Despite the fact that today housing and communal services networks are being modernized everywhere, the quality of the services they provide remains at a low level. This is especially true for hot water supply. To solve this problem once and for all, you should purchase a gas water heater. However, you first need to decide which model is best for you.
Modern manufacturers offer the mentioned devices in a wide range. They have certain operational and technical characteristics. Columns can be classified into flow-through and storage. As for the former, they are smaller in size, which allows them to be installed even in a small room. Storage gas water heaters can hold from 50 to 500 liters of water.
The design of the container has effective thermal insulation, which allows you to maintain a high water temperature for a long time, which helps save energy resources. If you still can’t decide which geyser to choose, then you can pay attention to equipment under the Astra brand, which will be discussed below. Such devices are good not only because they are manufactured in Russia, which means they have an acceptable cost, but also because they are maintainable. This indicates that in the event of a malfunction, you can figure it out yourself.
Reviews of Astra brand geysers
If you want to save twice as much, you should purchase a domestically produced water heater. These are precisely the Astra geysers. Consumers choose them for their affordable price, but this advantage cannot be called the only one. The units operate on liquefied and natural gas. Buyers also like the high level of security that the manufacturer has taken care of. After all, if the pilot burner goes out, the supply of water for heating will stop, this also applies to the automatic supply of gas.
Such water heaters act as the optimal solution for domestic use. Buyers also like the ease of operation and maintenance. You won't have to spend money on this. The appearance of the structure is attractive, the body has a modern and stylish design. Any geyser from the manufacturer can fit into the interior of the room. Astra geysers, according to buyers, are offered for sale in a wide range. That is why you can choose the most optimal option that will meet the requirements and preferences of the consumer.
Technical characteristics of VPG 8910-00.02
If you are interested in Astra geysers, then you should consider several models at once so that you have the opportunity to make the right choice. Among others, the VPG 8910-00.02 model, which is manufactured in Russia, is presented on the market. Its power can reach 21 kW. The design is equipped with an open combustion chamber and manual ignition.
The hot water supply capacity is 12 l/min. The supplied water can have a temperature that varies from 35 to 60 °C. During operation, the column consumes natural gas in a volume equal to 2.3 m3/h. The maximum water pressure can be 6 bar. The lowest operating water pressure is equivalent to 0.5 bar.
Gas connection is carried out using communications that have the following parameters: 3/4 inch. Hot and cold water connections are made using pipes with a diameter of 1/2 inch. The chimney diameter reaches 120 mm. If you are considering Astra geysers, then you should definitely be interested in their dimensions. As for the model described in the section, its dimensions are 700x372x230 mm. The equipment weighs 15 kg.
Peculiarities
JSC PKO "Heat Exchanger", which produces geysers "Astra", has existed for more than 50 years. Perhaps our grandparents also used his products. True, then this company was called differently.
The Astra column is designed to work with hot water supply. Only gas is used as fuel.
The design of such a column is quite simple and includes several components. The main part – a rectangular body – is mounted on the wall. On the front panel there are windows for ignition and combustion control, a power button, and gas supply adjustment knobs. At the bottom there are gas, hot and cold water supply fittings, and at the top there is a chimney outlet.
All main components are located inside the case and secured to the rear panel. It also has mounting holes. The combustion chamber is made of high-quality refractory material with a long service life. Laconic execution is an advantage in the model market and provides the manufacturer with high demand for its products.
The principle of operation is as follows: in order for gas to enter the gas block and the igniter, you must turn the ignition burner knob to the left and turn on the device by pressing the button - the burner will turn on sequentially. The hot water outlet temperature is set by the position of the control knobs. By turning from right to left, the gas supply increases, thereby increasing the water temperature, and from left to right, on the contrary, it decreases.
Based on functionality, the components of the column are conventionally divided into water and gas parts. On the market you can purchase repair kits and spare parts for each unit separately, as well as the entire unit.
The technical characteristics of Astra speakers make it easy to compete with other manufacturers. The main advantage is the power of the device: for some models it is equal to or even exceeds 20 kW. A large combustion chamber and relatively low gas consumption distinguishes this brand.
Of course, each model has its own nuances in characteristics, but general values can be derived. For example, the hot water supply is approximately 10-12 l/min, the outlet water temperature range is 35-60 degrees, the operating pressure range is 0.5-6 bar.
The manufacturer also thought about the safety of its products. If the burner goes out, the water supply will stop.
Any model comes with a passport and instruction manual, which sets out in detail the rules of operation and safe operation, and also includes a schematic diagram of the device.
