What batteries are needed for a geyser: how to choose and replace batteries in a power supply

Batteries and power supply for gas column

Water heaters with electronic ignition are convenient and practical to use in case of frequent power outages. And if you are tired of monitoring the condition of the batteries, changing them, then the best solution would be to replace the batteries for the gas water heater with power from a stationary electrical network.

Batteries in the geyser are necessary for ignition - they create a spark at the moment the adjusting ring or valve is turned.

How long do batteries last and reasons for frequent changes

A charge of high-quality D-type batteries is sufficient for a year of operation. However, due to the variation in the characteristics of batteries, their service life varies from a year to 2-3 weeks.

In addition to the quality of the batteries, the duration of operation is influenced by such factors:

• high room humidity;
• incorrect placement of the ionization sensor;
• its pollution;
• incorrect distance between the igniter and the ignition electrodes;
• contaminated ignition electrodes;
• malfunctions in the control system;
• solenoid contamination.

How to replace the battery

In a geyser, the source of electricity is located in a special compartment located in an easily accessible place. Taking into account the design and functional features of the water heater, this is its lower part.

To gain access to the batteries, you must remove the cover held by the latch.

To replace old batteries, you need to open the battery box at the bottom of the geyser and change the cells to new ones.

The compartment contains 2 batteries held by latches. Having remembered the polarity of each, we press on the latch, and the battery slides out under its own weight.

Similarly, another power source is removed. New ones are inserted and fixed with respect to polarity. The lid closes. The geyser is ready to work.

In some models, a successful replacement ends with a light or sound signal.

The correct polarity of the connection may be indicated on the speaker body or opening cover. Insert new elements in exactly the same way as the previous ones

Is it possible to transfer the column to the power supply

In the case of intensive use of the geyser, the batteries are quickly discharged and require replacement. With a stable power supply, you can transfer the water heater to work from the mains.

To transfer the column to work from the power supply, you can buy a ready-made device. You will only have to connect it instead of batteries. It is possible to independently carry out such a translation. To do this, you must purchase:

• power supply unit with an input voltage of 220 V and 3 V at the output, output current up to 0.5-1 A;
• two pairs of connectors;
• wires.

We take out the batteries. We attach the wires to the compartment terminals and note their polarity. It is advisable to use multi-colored wires - red and blue or black.

Using a multimeter, we determine the polarity of the wires from the power supply and, using connectors, connect them to the wires of the corresponding polarity from the geyser. Isolate the conductive parts of the connection. The device is ready to work.

Instructions for replacing old batteries

Batteries are located in an easily accessible place, often at the bottom of the case, and are easily removed.

Drawers are opened by pressing on their wall.

In compartments that close with latches, batteries are often installed vertically. The batteries are held by a special latch, so that when the box is opened, they do not fall out of the box.

Depending on the design features of the speakers, the batteries can be located vertically, as well as horizontally, for example, in the Neva column model

Replacing worn-out batteries in a geyser takes place in several successive stages:

1. It is necessary to turn off the gas and water supply to the column.
2. Carefully open the battery compartment by pressing on its wall or bending the locking latches.
3. Remove old batteries.
4. Install new batteries, observing polarity.
5. Put the box back in place (or close the lid). Correct installation is characterized by a characteristic click.
6. Restore water and gas supply.

In order to significantly save money on replacing batteries and not spend money on buying expensive batteries, the gas water heater can be upgraded on its own. After installing the adapter for a household geyser, instead of batteries, ignition will be carried out by current from the network.

But this procedure has two disadvantages:

• in case of power failures, hot water will be absent;
• such "tuning" can deprive the right to free warranty service of the water heater.

If the owner does not have experience in connecting a power supply for a household geyser or other equipment, it is better to entrust this procedure to a professional.

When doing work, do not forget about aesthetics. Some homemade designs still look a little clumsy

For independent alteration of the column, you will need an adapter that matches the parameters of the water heater. Since the batteries produce a total voltage of 3 V, you need a unit with a similar output voltage. The operating voltage in the network is 220 V, the adapter must have a similar input.

