Central Heating Timer Dead

one-non-blonde

I have an old ACL Lifestyle LP722 programmer that suddenly died last night. The digital display is blank and the buttons are unresponsive. Firstly, is there any way in the short-term to over-ride the timer and turn the heating off and on manually? (I have a Baxi back-boiler.)

Secondly, I found the following:

http://west-penwith.org.uk/blog/archives/222

which explains how to replace the internal battery, that I have ordered (thought I may as well try it for the sake of £5). However, this wouldn't explain why the programmer isn't getting any mains power. Is there a fuse somewhere that I can check (mains fuses are fine)?

espresso

You would need to connect a link wire between the L terminal and terminal 4 to over-ride the heating e.g. wire a simple light switch between L and 4.



Obviously if you have not got a live on the the L terminal, then this won't work and that is why your display has gone blank. The battery simply provides backup for the programmer settings during power cuts etc. and a new battery will not help with no voltage to charge it.

Canucklehead

Hi

You should have a fused switch or a normal 3 pin plug supplying the c/h system.

It will serve only the c/h system and must be fused at 3 amp.

It might be in a cylinder cupboard or by the chimney breast , or near the programmer.

GSR

one-non-blonde

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi

You should have a fused switch or a normal 3 pin plug supplying the c/h system.

It will serve only the c/h system and must be fused at 3 amp.

It might be in a cylinder cupboard or by the chimney breast , or near the programmer.

GSR

There is a switch in the cupboard next to the chimney breast where the pump is (I presumed it just powered the pump). Could this be worth a look?

EDIT: I've opened it up and there is no fuse.

espresso

one-non-blonde wrote: »

There is a switch in the cupboard next to the chimney breast where the pump is (I presumed it just powered the pump). Could this be worth a look?

EDIT: I've opened it up and there is no fuse.

Yes if it something like this:



You would need to check the fuse at the fused switch or test for live at the L terminal on the programmer back plate.

one-non-blonde

No, sorry - I was being blonde. That was a switch, not a fused switch. However, I found the fused switch outside the cupboard in the living room - I'd always presumed it was for the aerial booster (I've only been in this house 8 years, lol).

Fuse was duly changed and timer came back on (hurrah!) but as soon as I try and put the boiler on it blows again. Now what... do I need an electrician?

Canucklehead

Hi.

You're supposed to be non blonde!?

As the boiler won't work leave the fuse out/blown and find someone gas safe, the fire front will need to come off to get a good look at all the electrics.

GSR

one-non-blonde

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi.

Unless someone is having a laugh and taken the fuse out you've got the wrong switch.

I wouldn't put a fuse in it to see what might happen.

Follow any cables associated with the heating back and see if any other switches become apparant.

I wouldn't suggest you start live testing cables I have no idea how confident you are.

GSR

Yeah, I had the wrong switch at first - found the right one now though! The timer now works but trips every time I try and turn the heating on.

one-non-blonde

Canucklehead wrote: »

Hi.

You're supposed to be non blonde!?

As the boiler won't work leave the fuse out/blown and find someone gas safe, the fire front will need to come off to get a good look at all the electrics.

GSR

Good job I can laugh at myself, eh?

I'm fairly competent in many respects but I have no reason to know how a central heating system works and I don't have the money to employ somebody without trying to exhaust some basic avenues first. The boiler is so old that it no longer complies with regulations and I'm concerned that someone coming in would just condemn it, leaving us with no heating and absolutely no means to do anything about it (did I mention I have no money? Lol). I know safety comes first though (I have CO monitors).

But yeah, looks like it's out of my hands now. Thanks for the help!

Canucklehead

Hi.

You could look for any signs of water leaks onto pump, any motorised valve or stat. It might not be inside the boiler.

Unfortunately if it's dead and dangerous there's not much can be done.

Good luck.

GSR