Currently, there are many geysers on the market with unusual colors. Consumers sometimes make the mistake of choosing color over technical characteristics. The Astra geyser does not strive to stand out due to its appearance, but relies on performance and has its own model range.
Model 8910-00.02
has high power - up to 21 kW and a productivity of 12 l/min. Dimensions – 700x372x230 mm. The chimney has a diameter of 120 mm. Gas consumption per hour is 2.3 cubic meters. m. Ignition occurs manually.
Open combustion chamber. It is easy to check the traction. The gas pipe for connection has a cross-section of 3⁄4 inches, the water pipes have a cross-section of 1⁄2 inches. The weight of the device is 15 kg.
Model 8910-08.02
has slightly lower power (up to 18 kW) and productivity (10 l/min). However, fuel consumption is also lower - 2 cubic meters. m/h. The weight of the unit is 14.7 kg. Otherwise, the device is very similar to the previous model. Ignition is also done manually
Model 8910-15
It has one fundamental difference - this system has electronic ignition of the burner, which is very convenient. Now there is no need to worry about having matches.
The power of the unit reaches 20 kW, productivity – 10 liters of hot water per minute. Gas consumption is 2 cubic meters. m/h. Speaker weight – 13.9 kg. The chimney diameter is 135 mm.
Model 8910-16
It is also equipped with an electronic automatic burner ignition system. This automatic device is a record holder for power (up to 24 kW). The unit heats water at a speed of 12 liters per minute. Gas consumption – 2.3 cubic meters. m/hour. The weight of the device is 14.7 kg.
It is worth noting that spare parts for Astra speakers can be easily found at reasonable prices.
Technical characteristics of the column brand VPG 8910-08.02
In order to make the right choice, you need to consider several models. Among others, the VPG 8910-08.02 variant is presented on the market, the power of which reaches 18 kW. The design has an open combustion chamber and manual ignition. The productivity of this model is slightly less and is 10 l/min. The temperature of the supplied water remains at the same level, but the fuel consumption will be slightly lower and amount to 2 m3/h. The minimum and maximum operating water pressure remains the same. The connection is made with the same parameters. The diameter of the chimney remains the same. The design body has identical parameters.
Technical characteristics of the geyser brand VPG 8910-16
The power of this equipment reaches 21 kW. Electric ignition is carried out from batteries. The hot water output is slightly higher, it is 12 l/min. Natural gas consumption remains the same as the first of the models described above, this parameter reaches 2.3 m3/h. The chimney diameter is 135 mm. The equipment weighs 15 kg.
Main characteristics
Geysers of the Astra series are distinguished by their simplicity of design and reasonable price.
They are produced in Russia. The company has established itself on the market on the positive side. Geysers are installed to heat water. To set up the unit after purchase, just read the instructions. The speakers in this series have large
combustion chambers. Natural gas consumption will depend on the model of the device. Overall it is moderate.
The thrust and pressure of the column can be adjusted. The highest temperature is 60°-65°C. The thermostat is located at the bottom.
The regulator is located under the central fitting. Combustion products are removed regularly.
The unit is safe to use.
Why should you choose Astra geysers: reviews
Among the main advantages of the equipment described in the article, consumers highlight:
- lack of unnecessary functionality;
- reliability;
- the ability to easily configure the operation of the equipment;
- high productivity;
- simple device;
- ease of use.
The equipment, according to consumers, is repairable. All spare parts can be found in service workshops. And the column itself is quite cheap. Buyers especially like large combustion chambers, so the power of some models reaches 20 kW.
The traction control of the 8910 model is carried out independently. The thermostat in this version is located below. The smoke exhaust path is quite wide, but the column regulator is located under the central fitting. The frame of the structure, according to property owners who purchased such equipment for themselves, is very durable, so it can withstand any load.
The power supply has a protection system. Using special screws, you can easily adjust the fitting. The Astra geyser, the operating instructions for which is supplied, has, according to consumers, economical fuel consumption. The design has a high-quality pressure regulator. Traction can be checked very simply. Removal of combustion products occurs quickly. In terms of safety, the speaker outperforms other models.
Repair of Astra brand geyser
Repair of the Astra geyser begins with shutting off the gas. The column does not need to be removed. The front part can be dismantled using a screwdriver, but first you need to unscrew the bolts located on the sides. The first thing you need to check is the economizer; it is located behind the electrode. Removing the latter will be quite difficult. It is fixed with 4 bolts. You should not touch the heat exchanger.
When you repair individual components, it is important not to touch the fitting; it is used to measure pressure. If this part is damaged, the head will have to be replaced. In order to remove the economizer, you only need to unscrew the two side bolts. The consumer may well carry out the repairs with his own hands. The Astra geyser has contacts in its design that often become dirty. If they become unusable, they need to be replaced. If the economizer does not work after replacement, then it will also have to be changed. These faults are among the main ones for Astra speakers.
