Hi

I moved into my present house several years ago and found that the central
heating system is provided by a Potterton Housewarmer 55 Back Boiler, with
a Potterton Stratton Inset Gas Fire at the front.

Ever since I have lived here I have had a constant problem with the
backboiler. Once a day (almost every day) at some stage the boiler goes to
lockout and the red indicator is illuminated on the side of the gas fire. I
press the reset button and the fire comes on, and usually continues okay
for the rest of the day. Sometimes it goes off more than once a day.

The problem is, if we are away from home, the heating will remain off until
we return, and this can be a danger in very cold conditions.

I have had British Gas engineers in to look at the boiler on numerous
occassions and they fiddle about with it but the problem always returns.
They really seem to know what is causing the problem.

Tom, December 2008

have a look at the pilot light on the boiler, there is a small hole just under the bracket, ensure this is not blocked

jon boy, December 2009

Unfortunately these are a nightmare.I used to work for British Gas and these were that much trouble that they took them off their service list.The circuit boards on them can cost over £250.Whoever thought of putting a massive circuit board close to both heat and water behind the fire must have been mad.All you need is for either a water leak or the back boiler to soot up and you are in trouble.You will always struggle to get anyone to touch it because of the potential problems and cost of repairing it.Once a circuit board has been taken out of packaging suppliers dont allow them to be returned,so you cant afford to guess at the problem.I dont know if British Gas have changed their stance on these since i left,but try and get on their 3 star plan if you can.That way they can throw parts at it till they get to the root problem

Tony S, December 2008