Storage heater timer - can anyone help?

bobbyf

I moved into my flat 2 weeks ago and am struggling to figure out the storage heaters. I understand the basic output/input controls, but there is some sort of timer or thermostat (or both) on the wall and I haven't got a clue how to use it.

I have searched all over the web for instructions but no luck. So I'm hoping someone on here can talk me through it.

This timer box is on a different wall to the storage heater, it is a Legrand make, and it is about 6 inches across and 3 inches high. Under the little cover there is a dial (clock?) on the left. It has an outer dial, labelled 1 to 24, which can be moved round. There are also markings on the inside of the dial - 2 little lines at 12 o'clock position, and 1 little line at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions. There are two red clock hands in the middle of all this and a little white plastic bit that sticks out at the bottom on the outside of the dial, in about the 5'clock position.

On the right hand side there are 3 much smaller dials, with a switch for each. One has a sun picture, with temperature settings from 0 to 30. One has a moon picture with the same temperature settings again. And the last one has the options of '0', 'sun pic','moon pic', 'clock pic'.

I have tried experimenting with the different options to see if I can figure out how it works for myself, but given the nature of storage heaters (no instant feedback) I can't work it out at all. Have been in flat 2 weeks now and the heaters are sometimes very warm and sometimes only slightly, but I haven't been able to work out what difference this timer box makes to any of it.

Is there anyone who knows what I'm talking about and can help me understand how I can set up my heaters (or how I can just have the timer off and do the heaters manually)?

HappyMJ

Don't try doing storage heaters manually. Pictures would be helpful. It seems your storage heaters are on a timer which means they may use some peak rate electricity if they aren't synced to the E7 hours on the meter.

faerie~spangles

When I had electric storage heaters, I only ever had the hall and the livingroom heaters on.

It is important that you turn the boost off.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

are you sure it's not a controller for your immersion heater, boost, etc.

Is there one of these for each storage heater?

It is unusual for storage heaters to be controlled by individual timers, the off peak circuit is usually controlled by a time switch connected to your meter or an internal timer within the meter.

Have a look in your meter cupboard/box, see what's there.

Oh, and what tariff are you on?

Be handy if you could put up pictures of 'timer' and meter set up.

If you put up links I will display the pictures for you.

bobbyf

Thanks everyone for your comments so far.

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

are you sure it's not a controller for your immersion heater, boost, etc.

I'm not at all sure what it is but it definitely isn't for the water.

[Deleted User] wrote:

Is there one of these for each storage heater?

No, there are 2 storage heaters (in living room and hallway) and one of these timers (in living room only). There is another timer thing in the kitchen (I haven't even tried figuring this one out yet) which helpfully says 'water heater' on it so I know the one in the living room isn't to do with the water.

[Deleted User] wrote:

Oh, and what tariff are you on?

I'm on Economy 7 and there are 2 diff meters in cupboard. I hear a clunk from them at 1am. I am all electric. 2 storage heaters and the water heater are wired directly into the wall. There is also a panel heater in bedroom.

[Deleted User] wrote:

Be handy if you could put up pictures of 'timer' and meter set up.

If you put up links I will display the pictures for you.

Thanks I'll try to get some pics.

bobbyf

Apparently as a new user I am not allowed to post links.

If anyone would be kind enough to go to Flickr and search under 'people' for 'bobbyf2012' you would find 3 photos of the timer.

Thanks

HappyMJ

bobbyf wrote: »

Apparently as a new user I am not allowed to post links.

If anyone would be kind enough to go to Flickr and search under 'people' for 'bobbyf2012' you would find 3 photos of the timer.

Thanks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76693218@N04/

Not sure what it is myself but that's the link to the photos for someone to click and have a look.

Is it a storage heater. It looks like it could be a normal electric heater. I say that as it doesn't have input and output controls but has two thermostats possibly for 2 different periods of time night and day. If you turn the day one up to 30 then what happens?

[Deleted User]

Hi,
here's your photies.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

the 'clunk' you hear could be the switch over to night rate.

You will have a meter for day rate, and one for night.

There should be a time switch in beside your meters.

Is it some kind of frost stat, as it only goes to 30'C?

I'm certain it has nothing to do with your storage heater.

bobbyf

HappyMJ wrote: »

Is it a storage heater. It looks like it could be a normal electric heater. I say that as it doesn't have input and output controls but has two thermostats possibly for 2 different periods of time night and day. If you turn the day one up to 30 then what happens?

Thanks for posting the link. It is definitely a storage heater and it does have the output/input dials on the actual heater itself. This thing in the photos is a separate box on a different wall. I tried turning it up to 30 etc, but couldnt discren any difference in anything!

bobbyf

[Deleted User] wrote:

I'm certain it has nothing to do with your storage heater.

Thanks for posting the photos.

I'll take your word for it and just ignore it for now!!