To reconnect, you need to take a number of steps:

1. Get access to the speaker power box and disconnect the wiring from it. For your own convenience, the connectors can be photographed or marked in any way, indicating their polarity.
2. Cut off the plug from the purchased power supply, separate its wires and carefully solder with the purchased connectors, observing the polarity.To determine the polarity, you can use a multimeter: positive readings of the device in the voltage measurement mode indicate the polarity of the wires.
3. Connect the prepared wires to the column.
4. Connect the adapter to the mains and test run the instantaneous water heater.

If the connection is made correctly, the geyser will work properly, maintaining the required water temperature. After a test run, you can hide the wires in the case.

To avoid malfunctions due to current fluctuations in the network, it is appropriate to add a stabilizer to the design. The device will save the column from power surges.

Why do batteries lose their charge quickly?

If high-quality and expensive batteries or accumulators quickly lose their charge, it's time to diagnose the geyser. There are a number of common reasons why batteries end up in the trash instead of working out their intended life. The following factors contribute to rapid wear.

Reason #1 - Excessive humidity in the room

Moisture and evaporation gradually settle on the parts of the gas water heater. Oxidation processes are launched, which leads to corrosion of contacts.

The main sign of such damage is the strong heating of the batteries during operation.

The photo shows the batteries for the column. They oxidized and began to rust. If oxidation has already damaged the contacts, they must be carefully cleaned

To prevent such a situation (oxidation of contacts), it is necessary to carefully consider the ventilation system in the room, regularly ventilate the room.

Reason # 2 - incorrect operation of the ionization sensor

This sensor is responsible for the flame generated in the burner. If the sensor is physically moved to the side, it "does not see" the flame and gives a signal, and the solenoid valve stops the gas supply. Batteries over and over again need to give energy for ignition. Therefore, it is worth checking the converter and correcting its position.

We have provided more information about the flame sensor, its features and varieties, as well as other important gas equipment sensors in the next publication.

The sensor is also prone to contamination, because soot can settle on it. Cleansing will restore his sensitivity

Reason #3 - Displacement of the ignition electrode

When the system is started and gas is introduced, a spark should be generated in a fraction of a second.

However, the ignition electrode can also deviate from the intended location in the structure. If ignition takes a relatively long time, it is worth moving the electrode closer to the burner.

The gap between the burner and the ignition electrode must be approx. 5 mm

Reason #4 - Faulty Control Unit

An electronic module that is powered by batteries can also cause the battery to drain quickly. Due to minor malfunctions, the unit often spends more energy on its work.

Therefore, it is worth inspecting the control unit for visual defects and burns after first disconnecting the wires leading to it

Some of the diagnostic measures can be carried out independently by shutting off the gas and water supply.

But it is important to remember that the geyser is a serious and rather dangerous equipment. Therefore, it is better to entrust the repair and routine inspection of equipment to a professional master.

If there is a guarantee, it is not worth opening the case at all, as this may deprive the water heater of free maintenance.

Power supply for the geyser - batteries and power supply

Automatic flow boilers using gas have a main burner ignition system that requires electricity to operate. Power is supplied in several ways. The power supply and batteries for the geyser are used in most models of water heaters. Less often you can find equipment that uses a hydrogenerator to produce a spark.

What batteries are needed for a gas column

The owners of flowing gas water heating equipment will have to periodically face the need to replace batteries. Practice shows that the correct selection of the type of battery reduces costs. In addition, the battery life of the speakers is increased.

There are several types of batteries:

Alkaline batteries (LR20 D) are traditional batteries. Differ in low cost. Battery size large "barrel" type D

When purchasing, you should pay attention to the quality of products. Battery life is directly related to its cost.

The element is single-charged, the average duration of operation is 6 months.
Geyser batteries (NiMH HR20/D) - the main advantage: the ability to reuse the elements after additional recharging. Charger sold separately. Nickel-metal hydride batteries are suitable for speakers. The total duration of work, subject to proper operation, is 5-6 years without the need for replacement.

