The Proton gas column is a product of the Tula Vanadium-Tulachermet plant. Their release was established for eight years - 1990-1998. These domestic appliances are durable and reliable - many of them still safely heat water for the domestic needs of their owners.
About company
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?
For eight years of production of gas water heaters, the Tula enterprise produced five series “PROTON 1, 1M, 2, 3, 4. Without having developed their resource over the years of operation, these devices need to be replaced by parts and assemblies, and repaired and serviced. These columns can only be bought used, but spare parts are still available now, 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 assembly and much more.
In order to increase the efficiency and durability of its columns, the Tula manufacturer 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
• Tap water is supplied inside the heat exchanger (or deep water from the well). Its pressure should be at the level of 2-2.5 kg / cm².
• Water, heated to a 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 device malfunction or a critical decrease in fuel pressure.
• Gas is directed to the gearbox, reducing its pressure to normal. Then he finds himself in a central burner, which ignites ignition devices.
• Turning on starts by pressing a button - it is held for several seconds.
• Then gas is supplied to the igniter and to the auxiliary burner device.
• Switching on is carried out by piezo ignition connected to a candle.
• When the button is pressed, a spark jumps through, igniting the auxiliary burner devices.
• 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 in between the candle and the body, igniting the auxiliary burners.
• After a few seconds, an EMF appears at the ends of the thermocouple, which keeps the gas valve open.
• If you press the second “Open” button, the gas is directed to the main burner.
• A stable temperature of the heated water is provided by the water reducer. 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. In the modification "Proton 1M-1" there is 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 is turned off - this is a switch, the device goes into "Standby" mode - there is a flame only in the igniter.
• To turn off the standby mode and put the device into working condition, you just need to turn the DHW valve.
Overview of Tula columns
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. Differ in less cost. The price reduction was achieved by simplifying the design of the gas-water unit. There are no gearboxes - therefore there is no stability of parameters. A thermometer is also not provided. On the facade there is a push-button piezo-ignition lever and a mechanical regulator.
The device can operate at low pressure in water pipes - this fact is important for consumers without centralized water supply. The minimum is set by the adjusting screw located directly on the water gear.
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 hot water taps are open. This situation causes fuel to accumulate in the column - if piezoelectric ignition is later turned on, it can explode.
Proton 3
Their power is 17 kW. They weigh 15 kg and heat 5 l of water every minute. Functional and electrical diagrams, as well as protection systems, are similar to previous models. But when comparing with the 1M modification, the third model has several disadvantages:
- Holding the button lever increased tenfold - you have to keep it for half a minute.
- There is no gas reducer - you cannot track how the pressure in the gas pipeline changes. The result - it is not possible to stabilize the heating in hot water, the owners of such a column are difficult to wash with comfort.
- Button levers are not strong enough and tend to break.
Plus - low price with a fairly reliable automatic protection.
Possible accidents
Flicker igniter
The fire may go out due to:
- lack of fuel;
- blowing fire by the wind;
- thermocouple faults.
If the thermocouple does not heat up, the voltage level at the ends is zero, this closes the path for the fuel. The solution to the problem depends on the cause that caused it.
Missing traction
A decrease in the outflow of heated gas is observed. The temperature of the coolant rises - when it reaches 90 degrees, the thermostat breaks the electrical circuit, and without voltage the device turns off. The reasons for this situation:
- The chimney is clogged - he needs cleaning.
- Any damage has occurred - do-it-yourself repairs will be needed.
Water is missing
The tightness of the heat exchanger is broken. It heats up quickly. When the temperature rises above 130 ° C, the thermostat fuse melts - the electric circuit breaks, there is no voltage - everything goes out.
Gas is missing
Such a 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 operation of the device, you need to re-enable it in the traditional way.
Parameters critically changed
Lack of water usually happens in high-rise buildings - this situation happens during peak hours on the upper floors. In private housing construction, there are also interruptions in water - due to reduced productivity of wells and malfunctions at water intake stations. Emergency prevention is provided by a water regulator that balances the pressure and turns off the flame. The device switches to standby mode.
Breakage
To troubleshoot you need to know how the water heater is designed. This is the new water heater uses displays that display error codes. And the owners of Tula speakers have to rely on their sense of smell - is there a suspicious smell that indicates the leakage of gaseous fuel. If there is a smell, the first thing to do is turn off the device and close the gas pipeline valve - before entering it.
The main thing is not to do anything that can cause sparks. It is impossible:
- to kindle fire;
- turn on the lights and electrical appliances.
It is necessary to 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?
Check for leaks with soapy water. The most frequent leak point in Tula water heaters is a plug valve installed at the inlet. This is due to the drying of the lubricant and a violation of the tightness. To fix the problem, you need to:
- shut off the gas and disassemble the tap;
- with kerosene or other solvent remove the remnants of the old grease;
- if there are scratches on the cone of the crane - they need to be sanded;
- generously apply grease;
- put in place the tap and tighten the screw connection;
How to check whether the crane is tightened securely? Perform a verification check - repeatedly turn the valve in a circle.
If a leak occurs at the pipe joints, tighten the couplings and nuts as much as possible.
What kind of breakdowns are there?
Common problems and solutions:
- Leaking in the place of eyeliner. Replace gaskets. Tighten the nuts.
- Switching on occurs only when the pressure in the water pipes reaches 2 atm. Most likely, the case is in the membranes of a water reducer. As they operate, they become less elastic and cease to fulfill their functions - they need to be replaced with new ones.
- The igniter flame turned yellow, not purple. The gas filter at the inlet of the burner is probably contaminated - it is made of metal wire. Need to clean it. In general, the filter and wick are cleaned every six months. If this is not done in a timely manner, the thermocouple wears out heavily.
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 performance or how to find the right spare part. For example:
"Proton-3": Efim D., Vereshchagino
My old water heater is connected to the water pipe with a flexible hose - approximately 5 mm cross-section. If you want to get a bath, you need to wait half an hour, no less. While the water is gathering, it is already not very hot, still manages to cool down. So I think - if I change 5 mm to 10 - can I get more pressure from a hot tap?
Proton M: Ilya Ch., Verkhneuralsk
I once bought the creation of Tula masters from an OAO with the amazing name “Vannadiytulachermet” in my Khrushchev. Moreover, the instructions said - assembled under a Japanese license, but for some reason from Eastern European components. Anyway. I connected it to the pipes with flexible eyeliners and started using hot water. True, this did not last long - soon the traction sensor flew and the device stopped igniting. On the advice of the master, he was safely unscrewed - supposedly he 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 - he 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 raised money and bought a Swedish Electrolux, which I advise you.
Geysers of the Tula plant are real “dinosaurs” of heating equipment. However, they continue to serve their owners, as they have a large supply of physical strength. Their main drawback is the inconsistency with the modern view of security. The possibility of an accident is eliminated in the products of the new generation - a multi-level protection system is used. The manufacturer has long stopped producing irrelevant products, and if you are offered such a device, think about the problems that it faces you.