under floor system which was installed in a new barn conversion just 3 years ago. It runs off the oil-fired boiler and covers 4 down-stair rooms. It has been working well up until 4 weeks ago. The Uponor control panel (C35) usually switches the system out of economy mode and into boost mode for 2.5 hours in the mornings and approx 6 hours during the evenings. It then switches back into economy for the rest of the night. However, just recently the system switches on, the pump starts for whichever zone is calling and after 10 mins switches itself off again, also leaving all the hard wired room thermostats without any power or their usual led lights. The only way to start the system again is to knock the power off for 5 mins at the main fuse board. It then fires the boiler again for 5-10 mins, then everything switches off again. Is this a common problem and maybe trouble with the control panel? Has anyone had a similar problem and if so can they please shed a bit of light on it as we are blinkin freezing!! Thank you.

Sounds more like an electrical
Problem
Than plumbing one

 

[Ermintrude]

Sounds more like an electrical
Problem
Than plumbing one

It's possibly the controller. So get heating engineer or even better mfr own guys!

 

[EPH]

Could possibly be an overheat issue also.

Youll need an an engineer either way, you could try posting in the other forum looking for one or speak to Uponor as they have accredited installersyou could get one of those out.

 

[the vicar]

Thank you all for your help and apologies if I have used the wrong forum. I too thought it could be an overheat problem, until it stopped switching on first thing in the mornings and I consequently have to go through the whole procedure of turning off at the mains all over again. I suppose a phone call to Uponor would be the next sensible move. Again thank you all. Anyone know a helpful UPONOR installer?

 

[paulskeff]

I have exactly the same problem - I know this was a year ago, but did you resolve this?

 

[paulskeff]

Was there ever a resolution to this problem?
I have exactly the same problem and it looks like the C35 control unit is at fault. It would be great if the OP could update!!
I know its a year old, but here's hoping .....

 

[Dotty]

Doubt that the op would ever come back.

Ring uponor as suggested above.

 

[SimonG]

Depends how old the system is. Uponor had a batch of dodgy relays in their controllers a couple of years back.

 

[the vicar]

Was there ever a resolution to this problem?
I have exactly the same problem and it looks like the C35 control unit is at fault. It would be great if the OP could update!!
I know its a year old, but here's hoping .....

Hi Paul and other forum members,
My apologies for not updating the thread. Yes this problem was resolved, but with little help from Uponor.
They admitted they were aware of a problem with their controllers, but refused to replace it as it was over 2 years old.
£125 later, a new controller arrived and within a couple of hours it was fitted and all is well again. I did the job myself and to avoid wiring mistakes, I photographed each stage.
It has now been running fine since the initial post.
My advice is to replace that controller asap to avoid the stress and frustration I experienced.
Good luck!

 

[paulskeff]

Hi Paul and other forum members,
My apologies for not updating the thread. Yes this problem was resolved, but with little help from Uponor.
They admitted they were aware of a problem with their controllers, but refused to replace it as it was over 2 years old.
£125 later, a new controller arrived and within a couple of hours it was fitted and all is well again. I did the job myself and to avoid wiring mistakes, I photographed each stage.
It has now been running fine since the initial post.
My advice is to replace that controller asap to avoid the stress and frustration I experienced.
Good luck!

Thanks for that - same thing here.
£160 later, got a new C35 controller from Uponor directly and all is well. Evidently an overheat issue with their PCBs.

 

[Andrei]

:angry_smile:I have had three Uponor C-35 die, between 5 and 7 years from when they were installed end 2007 - we have one one on each floor. I also found a Swedish website where people were complaining about similar problems with the C-35 and saying it may be related to a defective PWM controller ICE3B2565. It is possible that Uponor have resolved the issue in the meantime, as the [newer] replacement units I bought all have a red dot sticker next to the model label. In any event, it would have been only fair for Uponor to offer free replacements to the defective units, but when I contacted them they instead argued that my units were out of warranty [although they know full well they sold defective goods]. Dodgy company.

 

[SimonG]

The defective units died within a few months of installation. 5 to 7 years? No chance.

 

[Dotty]

"And in compensation I want the moon on a stick!"

I do love people with unrealistic expectations.