Alkaline batteries
Type / IEC	ANSI/NEDA No.	DURACELL	EVEREADY	KODAK	PANASONIC	RAYOVAC	TOSHIBA	VARTA	Other
LR03	24A (AAA / MICRO)	MN2400	E92	K3A	AM4	824	LR03N	4003
LR6	15A (AA/MIGNON)	MN1500	E91	KAA	AM3	815	LR6N	4006	BA3058/U
LR14	14A (C / BABY)	MN1400	E93	KC	AM2	814	LR14N	4014	BA3042/U
LR20	13A (D/MONO)	MN1300	E95	KD	AM1	813	LR20N	4020	BA3030/U
6LR61	1604A (9V/BLOCK)	MN1604	522	K9V	6AM6 A	1604	6LF22	4022	BA3090/U
Batteries
Type of	EVEREADY	NEDA	Other
NiMH-AAA (MICRO)	NH12	1.2H1	HR03
NiMH-AA (MIGNON)	NH15	1.2H2	HR6
NiMH-C (BABY)	NH35	1.2H3	HR14
NiMH-D (MONO)	NH50	1.2H4	HR20

Battery designations
American name	Name GOST	common name
1.	A (A23)	—	—
2.	AA	Item 316	AA battery or 2A battery
3.	AAA	Element 286	"little finger" battery or "three A" battery
4.	AAAA	—	"four A"
5.	C	Element 343	C - battery, "inch", "eska"
6.	D	Element 373	D - battery, large, "barrel"
7.	—	Item 3336	"square", "flat"
8.	PP3	Crown	"crown"
Dimensions, capacity and marking of batteries
Dimensions, mm	Voltage, V	Rated capacity*, Ah	Battery markings from various companies
GOST	IEC	Varta	Other
33x60.3	1,5	14,3	A373	LR20	4920	D, XL
25.4x49.5	1,5	8,0	A343	LR14	4914	C, L
14.5x50.5	1,5	3,1	A316	LR6	4906	AA, M
10.5x44.5	1,5	1,35	A286	LR03	4903	AAA,S
25.5x16.5x47.5	9,0	0,6	Corundum	6LR61	4922	E, 9V

The choice of batteries is also determined by their cost. Standard lithium cells will cost 80-100 rubles / piece. Batteries will cost at least 300-500 rubles / piece.

How to change the batteries in the column

In flowing gas boilers, a special place is provided for batteries. Usually this is a plastic container located at the bottom of the case. There is a hinged cover with a lock-lock. Insert batteries into the column after turning it off. To this end:

open the lid;
carefully pull out the kegs, slightly bending the plastic clips;
put new batteries, observing the polarity +/-;
close the lid and do a test run.

To extend the life of the batteries, if you do not plan to use the speaker, you can turn it off using a special switch at the bottom of the case. The button disconnects the ignition unit from the batteries.

How to light a gas column without batteries

The method should be used with extreme caution. If the batteries suddenly run out, and you need to: take a shower, wash the dishes, etc., you can do the following:

• open the hot water tap;
• bring a fireplace match to the main burner.

If special additional protection is not installed in the water heater, this should work, the column will start and work. For safety reasons, it's better not to do this!

Power supply for gas column instead of batteries

A solution that is popular due to its low one-time investment and the ability to completely eliminate the use of individual batteries. You can replace batteries in gas water heaters with a power supply or adapter.

The essence of the device is simple. Electricity is taken from a household outlet, converted into a constant voltage of the required power and then fed into the ignition unit.

{banner_downtext}The power supply for gas water heaters has several advantages:

Using a power supply instead of batteries

In order to significantly save money on replacing batteries and not spend money on buying expensive batteries, the gas water heater can be upgraded on its own. After installing the adapter for a household geyser, instead of batteries, ignition will be carried out by current from the network.

But this procedure has two disadvantages:

• in case of power failures, hot water will be absent;
• such "tuning" can deprive the right to free warranty service of the water heater.