If you are faced with a problem when the Astra gas water heater does not light up, this may indicate a lack of draft in the ventilation passage. You can check the traction very simply. The gas water heater is turned off, and a burning match should be brought to the chimney outlet. If the flame is carried into the chimney, then everything is in order - you can connect the column. Otherwise, the chimney should be cleaned. However, it is better to entrust this matter to a special master.
The Astra geyser, the malfunctions of which you should consider when operating this equipment, sometimes goes out immediately after ignition. In this case, you should adjust the supply of cold water to the column. Do not try to dilute hot and cold water, as this may cause the flame to die out.
Geyser Astra - Malfunctions and their elimination
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The geyser Astra 8910 has broken down. After you open the clean water supply tap, a spark forms on it, which does not go out even when the flame is constantly burning. Its supply stops only after a while. And sometimes it goes out immediately. What could it be? Try cleaning the ionization electrode. You should free the entire device from dust, especially pay attention to the burner. It is possible that the ionization electrode wire has burnt out, in which case it must be reconnected. A malfunction has appeared in the gas water heater VPG 18. The problem is related to the operation of the water block. When I turn off the water supply, the device does not stop working as it should. At first, he would turn off the flame with a loud bang, sometimes even several. And now it has stopped going out completely. But on the burner you can see small stripes of burning gas. Accordingly, the unit heats up even when the water is turned off. I think the problem is in the rod; apparently it does not completely close the gas supply valve. When I had my last inspection, I noticed that the movement of the rod was difficult, but it was still in good order. This creates a dilemma. If he walks freely, water seeps through him. If it is too hard, then the system is sealed, but the gas is not blocked by tendency. It probably needs to be lubricated with something. Can I use graphite lubricant? I would not like to change the entire water block, but if necessary, I will have to. The frog is not to blame for your problem. Everything happens because of the spring located in the gas part. Remove the burner and take it out. Try stretching the spring. Everything should work. Can I install a heat exchanger from the 18 kW model on the Astra VPG 21 gas water heater? It seems to me that there shouldn't be a problem. I've never had a gas water heater before. In the apartments where I lived, boilers worked or there was hot water supply. But now I have an Astra column installed. Even though it works, it was always very uncomfortable to use. There has been a very thin stream of hot water flowing from the hot water tap since installation. At the same time, water flowed into the device with sufficient pressure. It was completely impossible to wash in the shower. I had to draw a bath, mixing hot and cold water, and wash myself. In order to cope with the problem, I decided to disassemble the unit and see what was wrong with it. First of all, I began to inspect the water reducer, and found out that it was covered with plaque. The layer reached a couple of millimeters. I cleaned it, cleaning all the holes at the same time. I began to examine further and found out that the valve body itself was made using the lowest quality steel. Accordingly, the valve was partially destroyed due to interaction with water. After my actions, the pressure became better, but the water heater now does not light up. After I narrowed the inlet hole with a brass bushing, the problem was solved. It turns out that if you fix the gearbox with three screws, the column does not work, but if you unscrew the screws and lift the cover, supporting it with a beam, everything starts to work. The device goes out only if you turn off the hot water supply. If I mix in a cold one, it also lights up if the hot one is open. Maybe I should lengthen the rod a couple of millimeters, but how can I do this? Or is something else broken? Contact the service center specialists. On my gas water heater Astra 8910, the automatic system is triggered with a delay. The burner does not turn off immediately after the hot water supply is turned off, but after some time. Sometimes the flame lasts for another 30 seconds. Tell me, is this a problem with the membrane? Can I replace it myself? I have a repair kit, which, in addition to the membrane, includes: a brass mushroom, oil seals, and a rod bushing. Do they need to be changed too? I installed the unit in 2010, and until now the membrane has not been changed. Your problem is not with the membrane. You just need to stretch the small spring located in the gas part a little. The igniter does not light. What could have broken? You need to clean the igniter. The tube must be removed and cleaning work carried out. The gasket may need to be replaced. There is a malfunction in the gas water heater Astra VPG 18. Water is supplied to the tap with weak pressure, the device does not ignite. Cold water is supplied with good pressure. How can I find the cause of the breakdown? This malfunction can have many reasons. For example, the heat exchanger is dirty, the filter is clogged, there may be debris stuck in the hot water supply pipe, or the screen itself is faulty. In order to determine the cause, you can try to connect the device without an outlet pipeline and check the water pressure directly through the unit. If everything is fine with it, then there is a blockage in the pipeline. If not, then the problem is with the device itself. We recently connected a HSV Astra 8910 gas water heater. When I turn on the water, the