Replace old central heating timer with new?

bownyboy

We're saving up for a new boiler and pipework which may be another year or so away. In the meantime I wondered if its possible to just replace the old analogue rotary timer with a new modern one?

It's about 40 years old and has the small blue and red switches that turn the boiler on/off on a circular dial that moves around.

Drives us mad as we have to keep changing it at weekends and is very inflexible. It's connected to an old Baxi Bermuda back boiler, cyclinder and there is a temperature setting in a separate room.

happybiker

Yes it will be possible, do you know the make and model of the timer you already have?
If not, post a picture please so we can identify it.

bownyboy

Hi HappyBiker, I don't have the details to hand but will post them up with picture later tonight, thanks.

macman

Sounds like a Danfoss Randall-still available:
http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/danfoss-randall-programmers-766-0000
Get a proper digital programmer and remove the old room 'stat, much better and more controllable.

happybiker

macman wrote: »

Sounds like a dDanfos Randall-still available:
http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/danfoss-randall-programmers-766-0000
Get a proper digital programmer and remove the old room 'stat, much better and more controllable.

My initial thought was a RAndal 103, possibly a 102, but until known, its hard to suggest anything. If the OP is saving for a new system, it's pointless doing any upgrade work because that will cost.

Owain_Moneysaver

bownyboy wrote: »

We're saving up for a new boiler and pipework which may be another year or so away. In the meantime I wondered if its possible to just replace the old analogue rotary timer with a new modern one?

Yes.

If your timer switches both heating and hot water you will need a 2-channel timer, and if your slider switches are interlocked so you can have HW or HW+CH, but not CH on its own, you will need an electronic timer with a similar interlock.

In many cases, manufacturers make replacement programmers that fit on the old backplates, so you can just swap the two (and set a couple of links inside to set the HW+CH interlock). In many cases you will be able to reuse the programmer with your new boiler if you want to.

bownyboy

Here's the photo of what we have:



As happybiker said, this is an interim measure, we will be replacing the whole system but not for another 12-18 months. So looking for a 7 day programmer to keep us going.

Any recommendations for make/models appreciated. Is this a competent DIY job, or shall I leave it to a gas/boiler engineer?

happybiker

That programmer is mounted to an almost industry standard plug and play backplate. Replacing should be a reasonably simple. Diy job, let me check tomorrow and post back. Someone else may post a suitable suggested replacement that will give you the facility to programme different times for different days

Edit. Google..'Siemens rwb29 programmer' plenty of info available for a competent. Diy job , and that will achieve what you want.

Heating Controls Online have it in stock at £35 inc vat

TTFN and good luck

GreenSheep

Really not a big job. You might want to mention where in the country you are.
I do those sort of jobs for a cup of tea...

bownyboy

GreenSheep wrote: »

Really not a big job. You might want to mention where in the country you are.
I do those sort of jobs for a cup of tea...

Thanks guys appreciate it. I'm in Surrey GreenSheep near surbiton, cup of tea and bottle of wine if you happen to live round this area too!

Just saw your West Sussex so a fair distance away. I'll order the Seimens RWB29 and give it a go.

bownyboy

A very long overdue update. I only just got round to ordering the RWB29 for £39 from an eBay supplier. Arrived 2 days later and after unscrewing 2 screws I popped off the old timer and simply popped the new one into place.

Total time spent: 2 minutes.

No wiring required. Just changed the dip sticks to configure it for 5/2 day operation.

Should have done this 5 years ago! Sitting back sipping a cold beer feeling good with myself.