If the owner does not have experience in connecting a power supply for a household geyser or other equipment, it is better to entrust this procedure to a professional.

When doing work, do not forget about aesthetics. Some homemade designs still look a little clumsy

For independent alteration of the column, you will need an adapter that matches the parameters of the water heater. Since the batteries produce a total voltage of 3 V, you need a unit with a similar output voltage. The operating voltage in the network is 220 V, the adapter must have a similar input.

The marking of a suitable device will contain the following designations - 220V / 3V / 500 mA. Additionally, you need to buy connectors of the "mother-father" type.

To reconnect, you need to take a number of steps:

1. Get access to the speaker power box and disconnect the wiring from it. For your own convenience, the connectors can be photographed or marked in any way, indicating their polarity.
2. Cut off the plug from the purchased power supply, separate its wires and carefully solder with the purchased connectors, observing the polarity. To determine the polarity, you can use a multimeter: positive readings of the device in the voltage measurement mode indicate the polarity of the wires.
3. Connect the prepared wires to the column.
4. Connect the adapter to the mains and test run the instantaneous water heater.

If the connection is made correctly, the geyser will work properly, maintaining the required water temperature. After a test run, you can hide the wires in the case.

To avoid malfunctions due to current fluctuations in the network, it is appropriate to add a stabilizer to the design. The device will save the column from power surges.

Safety sensors and their meaning

A geyser can be dangerous, because it is connected simultaneously with water and gas mains, each of which individually can pose a threat.

In case of problems with the supply of gas or water, safety sensors turn off the operation of the column, and special valves will shut off the supply of water or gas.

Typically, gas water heaters can withstand pressure up to 10-12 bar, which is 20-50 times higher than normal pipe pressure. Such sharp jumps are possible with so-called hydraulic shocks.

But if the pressure is lower than 0.1-0.2 bar, then the column will not be able to work. You need to carefully study the instructions and specifications before buying in order to understand whether the column is optimized for low water pressure in the pipes of the CIS countries and whether it will work properly. And vice versa - will it withstand sudden pressure drops, which, alas, is also not uncommon in our conditions.

Scheme of ignition of a burner operating on an electric spark. Locations of the main safety sensors for a household gas column

In general, a modern gas water heater contains many security sensors. All of them, in case of breakage, can be replaced.

More details about the purpose and location of the sensors are in the table below.

Sensor name	Location and purpose of the sensor
Chimney draft sensor	It is located at the top of the device that connects the column to the chimney. Disables column in the absence of traction in the chimney
gas valve	It is located in the gas supply pipe. Turns off the column when the gas pressure drops
Ionization sensor	Located in the camera of the device. Turns off the device if the flame goes out while the gas is on.
Flame sensor	Located in the camera of the device. Shuts off the gas if the flame does not appear after ignition
Relief valve	Located on the water inlet. Shuts off water at increased pressure in the pipeline
flow sensor	Will turn off the column if water stops flowing from the tap or if the water supply is turned off
temperature sensor	Located on the pipes of the heat exchanger. Blocks the operation of the burner in case of significant overheating of the water to avoid damage and burns (mainly works at + 85ºС and above)
Low pressure sensor	It will not allow the column to turn on at reduced water pressure in the pipes.

Features of batteries for the speaker and the nuances of choice

The work of modern models of speakers is tied to electricity. Power, thanks to the spark produced, provides ignition of the flame necessary for heating water, and also guarantees the operation of the display, which displays the current temperature and other information.

It is noteworthy that the ignition in the very first gas water heaters was carried out manually by a rather dangerous method - with the help of matches. Subsequent modifications of water heaters were equipped with a more ergonomic piezoelectric element, batteries or a hydrogenerator. There are also models of speakers with ignition from the network.

Now columns with ignition from batteries are most in demand. Analogue models with a hydrogenerator that replaces batteries are much less in demand. The rating of the best geysers, popular among buyers, we have given in this article.