main burner does not want to light up, or, if it does start, the flame is very small. It seems to me that there is a problem with the membrane. I'm right? Yes, most likely you are right. This is a membrane. You can install a membrane you made yourself in your device; you can cut it out of sheet rubber down to one millimeter. My geyser Astra VPG 21 is broken. When I open the hot water tap, it goes out. I tried cleaning the thermocouple, but that didn't help. I checked the membrane, everything is fine with it, but I still installed a new one. The water pressure passing through the unit decreases, but only slightly. Where should I look for the source of the problem? Try checking the traction, maybe it is bad, or the traction sensor is broken. Perhaps instead of a draft sensor, you have a curved tube installed at the top of the water heater, then air is supplied through it, which is necessary for combustion. When the draft is disrupted, it is no longer air that flows through this tube, but smoke. Accordingly, the burner does not have enough oxygen for combustion, and it goes out. Therefore, models, even if they do not have a draft sensor, are triggered by an increase in temperature in the upper part of the device. Such devices are more sensitive to deterioration in traction. Also check that the pilot flame completely covers the thermocouple. If this is not the case, then the thermocouple does not heat up enough and does not give a signal to ignite the main burner. The instantaneous water heater of this model has been in operation for a year and a half. From the very beginning, problems arose when the water temperature increased from warm to hot. When you turn the gas supply control knob to the left and set it opposite the small red flame icon, the unit begins to make strange sounds. The pressure of cold water and hot water coming out of it is normal. But at the same time, the temperature of the water supplied to the tap is very low. I'm scared to increase the gas supply. Even a small turn of the knob to the left, and the device produces more and more powerful sounds. It seems to me that this could be dangerous. Is it possible to somehow repair it? If the sound is similar to the sound made by a kettle before it boils, then your device is covered with scale from the inside. Please tell me how to remove the heat exchanger from the VPG 21 gas water heater? I'm already using a gas wrench and pulling with all my might, but I still can't unscrew it. Both the inlet and outlet of the heat exchanger are screwed with union nuts and fittings. They can be unscrewed with regular keys, but you will need two keys. One holds the fitting, and the other unscrews the nut. If you use a gas wrench, the nut may crack. It is also possible that water has entered the connection and the nut has become sour. Then it is better to remove the heat exchanger with the device removed and placed on the floor. The Astra VPG 18 gas water heater stopped starting. For repairs, I disassembled the water block and installed a new rod with a mushroom and a membrane. Now the device starts working only when water is supplied to the tap at maximum pressure. The water is correspondingly very cold. How can I repair the device? The frog there is old, installed without a disk. If there is a black membrane there, then your problem is understandable. Look at the water block, if there is a 22 key plug on the front, unscrew it. There you will find a filter. It needs to be taken out. The pressure regulator adjustment needle is also screwed into the plug. You should also try to take it apart. If it breaks, you will need to buy a new regulator with a dial that allows you to adjust the pressure without disassembling the entire system. After you remove the plug, you need to use a knitting needle with a diameter of 2 mm to clean the hole in the block. Several years ago we installed this model of a gas instantaneous water heater. For installation, we called specialists from the gas service, who, after studying the water pressure, advised us to buy a device of this particular model. After some time of operation, the pressure of hot water supplied to the bathroom decreased. At the same time, water is supplied in the kitchen as usual. Moreover, if we open the tap in the kitchen, the unit turns on immediately, and if in the bathroom, then to supply water it is necessary to open the water in the kitchen. And today my pipes froze because there was no water for some time. Now the pressure has been restored. But the device does not work, no matter where I open the tap, the column is turned off. How can I fix this? Hot water can only come out of one hole. If the hot water pressure is good in one place and poor in another, then the problem is clearly in the pipeline or in the faucet in the bathtub. Try adjusting the water supply using a special adjustment screw installed in the water part of the frog. A malfunction has appeared in the gas water heater Astra VPG 21; it immediately goes out or does not start at all. It seems to me that the problem is either a damaged membrane or poor pressure. There may be a blockage somewhere. I noticed that the water pressure from the cold water tap is significantly greater than the pressure from the hot water. The pilot light burns well, but you can't hear it. It seems to me that this is not entirely correct. Can I somehow fix the problem? First of all, you need to disconnect the water inlet and outlet from the device and try to ignite it. If the startup goes without problems, then your pipes are clogged. If the unit still does not start, it means that the membrane is most likely torn or the filter is clogged. You need to unscrew the adjuster wheel located at the front of the water block. To do this, you need an eight key. Under it you will find a nut that requires a 22mm wrench. Unscrew it, there is a filter mesh there. I have a model of a similar design installed, and