new digital timer for oil boiler

mykrodot

I have a Firebird boiler in my house, working perfectly and serviced every year. Its about 20years old. The only thing that has stopped working is the timer. It is one of the old types with the little notches you pull in and out. It won't click on, even when I manually turn the knob past the settings I've made there is no "click"…….. but there is click at the off point…. so the on point is no longer working. I can now only use the heat when I am actually at home.

Just wondering if anyone has a ballpark figure to get this replaced with a digital timer I could set more easily and maybe even use remotely with an App if I am away.

Thanks.

Wearb

From about 80 to 200+ euro very roughly.

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122940807#Comment_122940807

great thanks a million

Wearb

Cheapest would be a simple wifi switch or socket, right up to a Hive, Nest, Tado etc. thermostat.

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122941954#Comment_122941954

how would this connect to the Firebird boiler? I'd need a plumber or an electrician wouldn't I?

Wearb

Your service person might be able to do it. The simplest way would be to remove your old timer and wire in the new setup from there.

If your service person can't do it, then it would be a simple job for an electrician. A lot of plumbers would also be able to do it.

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122943908#Comment_122943908

great stuff thanks. I think I'll wait until January to get someone out. Good info to know beforehand.

declan b

Id recommend fitting a Eph R17 V2 Digital timeclock with no app

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122944788#Comment_122944788

I'm completely ignorant in this whole area. Do you mean the above digital timeclock but it can't be used with an App? The App would be a huge plus for me as I am away a lot. I'd like to be able to manage my heat remotely rather than just on a timer.

thanks

ongarite

Tado starter kit with wireless thermostat would be ideal if you have basic timer setup with no room thermostat at present.

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/tado-v3-wireless-heating-hot-water-smart-thermostat-starter-kit-white/141kt

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122945359#Comment_122945359

Thanks…………..that looks good. I have a thermostat in both the downstairs and upstairs…… I just don't have a timer that works.

steamdave

I have recently installed a Drayton RF902 as a replacement for a failed Danfoss item. It controls the heating times and temps and the hot water times, both independently and up to 4 periods per day.

It can be used with or without the app. I use it without. The Receiver, wired to the boiler is mains powered and should be a straight swap for your clock.

The only possible downside is that the controller is battery operated, but mine has been going for about 5 months no problem. But it does mean that you can move the controller anywhere convenient in the house.

There are loads of videos on YouTube to help you with any difficulties and the help desk is good.

Price at Screwfix 126EU.

Dave

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122946922#Comment_122946922

thanks for that. So basically I'll be ringing either boiler service man or plumber/electrician and asking them to fit one of these if I buy it. I just needed a general idea of what is needed. Being female and living on my own I can do a lot, but changing a timer on the boiler not one of my strengths :-)

I moved to this house a year ago and needed a lot of tradesmen for shower replacement, kitchen works, fencing etc . Some were dead on and prices good but my plumber in particular was incredibly expensive and I'm reluctant to go with him again.

Tom44

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058383866/new-digital-timer-for-oil-boiler

20 years old, if it has the red diamond flap to see the flame, change it and save 35% on running costs and a warming home.

If it has a glass window, that's a better design type, but not as good as a modern condensing A rated boiler. 20% saving.

mykrodot

delete

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122954174#Comment_122954174

Thanks Tom , however I don't know what you mean about red diamond flap or glass window. Here is a photo of my boiler and timer with the click in bits. It wont switch on even when I set the little click in pieces. Needs to be replaced. Maybe the bits you mention are behind the cover but this is where I need a plumber or electrician?

drury..

Just be careful that if the mechanical timer is currently the only means of switching off power local to the boiler

You will need some reliable means of isolating power which is not the digital timer

Its often overlooked when but any REC would be aware of this

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122957884#Comment_122957884

thanks. However I won't be doing this work myself, I will have to get someone who knows boilers to change the timer (maybe serviceman will do it). I hope they will know about power supply. Just looking now and while it is well wired into the wall behind, the mechanical timer seems to be the only way to switch off power.

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122957901#Comment_122957901

A rec will know anyhow

Appliances all have local isolation usually double pole

An existing mechanical timer provides a reasonably safe way of isolating power to the boiler

Digital timers and smart controls definitely do not so require a separate means of isolating supply to boiler locally

Only making the point as posters and lurkers generally forget this when swapping out immersion switches etc for smart controls, better to have it stated on the thread

Wearb

An electrician would replace that with a simple on/off switch very quickly. It'd get you going until after Christmas.

Just explain what you need when talking to them, so that they know that it's a quick job.

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122957968#Comment_122957968

Yad replace it with a mechanical timer just as quickly

Would do him for longer

drury..

The job hardly warrants 2 callouts anyhow whatever y do

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122957968#Comment_122957968

I'm not stuck and I can manually turn it on and off as long as I am in the house. Its just the timer I need for when I am not here. So its not a rush before Christmas especially as weather is not too cold. But will definitely get it done in January. Thanks

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122958048#Comment_122958048

yes this is what I want. I am able to turn it on and off now manually, just need a new timer.

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959145#Comment_122959145

Would recommend this.

https://www.electricalwholesaler.ie/Products/Solar-Heating-Safety/HeatersHeatingControlsHandDryers/TimeclocksHeatControls/OPSBWF01/

drury..

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959145#Comment_122959145

10 min job if you're replacing the square timer with the same 24hr timer

Digital timer probably needs a separate isolator and more work and the options of what timer to fit

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959163#Comment_122959163

definitely want a digital timer this time round, had one before in another house and they really are the way to go for me, there is just so much control .

mykrodot

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122959154#Comment_122959154

and that would work with my old Firebird boiler (photo in a post above)? Looks neat! I don't want to spend a fortune on a 20 year old boiler in case it stops working in a year or so. But its going great now anyway.

Wearb

If you're going to spend that sort of money, I go for something with thermostatic control also, such as Hive, Tado etc.

drury..

Could be getting into bigger works needing a survey and someone experienced in the works

Anyway you say you have switching of the heating for now, just the clock stopped

kippy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122960240#Comment_122960240

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122960270#Comment_122960270

It's a relatively basic app controlled switch that manages the one off function of the burner. Burner I have is around the same vitage and if you change it in future I'd be pretty sure this switch could be redeployed on the new one or for some other function. Doesn't require any form of subscription service etc. It's been a game changer in my house over the past 3 years in relation to efficiency and costs.

In relation to thermostatic controlled systems - they generally cost more to run, are more difficult to install and in many houses (without full on insulation etc) they aren't going to save you money or time.

That said, plenty have them, but for our own living circumstances they make no sense.