Significant disadvantages of columns with a hydrogenerator:

• the cost of such equipment exceeds the price of battery-powered speakers;
• the generator mechanism and blades are extremely sensitive and often suffer from poor water quality, so they require regular cleaning;
• the pressure in the plumbing may not be sufficient to generate a strong spark.

Ignition of a geyser on batteries is quite simple. So, in a column with an igniter, the process goes like this: a small amount of gas is supplied to the igniter, and then it is ignited using an electric pulse generated by batteries. The ionization sensor detects the presence of a flame and only after that gas is supplied to the main burner, where a smooth ignition from the igniter is carried out.

At a direct ignition column, gas is immediately supplied to the burner, which is ignited by an electrical impulse created by the batteries.

The need to replace the batteries in the geyser may be indicated by the popular “symptom” of incorrect operation of the equipment: the water heater starts idly several times in a row, making sounds characteristic of ignition. Some models are equipped with an indicator that indicates the wear of the batteries.

What kind of batteries are used in speakers?

For the full operation of the gas column, power sources with a total voltage of 3 volts are required. Therefore, batteries for a water heater stand out against the background of more familiar finger and mini-finger modifications. These are thicker "barrels" of class D, delivering a voltage of 1.5 V each.

In fact, there are two types of batteries on the market: D-LR20 and D-R20. They differ from each other in price and “stuffing”: there may be salt or alkali inside the battery.

Salt batteries D-R20 are confidently losing ground, which is more of a plus than a minus. Cheaper power supplies are notorious for extremely fast discharge rates. Therefore, even a low attractive price does not make the purchase of the D-R20 worthwhile.

Alkaline D-LR20 alkaline batteries are more expensive, but do not require such frequent replacement, working properly for up to six months. A salt power source will last a couple of weeks at best.

To save as much money as possible on routine battery replacement, it is worth purchasing rechargeable batteries. Do not throw away used batteries and accumulators with household waste, as power supplies require special disposal.

For geysers, nickel-metal hydride versions of batteries are best suited - NiMH D / HR20. However, before installing, you should make sure that the voltage in each battery is 1.5 V.

Subject to operating standards, such batteries will last 5-6 years, gradually losing their capacity in volume. But it is worth remembering that the battery charger will have to be purchased separately.

The subtleties of choosing power sources

The most win-win option not to make a mistake in choosing a product is to go to a store with old batteries and buy batteries of similar parameters.

Is it possible to transfer the column to the power supply

Instead of a chemical DC source, you can install a power supply. The disadvantages of this solution are the inability to ignite the column when the power supply is turned off and the removal of the gas heater from warranty service.Consideration should be given to the possibility of supplying an increased voltage to the power circuit (due to a breakdown of the transformer or rectifier), which will lead to the failure of the electronic module responsible for igniting the gas burner.

For switching, a ready-made power adapter is used, designed to be connected to a 220 V household network. The output voltage is selected according to the model of gas equipment, the most common speakers are designed for a voltage of 3 V. To ensure reliable operation, it is recommended to use an adapter that provides current in the external circuit at the level of 500 mA.

The plug is cut off from the power supply, extension cords from a flexible stranded wire are soldered to the cables. It is recommended to use copper cables that have a longer service life. The joints are protected with an insulating tape or a special tube that envelops the joint when heated by the flame of a gas lighter.

Batteries are removed from the standard unit, the ends of the wires are soldered to the contact plugs. The connection is made in accordance with the polarity, a multimeter is used to determine the plus and minus.

It is allowed to disconnect standard wires from the battery pack. The ends of the cables are brought out through regular or additional holes, and then connected to the output of the power supply. The transformer is connected to the alternating current network, a test run of the equipment is carried out.

The development of electronics has led to the automation of many systems and mechanisms. The control of various systems often requires a constant power supply, and where a large current is not required, conventional batteries can be successfully used.In modern water-heating devices, for example, in the Neva gas column, chemical batteries are also installed. In such gas appliances, an electric current is needed to generate a spark.