it has been in use for 5 years. The igniter was making extraneous noise, in order to fix the problem, I used a spring from an automatic ballpoint pen, which I placed at the output of the igniter. Everything fits perfectly there. The spring is located under the flame guide petal. You don't even need to disassemble anything there. You just make a divider. The igniter is now quiet. I carried out maintenance on the Astra 8910 column. After I removed the heat exchanger, I poured an anti-scale solution into it. Then I checked where I was losing water flow rate. And this is what I installed. Water arrives with a water pressure of 1.6 atmospheres. This is water flowing out of a cold water tap at a speed of 12.5 liters per minute. After flushing, the water flow improved. If you connect the flexible inlet and outlet lines with a nipple, the pressure remains almost unchanged. At the same time, water flows from the hot tap at a speed of 3.5 liters per minute. The difference is almost 10 times. The regulator located on the block is in the “cold” position, thereby ensuring maximum water flow through the unit. Could there be a problem with the regulator, and is it stuck in the “horizontal” position? Is there any way I can check this? Most likely this is not the problem. Such regulators do not break. Pay attention to the filter installed there, it may be clogged. To check, you need to unscrew the nut located under the “horizontal-cold” adjusting knob. I had a similar case when we washed the heat exchanger for a very long time, repaired the inlet part, and did a lot of other things, but in fact it turned out that we had pinched the gasket, and because of it, little water was flowing. We put the Astra VPG 18 gas water heater into operation. For 5 years it did not break down, but now this has come to an end. During ignition, the wick goes out if you release the handle. If you press the handle located on the left, gas flows to the wick. After this, if you turn it counterclockwise, the piezo starts to work and the wick lights up. I hold the button in this position so that the thermocouple warms up properly. But as soon as I let go of the handle, the wick goes out, although it should continue to burn. It turns out that the device is constantly turned off when it should be working. I still haven't figured out the reason for the breakdown. You have to constantly go and re-light it. And lately, it has become very difficult to kindle it. This requires heating the thermocouple for more than 2 minutes. And then it didn't light up at all. But after a few hours of stopping, it started up almost immediately, but then went out again, and I couldn’t start it for a day. The last time it caught fire, it went out completely. I couldn't get it to work anymore. What could have happened to her? You need to make sure that the tip of the thermocouple is not smoked. To do this, you can carefully clean it with fine sandpaper. Also check whether the thermocouple is completely washed by the igniter flame. You may have to clean the jet with a thin wire. There is also a thin tube going from the thermocouple to the solenoid valve, where it goes into the valve, unscrew the nut and remove this tube. Using the finest sandpaper, clean the contact and install the tube back. The nut must be tightened without tightening. If your model has an overheat sensor, you will need to clean the contacts on it too. If this does not help, you will have to buy a new thermocouple. It still doesn't turn on, perhaps because you have problems with the membrane located in the water part. The traction sensor and the solenoid valve are connected in a series circuit in which the current is supplied by a heated thermocouple. If the contact is broken somewhere, the unit will not work. And the traction sensor is triggered when it overheats. If it heats up above a certain temperature, the contact opens and the current stops. Accordingly, the gas supply valve is closed. You can check its operation by short-circuiting the wires and removing the sensor from the system. If the device starts working, then the problem is definitely in the sensor. The HSV Astra 8910 geyser makes a loud cracking sound when water is supplied. At the same time, an extraneous sound is produced both when it is on and when it is not. What could have broken? Most likely, a circulation pump is installed in the water supply system. If this is the case, then you should switch your home system to connect to a common pipeline using soft or plastic connections. When you turn on the hot water, the instantaneous water heater either turns off or lights up spontaneously. I was told that most likely the problem was either in the membrane or the rod was stuck. I opened the water block and lubricated the stem with graphite grease. I also turned the membrane upside down. The device worked in this state for several days, but then the problem returned. Now I bought a new block made of bronze. Top fastenings with a spring. The old model did not have such components, but the store assured me that everything should work. But the rod is generally motionless. I installed a new unit, and now even the wick will not light. What should I do? Most likely your membrane has stretched; you just need to replace it for everything to work well. Your wick does not light because you have overdone it a little. In theory, it should light up, at least as long as you hold the button. Fastening with a spring designed to replace the stuffing box seal of the rod. The old one was very uncomfortable and very difficult to change. There is a stop ring for the cone, and when you removed it, it did not hold well. Try moving the rod on the water block with your hands. Its movements should be elastic, but at the same time free. You can also try turning the Venturi wheel all the way. It is located on the front of the water block.
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